For classic and modern-styled weddings, flowers tend to be a crucial element of the occasion. From the ceremony décor to bouquets, floral arrangements are a key part of the appearance of your event. Perhaps you’re the creative type who knows your way around flowers and plants. Maybe you’ve envisioned a certain style for your wedding and reception for years. You could be just someone hoping to save some money. Here’s what you should know about going the DIY route for nuptials floristry.
Emphasizing Simplicity
Arranging flowers for your big day is a lot more than involved than creating a floral arrangement as a centerpiece for your dining table or entryway. Florists train for years to create the sophisticated looks that you’ve seen at events and on television. Go for simple pieces:
- Loose bouquets and centerpieces
- Potted, low maintenance plants, such as succulents
- Jarred posies and other simple blossoms
- Scattered arrangements using foliage
Unless you have an eye for complementary color schemes, you also can’t go wrong with similar hues when it comes to your florals.
Staying Flexible
Flowers, as with other plants, generally look their best according to the time of year or season. It’s generally recommended to be flexible when it comes to the blossoms for your wedding day. If there’s a particular type of flower that you have your heart set on, your best bet is to schedule your wedding when it’s in season. Be advised that your preferred choices still may not be available for the big day. Plant growth varies from season to season and year to year. Ordering flowers online may be the move to ensure on-time delivery. Reconsider a DIY approach if you need out-of-season blooms or specialty items that require special measures.
Creating a Plan
One of the first things you should do is take inventory of what you’ll need, including centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres and other arrangements. Developing a plan for each item helps you come up with the overall count for each flower and plant. Streamline your work effort by including a focal blossom, a secondary blossom and a tertiary blossom for each piece. Think about adding greenery and other auxiliary plants to help complete each look.
Prepping Your Flowers
Here are a few general tips for preparing your flowers for arranging. It’s important that you keep your blooms as fresh as possible for as long as possible:
- Trimming: Cutting your stems allows your flowers to absorb the moisture needed for freshness. Cut on the bias (around 45 degrees) nearly an inch from the bottom every two to three days.
- Changing Water: The containers for your plants should have at least four inches of clean, cool water. Keep things fresh by cleaning these containers and refilling with fresh water every one to two days.
- Cleaning Stems: Microbial growth threatens the health of your florals. It’s important to remove any foliage, leaves or thorns that touches or falls below the waterline in your vase, which promotes development of bacteria.
Finding Inspiration Online
Even if you have a clear picture of what you want for your wedding day florals, you should look online for ideas. Successfully doing your own floristry is also about making sure you’re working smarter not harder. YouTube, Pinterest and wedding blogs feature helpful tutorials, high-quality images and videos for creating particular looks and styles.
Your wedding day should be filled with love and joy. While there may be some stress and jitters associated with the big day, doing things yourself shouldn’t be the source. Putting together your own floral arrangements is not only a way to save money but also a way to put your own stamp on the wedding visuals, both in décor and attire.
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