Wedding flowers guide

The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Flowers are as common in a wedding as the white dress Let’s face it; a wedding would not be complete without a bridal bouquet, boutonnière, or centerpiece The beauty in their colors, shapes, and textures along with their fragrance make flowers the perfect accompaniment to every style of wedding Whoever came up with the slogan “Say it with flowers” was clearly no dummy (and possibly a bride) because wedding flowers will set the tone and look for your big day Whether you consider yourself a flower know-it-all, an admirer, or completely clueless, you can pull off a fabulous floral design for your wedding! Excuse the pun, but altar your thinking! Contrary to popular belief creating your own bridal bouquets and arrangements is NOT an impossible feat For all of you brides on budgets out there, incorporating DIY projects in your wedding are essential if you want to save some major cash So, not be afraid to unleash your inner DIY Bride! You don’t need to be excessively artistic to make beautiful arrangements for your wedding Doing your own wedding flowers is probably one of the easiest ways you can both be creative and save money for your big day Remember, where there is a will, there’s a way! Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Here are some helpful hints to make your DIY wedding flower experience a little easier… There is a difference between wholesale flowers and retail flowers First of all, just because you are buying wholesale flowers for your wedding DOES NOT mean that you’re not getting quality flowers We buy flowers from the finest growers throughout the world including Central America, South America, Europe, and the United States, which is also where the top-notch florists get their flowers The only difference: They are not “arranged” and when you buy our flowers you’re getting them for a fraction of the price that you would pay at a retail florist Our growers must meet our high standards for quality and consistency and are regarded as the finest in the industry I bet you have seen a floral arrangement at an event And I’m sure that most of you have either given or received flowers for either Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day Well, these gorgeous arrangements are the finished product A florist put in a lot of elbow grease for these flowers to look this way These flowers are fully bloomed and have gone through all of the necessary flower prep to look their freshest and finest This is not how your wholesale flowers will arrive, so here’s some things you should know about wholesale flowers… Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Most wholesale flowers are cut and shipped BEFORE they have fully bloomed When you receive your flowers their blooms may be tight or even closed Roses and lilies are excellent examples of flowers that need time to fully bloom The reason why wholesale flowers are cut and shipped before their peak is because we want to guarantee that the flowers you order are fresh and in full bloom for your wedding or event Additionally, we want to ensure that your flowers stay fresh for the longest duration of time so you are able to enjoy them days or even weeks after they are needed (Helpful Hint: Warm to hot water will help the flowers bloom faster) Wholesale flowers need some TLC! Your flowers will arrive to you how a florist would receive flowers before they prim and prep them Remember, like a florist, you are receiving these flowers after they had made a long trip without water, so they will be very thirsty Roses will still have thorns on them, so be careful! Wholesale flowers are almost always packaged by the grower in bunches The bunch might be wrapped in a cellophane sleeve, or tied together The number of stems might be exact, as bunches of Roses we provide consist of exactly 25 stems Each variety tends to have a standard stem count per bunch, but there could be variations by grower Realize that doing your own flowers isn’t cheap, it’s just cheaper According to The Wedding Report, the average cost of a wedding in 2010 was $23,867 A fraction of that total goes to flowers Just a bridal bouquet can cost up to $300! Yes, by deciding to your own bridal bouquet you could save up to $250, but remember that you are still going to spend a good chunk of cash on your wedding flowers A common misconception when buying wholesale flowers is that brides believe they will only be paying a couple hundred dollars on a generous amount of wedding flowers In some cases, this is may be true; however, remember that just because you are buying flowers at a fraction of retail prices does not mean that you aren’t going to spend money Yes, wholesale flowers are sold in bulk at lower prices, but think about how many flowers you are going to need in total (for both your ceremony and reception) and then make sure to budget accordingly! Be realistic when determining how much you want to spend on flowers Make a plan You wouldn’t just have a wedding without so me planning, right? Well, the same goes for your wedding flowers It is essential that you make yourself a “Wedding Flower Game Plan” where you plan the days (or timeline) that you will be doing your research, asking questions, determining your flower budget, choosing your flowers, gathering your “flower decorating team”, deciding what flowers you want in your bouquets vs what flowers you want in your centerpieces, ordering your sample flowers, making your trial arrangements, practicing, ordering your flowers Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page and making your wedding arrangements If you have to remember anything from this guide, remember this: Do you wedding flowers the day before your wedding You cannot, I repeat, CANNOT, you flowers on your wedding day if you want your sanity intact Also, keep in mind that from choosing your wedding flowers to having them walk down the aisle with you is a process and will take some time You aren’t going to research what flowers you’re interested in, order your sample flowers, and a trial run all in the same day! When you choose the DIY Wedding Flower route you are doing all of the work that a florist would, so a timeline is extremely important! You’re going to get by with a little help from your friends Excuse The Beatles reference, but there is no way that you can this without a team Don’t be afraid to ask your family and bridesmaids to help you, as I’m sure that they will be more than willing to so During your “planning stage” make sure to take the time to figure out whom your ideal “flower decorating team” would consist of Practice, Practice, Practice! Practice indeed does make perfect I highly suggest that you create “trial arrangements” to see your floral vision before your big day Creating trial arrangements provides both you and those helping you with the practice you will need to make your final wedding bouquets, boutonnières, and centerpieces The more you practice, the more you will feel comfortable handling the flowers, which will be reflected in the arrangements Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Flowers aren’t all that you’ll need Remember that you are receiving your wedding flowers as a florist would receive them, so stems will need to be cut and Roses will need to be dethorned Also, if you’re making centerpieces and boutonnières floral foam, floral tape, and floral wire may be needed So, you’re not only going to need flowers, but also floral supplies If it’s your first time going the DIY flower route I highly suggest purchasing our Blooms DIY Starter Kit that includes floral scissors, a paring knife, a thorn stripper, flower food, and much more It’s the perfect companion to your wholesale flowers Don’t worry about refrigeration, hydration is much more important One of the most common questions I get from many brides-to-be about their wedding flowers is whether or not they need to be refrigerated, and the answer is… absolutely not Keeping your flowers hydrated and in fresh water is much more important Changing the water will actually prolong the flowers’ freshness Lastly, make sure to keep store your flowers in a cool, dry place Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Make sure you have proper transportation On your wedding day, don’t forget that the flowers need to travel from wherever they are being primed and prepped to both your ceremony and reception venues I’m not saying rent out an extra van for your flowers, but make sure you plan accordingly to get your flowers from A to B as smoothly as possible Buy extras! Never buy exact quantities! Although you may be using the same type of flower, all of these flowers should not be treated as equals Each stem and bloom will all react differently to weather and shipping conditions Do you know why flowers from a retail florist always look so fresh? It’s because they order more flowers than they need This way they have the opportunity to pick and choose blooms that are up to par On a smaller scale, this is what you should when ordering your wedding flowers Keep in mind that you are dealing with delicate fresh-cut flowers So, although it is a rarity, breakage or browning petals MAY happen Also, your flowers are traveling without water (with the exception of Hydrangea and Orchids) so they are in a much different state from when they left us to when they arrive at your doorstep In most cases, the wholesale flower industry will help you out in this department because rarely can you buy 46 Roses, 22 Hydrangea, and 15 stems of Hypericum As previously stated, all wholesale flowers are packaged in bunches Therefore, they are then sold in the quantities of those bunches The Rose bunches we provide consist of exactly 25 stems, so you can’t buy 18 Roses We also provide greenery and fillers mostly in bunches of 10 stems, so if you need 12 stems of Gypsophilia (Baby’s Breath), you’ll have to order bunches (20 stems) 10 Don’t sweat exact colors Flowers are part of nature, so you will not, I repeat, WILL NOT be able to match the color of your bridesmaid’s dresses to the shade of a peach Cottage Rose Each batch of flowers that are grown on the wholesale market are grown at different times, during different weather conditions, and in changing environments So, each batch of flowers (although they may be the same variety) may not be the same EXACT color as the last 11 Do not underestimate yourself!! Remember, “I think I can, I think I can…”! Even if you think you don’t have a flower arranging bone in your body, there is a big chance that you are going to surprise yourself… and your wedding guests too! Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Are you a traditionalist or trendsetter? Are you drawn to classic arrangements wedding flowers like roses and hydrangeas? Or exotic arrangements of Birds of Paradise and Calla Lilies catch your eye? Rule #1: Go with your instincts and forget about trends Most people don’t have favorite flowers In fact, until they start to plan a wedding, most brides have never had to think about what flowers say about their style or what they might be communicating through their choices for decorative flowers Your wedding flowers will enhance the theme of your wedding and although current wedding trends dictate that almost anything goes, you want to make sure that you choose flowers that compliment both your personal style and wedding theme Rule #2: Ask questions The same rule is applied in both the classroom and wedding planning, there is no such thing as a stupid question If you’re not an expert or even someone who can name more than types of flowers, you are not alone Blooms By The Box offers floral advice from wedding consultants and we’re just a call away (908) 791-0487 Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Rule #3: Do some research The Internet gives you free reign to search about virtually any type of wedding flower Remember to use both flower experts and search engines to find out the facts about certain flowers Our website, www.BloomsByTheBox.com, is an excellent place to start Rule #4: Your wedding should be “Here comes the bride” not “There goes the cash”! Make sure that you have set a budget One of the worst things you can is blindly choose flowers without knowing their cost and the quantities that you will need The main reason you are choosing to “Do-it-Yourself” is to save money, correct? Rule #5: Prioritize what you really want Keep in mind that flowers that are in season at the time will not only be less expensive, but also more readily available It is essential to prioritize what flowers you have to have in your wedding, opposed to the flowers that you could without This will not only help you when choose ing your flowers, but it will also tremendously help your budget! Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Rule #6: Don’t set your expectations too high This rule goes hand in hand with Rule #5 In some cases, what you really want may not be available For instance, many brides have their hearts set on Peonies And most of these brides unfortunately have wedding dates in July, August, and September Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is nearly impossible to find a Peony (from both retailers and wholesalers) during the late summer wedding season So, many brides are left heartbroken and disappointed Lucky for Peony die-hards, there are flowers out there that are similar and would be a perfect substitute for the Peony However, my point is, don’t put all your eggs in one basket I realize that when setting your wedding date you didn’t think, “We have to have the wedding in February so I can have Tulips!” So, if you can’t get the flowers that you had your heart set on, I’m sure you can find a good stand-in! You’ll find out more about this in “The Top 10 Wedding Flowers” section of the guide, don’t worry Remember that Although important to your big day, flowers will not make or break your wedding Rule #7: Decide on how many types of flowers you want to use in your wedding I always advise brides to use no more than different types of flowers If you choose too many flowers, there is a high chance that you will feel overwhelmed and have overly busy, disorganized floral arrangements Remember that “Less is More” when it comes to flowers Rule #8: Choosing a flower color and shape are equally important as choosing the flowers themselves Even if you have a color scheme chosen for your wedding, sometimes it’s tough to narrow down how you want to accent that theme Think about whether you want the flowers to draw attention and be a focal point, or if you want them to blend with the overall style and not take attention away from other elements in the décor Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page When thinking about shape, divide your floral arrangements into two categories: centerpieces and bouquets For centerpieces, consider the height A low floral centerpiece or a tall one will allow guests to see one another across the table Decide on what kind of container or vase you want to hold your flowers Remember, the taller the vase, the larger the stem needs to be For bouquets popular shapes include round, cascade and hand-tied Round bouquets and nosegays are common and more formal Cascading bouquets are romantic and dramatic, while handtied bouquets have a natural, simple look Also, make sure to determine whether you want to monofloral (otherwise known as the single-flower) vs assorted (mixed flower) bouquets Rule #9: Don’t forget about greenery and fillers Using greenery and fillers is the major difference between an amateur and a professional In most cases, flower novices don’t know how to incorporate greenery into their arrangements, while professional florists revel in using fillers and greenery in bouquets and centerpieces If the flowers are the stars of the movie, the greenery and fillers are the best supporting actors and actresses Greenery and fillers act as compliments to your flowers You can choose to use just greenery, just fillers, or a combination of both Ultimately, they will enhance your flowers’ natural beauty, while also adding texture to your arrangements Keep in mind that there should not be equal amounts of greenery/fillers and flowers Like I said before, the flowers are the main focal point Lastly, keep in mind that you also have the option of not using any greenery and/or fillers Although they add depth to floral arrangements, greenery and fillers are not always needed Sometimes letting the flowers speak for themselves is enough Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 26 Gerbera Daisy A summer wedding favorite, the Gerbera Daisy is bright, vibrant, and cheerful! These daisies are distinguished by large flowering heads that closely resemble those of sunflowers With its bold and striking appearance, the Gerbera Daisy has become the most highly prized Daisy variety Unlike other Daisies, the centers of Gerbera Daisies are usually green, dark brown, or black Their average bloom size is about to inches (8 to 10 centimeters) in diameter and their stem length is a minimum of 20 inches Similar to Calla Lilies, Gerbera Daisies also come in a mini variety where the flower heads are about inches (5 centimeters) in diameter, ideal for boutonnières Gerber Daisies come in an extensive variety of colors including vivid white, bright or light pink, deep or pale yellow, red, and orange The wide assortment of color options makes these Daisies a natural choice for brides looking for flowers that will match their wedding colors Although Gerber Daisies are native and grow wild in Africa, Asia, and South America, they are often grown indoors in cooler climates so that they are available all year round They thrive in lots of sunlight, but be careful because too much heat will prevent blooming One thing to keep in mind when using Gerbera Daisies in centerpieces and bouquets is that their stems are EXTREMELY delicate Floral wire will help support Gerberas when used in bouquets, while Gerbera sleeves are commonly used to strengthen Gerbera stems in centerpieces and taller arrangements What are Gerbera sleeves you may ask? They are basically plastic tubular sleeves that come in green or clear and resemble drinking straws They keep Gerbera Daisies’ stems standing straight while they are stored, and prevent the drooping that their heavy heads can cause The lively Gerbera Daisy is well suited with Ponpom Daisies, Monte Casino Asters, Sunflowers, Pompon Viking Mums, Cremon Mums, Pompon Button Mums, Roses, Lilies, and mini Calla Lilies And remember that Gerbera stems are leafless, so Lemon Leaf and Lemon Papoose would pair nicely in either a bouquet or table arrangement Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 27 Orchids One of the most beautiful and exotic flowers in the wedding industry is the Orchid If you are trying to make a statement at your wedding, then these are the flowers for you! Their long stems full of gorgeous blooms are fit for tall table centerpieces, while they also serve as perfect accents in bouquets and even on cakes The two most popular types of Orchids in the wedding flower market are Cymbidium and Dendrobium Orchids Cymbidium Orchids are available year round and have an average of to 12 blooms per stem The average bloom size of a Cymbidium Orchid is to inches in diameter and the average stem length is 20 inches One stem may carry as many as to10 flowers in varying shades of green, pink, or white Of all the Orchids, Cymbidiums are best suited for the outdoors So, they are perfect for an outdoor wedding! They’re prized for their sprays of large flowers, used as cut flowers or for corsages Native to Southeast Asia, Dendrobium Orchids have an average of to blooms per stem Keep in mind that the average number of bloom per stem varies with stem length, which can range from 16 to 24 inches Additionally, the average bloom size of a Dendrobium orchid is to inches in diameter The blooms of Dendrobium Orchids are all the colors of the rainbow; pinks, lavenders, reds, yellows, and oranges are a few colors that the Orchid boasts Like Cymbidium Orchids, Dendrobium Orchids are also available all year round So the main difference between Cymbidium Orchids and Dendrobium Orchids… the quantity and size of the blooms on their stems Generally speaking, Cymbidiums have more and larger blooms on each stem than Dendrobiums Both species are beautiful in their own way and are one of the most popular flowers used in weddings Orchids are one of the most delicate flowers sold on the wholesale flower market, so they are shipped with water and extra packaging Although orchids are fragile, they ship well in hot weather because they thrive in tropical environments, so they are ideal for summer weddings Generally, a temperature range of 75° to 85° F will make most Orchids happy Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 28 Both Cymbidium and Dendrobium Orchids are very dramatic, so I would limit the use of greenery and fillers in arrangements The latest trend in centerpieces is flowers being submerged in water and Orchids are by far the most popular flower featured in these “underwater” arrangements And if you insist on using greenery, greens like Bear Grass, Lily Grass, and Israeli Ruscus would compliment the Orchids’ striking blooms Orchids pair very well with Roses, especially in bouquets They also compliment Lilies effortlessly Remember that Orchids are very exotic flowers, so you have to be careful when pairing them with other flowers An Orchid and a Gerbera daisy may clash, while Orchids and Calla Lilies are well suited for one another A good substitute for orchids is the Stephanotis flower Their waxy, tubular, white flowers resemble those of an orchid and are also a wedding favorite However, a special wiring technique is needed for design work, so they are well suited for bridal bouquets, boutonnières, and corsages Freesias would also be a good replacement if you can’t get Orchids Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 29 Tulip Commonly known as a popular spring flower, Tulips have become a classic choice for wedding bouquets Used since ancient times to symbolize love and affection, these colorful blooms may add a fresh touch of elegance and class to your ceremony and reception A standard Tulip has an average bloom size of about inch and an average stem length of 10 to 12 inches They come in a variety of colors such as white, pink, red, yellow, and orange Keep in mind that Tulips are phototropic, which means that the blooms will follow the light, so make sure arrangements are evenly lit to prevent shifting Also remember that Tulips are the only flower that continues to grow once in water They can grow up to inches, so make sure to plan accordingly if using Tulips in centerpieces Tulips are of the best quality when they are in season, mainly from January to May If your heart is set on Tulips for a summer wedding, I would suggest using another flower, as tulips are very sensitive to hot temperatures Tulips pair exceptionally well with other flowers for centerpieces and wedding bouquets Any high petaled flower like a Peony or Cottage Rose would be appropriate Tulips and daffodils make for great spring reception table centerpieces, while tulips and calla lilies would make for a gorgeous cascade bouquet Also, tulips and roses make for a wonderful round bouquet! Monofloral bouquets or centerpieces of all tulips would be another option The Tulip blossoms are beautiful in their simplicity, so I would be weary to pair tulips with greenery and fillers However, Lemon Leaf and Hypericum would pair well with the spring bloom, while Limonium, Baby’s Breath, and wax flower serve as complimentary filler And if you are looking for a tulip substitute, Lisianthus is your best bet Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 30 Lily Lilies are emerging as not only one of the most popular wedding flowers, but also one of the most dramatic Their large blooms will undoubtedly ad that “wow factor” to any wedding Although there are many types of Lilies, the most popular are Oriental and Asiatic Lilies The most flamboyant personalities in the species of Lilies are to be found among the Orientals, with their huge flowers, intense fragrance, and rich colors Oriental Lilies are extremely fragrant, boasting trumpet-shaped flowers that grow to a 6-inch diameter Stems grow to about feet long, carrying to blooms and dark green foliage Oriental Lilies are known for their enormous, star-shaped blooms in vibrant shades of pink, red, pure white, peach, and pink-andwhite Lastly, the flowers may be bowl-shaped or flat-faced, sometimes with curved petals Unlike Oriental Lilies, Asiatic Lilies have little to no fragrance This Lily will grow a decent amount of broad evergreen leaves and tight clusters of colorful flowers measuring 3.5 centimeters across The average stem length of an Asiatic Lily is to feet with to blooms per stem A popular Asiatic is the Brisbane, a beautiful pink Lily with blooms that face upward from the center (one of the Asiatic Lily’s best features) The vibrant Brunello Asiatic Lily is another favorite that adds excitement to any arrangement Their six petaled blooms are bright orange and about inches in length Similar to Orientals, Asiatics come in shades of pink, red, orange, white, and peach Much like Roses, Lilies are available all year round because they are grown in Central America and are shipped to the United States and in hotter months can be grown locally Both Oriental and Asiatic Lilies have foliage, so adding greenery may overwhelm the blooms Lilies are perfect for tall arrangements and would be well suited with Calla Lilies, Roses, and Gladiolous They also look stunning by themselves Lilies pair nicely with Roses, Calla Lilies (both large and mini), Freesia, Orchids, Lisianthus, and Stephanotis Liles (especially the Orientals) have large blooms, so choosing smaller flowers like Freesias or Mini Calla Lilies would be perfect compliments to such bold blossoms Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 31 Gardenia Gardenias are not only known for their beauty, but also their captivating fragrance These gorgeous white flowers have been a wedding staple for decades However, they are also known for being very fragile and have no stems, so much like Stephanotis, they must be wired or glued A flower of Oriental origins, the Gardenia is now grown in colder climates in greenhouses and available all year round They have bloom per stem and each bloom is about to inches in diameter Gardenias have a high petal count and look beautifully floating in centerpieces or sprinkled in bouquets However, keep in mind that Gardenias are a very short lived cut flower with a lifespan of a day or two once removed from refrigeration Gardenias pair beautifully with most flowers A bouquet with Gardenias, Roses, Hydrangea, and Peonies is both classic and elegant And as previously stated, Gardenias floating in water make for fabulous centerpieces Lemon Leaf, Lemon Papoose, Hypericum, and Leather Leaf would all be perfect compliments to Gardenias Since they lack stems, greenery is a must Although beautiful, Gardenia’s are quite pricey, so if you’re on a budget Stephanotis and white Lisianthus would be excellent substitutes for Gardenias Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 32 10 Carnation Although Carnations may not be the first flower you think of when choosing your wedding flowers, they are a popular filler flower Their ruffled blooms make the perfect compliment to bouquets in particular and when bunched together they have the same look as a Peony or Cottage Rose As may of you may know, Carnations feature only one bloom per stem They have an average bloom size of about inches in diameter when fully bloomed Carnations’ stem length ranges from about 20 inches to a maximum of roughly 26 inches They are available in every shade of the rainbow, but are most popular in pink, red, white, and orange Like Roses, Carnations are also available all year round Carnations are also grown in a “mini” variety Mini Carnations are multi-bloom sprays of festive color, perfect for arrangements and bouquets Their sweet fragrance and long-lasting ruffled blossoms, 1¼ inches to 1½ inches in diameter, make them one of the most popular of today’s fresh flowers (and a great value for the price) One of the Carnation’s best features is their vase-life, which is about to weeks! So if you use Carnations in your centerpieces, they’ll last weeks after your wedding (and possibly your honey moon, too!) As I said before, Carnations are superb filler flowers and they compliment everything from Roses to Gerbera Daisies Personally, I feel that Carnations are well suited with Roses, Hydrangea, Lisianthus, Peonies, Football Mums, and Cottage Roses Greenery like Leather Leaf, Hypericum, and Lemon Leaf would also add texture to the fluffy blooms And if Carnations don’t suit your fancy, any high petaled flower like a Peony or Lisianthus would be a good understudy for the Carnation Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 33 Now that you’re a flower expert you are ready to pick the flowers you want to use to create your bouquet! Pick flowers that fit your color scheme and desired bouquet shapes Once you have picked your flowers you are ready to make arrangements, the D-I-Y Bridal Bouquet demonstration will show you step-by-step Do It Yourself Bridal Bouquet Purchase your wholesale cut flowers with all the colors and flower varieties you need to make your bouquet Upon flower delivery, cut the stems, put them in water, and place the flowers in a cool place out of direct sunlight Remember, you can make a second stem cut if needed! Then when your flowers are at their best, most beautiful blooming stage the fun begins! Now its time to create your own masterpiece! Set up your workspace, keeping in mind that you are going to make a mess Kitchens are ideal because clean up is easy, and if you have a lot of counter space, even better! An outdoor space would also work Keep all flowers in big buckets too! Things you’ll need: Floral sheers, floral tape, bouquet pins, and the bouquet wrap of your choice (we used white ribbon) And your wedding flowers, of course! We used pink lisianthus, white spray roses, green pompon button mums, painted lady wax flower, purple statice, and green hypericum Prim and prep your flowers Make sure all foliage has been removed from the stems roses are de-thorned, and whatever you need to so your flowers are ready for action! Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 34 Make sure that all of the stem lengths are about the same length (anywhere from 10-14 inches) You can always trim as you go, or cut them at the end Choose 2-4 flowers to start the “base” of your bouquet These flowers will serve as the anchor, as you will build around them Bunch the stems together and wrap with floral tape Make sure that there is to ½ inches of exposed stem visible from where you begin to wrap the stems and anywhere between to inches of exposed stem from the bottom Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 35 Start building your bouquet by adding flowers around your anchored flowers, creating a “bunch” Now, there’s not really a lot of rules here, because you can position the flowers, fillers, and greenery by your personal preference Mix textures and colors to create an interesting composition Also, keep the size of your bouquet in mind Put your photographer hat on! You don’t want your flowers to overwhelm your look on your wedding day After all, you are the focal point and your flowers should enhance everything about your ensemble As you add flowers, continuously wrap your bouquet with floral tape (the same to ½ inch rule from the top and to inch rule from the bottom applies) By doing this, you will not only be adding support, but also be creating consistent, yet attractive composition in your design Edit as you go Keep an open mind and what appeals to your aesthetic! Throw the rulebook out the window There is no right or wrong place to put a flower, filler, or greenery Also, don’t forget about the stem length as you make your masterpiece, if you think the stems are too long, trim them a bit Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 36 When you’re satisfied with your bouquet, wrap your bouquet with floral tape Starting about to ½ inches from the flower head (like you’ve done before), begin to wrap the stems with floral tape, leaving anywhere between 0-4 inches of stem exposed Do whatever your comfortable with 10 Accent with a bouquet wrap of your choice (we used white ribbon) Use the floral tape as your guide and pin the ribbon horizontally so it is parallel with the floral tape Then wrap until all of the floral tape is covered and pin to secure the ribbon And voila! 11 Have some fun and don’t forget about DIY! Make an event out of it! Have a flower arranging party to get your wedding party and loved ones involved This is just another opportunity to celebrate your wedding! Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 37 And finally, something you didn’t know about Rose Petals… Whether sprinkled down the aisle by adorable flower girls, or used as romantic accents on a cake, rose petals add a special detail to weddings big or small Traditionally, fresh rose petals are used, but I’ve found an even better alternative, freeze-dried rose petals! Yes, freeze-dried, and no, they are NOT fresh rose petals that are frozen Here’s why I think they beat out the competition… They last longer than fresh rose petals Freeze dried rose petals have a reputation for lasting up to year; however, we not suggest you order them this far in advance For optimum quality, we suggest that you order two to four weeks before your event and store them in a room temperature, dry place They are great for outdoor (and indoor) use Fresh rose petals are beautiful, but they are known to wilt and look “tired” after being removed from the rose head/stem… especially, if they are used outdoors Freeze-dried rose petals will not shrivel or be affected by the outdoors because they have been through the freeze-drying process They will not wilt! We have done all the work for you; all you have to is order them! The process of freeze-drying rose petals takes a great deal of time and effort After the roses are cut, we allow the roses open until they are at their peak Then we pull the petals off one by one, separating the imperfect petals from the premium ones Finally, the petals are loaded into a freeze drier to be cooled and dried Here’s a little tid bit about the process… The rose petals spend about weeks in a freeze drier They are then frozen to about -20 degrees Fahrenheit and a vacuum pump draws all the air out of the drier The petals then go through a process called sublimation, where this extreme weather condition causes the petals to pass directly from a solid (ice) to a gas (water vapor) Since the petals are able to bypass the liquid stage of water, they remain in the shape it is frozen in without shriveling or decomposing Lastly, the temperature of the drier is gradually increased to about room temperature over two weeks, ensuring all of the moisture in the petals was removed If you tried to pull all of the individual rose petals off of roses, it would take you a lot of time and a lot of effort! Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 38 You can order them in advance Unlike fresh rose petals, freeze-dried rose petals not need to be delivered the day of your event to be in good condition As I said before, for the best quality, we suggest that you order two to four weeks before your event and store them in a room temperature, dry place You know what to expect If you use fresh rose petals you never know how they are going to react, whether your wedding is indoors or out When fresh rose petals are exposed to a lot of heat, too much light, not enough moisture, and so on… they start to wilt and their shape and color change With freezedried rose petals you don’t have to worry about any of that because they are in a state where all those factors will not affect them However, the only element that freeze dried rose petals not face up well with is water Although some claim you can submerge or float freeze dried rose petals, frankly, they just not well in water While they float, they will also reabsorb water When this happens, they will discolor and lose their shape You will eventually be left with soggy, shapeless petals The question is whether they will hold up long enough If you wait until the last minute to put them in water and they remain undisturbed, the petals can look good for hours But if you let them sit in water for a long time, they obviously will turn soggy much quicker The best thing to if you want to use them in water is to test run a sample first to see if you get your desired effect Lastly, here are some frequently asked questions AND answers about freeze dried rose petals How many petals come in a cup? Number of petals per cup will vary depending on the variety The “average” number of petals per cup is 35 – 40 petals How many cups should I get? For an Aisle, Path, Tabletop or Bed: -1 cup per square foot for light coverage -2 cups per square foot for moderate coverage -3 cups per square foot for heavy coverage Flower Girl Baskets: 4-6 cups per girl Wedding Toss: 1/2 cup per guest if using cones or sachets Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 39 Wedding Toss: cup per guest if using a basket for guests to help themselves Reception Tables: 5-6 cups per 60” round table for light scattering around just the center of the table use cups or so Memorial Service or Funeral Service: 1/2 - cups per person attending that wishes to honor the spirit of a loved one or friend When should I order my freeze-dried rose petals? We suggest you order them for delivery to weeks prior to use Because the rose petals are freeze-dried does this mean I have to put them in the freezer or refrigerator? No, they are NOT fresh rose petals that are frozen The “freeze” in the freeze-dried rose petals only refers to the process used to dry the petals Once they are dry, they should only be stored at room temperature DO NOT put freeze-dried rose petals in a refrigerator or freezer Just make sure to store the rose petals out of high heat and humidity Are the petals so dry that they will break/crumble? Not at all Just because they are “freeze-dried” does not mean that they will crumble Some rose petals may be “drier” than other because of size, but most petals will be pliable The freeze-drying process ensures that the petals still retain some of their softness Can I soften the freeze-dried rose petals so they are like fresh again? While they will not become as soft as a fresh rose petal, they can reabsorb some moisture and become slightly softer and more pliable The easiest way to soften the petals is to place them in a bathroom while taking a shower The steam helps to bring back the original texture of fresh petals and will sometimes brightening the color To some degree, the longer the freeze-dried rose petals are exposed to the moisture, the softer they will get However, keep in mind that too much moisture can damage the petals Remember that they have gone through a complicated process just to get them dry For most uses, such as table decoration and/or aisles, softening is not necessary Will the color change? After a significant amount of time, colors will fade and white will turn creamy, especially when exposed to light and humidity Do they retain fragrance? Yes, but over time their fragrance may fade Keep in mind that some flowers have more scent than others and most not retain much scent after they are freeze dried Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page 40 Now that you know the ins-and-outs of DIY Wedding Flowers… I hope by now you have a better idea of the wholesale flower market and how easy it is to your own wedding flowers! With the right preparation… and might I add hydration, I have no doubt that you will create gorgeous arrangements that even florists will be jealous of On a closing note, remember that doing DIY projects for your wedding are not just about saving money, but also about the personal touches you make while “Doing-it-yourself” We at Blooms By The Box wish you the best of luck with your wedding flowers and everything in between Remember if you need anything our wedding consultants are just a phone call away (908) 791-0487! Copyright © 2011 www.BloomsByTheBox.com All Rights Reserved ...The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Flowers are as common in a wedding as the white dress Let’s face it; a wedding would not be complete without a bridal... Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wedding Flowers Page Here are some helpful hints to make your DIY wedding flower experience a little easier… There is a difference between wholesale flowers and retail flowers. .. have to remember anything from this guide, remember this: Do you wedding flowers the day before your wedding You cannot, I repeat, CANNOT, you flowers on your wedding day if you want your sanity