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. Are you geared up to DIY your wedding flowers? We're just as eager to help! If you have high-end dreams for your wedding flowers but don't want to spend the high-end budget, our wholesale flowers are your solution.
Is it cheaper to make your own wedding bouquets? ›
On average, you can save between 50 and 60% with making your wedding flowers versus having them done. Are you geared up to DIY your wedding flowers? We're just as eager to help! If you have high-end dreams for your wedding flowers but don't want to spend the high-end budget, our wholesale flowers are your solution.
How to make a homemade wedding bouquet? ›
As you put together stems in your hands, start with a base and then add in larger, focal flowers. Then, continue to add smaller flowers and greenery, balancing the design as you build. Once you've constructed a bouquet you love, snip the stems to trim them back and wrap the entire bouquet with a rubber band.
How far in advance should I make a wedding bouquet? ›
The best time to arrange your flowers for the wedding is the day before. As long as the flowers will be kept in water weather it's in a vase filled with water, floral foam soaked with water, or a bouquet that has been wrapped but the stems are left in a few inches of water, they will hold up overnight without issue.
Is it worth it to DIY wedding flowers? ›
DIY wedding flowers are an effective way to save money when creating a pleasing and beautiful wedding aesthetic. But it's a big job. Furthermore, people don't understand the cost of flowers and often have unrealistic visions for their budget.
Is $1000 enough for wedding flowers? ›
PERSONALS/ WEDDING PARTY FLOWERS
Based on the average wedding party you should expect to spend $1,000 to $1,500 in this area alone. If your wedding party is larger, 8+ then expect to spend on the higher end of $1,500. Let's say your wedding party is only 3 or less, you can expect to spend closer to the $1,000 side.
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 many stems are in a bridal bouquet? ›
Smaller bouquets only need a handful of flowers, while more elaborate styles will require more blooms. For flowers that are between 2.5”- 3.5” in diameter, like roses, dahlias, or peonies, we recommend using at least 25 stems for a 9” bouquet and at least 35 stems for an 11” bouquet and add some greenery leaves.
How do you keep a homemade wedding bouquet fresh? ›
Make sure you keep your flowers in a cool, dark place until you're ready to use them. Also, keep them away from vented areas or rooms with a strong draft. Cut flowers will wilt just as readily under direct air as they will sunlight. Even once they're cut, it's very important to keep your flowers hydrated.
How many flowers do I need for a DIY wedding? ›
How Many Stems Are Needed for Wedding Flowers? To 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.
It's also important to remember that (on average) your wedding bouquet should be larger than those of your bridal party. After all, this is your day! You should be the center of attention in every way.
How do you keep a bridal bouquet fresh overnight? ›
To keep your bouquet strong and healthy, try this super-simple flower tip: Store the flowers in the refrigerator overnight. It'll help slow down the process of water loss and keep your blooms looking crisp. To store the flowers properly, fill a vase about ¾ full with water, and then put the flowers in the vase.
How much does it cost to make your own bridal bouquet? ›
Real-Life Example:
| DIY Flowers | Simple | Lush |
|---|
| Bridal Bouquet | $35 | $75 |
| 6 Bridesmaids Bouquets | $90 | $120 |
| 8 Boutonnieres | $15 | $15 |
| 4 Corsages | $10 | $10 |
5 more rowsPlanning a DIY wedding can be a great way to save money, but if you don't do your research, it can quickly break your budget. From the cost of materials to the time you'll spend planning, it all adds up! That's why it's important to plan and budget well ahead of the wedding to ensure you don't overspend.
Do fake flowers at a wedding look cheap? ›
Artificial flowers are usually less expensive and can be easier to care for, but they may not look as realistic as real flowers. Ultimately, the decision of which type of flower to use for a wedding is a personal one. Some couples prefer the look of real flowers, even if it means spending a bit more money.
How much does it cost to make your own bouquet? ›
Real-Life Example:
| DIY Flowers | Simple | Lush |
|---|
| Bridal Bouquet | $35 | $75 |
| 6 Bridesmaids Bouquets | $90 | $120 |
| 8 Boutonnieres | $15 | $15 |
| 4 Corsages | $10 | $10 |
5 more rows5 Tips For Maximizing Your Wedding Floral Budget
- Set A Budget. You'll want to start working towards a floral budget early on in the process. ...
- Go With Bigger Blooms. When ordering bouquets or centerpieces for your wedding, consider going with bigger blooms. ...
- Repurpose. ...
- Let The Florist Create. ...
- Work With A Production Team.
Deciding whether to hire a wedding florist involves weighing the advantages and disadvantages. While the benefits include expert floral design, stress reduction, and logistical support, the potential drawbacks include cost considerations and the need for careful communication.
Is it cheaper to buy flowers from a florist? ›
Is it cheaper to buy flowers from a florist? The short answer is no. Grocery stores and big box retailers purchase their flowers in bulk. Their buying power allows them to drive the price down.
