DIY Wedding Bouquet: How to Make It Beautiful and Save Money

We all know that weddings can be expensive. If you are on a tight budget for your wedding, some DIY projects may be the best way for you to save money. Below is an overview of how to make a beautiful DIY wedding bouquet for you and your bridesmaids on your special day. It is cost-effective, and the best part, it can tie your whole wedding together.

Materials and Preparation

The first step in creating a stunning DIY wedding bouquet is finding and collecting all the necessary materials for your project and getting prepared. The materials you will need for your DIY project include:

These supplies can easily be found at local art stores.

Preparation

Step 1: Buy Flowers

Flowers for your DIY wedding bouquet can be bought from several places. Consider purchasing your flowers from:

Start by finding out what your budget is and what types and colors of flowers you want at your wedding. Based on your budget and desires, search the above places for good quality flowers you can use. If you can't find flowers in your budget from the places listed above, try searching online as well and at online florist websites to see if having your flowers shipped is a cheaper option.

Step 2: Set Up Workspace

Find a location in your home that has plenty of counter/table space and is easy to clean up. Kitchens are ideal spaces for DIY wedding bouquet projects because there tends to be a lot of counter space and clean up is quick and easy. You can also consider an outdoor workspace, like your porch for example.

Step 3: Prep The Flowers

In order to prep your flowers, you first need to make sure all foliage has been removed from the stem. It can be removed by using either your hands or a stem stripper. If you have roses, make sure they are de-thorned. Make sure all of the stems are the same length, and trim the stems that are not to make them the same lengths and the others. Put the flowers is in a bucket of water and cut the stems at an angle about 2 inches from the bottom. Leave the stems in the water for a few seconds, then place the stems in a bucket that is filled halfway with cool water.

Assembling and Securing the Bouquet

Follow the steps below to assemble and secure your DIY wedding bouquet:

Step 1: Arrange the Flowers

To build your base, choose 2 to 4 flowers that you would like to be the foundation and arrange them into a square shape. Then, bunch the stems together and combine with floral tape, making sure to leave between 1 and 1 1/2 inches of stem still exposed where you wrapped the stems. If the stems are wet from being in water, make sure to dry them off with a paper towel before wrapping them with floral tape. Also, make sure to leave four to five inches of stem exposed at the bottom.

Step 2: Build the Bouquet

Add other flowers around the ones you chose as your base one by one to create a dome shape. To create a unique composition, mix textures and colors of different flowers. As you add flowers, continuously wrap the stems with floral tape to add support and create a consistent shape.

Step 3: Wrap with Floral Tape and Ribbon

Begin by wrapping the stems with floral tape 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the flower head. Leave between 0 to four inches exposed on the bottom, based on your preferences. Using the floral tape as your guide, add ribbon and pin it horizontally.

Cut a piece of ribbon about three times longer than the stems, then wrap it around the stems until the floral tape is completely covered. Then, pin the ribbon to secure it into the handle you just created. Be sure to wrap the ribbon in a spiral down the length of the stem. Once you reach the bottom, wrap it in a spiral from the bottom back to the top. Tuck the ribbon in and then pin it with a few of the bouquet pins. Make sure to push the pins through the ribbon and the stems. If you would like to add a bow to your bouquet, cut a separate piece of ribbon and tie it just under the flowers.

That's all there is to it! Now you have a cheap, yet beautiful DIY wedding bouquet.

Tips and Tricks to Making a DIY Wedding Bouquet

Here are a few tips and tricks to make your DIY wedding bouquet beautiful and sturdy for your special day.

Have a Plan

This may seem like a no-brainer, but having a plan will take the stress out of bouquet creating. Make sure to keep in mind how many bouquets you are going to create, what color scheme you are going for, and what flowers you desire to have. Also, be sure to gather all of the materials you will need beforehand so that you have everything you need before you begin to create your bouquets.

Practice

If you are nervous about getting the bouquets right on the first try, order a small number of flowers and practice putting a small bouquet together so you can get the basics down before moving on to the real thing.

Cut the Stems at a 45-Degree Angle

Cutting the stems of your DIY wedding bouquet will allow the flowers to absorb more water, keeping them nice and fresh until your special day. Cutting them straight across doesn't allow the flowers to absorb the maximum amount of water.

Buy Flowers in Bulk

Create your DIY wedding bouquet and bridesmaid bouquets with one type of flower and then buy them in bulk. Not only will this save you money, but it will also make all the bouquets look nice and uniform.

Use Wildflowers or Inexpensive Greens

Using wildflowers or inexpensive greenery is a cost-effective way to make a DIY wedding bouquet without sacrificing the look you want. They go especially well with outdoor and minimalistic themed weddings.

Bring Your Lipstick to the Florist

If you would like the lipstick you are wearing on your wedding day to match your flowers, bring the tube of lipstick with you when you go to the florist so that they can ensure the colors match.

Mix and Match Flower Sizes

Differentiating flower sizes with small, medium, and large flowers will give your bouquet an unconventional arrangement that is unique to your special day.

Dethorn Your Roses With a Stem Stripper

Using a stem stripper will help to dethorn and remove leaves from a rose without damaging the stems.

Bind the Stems With Clear Hair Elastics

Binding your flowers with clear elastic bands makes it easier to keep them structured and secure. You can even use small pieces of twine to conceal the stems in lieu of ribbon if that fits into your wedding's aesthetic.

Preserve the Bouquet

If you make your bouquets in advance, you can preserve them by wrapping the bouquet in tissue and storing them in the refrigerator until the ceremony. If possible, try to make your bouquets the morning of the wedding—this will ensure ultimate freshness. Keep the bare stems in water and continue to mist the flower heads with water.

Take a Class With a Local Florist

Some local florists will hold bouquet making classes specifically for brides and grooms looking to handle their wedding flowers. Look online to see if any florists near you hold any of these types of classes to take the stress out of doing it on your own.

DIY Flower Kit

There are companies who offer flower kits for DIYers. These kits will provide you with everything you need to create your own floral arrangements!

Choose In-Season Flowers

Buying flowers that are currently in bloom in your area ensures that you are receiving the freshest flowers for your special day. It will also save you money because the flowers will not have to be shipped to you from another location.

Keep It Simple

Use two or three types of flowers and one accent flower. This keeps the composition sturdy and consistent and leaves less margin for error.

Recruit Helpers

Having extra hands around will keep the stress off of yourself. You and your bridal party can even have a bouquet party the night before the wedding! The more people helping, the quicker the bouquets will get done.

Conclusion

Weddings can be expensive and stressful, but they don't have to be. With these steps, tips, and tricks, you can make your own wedding bouquets for yourself and your bridesmaids, and save money.