2010-05-07 16:00:00 by SMARTBRIDE
Floral Expert Advice: DIY Rose Pomander
Getting the perfect wedding flowers often feels like a daunting task. We all eat cake and buy dresses, but few people work with flowers often enough to possess the necessary skills to create that flawless magazine look.
By learning a few easy tips and tricks you can put a personal touch on beautiful blooms for your big day.
Image Courtesy of FLUR.
You know you want amazing flowers for your wedding and you want to design some of them yourself, but where do you start? How many items can you make yourself? Where do you order your flowers from? Can you really pull this off?
The best place to start is with a florist. Although it may be tempting to order flowers from a local grocery chain or even through an online source advertising the lowest price, in the end a local florist will be able to offer you help and information, and will stand behind whatever products you purchase.
Here's everything you need to know when dealing with a florist for DIY flowers:
- Be honest: tell your florist you want to make your own arrangements, bouquets, and accessories. Let them know your budget up front and work with them to get the most value for your money. Be honest about how much you can take on. Perhaps making 40 towering centerpieces on top of candelabras the night before your wedding isn't such a great idea. Remember what else you and your bridal party are undertaking the week prior to the event to make this decision.
- Listen to your florist: Most florists will tell you up front that you should not attempt to design some things, like your bouquet or large scale decor pieces for example. Remember that they have your best interest at heart and are trying to prevent you from coming to them the week before the event in tears because you realize you cannot accomplish everything you thought you could. If your florist tells you about another flower that will work better than the bloom you had selected, trust that they know what they are talking about.
- Plan Plan Plan: Having a florist to work with helps with the planning. Start by getting an idea of colors and possible floral varieties online from reliable sources. Bring images and ideas with you so your florist can get an overall sense of what you're looking for and provide you with feedback.
Here are a few websites that have accurate floral information like seasonal availablity, all supplied by industry experts: - Learn Everything You Can: Check with local colleges and trade schools for classes in floral design because there’s no substitute for learning by doing. Ask your florist if they offer classes or would be interested in running a small class on basic design for you and your bridal party. Books on basic floral design are available at bookstores and libraries and of course there are plenty of online resources.
- Do a test run: Make everything you plan to use for the wedding at least once prior to the event and time yourself. This will help you assess if what you're planning really works, and if it's really feasible. If it takes you 45 min. to make one corsage, you may need to work on increasing your speed before the big day.
Here's a great DIY for you to try:
Take a pre-made artificial rose pomander (available at craft stores and florist shops) and decorate it for your flower girls. A real rose pomander is usually prohibitively expensive and in the hands of a fussy little flower girl can easily be damaged. By going artificial, you save money and gain a beautiful keepsake.
Image Courtesy of FLUR.
- Purchase one artificial rose pomander in the color of your choice and attach a 12" length of decorative ribbon to the top using a dab from your hot glue gun to form a handle. Cutting various lengths of ribbon, attach each one to the bottom of the pomander to form a streamer effect. You can even use several different colors of ribbon to co-ordinate with your wedding colors.
- Next take a stem of fresh orchids. Cymbidium, mokara, and dendrobium are all great choices and will last all day. Cut the blooms off the main stem so that each bloom will lie flat.
- Put a puddle of Oasis Cold Glue for fresh flowers (available from your florist) onto a piece of cardboard. Let sit for a few seconds and then gently dip the back of the orchid bloom into the glue puddle. This will prevent the glue from burning the orchid. Remember that less is more and all you need is a small amount of glue to adhere the blooms.
- Press the orchid into the spaces between each pomander rose. Lift and reapply a few times to allow the glue to oxidize until you feel the orchid stick. If it takes more than 30 seconds to provide good adhesion, you've used too much glue. If the orchid won’t stick, then use a bit more.
- Accessorize by using jewels, crystals, pearls or beads. Other types of flowers that work great for this project include lime green kermit mums, miniature spray roses, and even Hyacinth pips. Avoid flowers that will bruise easily or wilt like freesia, tulips or hydrangea.
- Spritz with water and place inside a sealed plastic back. Put your pomander in the fridge for 24 hours. Spritz again with water when you take it out for the wedding.
Your DIY projects don’t have to be difficult, keep it simple and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful photos on your big day.
Alex
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About our Guest Florist Blogger Alex:
Alex Bazos is a floral designer with 7 years of industry experience focusing on wedding and event florals. As the owner and principal designer of FLUR Designs Inc. in Edmonton, she has become one of the chief proponents of modern floral design in western Canada. Alex believes strongly in educating and inspiring brides and young designers about the new floral design.
