DIY Bouquet with a High-End Look

There's something so incredibly beautiful about a tight grouping of a single type of flower. This weekend I got inspired to try to make a diy bouquet using faux flowers that would give a high-end fresh flower bouquet a run for its money. While I'm not completely convinced that faux flowers are the best idea for a daytime wedding, I do think that it is incredibly difficult to tell the difference in more intimate lighting without physically touching the flower.

I started my trip at the dollar store where they had these fabulous creamy full bloom roses that were better than those I could find at Michael's and for a  fraction of the price. A few of them came with rosebuds which I initially didn't think would be useful for this particular bouquet, but the variety in blooms actually worked quite nicely. The addition of lace, guinea feathers, a glass brooch and ribbon really finish this diy bouquet off and give it that high-end look we're all after for such a great price.

STEP 1. Trim the stem of excess leaves and twigs and group all stems of roses together to create a nice round shape. You may need to bend some of the stems to get this perfectly round shape. Wrap the stems in wire in a couple of places to keep it al together.

STEP 2. Cut 6 - 8 pieces of lace drapery trim. Bunch each piece together so that you have a ruffled look. Position them evenly around the stem of the bouquet, as close to the bottom of the flowers as possible. Secure with wire.

STEP 3. Wrap the stem in ribbon and sew a brooch to to the ribbon handle. Sew 10 guinea feathers around the base of the bouquet.

SUMMARY OF COSTS

Flowers - $9

Drapery Lace - $1.67/m

Antique Brooch - $5

Ribbon $2

Total Spent CAD17.67

Whoever thinks that a high-end look can't be achieved with a low-end budget is sorely mistaken! I'm so pleased with how this diy bouquet turned out!

Leave Them Breathless

This week I got inspired to make a bouquet and centre piece for the budget conscious bride. I tried to think about the most cost effective items that were still beautiful.

I don't think people give Baby's Breath very much credit as most people consider it to be somewhat of a weed that's added to floral arrangements as a filler. The interesting thing is that it really is quite beautiful on its own and can fit into so many themes depending on how it's used.

Used in a bouquet it has a very country chic look about it.

THE BOUQUET HOW-TO

Materials.

- Five bunches of baby's breath $15.00, local florist

- Ribbon $0.99 cents per metre {with lots left over!}

- Boutonniere Pins 5.99 for 100 at Michael's

Total cost: $21.98

Steps.

1. Bunch approximately 5 bunches of Baby's Breath together so the centre top is a bight taller than the sides, giving it a nice round shape. {If you find you've got long and short pieces combined on one stem, snip the stems to separate the bunches so you have more smaller pieces to work with}. Leave the ends long. You can snip them to the right length later right before you add the ribbon.

2. Secure the stems with floral wire. Be sure to get as close to the base of the flowers as possible, for a nice clean look.

3. Cut a piece of card so it can wrap around the stem once. Secure with tape. This helps to smooth out the bumps in the stem so when your ribbon is wrapped, it's got a more polished look.

5. Cut all the ends at once for a nice clean base.

6.Begin wrapping your ribbon around the stem from top to bottom and secure with your boutonniere pins.

7. High five your neighbour for your job well done!

Used in a centre piece, it's got the most beautiful city posh look.

THE CENTRE PIECE HOW-TO

Material.
Glass Candlestick - $8.00, Winners Clearance

Florist's foam / Oasis - $2.99, Michael's

8 bunches of Baby's Breath, $18.00, local Florist

Total cost: $28.99

Steps.

1. Soak your Oasis/ Florist's foam as directed on the package.

2. Secure it to the top of your candlestick with crazy clue, tape, or whatever method works for you.

3. Snip the pieces of your Baby's Breath so they have about a 4-inch stem.

4. Begin sporadically placing the Baby's Breath into the foam. As you go, be sure to fill consistently so that there aren't and bald spots. Step back every now and then with a fresh set of eyes.

5. One satisfied you can no longer see the green oasis, place your hands on either side of the arrangement and ever so gently push the sides in and up to maximize its fullness.

6. Give yourself a pat on the back!

There are so many other things that I can imagine making. What about aisle decorations? Grab a round foam oasis and fill completely with flowers. Attach a ribbon from the top and hang from the side of the chair or pew.

Hope you are inspired to make your own!