DIY Brides before you get caught out on the day you prepare your wedding flowers here is a list to assist you.
KNOWLEDGE OF THE FLOWERS
YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH
It is important to understand the flowers that you will be working with, for example.,
1. Do the flowers you're going to be working with prefer to be placed in cool or warm water?
2. Do the stems need to be placed in shallow or deep water?
3. Do you have enough space to prepare your flowers?
4. Will your flowers need to be left overnight before being arranged in a display?
5. Is your flower phototropic? If so don't expose them to light after arranging your bouquet or flower arrangement. You may find that your bouquet looking different the next day if you're not careful.
6. Will your flowers need wiring?
7. Will you need to remove the thorns from any roses?
8. Do you have enough flower food?
9. Have you given yourself enough time to remove any leaves lower down your flower stems?
MORE TIPS FRESH FLOWER TIPS
DO YOU HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT
YOU WILL NEED?
1. Floral Knife / Small Sharp Knife
2. Scissors
3. Wire Cutters
4. Stem Tape (In correct colour)
5. Flower Food
6. Buckets / Containers for your flowers
7. Separate buckets for Foliage
8. Thorn Stripper (If working with roses)
9. Florist wire
10. Leaf Shine
11. Finishing Touch (Or similar to maintain freshness and prolong life of cut flowers)
In the image above are some of the items I have at hand when I'm preparing flowers. You'll notice there are 2 different kinds of tape. they're both waterproof. The green (stem tape) tape is my preference when wiring flowers and creating boutonnieres.
In the image above ae a few more items that I consider my 'must haves' when doing any floral designs. Mainly for feeding, preserving and keeping my flowers and foliage in tip top condition.
PLEASE NOTE: I'm not emphasising that you use any of the particular products pictured above, though obviously they are the ones that I choose to use on a regular basis.
THE LITTLE EXTRA THINGS
THAT I DO TO KEEP MYSELF SANE.
The table I use for flower arranging is wooden, and to protect it from water damage and marks from knives, I always cover it with a waterproof table cloth.
I also have a sharp knife and a chopping board for when I am cutting certain flower stems.
The room I work in has a laminate floor, therefore I have close by a brush, shovel and bin liner which I try to use as much as possible while I am working. It cuts down on cleaning time afterwards.
I keep an large old bath towel handy in case of spills.
Have vases on the ready to house any flowers not used for the bouquets and displays. 1 large and 1 small.
When I'm creating small items such as wrist corsages I always have some waterproof floral adhesive to hand.
Though this list is by no means exhaustive, I do hope it proves helpful. Please let me know if it was useful to you.
If you have any helpful tips that you would like to share, please do.
We welcome your comments.
HAPPY WEDDING PLANNING.