Blog

DIY Wedding Flowers - Made Easy

Flowers prices can be intimidating, but so can making making your own flowers. Seeing gorgeous pictures of complex bouquets could certainly put you off the idea, but there's no need to get scared by the complexity. You can get almost any look your want, and you can do it with your own two hands!

Making your own flowers is a much cheaper alternative to a florist, and even if you're unsure of your bouquet-gathering skills, things like centrepieces and boutonnieres are simple enough to do on your own. With an infinite amount of resources available, and limited budgets, many modern brides are turning to the DIY alternative.

Benefits of DIY flowers:

1. Wow-factor. Imagine the look on their faces when after endless compliments of your gorgeous arrangements you say "Thanks, I made them all". You will be a Super-girl!

2. Reliability. There are a few florist horror-stories which you can avoid by both ordering with Bunches Direct and making your own flowers. You will know that the flowers will be there, on time, and look exactly how you want them too. There is no second-guessing or last minute order problems. You can definitely rely on www.bunchesdirect.com and yourself.

3. The Look. You alone know best exactly what you're looking for. If you're making your own flowers, you know and will include all of the small details you want, and add or subtract anything you think doesn't look as good. You are your own designer!

DIY Advice

1. Get Educated. Whether you know what you're doing or are new to the process, it's always helpful to load up on information. Look up the flowers you want and their care instructions, as well as how-tos on making bouquets, boutonnieres, and centrepieces. Sometimes it might be helpful to cross-reference your resources just to make sure you have everything right.

2. Plan. Know what you're doing ahead of time. Plan the flowers and colors that you're going to be using, make sure you have your supplies, and know how to make the arrangements. Always order extra flowers and extra supplies in case of mistakes.

3. Practice. If you grow flowers in your own garden, or have the chance to pick some up from a friend, it might be useful to practice making the arrangements before composing your own. That way you would already have the technique down and don't have to worry about making mistakes. Plus, it's a great way to decorate your home!

4. Storage. Once you receive and make the flowers, make sure you take care of them. For full care instructions click here.

There are also many other online resources to help you with the process, including our own inspiration section where almost any bride could find something to replicate or personalize.

Unsure of what kinds of flowers you need or working on a strict budget? Ask one of our Bunches Direct flower experts. They can help you pick up the right colours and flowers for your own project.

When tackling a DIY flower project, remember that there are lots of resources available, from youtube, to our own Bunches Direct experts. You will be supported every step of the way to your own perfect wedding.

Submerged Flower Centerpieces – How To

How to create your own Submerged Centerpieces?
Creating your own centerpieces is a great way to save money when organizing an event. The following will explain how to make your own submerged centerpieces. It’s easy to do, and makes a beautiful piece for decorating the tables of your wedding reception, charity event, or dinner party.

To make a submerged centerpiece you will need a clear glass vase, water, and flowers. You can include floating candles, rocks, sand, seashells, fruit, or whatever other creative idea you may have. A key component to keeping the flowers submerged is a method of weighing down the flowers so they don’t float.

*Tips for sinking your flowers:

• Use moulding clay, (form the stems of your flowers to the base of your vase)
• Silicon, (glue your pieces in place)
• Clear fishing line, attached to weight ( be careful here, because the water magnifies the contents of the vase)

Step 1: Design the base of your vase. Place stones, or seashells etc. in your vase.

• If you are using moulding clay, fill the cracks between your rocks

Step 2: Start placing the flowers into your vase.

• If you are using moulding clay, form clay to the base of the stem and then place into the stones or shells

• If you are using aquarium glue, place a drop or two onto your flower and place it into position holding it in place until the glue dries   enough to hold. Know your arrangement before applying glue, because once it dries it will be difficult to change.

• If you are using fishing line, attach the flower to the “weight”, (using a sewing needle through the flower) and make your arrangement.

*Tip* If you are using faux florals certain materials will release dye when water is added

Step 3: Slowly fill your vase with water.

*Tip* Tap water can cause bubbles to form around the contents of your vase. Distilled water/Filtered water produces less bubbles.

Step 4 (Optional): Add floating candles!

Wedding Advice – Dealing with the Expert Bridesmaid

Wedding Flowers – Flower Allergies

The sight a red eyed, wheezing and sneezing bride may not be a perfect picture but that vision may come true if a bride has allergies. Brides with allergies may think their only other option is to use imitations of the real thing but there is hope. There are ways to prevent or ease potential allergic reactions if you choose the right type of flower.

Experts at BunchesDirect say choose flowers that release less pollen.

Flowers like spray roses which are tiny but come in a variety of color have a light scent, low capacity to release airborne pollen and can still add color and style to your wedding.

A good floral designer or how good do-it-yourself floral guide can help put together arrangements and bouquets with any flower.

Various blossoms from trees should also be avoided. So, steer away from blossoms from orange, almond and cherry trees. There is no reason for a bride with allergies to forgo a flower filled wedding event. If she chooses the right flowers she can avoid an allergic wedding catastrophe.