When I started planning our wedding I knew right away that I wanted to make my own flowers. I love creative flower arrangements. I wanted something different. I also knew that if we chose not to hire a florist that we'd save thousands of dollars (hooray!) What I didn't know was how much FUN I would have with my bridesmaids making our bouquets. It was so so much fun and didn't take much time at all!
If you're considering making your own bouquets, read on! I can tell you from my personal experience that this was one of the simplest DIYs that we tried (along with the DIY Boutonnieres and DIY Corsages too!) I'll share some tips with you....
I loved what each of the bridesmaids created! We had a bouquet making party after the rehearsal dinner. Each of the girls made their own bouquet. They each had special details like the bird charm hanging from Holly's bouquet and Katie's berry branches. I liked that they were all a little bit different.
Make Your Own Bouquet
Step 1: Collect Supplies. For my wedding bouquets I used fresh flowers, handmade velvet flowers, berry twigs, feather birds, feathers and vintage brooches. I also used some family heirloom ribbon (vintage tatting) and velvet ribbon that I found the first month we were dating! Choose accents that are personal to you!
Step 2: Start from the center and build the floral base of your bouquet. Work your way out by adding more and more flowers.
Step 3: Wrap the stems with floral tape. Use as much as you need to make it feel secure. The floral tape should go where ever you plan to wrap the ribbon. The ribbon will eventually hide it completely!
Step 4: Add accent piece such as feather birds (they have wires underneath that can secure them onto blooms) or feathers.
Step 5: Wrap the base of your stems (over the floral tape) with a pretty ribbon. I also tied some lace on mine as an accent.
Ta-Da! Here's a finished bouquet.
Have fun creating your own pretty bouquets... XO! elsie
Photos by Arrow & Apple, DIY pics by Emma & I. Thank you 100 Layer Cake for featuring my DIY bouquets!
Incredibleeeeeee I am dying over the pretty birds! And the bright colors. I'm so sick of boring old wedding colors, so you're bright ones are just lovely. So pretty!
Posted by: Amy Morby | June 24, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Amazing, I love all the colours!
Posted by: Libby | June 24, 2011 at 11:49 AM
So cute and pretty! I like how personalized they are. There is no way to be unhappy with a bouquet that you make yourself!
Posted by: Amanda | June 24, 2011 at 11:52 AM
I lovelovelove the bouquets you girls made! They're so fun and colorful! I especially love the feathers. So cute. <3
Posted by: Mandy @ Miss Indie | June 24, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Soooooooo cute i wish you posted this last year i had 3 lily flowers as a bouquet with white lace and pearls..
Thank god it was only me and him otherwise italian tradition says it's the mother in law that picks and gives you the bouquet O.O LOL
Posted by: A girl from Ny | June 24, 2011 at 12:07 PM
I love how each bouquet is different, and that you guys made it into a fun thing to do at the rehersal dinner. I love the look of handmade bouquets. Awesome DIY
Posted by: Miranda | June 24, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Flowers could easily be the one main feature that can make or break your budget...Love how you incorporated all those little beautiful birds! Great touch, so personal and unique! Love it!
xo-Julie
Peace. Love. LOL!
Haute Khuuture Blog
Posted by: Julie Khuu | June 24, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Sooo pretty!! How in the world did you have time for all of this though?! I'm impressed with all your unique crafty ideas!
Posted by: Lindsay @ Delighted Momma | June 24, 2011 at 12:37 PM
I love making my own arrangements and bouquets. Unfortunately we did not have time to have the flowers as DIY for my wedding and I wish I did, we would have saved a good deal of money. Thanks for sharing all of you DIY wedding projects.
Posted by: Inessa Zherebnenko Nichols | June 24, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Wow! Who knew it could be so simple yet so lovely and personal! Thanks!
Posted by: Angela | June 24, 2011 at 01:03 PM
These are amazing! Did you store them in a refrigerator until the wedding day? I think it's awesome that you had the bridesmaids each make their own. Love it!
Posted by: Katie Butkus | June 24, 2011 at 01:05 PM
How did you keep the flowers fresh overnight? Looking at doing this for my own wedding.
Posted by: Evie | June 24, 2011 at 01:11 PM
These photos make me smile! The bouquets are so pretty!
Posted by: Eeffie | June 24, 2011 at 01:37 PM
What a great idea to have your bridesmaids get in on making their own bouquet! Love that!
Posted by: Nicole | June 24, 2011 at 01:37 PM
really cute! love that you guys made your own!
www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com
Posted by: Petite and Hungry | June 24, 2011 at 01:57 PM
i love the extra touches! put a bird on it :)
Posted by: annie campos | June 24, 2011 at 02:12 PM
They were stunning! AND, they held together so well. I went to another wedding shortly after that had "professional" bouquets and they kept falling apart throughout the evening! Not cool.
Posted by: Courtney | June 24, 2011 at 02:16 PM
What a fantastic idea both to save money and creatively get everyone involved. I love your results!
Posted by: Lina | June 24, 2011 at 02:17 PM
Absolutely gorgeous, you are a woman of many talents for sure!
Posted by: Jenn | June 24, 2011 at 02:39 PM
what a great idea! So fun for flower arrangements too. I will def try!
Posted by: shauna | June 24, 2011 at 03:12 PM