How to Make Boutineers With Fresh Flowers

Boutineers add a distinguised touch to any special occasion, but they can be expensive to purchase at a florist's shop. Instead, consider making your own. The materials needed can be purchased inexpensively at any crafts store, and you can tailor your boutineer to match your outfit. In addition, they are simple to make. Just follow the steps below to find out how.

Things You'll Need

• Plant preservative
• Floral wire
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Roses, carnations or other flower of your choice
• Baby's breath or ferns
• Stick pin
• Sharp scissors or plant clippers

Instructions

1. Choose your flowers. Roses make great formal boutineers, but makes sure you buy tightly closed buds, as they tend to open quickly. Carnations are another popular choice. They are less expensive than roses and last a long time. Also, choose an accent flower or foliage such as baby's breath or fern leaves.

2. Soak the flowers in a preservative solution for a few hours before you start. These solutions are powders that come in envelopes. Added to water, they help flowers stay fresh longer.

3. Cut the flowers about two to three inches below the bud. Use only one flower bud per boutineer. Cut the fern or baby's breath to the same length.

4. Wire the flower stem to the baby's breath or fern stem using the floral wire. Place the flower bud in front of the baby's breath or fern.

5. Cover the stems and wire with floral tape, wrapping from the bottom up. Then, cut the stems at an angle to only 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Add a small ribbon around the stem and pin in place with a decorative stick pin.

Tips & Warnings

• For a longer-lasting boutineer, consider using silk flowers.

Resources

• More about making flower boutineers.