How to Build a Calla Lily Wedding Bouquet
If you want a simple yet elegant bridal bouquet, a bouquet of calla lilies is an increasingly popular choice. This flower that originates from the warm, tropical marshlands of Africa has trumpet-shaped blooms that rise up from a thick stem. Although the calla is technically not a lily, it has a rich history behind it -- as a longtime symbol of purity, it ushered in Roman Winter Solstice celebrations, and it is now a popular bloom for wedding bouquets. The calla comes in white, red, green, deep purple and pink, along with variations of these colors, and it is not difficult to make a lovely wedding bouquet of calla lilies.
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Instructions
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Place 24 to 30 small-sized calla lilies and 8 to 12 mini calla lilies in a vase for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible, so that they are well hydrated. A calla lily bouquet can be made two days prior to the wedding.
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Run your hand down the stem of a single calla to mold the stem into a curvy shape that matches the natural curve of the flower. Apply slight pressure as you do this, so the stem doesn't kink in any area. Set it aside while you repeat this technique on the remaining callas.
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Stack the flowers in layers so that all the blooms line up, are level with each other and that the stems are parallel.
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Gather the bouquet of flowers gently in your hands. Hold the bouquet and shake it a little so they form a rounded bouquet, instead of oval. Align any flowers that have twisted and tug the flowers gently to adjust the calla. You may have to pull them up or push some down until you get the look that you want.
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Take raffia with your other hand and hold it with a finger on the opposite hand. Maintain this position, and wrap raffia tightly around the bouquet a few times just above your hand. Set the bouquet down and make a knot. Trim off any excess raffia.
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Trim the stems so that they are about two hand-lengths long.
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Set down the bouquet, and apply clear nail polish to the ends of the stems. The polish seals the toxic skin irritating sap that calla lilies secrete. Let dry.
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Hold the bouquet in your hand. Bring the end of the satin ribbon up so that there is an excess of a few inches over the bouquet and let the rest of it trail down. Use ribbon in a color that complements your wedding colors. Wrap the stems tightly with the ribbon, starting at the bottom and working at a 90-degree angle. Remove the raffia. Continue wrapping with the ribbon until you reach the base of the flowers. Cut the ribbon, but leave a few inches.
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Tie the ends of the ribbon and double knot to secure the bouquet. Tie the ends into a bow if you like.
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Place the bouquet in a heavy vase, until it is ready to use. Pour about 1 to 2 inches of water into the vase so that the stems are covered, but not so high that the decorative ribbon wrap gets wet. Store the vase in a cool, dry place until the big day.
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References
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