How to Make a Long Bridal Bouquet

A long bouquet features a tear drop shape.

A long, flowing bridal bouquet is one that trails from the holder and falls in front of the dress. An attractive alternative to a traditional round bouquet, a long or trailing bouquet features fresh or silk flowers, foliage and decorative accents such as strings of pearls or greenery strands. Refrigerate your desired fresh flowers to prolong their freshness and appearance and immerse the stems in a floral preservative an hour before making the arrangement.

Things You'll Need

• Foam wedding bouquet holder
• Spray bottle
• Bowl
• Long-stemmed vase
• Small stones (optional)
• Greenery
• Clippers
• Callas, 9 stems
• Medium flowers
• Glue
• Strings of beads or pearls
• Green floral tape or ribbon

Instructions

1. Spray the foam holder with water, or immerse its foam in a bowl of water until it is evenly saturated. Place the holder in a weighted long-stemmed bottle or pour small stones in a tall vase and insert the holder handle inside. Propping the holder up in this manner allows you to access its top and sides while arranging the bouquet.

2. Cut the desired greenery -- ivy, myrtle or ferns -- to 5 inches using clippers. Insert the stems of greenery 1 inch into the foam until it is covered, forming a foliage bed. Leave the center of the lower edge empty for trailing greenery stems.

3. Cut two lengths of greenery to 10 inches, two to 9 inches, one to 8 inches and two to 7 inches. Insert the lengths of greenery into the center bottom of the holder. Position the longer lengths toward the lower center edge and the progressively smaller ones 3/4 inches upward.

4. Step back to review the arrangement and reposition any stem if necessary, so the greenery bed is dome shaped, not flat.

5. Cut two calla lilies flowers down to 9 inches, two to 7 inches and one to 6 inches. Push each floral stem into the center of the holder along the lower edge, creating a long, flowing effect. Work carefully to avoid damaging the greenery stems inserted there.

6. Clip the stems of two additional calla lilies down to 6 inches. Insert each stem 1 inch into the center of the holder. Insert two 7-inch-stem callas at an angle in the center of the holder, directly above the cascading foliage and flowers.

7. Insert medium flowers along the center and edges of the holder to add color to the greenery bed. Review the forming arrangement so it is well rounded. Ensure the floral heads face outward and extend the greenery by 1 inch.

8. Glue decorative accents such as trailing strings or beads of pearls to the holder for heightened visual impact. Remove the holder from the tall container and cover its handle with green floral tape or ribbon to conceal it.

References

• Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas: How to Make a Cascading Bouquet