How to Make an Informal Bridal Bouquet
There are many styles of bridal bouquets to choose from when planning your wedding flowers. Formal bouquet arrangements have a definite shape and style. Formal arrangements have a defined line, ball or cascade form. Informal bouquets have a more natural, fresh look about them. Informal bouquets are reminiscent of gathering a handful of fresh picked flowers together. Each bouquet type works with single or multiple flower varieties or colors. You can create your own informal bridal bouquet to carry down the aisle on your special day.
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Things You'll Need
- 15 medium to large flowers
- 8 spray flowers
- 6-10 greenery stems
- Large bucket
- Water
- Floral preservative
- Large spoon
- Stem stripper
- Knife
- Rubber band
- 2-inch ribbon
- Scissors
Instructions
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1
Select the varieties of flowers you want to include in your bouquet. Choose three to five different types of medium to large flowers, selecting a combination of 15 stems. Consider roses, gerbera daisies, lilies, sunflowers, peonies, lisianthus, lilacs and hydrangeas. Choose eight stems of two or more varieties of spray flowers. Consider spray flowers such as freesia, statice, queen anne's lace, baby's breath and astilbe. Collect six to ten stems of greenery such as ivy, mock-orange leaves, leatherleaf fern, lady's mantle or eucalyptus.
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2
Fill a large bucket half full of lukewarm water. Add a floral preservative at the rate specified on the package. Stir in the preservative with a large spoon until dissolves completely.
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3
Remove the leaves from each flower or greenery stem using a stem stripper. Cut the bottom 1-inch of each stem off at a 45-degree angle using a knife. Place the stems in the bucket of water immediately after cutting. Leave the stems to soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
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Select two medium to large flowers, one spray flower stem and one leafy stem from the bucket. Arrange them in a cluster in your left hand, with their stems crossing. Allow the spray flowers and longer flowers such as lilacs to stick up above flowers such as roses, lilies or gerbera daisies. Hold the cluster loosely in your hand.
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Turn the cluster clockwise, 1/4 of a turn in your hand. Select two medium to large flowers, one spray flower and one leafy stem from the bucket. Add them to the cluster of flowers in your hand. Turn the bouquet 1/4 of a turn.
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Continue to add flowers and greenery in the same manner as before. Arrange the flowers so that the bouquet roughly takes on a rounded appearance. Ensure that the stems vary in height in the arrangement, giving the bouquet a natural, wild look. Evenly mix the flower varieties throughout the bouquet. Avoid creating large clusters of one flower variety to keep the arrangement flowing.
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Turn the bouquet slowly in your hand once you have added all of the flower and greenery stems. Look for holes in the arrangement and stems that need a height adjustment. Adjust the individual stems as needed to fill in holes and correct height problems. Wrap a rubber band tightly around the stems when you are satisfied with the arrangement.
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Cut an 18- to 24-inch length of 2-inch wide ribbon. Wrap the center of the ribbon one to two times around the bouquet's stems over the rubber band. Tie the tails of the ribbon into a bow. Cut the ribbon's ends at an angle to add a finished touch.
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Tips & Warnings
Place your bouquet in a vase of water to keep it fresh.
Select flowers that are in season to create a natural looking bouquet.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
