Instructions for Hand Tied Bridal Bouquets

Roses are the most common flower used in hand tied bridal bouquets.

Hand tied bridal bouquets are tight, rounded bunches of long stem flowers gathered in a bunch at the stem. They are most commonly made from a single type of flower, but can contain multiple varieties. Roses, lilies and hydrangeas are the most popular flower used in hand tied bridal bouquets. Orchids can also be used by wiring each flower individually. These types of bridal bouquets can be made the day before a big event and stored in a vase of water.

Things You'll Need

• 20-40 long stem roses
• Bucket
• Water
• Stem stripper
• Knife
• Camilla, ivy or grape leaves
• Floral wire
• Green floral tape
• Rubber band
• 1 1/2 to 2 inch satin ribbon
• Pearl studded corsage pins

Instructions

1. Gather 20 to 30 long stemmed roses. Choose a single color or mix multiple colors of blooms depending upon the bride's preference. Fill a clean bucket 3/4 full of water. Use a stem stripper to remove leaves and thorns from each rose stem. Cut the bottom of each stem at a 45 degree angle with a sharp knife and place the stems in the water to rehydrate.

2. Prepare foliage accents by removing camellia, ivy or grape leaves from their stems. Cut a 12 inch piece of floral wire for each leaf. Insert one end of a wire into the base of a leaf, pass the wire behind the center vein and poke it back through the other side. Bend both sides of the wire down and twist together. Wrap the wire stem with green floral tape. Repeat this process on each leaf.

3. Begin arranging the bouquet by selecting one rose. Grasp the rose with your left hand between your thumb and fore finger, six to eight inches from the stem's bottom. Add roses one by one, crossing their stems just below your grasp. Position the blooms close to each other to create a compact bouquet, but be careful not to place them so close that the blooms become squished. Rotate the bouquet clockwise as you add flowers to ensure even spacing. The bouquet should take on a natural dome shape as each layer of roses are added.

4. Add a layer of foliage stems around the bouquet once it has reached the desired size. Position the leaves so they frame the roses. Wrap a rubber band tightly around the top of the arranged stems just under the base of the leaves and flowers to hold the arrangement securely in place.

5. Trip the ends of all stems so that they are even in length. Cut a 24 inch length of 1 1/2 to 2 inch satin ribbon. Place the center of the ribbon one to two inches above the ends of the stems. Wrap the ribbon around the stem in a criss-cross pattern as you work your way upward. Tie the ribbon in a knot to secure the wrappings and then tie the tails into a bow. If no bow is desired, repeat the criss-cross pattern back down the stem and anchor the ribbon ends with pearl studded corsage pins.

References

• Florist4Us.com: How To Make a Hand Tied Wedding Bouquet
• Flower Arrangement Advisor: How To Make a Hand Tied Posy Bouquet Using Orchids
• Phillip's 1-800-Florals: The Hand-Tied Bouquet
• Visions of Silk: How To Wire and Tape a Silk Leaf