How to Shape the Nosegay Bridal Bouquet

A nosegay is a simple and elegant choice for a bridal bouquet, with a history dating back to the Victorian era. Back then, women carried little silver cones called tussy mussies, and occasionally sniffed them to cover up the unpleasant smells caused by lower standards of sanitation and hygiene.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flowers
• Floral tape
• Floral shears
• Ribbon

1. Choose your flower or flowers. Nosegays are usually made with one dominant type of flower or various flowers with a uniform color. Popular choices include delicate flowers such as classic roses and stylish stephanotis.

2. Avoid adding any greenery to the bouquet. Nosegays tend to be tightly gathered bunches of just flowers.

3. Hold the flower stems in one hand so the flowers form a solid circle above your hand. Use enough flowers to form a circle of about 16 to 18 inches in diameter. More petite brides should make their bridal bouquets slightly smaller.

4. Pull down lightly, with your other hand, on the stems of the flowers towards the outside of the circle so that they are lower than the flowers in the middle of the circle. Create a round, almost ball, shape.

5. Wrap floral tape or wire around the cluster of stems to retain the shape of the flowers.

6. Cut all of the stems to a uniform length with floral shears. Leave the stems long enough to fit comfortably in your hand while just barely sticking out the bottom.

7. Decorate the stems. Wrap them with a ribbon, perhaps in white to match your bridal gown or in a color to coordinate with the bridesmaids' dresses and bouquets. Wrapping them in lace is another option. For a truly authentic Victorian look, place the stems in a silver tussy mussy.