What could be more resplendent than your perfectly-arranged wedding bouquet, in the flowers and colors that you’ve chosen with such care? For many brides, absolutely nothing could surpass the delicate beauty of nature’s splendor.
Others can’t resist the temptation to “gild the lily” by adding a little touch of something more on this unique and important day.
For a touch of luxe, both rhinestones and pearls can be purchased on short-length straight pins, and add sparkle or richness when accenting the centers of an evenly-spaced scattering of blossoms in a bouquet; and matching luxury can be added by marching seven to nine of them, evenly-spaced, down the satin-wrapped “handle” of the bouquet like a faux row of buttons. Walmart offers a lovely bouquet-handle wrap of lattice-design pearls on elastic thread, so that it stretches over the “handle” and gives a very pretty finish. I would save these touches for the bride’s bouquet only.
Another way to accent your bouquet with a bit of bling (and color, if you like) is with branches of tiny pearls or crystal beads (http://www.yourweddingcompany.com/index.php/action/purchase/productId/527/categoryId/71/), fixed on a wire so that they are ready to add just a few here and there into your florals.
If you’re going with mostly whites for your bouquet and are seeking to add touches of texture or color, consider a subtle addition of 5-loop mini bows (like a tiny version of a puffy florist bow) or puffs of tulle (white, ivory or colored), or the curling tip of an ostrich feather or the eye of a peacock feather, secured onto floral wire, with a “tail” the approximate length of the flower stems, to poke their heads out among the blooms. Long loops of ribbons (about 24 inches, to give you a 12-inch drop), or single strands or loops of “by-the-yard” pearls or pretty lengths of ribbon-width lace might spill from beneath the lower blossoms of the bouquet in a beautiful trail that will also add the element of movement to the piece. The ribbon’s color could be the unifying detail to tie in with your color scheme, and all the better to show up against a pale gown..
A monogrammed bouquet sash is a classy add-on that makes your bouquet truly regal and unique, and is a pretty keepsake after the wedding:
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Satin sashes in a huge variety of colors, widths, and lengths may be purchased at David’s Bridal, but to economize by sewing your own sash is not difficult.
Most fabric is at least 45 inches wide, so even for a fairly wide-flaring sash you would not need more than 12” of fabric. Crepe-backed satin is the ideal fabric. You can shape the sash as above, with tapering ends that get wider toward the bottom, or make it narrower and straight–more like a ribbon. Fold the fabric in half, lengthwise and pin it together. Trace out the shape you want, being sure to add ½” to the cut sides for seams. Remember you will need one long piece with two ends, or you can make it in two shorter pieces, with only one “end.” Pin along open edges and sew–if you are making two pieces, leave the upper end open. If you are making one long sash, leave a 5” opening (unsewn) in about the middle of the sash. Once sewn, trim excess fabric off the end corners, and turn right-side out through the top or side openings that you left–use scissor points carefully to push the end corner points to sharp angles on the outside–and press, being careful to keep the temperature of the iron low so the fabric doesn’t melt. With small hand stitches, sew closed the openings used for turning it right-side out. The sash itself is now finished.
If you are lucky enough to have a high-tech embroidering sewing machine, you can then add lavish embroidered monograms–they may be tone-on-tone, as pictured above, or white on a color, or a color on white or ivory, with initials, and, if you wish, your wedding date. If, like most people, you don’t have such a machine or know someone who does, check for embroidery services in your area (some places that do alterations could also do this for you–avoid mall booths due to high costs and inexperienced workers). It would be unusual for it to cost more than about $25.
If you’re sentimental, and perhaps feeling a void that a beloved grandparent or parent–or even a pet–is no longer here to share your big day, then a beautiful gesture, even if nobody is aware of it but you, is a pretty locket worked into your bouquet with their picture inside, so they can “share” by coming down the aisle with you. Afterwards, it becomes a cherished pendant with a great deal of meaning. Choose it carefully; someday it may become your daughter’s “something old.” Sometimes the most meaningful things are private gestures that we keep to ourselves.
Your bouquet will be one of the focal points at your wedding, and should reflect exactly what you want it to be. Enjoy its natural beauty, or embellish with any of these ideas, or use them as the jumping-off point for additional ideas of your own–so that your bouquet is a uniquely one-of-a-kind expression of your taste.
