For a more subtle bouquet, choose colors similar to your wedding gown’s. Avoid identical shades and consider including accent colors. Too much similarity can make the scene flat and hard to photograph. A bouquet of similar colors and shades is the easiest to put together. A classic bouquet uses white, cream, peach, and light pink flowers. Complementary colors make a pleasing bouquet. Try yellow and violet, blue and orange, or red and green. If you don’t want a bold bouquet, use soft tones and light shades.
Single roses (not spray roses[1] X Research source ) Peonies (ask a florist to recommend a variety, as many double-flower peonies have weak stems[2] X Research source ) Hydrangeas Magnolia Double dahlias (single dahlias tend to drop petals[3] X Research source ) Lisianthus Cymbidium orchids Calla lilies (or colorful mini callas) Stargazer lilies
Popular secondary flowers include small single roses, spray roses, and freesia. “Filler flowers” are sprays of tiny flowers, buds, or berries. Try waxflower, baby’s breath, or seeded eucalyptus.
Most bridal bouquet diameters range from 8 inch (20cm) to 13 inches (33cm). Get more flowers than you need. The number of flowers depends on the variety. Fifteen to thirty flowers is typical, but order spares as well. You may change your mind or come up with a new idea as you are building the bouquet.
Leave the stems long so they are easier to work with. You can trim them again once the bouquet is finished.
Discard damaged or discolored flowers.
Hold the bouquet just beneath the blossoms, where the stems cross. If you grip lower, the bent stems may cause the flowers to snap off.
As you cross the stems, rotate your hand making a spiral shape with the stems. A small bouquet may only use one ring of primary flowers around the center, especially if the blooms are large and fluffy.
Alternatively, build a Biedermeier bouquet. These have concentric circles of flowers with bold color differences.
If you have bouquet jewelry, push these down in between flowers throughout the bouquet. It only takes three or four pins to have a noticeable effect, but feel free to use more. You may insert filler flowers throughout your bouquet. To make a spray at the edge, insert them between the outermost flowers only.
You can use large, strong rubber bands instead, unless using delicate-stemmed flowers such as tulips and hyacinths. [7] X Research source Place the band around two stems at one side of the bundle and twist to secure. Wrap the closed rubber band around the whole bundle several times, without inserting any stems inside it. Once tight, open the rubber band again and insert two stems on the opposite side. Place one band near the top of the stems, and a second one about 4 inches (10cm) beneath it.
For the spiral approach, weave the ribbon down the whole length of the stem, tucking it into the floral tape at the top and bottom. Secure with pins pushed into the flower stems. [8] X Research source For the bow approach, cut a piece of ribbon and tie a bow around the bouquet. Be sure to cut off any visible floral tape, natural raffia palm, or rubber band that was used to secure the bouquet. For an added touch of glamour, use pearl tipped straight pins.
If you do not have a cool room, keep the flowers in a fridge set above 35ºF (1. 7ºC). Remove all fruit from the fridge; most fruit produce gases which speed up flower aging. A light spray of hairspray may preserve your bouquet as well. Hang the bouquet upside down for a few minutes so the hairspray dries on the blooms, before returning it to the vase. [9] X Research source
If you do not have a cool room, keep the flowers in a fridge set above 35ºF (1. 7ºC). Remove all fruit from the fridge; most fruit produce gases which speed up flower aging. A light spray of hairspray may preserve your bouquet as well. Hang the bouquet upside down for a few minutes so the hairspray dries on the blooms, before returning it to the vase. [9] X Research source
Remember to consider any allergies to specific flowers/plants when selecting the combination.
You will need strippers, scissors, raffia palm or rubber bands, clippers, and white ribbon.
If you’d like green in your bouquet, keep the top leaves of each flower. Remove stamens from lilies, as they turn brown and can stain the Bride’s dress. Trim the foliage so everything below your grip on the stem in clean.
The term “nosegay” refers to a small, round bouquet inside a bouquet holder or a decorative “tussy mussy. " It can also refer to a small, looser bouquet that includes greenery or herbs.
