How to Make a Bridal Bouquet With Crystals

These bouquets could become more elegant with the use of crystals.

A bride's bouquet is an important component of any wedding. From the walk down the aisle to the bouquet toss, a bride's flowers will be photographed and viewed by many. A current trend in bridal flowers is adding a little bling, often with crystals. Crystals can add a feminine touch and make a bride's bouquet more personalized. Making your own bouquet can also cut costs.

Things You'll Need

• 15 to 30 crystal stems (single stems)
• Paper towels
• Green floral waxed tape
• Bucket
• Sharp knife or stem cutter
• Corsage pins of straight pins
• 30 to 60 sturdy single flowers
• Stem stripper
• Ribbon in desired color, 1 or 2 inches wide

Instructions

Preparation of Flowers

1. Using the stem stripper, remove thorns and extra foliage on the stems of the flowers. Remove undesirable or loose petals using your hands.

2. Fill your bucket with cool water. While the stems are underwater, cut off the bottom 2 inches of the stems with the sharp knife or stem cutter.

3. Keep the stems of the flowers underwater for 30 seconds so they will stay hydrated, or leave them in the bucket until ready to continue.

Assembling the Bouquet

1. Designate one hand to hold the developing bouquet and one hand to grab one flower or crystal stem at a time.

2. Assemble alternating flowers and crystals to make a square of four crystals and four flowers. Check to make sure their height is even with one another. This will be the bouquet's center.

3. Continue alternating flowers and crystals one at a time around the bouquet's center until the desired size is achieved.

Securing the Flowers

1. Bind the stems, using the floral tape, roughly four inches below the heads of the flowers.

2. Continue to bind the stems in a downward pattern, taking care to wrap securely and tightly.

3. Stop binding the bouquet when roughly two inches of stems are left at the bottom.

Finishing Your Bouquet

1. Cut the ends of the stems to equal length. The stems should be roughly eight inches long.

2. Dry off the bottoms of the stems and any other spots that contain moisture, using a paper towel.

3. Gather ribbon that is roughly three times longer than the stems, or about 24 inches.

4. Beginning at the top of the bouquet, tuck the ribbon into the floral tape.

5. Wrap the ribbon in a downward, spiral motion. Once you have reached the bottom, repeat this spiral wrapping up to the top of the stem.

6. Tuck the ribbon's end through the top of the bouquet's ribbon pattern. Secure the end with pins, making sure the pins reach all the way through to the stems.

Tips & Warnings

• To keep the bouquet fresh, wrap it in tissue paper and carefully place it in the refrigerator until it is needed.

• Roses are good flowers to use for do-it-yourself bouquets.

• Use this same process to make bridesmaid bouquets. Simply use 10 to 20 fewer crystals and flowers than in the bride's bouquet.

• You can use rubber bands in place of floral tape.

• As of January 2011, crystal stems can be purchased at Budget-bride.com for roughly one dollar per stem.

• Do not assemble your bouquet more than a day or two in advance of the wedding, and wait as long as possible to assemble it to avoid a wilting bouquet.

References

• Budget Bride: DIY Crystal Bouquets
• The Knot: Homemade Wedding Bouquets: The Basics