How to Make Nosegay Wedding Bouquets

Carry a nosegay for your wedding or toss one after the ceremony.

A nosegay is a small bouquet made up of a variety of flowers. In Victorian times, each flower, herb and sprig the bouquet contained had a specific meaning. Today the nosegay is a lovely option for a wedding. It's perfect for junior bridesmaids or for a petite bride or bridesmaid to carry. It can also act as the bouquet the bride tosses after the ceremony. You can use either silk or fresh flowers for your wedding nosegay.

Things You'll Need

• Flowers
• Knife (optional)
• Greenery (optional)
• Scissors
• Wire
• Wire cutters
• Tape
• 2-inch wide ribbon
• Corsage pin (optional)
• Hot glue
• Hot glue gun

Instructions

1. Select flowers you want to use for your wedding nosegay. If working with roses, use a knife to strip the thorns from the stems. Add greenery if desired.

2. Cut off most of the flower stems. With a wire cutter, cut wire to fit the flower stems.

3. Gather the flowers one by one and tape the pieces of wire to each stem. Now tape the entire group together, rearranging and bending them into position as you go.

4. Wrap a 2-inch wide ribbon tightly around the stems and wire. Start just under the flowers and wrap until you reach the end. Turn the ribbon and wrap back up the entire length, returning to the area under the flowers where you began.

5. Cut the ribbon and either tie it in place or stick a corsage pin through the stems and floral tape to hold the ribbon firmly in place. Add a generous dot of adhesive from a glue gun for reinforcement. Tie a ribbon onto the ribbon-wrapped stems if desired. Place it over the area where the ribbon wrapping the flowers is tied or pinned. For an elegant touch, trim the trailing ribbon ends in a slant or cut a notch in them.

Tips & Warnings

• Embellish nosegay wedding bouquets with jeweled butterflies, pearl hearts or tufts of lace.

• Carry a nosegay in one hand at your waist.

• Make sure to cover all wires to prevent tears in clothing or injuries.

• Make sure the ribbon wrap is very secure so it will not come apart during use. An anxious attendant might nervously twist a nosegay without realizing it.