“Would you be willing to do the flowers for my grandson’s wedding?” my sister asked. I didn’t need to hesitate. I had made the bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages for my daughters’ weddings.
“I can do that,” I said. I went to Hobby Lobby with my sister, the bride, and other interested friends to get silk flowers and supplies. After we had selected the flowers for bridesmaid bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres, it was time to talk about the bride’s bouquet. Mari (the bride) wanted real flowers for that. That was the moment when I knew I was embarking on a new adventure. I had never made a bouquet with live flowers before. How was I to keep the flowers from wilting? Was there a trick to making sure the hanging down greenery and flowers didn’t fall out as she walked down the aisle? Could I do this?
Yes, I WOULD do this. Every bride deserves a beautiful, special day.
YouTube was my friend. I watched several videos on DIY bridal bouquets. I learned now to wrap the stems of the bridesmaid bouquets with ribbon for a professional look. I learned that I needed an oasis bouquet holder. I had purchased a Styrofoam holder, so it was back to Hobby Lobby to get the right holder. While I was there, I bought some pearls to use in the corsages and bouquets. One YouTube video taught me that there is a special oasis glue that glues the stems of flowers and greenery on the bottom of the bouquet in place so they don’t fall out. I ordered a tube from Amazon.
OK. Enough research. Time to begin. I spread my supplies out on the table and began making the silk flowers.
The boutineres for the groom and groomsmen were easy. We bought those at Hobby Lobby, and I just had to replace the white ribbons with blue ribbons.
Boutonnieres for Dad and Grandpas were easy—one flower, leaves and a blue ribbon.
Corsages for mothers, grandmother and aunts were pink roses with baby’s breath and pearls.
The stem wrapping technique for the bridesmaid bouquets worked well. I added pearls and a lace bow.
Then that was all I could do until the day before the wedding. On Friday I went to Safeway and chose the roses, baby’s breath, and greenery. The florist was extremely helpful and answered all my questions. I took my flowers home.
I prepared to start making the bouquet. It was at this point I got nervous and wondered if I could make a bouquet that didn’t scream, “Amateur!” as the bride walked down the aisle. If I cut the stems too short, there would be no way to fix them. If I poked the greenery stems into the bouquet holder and pulled them back out, they would leave a hole and I couldn’t put a new piece in that location. It was at this point that I had an idea—I had an extra holder. I could practice. So, I began establishing the greenery base. I added some silk roses to see how it would look. Once I was confident that I had a good foundation, I transferred all the greenery to the holder with the wet oasis in it. I glued the stems of the greenery on the bottom of the bouquet. Then I put the holder with the greenery in an ice chest to keep it fresh.
On Saturday morning I added the roses one by one—gluing the ones on the bottom in place. I tucked baby’s breath between the roses and added strings of peals on nylon threads. It was gorgeous!
When I gave the bouquet to Mari, she said, “I never dreamed it would be so beautiful!” We were both pleased.
I was happy to share a story during the dinner that was served after the ceremony. “The Blue Rose” is the story that I like to tell at weddings. The text of that story is on my website: www.RosetheStorylady.net
When I finished the story, I gave the blue rose to Mari.
The flowers were beautiful and everyone commented on them. Knowing that I helped Mari and Chase to have a special day makes me happy.