DIY Rose Bridal Bouquet

Special thanks to FiftyFlowers.com for providing the flowers for this post and for our upcoming wedding!

Today, I’m super excited to share with you our DIY Bridal Bouquet!  Now, as you know, I’m primarily a food blogger….which means, I know food.  I enjoy doing other things, like crafts, but honestly, I’m always a little surprised when they turn out well.  Really, I’m not kidding.

So, when we decided to go the do-it-yourself route for all the flowers at my daughter’s wedding I KNEW I was going to need to practice!  I started with the Single Rose Boutonnieres for the men then moved on to the Bridal Bouquet.  They both turned out GREAT, thanks in part to my friends at FiftyFlower.com.  Their flowers are so beautiful and easy to work with, it’s hard to go wrong.  I highly recommend them for perfect blooms at wholesale prices.  Also, they are offering you (my reader) an extra 10% off all orders through July 1, 2016, just scroll down to the bottom for the code.  

For her bouquet my daughter wants a large, perfectly round bouquet of dark red roses.  I’ve seen several ways to do this but the absolute EASIEST is using the Gala Bouquet Holder.  It was designed by a florist so the shape does all the work for you.  It’s next to impossible to mess it up.  It comes in three sizes: small, medium and large.  We chose the large for the bridal bouquet.  It holds A LOT of flowers, 36-40 depending on their size.    

Here’s How-To:

Supplies:

• Gala Bouquet Holder
• Flower Food (from local florist)
• Branch Cutters
• Floralock (floral glue)
• Crowning Glory (floral spray)
• Vase to sit holder in as you assemble
• Towel (to absorb water as you work)

Flowers:

• Roses (number will depend on size of holder – large about 36-40)
• Baby’s Breath
• Sprigs of Greenery
• Optional: Gem or Pearl Head Corsage Pins

*Flowers should be kept in water prepared with floral food.  If they have not, prepare water according to flower food directions.  Make a fresh angled cut on the stem of the rose and allow to sit in fortified water 3-4 hours before using. This will insure proper hydration and make roses last longer*

About an hour before assembling bouquet, prepare a container with fresh water with floral food (following directions on food)  Container should be a bucket or at least have tall sides

The Oasis floral foam inside the holder needs to be soaked in order to keep flowers hydrated.  This is VERY important!  

To soak foam:

Place holder in prepared water by gently laying it on top of water.  DO NOT PUSH FOAM DOWN INTO WATER. This will cause air pockets to form in foam and some flowers may not get the water they need.  

The Oasis will sink into the water as it fills.  Allow it to sit about an hour to make sure it is properly filled.

Remove holder from water and place handle in vase.  This will allow you to turn as you assemble and will collect any excess water that drips from holder.

Sit holder and vase on towel.  It’s a good idea to work on a towel to keep work surface dry

Start by choosing the largest, most open rose bloom for the top center of the bouquet 

Cut stem about 2 inches long

Place that flower right in the middle on top

From there, cutting one rose at a time, insert three roses in a “triangle” shape into the floral foam.  I started in the middle of the sphere.  

Make sure they are pushed in evenly so one doesn’t stick up higher than the rest.  This can be adjusted as you go

Be careful to place exactly where you want them.  It’s best NOT to move them after they are placed.  The stem punches a hole in the oasis that won’t close up so relocating flowers isn’t a good idea.  

*Place them straight in, no need to angle.  The shape of the holder allows flowers to cover bottom*

Working around the holder continue placing flowers until it is completely covered

Place sprigs of Baby’s Breath and Greenery at intervals throughout arrangement

*This will help fill in any “gaps” that may be between roses*

Now that everything is in place it’s time to use the Floralock.  Quite frankly, this is the trickiest part!  Follow the direction on the can and BE VERY CAREFUL not to use too much!  It can get messy and over spray or drip down onto handle….neither of which is good.  

Make sure the tube and nozzle of the Floralock are cleaned after using

Turn can upside down in trash can and spray.  It will clean everything out and stop spraying when it’s done

When bouquet is finished, spray lightly with Crown and Glory to lock in moisture of pedals. 

Optional:

To add a little extra “bling” use pearl or gem head corsage pins by gently inserting one in the center of each rose

Tips:

• NEVER, NEVER, NEVER store flowers in a refrigerator with fruits and vegetables.  They give off gases that can kill flowers
• Be careful to place exactly where you want them.  It’s best NOT to move them after they are placed.  The stem punches a hole in the oasis that won’t close up so relocating flowers isn’t a good idea.  
• Follow the direction on the can and BE VERY CAREFUL not to use too much!  It can get messy and overspray or drip down onto handle….neither of which is good.  
• For best results, assemble bouquets the morning of the event.  
• Crown and Glory will make the flowers look wet but will dry clear
• The bouquet will be HEAVY.  If this is an issue, consider a smaller holder
• When soaking floral foam, never submerge into the water yourself.  Allow it to sink on its own

Really, if I can do it….you can, too!

Oh, and don’t forget the extra 10% off at FiftyFlowers! (thru 7/1/16)

Use discount code OTASTE10 at checkout!