How to Make a Cascade-Shaped Bridal Bouquet

Bouquets were first used by brides to ward off evil, bad luck and spirits. Today, they are used more as a beautiful accessory to add color and femininity to the bridal outfit. From asymmetrical to flat bouquets, they all represent different personalities. Cascade bouquets give the appearance of lavishness in the hands of a bride. They may be one of the harder bouquets to make yourself, but the results are beautiful.

Things You'll Need

• 20 to 30 long-stemmed flowers
• 15 to 20 accent flowers
• Greenery
• Ivy vines
• Flower feed
• Large bowl
• Foam bouquet holder
• Weighted vase
• Leaf shine
• Stem adhesive spray
• Floral tape

Instructions

1. Buy flowers and greenery. The main flowers of the bouquet must have larger blooms, such as roses, lilies or carnations. Smaller accent flowers include lily of the valleys, mini rosebuds or baby's breath. Examples of greenery include fern or lily grass, but it really depends on the type of flowers you use. For a cascading bouquet, ivy vines will go with most flowers and greenery. Keep the flowers and greenery fresh by preserving them in water.

2. Prepare the flower feed according to the instructions in a large bowl. Immerse the foam bouquet holder in the mixture and leave to soak for at least one hour.

3. Take the bouquet holder out of the mixture, and put it in a weighted vase or other suitable stand. The weighted vase or stand must be sturdy enough to hold up the bouquet holder as the arrangement is being inserted and weighing down the holder.

4. Outline the bouquet holder with the larger greenery. It is OK if the greenery is not perfectly symmetrical, as this gives the bouquet a more natural look. This rule applies to the entire application of the arrangement. Stagger shorter clips of the greenery in layers on the bouquet holder. Leave plenty of space in between to add the flowers and accents. While inserting the greenery, check the bouquet periodically from all angles to ensure it is a dome shape.

5. Insert the ivy vine around one-quarter of the bottom portion of the bouquet. The vines should get longer as it nears the middle of the section and get shorter as it goes outward. How long the vine hangs is dependent on personal preference. Spray the ivy and greenery with leaf shine.

6. Insert your main flowers, starting from the midpoint of the bouquet. In the middle of the bouquet should be four like flowers angled so they point slightly outwards. The bulbs should stick out above the greenery at least halfway, and they should not all face forward. As each stem is inserted into the bouquet, spray a bit of stem adhesive to secure the flowers.

7. Insert the longest flower stems at the bottom of the bouquet with the ivy vine. For a long cascade, cut flower stems, leaving only an inch of stem, and then connect the flowers along the ivy vines with clear floral tape.

8. Add accent flowers among the greenery and flowers until the desired level of fullness is reached. Check that the main part of the bouquet is dome shaped.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also make this bouquet with fake flowers.

References

• "Wedding Cakes and Flowers"; Kathleen Hackett, et al.; 2006
• "Creative Wedding Florals You Can Make"; Terry L. Rye; 2000