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.
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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 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.
FAQs
On average, you can save between 50 and 60% with making your wedding flowers versus having them done.
How far in advance should I make a wedding bouquet? ›
“I like to make the bouquet the day before the wedding,” says Eells. If a wedding is on Saturday, she typically sources her flowers on Thursday, creates the bouquet on Friday, and then adds the ribbon on the wedding day to finish it off. “For your wedding day, you want the blooms to be at their best,” she adds.
Is it hard to make your own wedding bouquet? ›
This bouquet may look intimidating, but it is actually quite simple and easy to make! You will probably already have almost all of the equipment needed, but you may need to get hold of some white ribbon or floral tape.
Is it tacky to use fake flowers in a wedding bouquet? ›
Using fake flowers or plants for a wedding is not tacky at all as long as you select high-quality artificial plants that look just as natural as the real ones. In fact, high-quality faux plants or flowers can even make your wedding appear more elegant while stretching the dollar.
How do you make a cheap bouquet look expensive? ›
The best way to make a bouquet look expensive is to mix different kinds of flowers together. Try arranging it so you have a consistent mix of smaller buds, larger focal blooms, and plenty of greenery to frame them.
How many types of flowers should be in a bridal bouquet? ›
| Bridal Bouquet | Number of Flowers for Small Arrangement | Number of Flowers for Large Arrangement |
|---|
| Peonies Bridal Bouquet | 3-4 Peonies | 10-12 Peonies |
| Garden Roses Bridal Bouquet | 4-5 Roses | 9-12 Roses |
| Hydrangeas Bridal Bouquet | 2-3 Hydrangeas | 6-7 Hydrangeas |
| Rose Bridal Bouquet | 8-12 Roses | 21-25 Roses |
9 more rowsTo give you a rough idea, bridal bouquets can require 18 to 30 stems, bridesmaid bouquets 10 to 15 stems, and centerpieces anywhere from 20 to 50 stems, depending on the size and style.
What makes a good bridal bouquet? ›
Consider Greenery and Fillers for Balance and Beauty
While bridal bouquets can be stunning with only flowers, utilizing textural branches and soft greenery adds visual interest and helps create intriguing shapes while showcasing the more prominent blooms.
How do you keep a homemade wedding bouquet fresh? ›
If you're hoping to keep your wedding bouquet fresh until you or a professional can preserve the blooms, make sure to pop the stems in water as soon as possible. For bouquets and centerpieces alike, store the flowers in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight until you're ready to use them or preserve them.
How many stems are in a bridal bouquet? ›
Quick Guide to Help Plan for your Wedding Flowers
| BOUQUET | Small | Medium |
|---|
| Mixed Bouquet* | 7 to 9 stems | 18 to 20 stems |
| Peony Bouquet | 5 to 7 stems | 9 to 12 stems |
| Garden Rose Bouquet | 5 to 7 stems | 9 to 12 stems |
| Hydrangea Bouquet | 2 to 3 stems | 4 to 5 stems |
2 more rowsComplement your wedding dress — A voluminous dress and princess train calls for drama to match. For big, beautiful gowns go for a grand bouquet to enhance the silhouette. A delicate tea length wedding dress, on the other hand, might be better with a smaller bouquet to balance the look.
How much does it cost to make a wedding bouquet? ›
The average price of a bridal bouquet is $211. The average price of a bridesmaid bouquet is $89 (per bouquet). The average price of a boutonniere is $17 (per boutonniere). The average price of a reception centerpiece is $98 (per centerpiece).
Does the bride toss her own bouquet? ›
To prevent the guests from tearing her gown to shreds, brides began to toss their bouquet as a distraction to guests, allowing her to make an escape with her dress intact. Grabbing the flowers was considered an act of good fortune, as the accessory symbolised fertility coming from a married woman.
Is it cheaper to decorate your own wedding? ›
Generally, handling your own wedding decor will be a much more affordable way to get the look you're after. By sourcing and styling your own wedding decor pieces, you can avoid the extra costs that can come with a wedding planner or venue stylist.
Is it cheaper to plan your own wedding? ›
If you're on a budget, planning your own wedding will undoubtedly save you some money as hiring a pro comes at an additional cost. Some people opt to hire a day-of coordinator instead of someone to plan their entire wedding which is a much more budget-friendly option.
How do you maximize a floral budget for a wedding? ›
How to Maximise Your Budget for Wedding Flowers
- Choose Seasonal Blooms.
- Make a Statement.
- Work With a Florist You Trust.
- Adopt a Multi-Purpose Approach.
- Invest in a Stunning Bouquet.
- Add Ribbon or Tulle.
- Focus on Memorable Tablescapes.
- Incorporate Votives and Vases.
Because they have to cover the costs of labor, utilities for coolers, tools, building expenses, insurance, marketing, website and other expenses associated with running a business, the price of going through a wedding florist will cost more than purchasing and designing the flowers yourself.
