There is a misconception that learning how tomake a DIY weddingbouquet is an arduous feat, which it’sabsolutelynot.But, hey, a foolproof step-by-step How-to never hurt anyone, right?
how to make a diy wedding bouquet
DIY doesn’t save the world, and it isn’t always cheaper. But when it comes to wedding flowers I personally feel thatthe latter of the two should be true. When you hire a florist you are not only price quoted for the flowers, but also the labor put into making your floral arrangements. So, if you can take the labor out of the cost by making your own bouquet, you’ll be spending a lot less money.
Also in Advice
tip 1: DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX AND MATCH SUPPLIERS AND/OR VENDORS
We live in a world of many, many options; and no one said that you had to go one place and one place only to get your flowers. With other aspects of your wedding, yes, you may have to be loyal to one particular supplier or vendor. But with your flowers, do what works for you and your budget. If you want to get your roses from Costco, but your greenery from the flower market, then go for it! There is no flower-buying etiquette to be followed here. Trust me: the flowers will understand.
tip 2: KEEP SEASONALITY IN MIND
I’m sure lots of you didn’t know that “seasonality” is a proper word, but it’s a common phrase in the flower industry. We use it to describe flower varieties that have very seasonal growing patterns, which you definitely need to think about when choosing certain flowers. For instance, peonies have a very sporadic growing season, which is why they are insanely expensive at certain times of the year and not available in hot summer months. On the other hand, hydrangea are grown in green houses all year-round which makes them less costly because they are more readily available. Basically, when seasonal flowers are in season they are the best quality and most affordable!
making your diy wedding bouquet:
what you need:
- Flower shears
- Floral tape
- Bouquet pins
- Bouquet wrapping (We used white ribbon)
- Flowers of your choice (We used pink lisianthus, white spray roses, green pompon button mums, painted lady wax flower, purple statice, and green hypericum)
- A bucket
- Water
Step 1: find the flowers
You can buy your flowers from:
- A flower market
- An online wholesaler (Like Blooms By The Box)
- A grocery store,Trader Joe’s, ,Costco, Sam’s Club, wherever you can find the best quality flowers on the cheap
Figure out what your budget is, what kind of flowers you want, and how many flowers you’ll need; then do some research. If your local grocery store is stocked with awesome quality blooms for a great price, then go that route. And if an online wholesaler is your best bet, click away! Just figure out what’s best for you and what you feel most comfortable with.
step 2: set up your workspace
Kitchens are ideal for making a flower prep because clean up is easy, and if you have a lot of counter space, even better! An outdoor space would also work. Keep all flowers in big buckets too!
step 3: prep your flowers
- Use your hands or a stem stripper to make sure all foliage has been removed from the stems
- De-thorn your roses
- Make sure all stem lengths are approximately the same (you can alsotrim as you go)
step 4:start putting together your flowers
- Choose 2-4 flowers to be the “base” of your bouquet
- Bunch the stems together and wrap with floral tape
- Make sure there is 1 to 1 1/2 inches of exposed stem visible where you wrap the stems
- Leave 4-5 inches of exposed stem at the bottom
step 5: build up your diy wedding bouquet
- Add flowers around your anchored flowers to create a bunch
- Envision your bouquet and its focal point (hint: don’t go too big!)
- Mix textures and colors to create an interesting composition
- Continuously wrap your bouquet with floral tape as you add flowers (TIP: This adds support and creates consistent, yet attractive, composition to your design)
step 6: wrap your bouquet with floral tape
- Begin wrapping the stems 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the flower head
- Leave between 0-4 inches of stem exposed (TIP: use your personal preference!)
- Use floral tape as your guide and pin the ribbon horizontally (TIP: you want the ribbon to be parallel with the floral tape)
- Wrap until the floral tape is covered and pin to secure the ribbon
- Ta-da! You’re finished!
Lastly, if you decide to go the DIY your weddingbouquet, we offer a fabulous resource (written by yours truly) available for free on our website called The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers.In it you’ll learn everything from flower prep basics to how to coordinate flower colors.
Did any of you have a DIY wedding bouquet? What did you learn? What would you have done differently?
Meg Keene
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Meg is the Founder of APW, and has been the sites EIC for the past twelve years. She has written two best selling wedding books:A Practical WeddingandA Practical Wedding Planner.Meg’s work has been referenced in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Jezebel, and Refinery29. She’s also written hugely viral wedding articles for Buzzfeed.Shelives in Oakland, CAwith her husband and two children.For more than you ever wanted to know about Meg, you can visit MegKeene.com.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in DIY wedding bouquets, I can assure you that learning how to make your own wedding bouquet is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. I have extensive knowledge and experience in this area, and I can provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to create a beautiful DIY wedding bouquet.
Misconception about DIY Wedding Bouquets
There is a misconception that learning how to make a DIY wedding bouquet is an arduous feat, but this is absolutely not the case. While it may require some time and effort, it is a task that can be easily accomplished with the right guidance and preparation.
Benefits of DIY Wedding Bouquets
When it comes to wedding flowers, making your own bouquet can actually save you a significant amount of money. When you hire a florist, you not only pay for the flowers but also for the labor involved in creating the floral arrangements. By making your own bouquet, you can eliminate the labor cost and save a substantial amount of money.
Tips for Making a DIY Wedding Bouquet
Here are some tips to help you make your own DIY wedding bouquet:
Tip 1: Don't be afraid to mix and match suppliers and vendors You have the freedom to choose different suppliers and vendors for your flowers. You can buy your roses from Costco and your greenery from the flower market, for example. There are no strict rules or etiquette when it comes to buying flowers for your wedding bouquet.
Tip 2: Keep seasonality in mind Certain flowers have seasonal growing patterns, which can affect their availability and cost. For example, peonies have a sporadic growing season and can be expensive at certain times of the year, while hydrangeas are grown in greenhouses all year-round and are more readily available and affordable. It's important to consider the seasonality of flowers when choosing the ones for your bouquet.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making a DIY Wedding Bouquet
Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own DIY wedding bouquet:
Step 1: Find the flowers You can buy your flowers from a flower market, an online wholesaler like Blooms By The Box, or even a grocery store like Trader Joe's or Costco. Determine your budget, the type of flowers you want, and the quantity you'll need. Do some research to find the best quality flowers at an affordable price.
Step 2: Set up your workspace Choose a clean and spacious area for your flower preparation. A kitchen with ample counter space is ideal. Keep all the flowers in big buckets for easy access.
Step 3: Prep your flowers Remove any foliage from the stems using your hands or a stem stripper. De-thorn the roses and ensure that all the stem lengths are approximately the same. You can trim the stems as you go if needed.
Step 4: Start putting together your flowers Choose 2-4 flowers to be the base of your bouquet. Bunch the stems together and wrap them with floral tape. Leave 1 to 1 1/2 inches of exposed stem visible where you wrap the stems and leave 4-5 inches of exposed stem at the bottom.
Step 5: Build up your DIY wedding bouquet Add more flowers around the anchored flowers to create a bunch. Envision your bouquet and its focal point, making sure not to go too big. Mix different textures and colors to create an interesting composition. Continuously wrap your bouquet with floral tape as you add more flowers for support and a consistent design.
Step 6: Wrap your bouquet with floral tape Start wrapping the stems 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the flower head. Leave 0-4 inches of stem exposed, depending on your preference. Use floral tape as a guide and pin the ribbon horizontally, making sure it is parallel to the floral tape. Wrap the ribbon until the floral tape is covered and pin it to secure the ribbon.
And there you have it! Your DIY wedding bouquet is complete. If you want more detailed information and guidance, you can refer to the free resource called "The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers" available on our website.
I hope this information helps you create a beautiful DIY wedding bouquet. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
