The high costs of weddings make newly-engaged couples think about some things they can DIY. You may consider renting a dress, holding the ceremony and reception in the same venue, and styling your wedding car instead of renting a limo. The bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, and the venue decorations are also some expenses the couple thinks about saving costs.
More than just saving a couple of bucks, brides especially look into creating their wedding bouquets themselves as nothing says hands-on more than doing it yourself. If you’re on the creative side and have already enrolled in a flower workshop to make your own gorgeous bouquets, boutonniere, corsages, centerpieces, and aisle flowers or even just the bridal bouquet, here are some tips to take on your journey:
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Go for Simple Arrangements
Floristry entails years of study, skills, and practice. The techniques florists learn over the years cannot be taught in several hours. If you wanted a more elaborate bouquet, it is best to live it in the hands of an expert florist. If creating your stamp on the bridal bouquets is more important to you, it is best to settle with simple flower arrangements.
The flower arrangements you make may not have the same wow factor that a florist can make, you can still achieve heartfelt arrangements that are beautiful in their own right. Go for simple, loose floral arrangements and stick to the same color scheme throughout the other arrangements. Smaller arrangements in mason jars and potted succulents also make an impact.
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Expect to have Limited Choices
Florists are able to tap into multiple suppliers here and abroad so they can deliver the expectations of their customers. If you have your heart set on blooms that are out of season or imported flowers, a florist is the best person to turn to. When you DIY your wedding flowers, you will have to settle with what you can buy in the flower market.
Also, some flower arrangements require a special technique. For instance, heavy roses and gerberas need to be taped or wired into the arrangement. It can be difficult for a novice to recreate these arrangements.
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Think of how you will maintain flower freshness
The flower arrangements are not some things you can make a week ahead of your wedding day. The days leading up to your wedding will certainly be busy and stressful. If you can carve out time the day before your wedding or early on your wedding day, then you can DIY your wedding flowers. If that is too much of a hassle for you, ask your bridesmaids or family.
Keep in mind that your wedding guests will also have a lot of preparations to make for your wedding day. It is for this reason why many couples engage the services of an expert florist because flower arrangements are very time-sensitive.
Small arrangements like boutonnieres can be created the day before your wedding. You can store them in a box and cushion them with a damp cloth on top and at the bottom. Hardy flowers can be placed in water to keep them fresh.
You must have a spray bottle with you and fill it with water so you can lightly spray the floral bouquets once they’re out of the water. Also, keep in mind that flower crowns, buttonholes, and bouquets should be kept away from perfume and hairspray.
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Protect your dress
Dyed flowers are becoming on-trend these days, but keep in mind what they can do on your white dress. Deep-colored flower petals can also stain your clothes as well as the pollen of flowers. If you incorporate berries and other fruits in your wedding flowers, keep in mind that these can burst and ruin your outfit.
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Enroll in a workshop
Even if you’re not utilizing the services of a professional florist to create your blooms, it is still vital to turn to them for advice or even enroll in their workshops so you can gain knowledge on what you are about to undertake.
Professional florists understand that some brides want to go the DIY route. They may offer one-on-one consultations for the bride and groom, teaching them techniques and tips to make different types of flower arrangements. A florist will also explain to you what to avoid when making your own wedding flower bouquets.
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Get Help!
Let flower arranging be a group activity you do with your bridesmaids and family members. Turn it into a fun event for your entourage. Flower arranging is not something you can and should do singlehanded. With lots of wedding décor and preparations that need to be done, you will complete more and faster with the help of several hands. Also, be sure to have plenty of tools on-hand like scissors, floral tape, wire, ribbon, and twine).
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Plan ahead and Practice
Before the actual flower arranging, be sure to practice making different floral arrangements at home a few months ahead of time. You wouldn’t want to have problems with twining and floral wires the day before your wedding. Also, canvas with various wholesalers and flower market vendors on buying in bulk and factors that can change the prices when you buy your blooms. Finally, be sure that the vendor you plan to buy from will be open on the day you buy the stems.
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Save the Tricky ones for your Florist
You will already save cash by making the simple decorations like the boutonnieres and bridesmaids bouquets. You can even make a few table centerpieces for the wedding. But, keep in mind that your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event and you will have the photos to show for it. Your bridal bouquet is something you should consider leaving in the capable hands of a florist as well as for complicated décor like cascading roses for the ceremony.
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Search for Tutorials Online
There are several video tutorials and blogs that teach step by step how to make flower crowns, flower hearts, and simple hand bouquets. You can utilize these tutorials to inspire you and to guide you in making your bouquet. Be sure to test out the tutorials in advance to see how it works for you in real life.
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Enjoy the process!
Many brides opt out of making their wedding flowers because it’s hard work and stressful. It is also prone to unforeseen disasters. If you are the type who easily gets anxious, is picky, and wants things under her control, then DIY wedding flowers will just fill you with stress and anxiety.
Keep in mind that there are various other ways to keep your wedding budget at bay without putting all the strain on your shoulders. Flower arranging, if you want to take on the challenge, should be an enjoyable process. If not, it is best left in the hands of an expert florist.
