How to make your own bridal bouquet
A wedding bouquet is not just a floral arrangement; it's a personal statement that accompanies you down the aisle. However, getting a professionally crafted bouquet can be pricey. Here, we simplify the process of creating a budget-friendly DIY wedding bouquet.
Under the expert guidance of our founder, Elspeth Smithson-Tull, this guide provides a straightforward approach to selecting, preparing, and arranging your bouquet.
You can watch our dedicated video below, too.
1. Essential Tools
To get started creating your bridal bouquet, make sure you have the following on your workbench:
String
Scissors
Vase
Tape
2. Selecting and Preparing Your Stems
Firstly, the choice of stems sets the bouquet's colour palette and overall style. The decision lies in your hands and makes your bouquet genuinely personalised and unique to your special day.
Secondly, the right preparation ensures the longevity of your flowers. Proper conditioning, such as removing excess leaves and thorns, and trimming the stems at an angle, helps the flowers absorb water more efficiently, keeping them fresh and vibrant throughout your wedding day. This step also reduces the risk of any wilting or discolouration, ensuring your bouquet looks picture-perfect from the moment you walk down the aisle to the final toss.
Start with 3-5 varied stems.
Check if further conditioning is needed.
Utilize cut-offs from buttonholes or bud vases.
3. Building Your Bouquet
Begin with one stem, slowly rotating as you go.
Don’t hold too tight; avoid damaging the flowers.
Focus on varying heights and levels.
Crafting your bouquet begins with one central stem, acting as the foundation of your arrangement. As you rotate the stem in your hands, gradually add in your selected flowers, one by one, at varying heights and levels to add depth and interest.
Remember to intersperse textures and colours evenly throughout. If you feel a flower isn't sitting right, don't be afraid to pull it out and try again, as the design process is all about adjustment.
4. Assessing and Adjusting
Each time you add a flower, view from above and the side.
Let the bouquet form naturally, adjusting colours and positions gently.
Re-tuck any slipped flowers and ensure a balanced look.
Continue to build and rotate until you're satisfied with the shape and volume of your bouquet. Once you've finished assembling, hold the stems together firmly but gently, careful not to crush them.
5. Experimenting with Design
Experiment with different designs, remember there's no right or wrong.
Take your time, breathe, and let the bouquet form naturally.
Ensure colour distribution is balanced, and avoid clustering the same colour
Experimentation is a vital component in creating your DIY bridal bouquet. Even with a preconceived notion of what you want your bouquet to look like, the final result may differ due to the unique forms and colours of each flower.
By allowing yourself the freedom to explore different designs, you give space to creativity and potentially discover arrangements that you hadn't initially considered. Experimenting with design also provides the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them, enhancing your floral arrangement skills.
6. Securing Your Bouquet
Once satisfied, secure the bouquet using string and tape for extra hold.
Place it in a vase to maintain its shape.
Secure the stems with string or floral tape, leaving enough length at the end for final trimming. Finally, give your bouquet a good drink of water and store it in a cool, dark place overnight to maintain freshness and vibrancy. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't worry if your first attempt isn't perfect. The main thing is that it's uniquely yours and made with love
The benefits of making your own bridal bouquet
Creating your own bridal bouquet can be a rewarding experience both financially and emotionally, adding a personal touch to your special day. Here are the common benefits of creating it yourself:
Cost-Effectiveness: Save on professional florist fees.
Personal Touch: Customise to your exact taste.
Creative Expression: Express your personality and creativity.
Memorable Experience: Create lasting memories during the DIY process.
Learning Opportunity: Acquire new skills in floral arrangement.
Unique Outcome: Achieve a one-of-a-kind bouquet that's entirely yours.
How to source flowers for your DIY bridal bouquet using Stem Story
Select a colour palette that suits your wedding theme on Stem Story.
Use the flower calculator on Stem Story to determine the number of stems needed.
Schedule a delivery day; ideally 2 days before the wedding for fresh flowers.
Once delivered, condition your flowers as per Stem Story’s tutorials to ensure they remain fresh until the big day.
Utilise Stem Story’s easy-to-follow tutorials to arrange your flowers into a beautiful bouquet.
With Stem Story, sourcing and arranging your DIY wedding flowers is simplified, making it a viable option for budget-friendly yet beautiful wedding bouquets.
FAQs
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Elspeth suggests using 25-30 stems for a bridal bouquet. This does vary on the size of the bouquet you want and don't forget the size of the flower itself can have an impact. The stem calculator can also help you here.
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Elspeth recommends you prepare your bridal bouquet the day before your wedding to help keep it fresh.
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This is why Stem Story was created - our easy-to-follow DIY videos will help you arrange the perfect bridal bouquet.
