Easy Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere (for a Happily Ever After)

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Eva Monheim

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Photo Credit: Eva Monheim

Carefully remove all thorns and leaves that sit below water level.

I’ve made literally thousands of bouquets for brides and their attendants. While it sounds like a complicated project, the truth is that brides can make their own for less money.

The key to a good bouquet is in the dress. Ornate gowns usually dictate simple bouquets that accentuate the details on the dress. Simple gowns with minimal detailing look amazing with more elaborate arrangements.

The following bouquet reflects a simple design, and it’s easy to make. Start with the best-quality flowers available so you’ll get several more days of life out of them. (And buy a few extra bunches, just in case some unforeseen problem arises.)

Materials:
1 large bunch of roses (about 25 flowers)
1-2 bunches of baby’s breath
1 green chenille stem (similar to a pipe cleaner, only thicker and more durable)
1 piece of muslin or satin (#40 width or approximately 3 inches wide and 36 inches long)
A cord or other embellishment by the bolt (roll)
1 box of 2½-inch-long pearl-head corsage pins
Utility knife
Pruners

Directions:
Start by taking good care of your flowers from the moment you get them home. Prepare a bucket of fresh, clean, room-temperature or lukewarm water, and add a tablespoon of distilled vinegar for each gallon in the container. (Vinegar reduces pH, helps the flowers drink the water faster and prevents wilting and dehydration.) Remove any thorns and leaves that will be under the water when the flowers are in the bucket. (This decreases bacteria buildup and helps your flowers last longer.) To remove thorns without injuring the stem, hold a floral or utility knife almost parallel to the stem. (Be careful not to injure yourself as well!)

For best results, cut your stems (a couple inches from the bottom) under water. When the first “breath” your flowers take is water instead of air, air bubbles can’t get up into the stem. (Air bubbles can cause flower heads to droop, especially roses and more delicate blooms.) If your flowers start to wilt after this preparation, lay them in a room-temperature or lukewarm bath and recut the stems. Let them rest in the bath for 30-60 minutes before putting them back in the bucket of water.

Facts

Each type of flower has its own shelf life. Spring-blooming flowers don’t last long, especially when the days get warmer or they’re out of water for long periods of time. Summer-blooming flowers usually last better in the heat, but some require more water than others. Take some time to get to know your flowers before your big day, and experiment with them so you can create long-lasting bouquets.

Tips

It’s easy to make matching bouquets for your attendants, too. Follow the same steps, but use fewer roses for a smaller arrangement.
Refrigeration does wonders for bouquet preservation. Just make sure there’s no fruit in the refrigerator, which reduces bloom shelf life.

Faqs

Q: How do I get the best deal on good flowers?
A: Buying flowers that are in season is the best way to keep costs down. Stop in your local floral shop and ask what’s in season for the month of your wedding. When it’s time to buy your flowers, look for fresh, crisp petals and brilliant green stems and foliage. Make sure stems don’t have any blackening at the base – that’s a sign of age or mistreated plant material.

Resources

We’d love to see how your bouquets turned out! Share your designs with our Learn2Grow community and post pictures of your bouquets in our forums.
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