How to make your own Bridal Bouquet!

With more and more brides and wedding planners keeping the environment in mind while plotting out the perfect wedding, we’re finding that the suggestion of making your own bouquet keeps popping up everywhere! I’ve mentioned this before, but in case you missed that blog, personally when I get marriedI’ll be planting a wedding garden and growing all my flowers. (Which I think is an amazing idea!)

But no matter how you come about your flowers, whether from you local grocery store or flower shop, an online organic supplier, or growing your garden a hand made bouquet is a wonderful way to go! After doing hours of research (oh how the internet is amazing) we found the best outline for making your own bouquets on none other than www.ehow.com. Here are the instructions from their website:

Things You’ll Need:

• Pearl Sprays
• Fresh Flowers
• Artificial Flowers And Greenery
• Large Bowl Of Tap Water
• 2-inch Wide Silk Ribbon
• Scissors
• 2-inch Wide Satin Ribbon
• Tulle Ribbon
• Lace Trims

Step 1:
Do some research and plan ahead. Look through bridal and floral magazines and books for information on different types of flowers and ideas for bouquets. The Internet is a wonderful resource.

Step 2:
Choose flowers that will complement both the wedding colors and any other floral arrangements planned. Incorporate the bride’s favorite flowers, if any, into the bouquet as well.

Step 3:
Consult with a florist about the availability of the chosen flowers, and order the flowers well in advance of the wedding. (Or, grow your own!) Also order filler flowers and greenery in advance.

Step 4:
Use a purchased bouquet holder. Bouquet holders are usually made of white plastic, are cone-shaped and have an attached handle. They come with floral foam already inserted into the cone and can be found pretty much at any craft store and sometimes at your local Wal-Mart.

Step 5:
Place the bouquet holder upside down on the surface of a large bowl of water. Hold on to the handle and let the holder gradually sink to the bottom of the bowl. This will saturate the foam. Remove the bouquet holder from the water and dry the exterior.

Step 6:
Begin the placement of the flowers, greenery and filler items at the bottom of the bouquet holder and work your way up.

Step 7:
Hold each flower and stemmed piece up to the arrangement before you cut the stem. Determine how much of the stem you’d like to have above the foam, and then cut the stem 1 1/2 to 2 inches below that point.

Step 8:
Cut each stem at a very sharp angle and insert it 1 1/2 to 2 inches into the foam. If you want to rearrange an inserted flower, remove the flower, cut the stem once more and reinsert it in a different spot in the foam.

Step 9:
Create a cascade effect by inserting various lengths of greenery such as ivy or fern at the bottom of the bouquet holder. Trim as needed for a symmetrical look.

Step 10:
Add a bow at the point where the handle of the bouquet holder joins the cone portion. Use a 2-inch-wide silk or satin ribbon in a color that complements the wedding colors. Add a pearl spray or two as well.

Step 11:
See “How to Preserve a Wedding Bouquet,” under Related eHows, for information on having your wedding bouquet professionally preserved, as well as some suggestions for doing it yourself.