If you love the simple, classic look of roses (or other blooms) hand-wrapped tightly into formal nosegays of medium or small size, it’s simple to make your own bouquets, by building on nature’s formula of uneven numbers.
Flowers are the “oddest” things. Well, in a way. As they teach in all basic floral design classes, most natural growth patterns–whether in flowers or leaves–come in odd numbers (ie. when you prune your roses, you cut just above the branch that has 5 leaves). For the eye, this is a good thing–because otherwise it’s too easy to visually “do the math” and view a floral arrangement as nothing more than a too-symmetrical mass of flowers instead of the carefully thought-out presentation that it is. So in putting together floral arrangements or bouquets, try to do so in odd-numbered groupings.
First of all, prepare the flowers: whether you are using fresh or silk flowers, cut the stems the approximate length you desire (10-12”). Wrap each stem from just under the head of the blossom with sticky floral tape, holding the tape diagonally to the stem and rolling the stem in your hand, wrapping as the stem rotates (if you have roses with thorns, this is to said to remind you that you in marriage you have to take the bad with the good–snip or shave them off before wrapping). Then roll your fingers down the length of the stem to be sure the tape has no loose spots that might unravel.
Next, begin putting together trios of blossoms–bundles of three flowers will nestle together so that they’re symmetrical when viewed from all sides, and these small clusters will naturally lend themselves to building up to the round “nosegay” shape that you’re looking to achieve. Wrap them together just snugly enough to allow for the fact that as the day goes on, if the flowrs are fresh, they may open up a bit further. Wrap the three stems securely with floral tape. When you have made three of these 3-stem bundles, gather them in your hand–you will see the beginning of a nosegay. (In fact, if you’ve been considering having tiny hand-held nosegays instead of corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom, or instead of baskets for flowergirls, stop here and wrap the 3 groups of stems firmly with floral tape–then wrap this “handle” with ribbon, and you’re done. One of these would also work well, with a single flower placed at the top center, as a floral cake topper–just shorten the stems to about 3 inches.)
I tend to wrap my three of these bundles-of-three–but sometimes, depending on the size of the bouquet and the size of the flowers themselves, there is just a single bundle left over, which I will use for the top center, or a pair–which seems to work out anyway when they come together and find their “fit”; then bind these clusters firmly together with floral tape. A group of approximately 7 clusters will make a small nosegay, such as for a bridesmaid, or 9 for a medium, with about 11 for a slightly larger nosegay for the bride. (Of course, you can go bigger by using more. But generally if it’s bigger than a dinner plate, it’s too big to be a nosegay.) Think of it as assembling a larger flower, with a first cluster as the center, and adding the clusters around and slightly below that center as the “petals.” As you assemble the clusters, make the central cluster a bit taller than the others, and slope down a bit as you move away from the center, so that when finished the bouquet isn’t flat like a plate, but has a rounded shape. When the clusters have been fit together nicely and you’re satisfied with the size and shape, give them that strong final binding of floral tape. Then, starting at the bottom at the center of a long length of satin ribbon (shiny side out), cover the wrapped stems, criss-crossing the ribbon until you reach the top, and tie into a pretty bow. (You can pin the ribbon to the stems near the bottom to secure it while you wrap.)
Bouquet holders, which can be purchased at craft shops and floral supplies (don’t overlook Walmart) can certainly be used, to give a nice finished look to the perimeter of the bouquet–usually in gathered lace, pleated satin, or a fluffy ruffle of sheer fabric.
Simple added design:
• If you’re not using all the same flowers, this same simple means of building-in-threes can still work very well. For example, if you’re mixing roses with carnations, or with mums, make your clusters of three out of one rose, and two of the other blooms.
• If you’re using three different colors, make the bundles of one of each of the colors, so that when it all comes together, the colors are evenly distributed.
• If the bridesmaids’ bouquets are of less-expensive flowers, you might honor the Maid or Matron of Honor by centering her bouquet with a group of three of the more expensive flowers to match the bride’s bouquet or a single lily, etc.–to match flowers in the bride’s bouquet.
• If the bride’s heart is set on very expensive flowers (such as my daughter, who specifically wanted “Fire and Ice” roses but the florist didn’t order enough), cut the expense by either working them into their bundles with a single expensive “featured” bud and two in a matching color, so that they are scattered evenly throughout the bouquet, OR make a central bundle (one group of three bundles) of the featured flowers in the center, and the remainder of the bouquet of a single matching or complementing color.
• If you wish to have single blossoms of a different flower or color mixed in “here and there” in the bouquets, set out 5, 7, or 9 (for small, medium, and larger) nosegays in advance of assembling your bundles into a finished product. Wrap these single stems, and work them in as you go, so that they are visually evenly spaced in the bouquet. NOTE ABOUT STEPHANOTIS: this is probably the most popular accent flower used in bridal bouquets. If you are using fresh flowers, but wish to assemble the bouquets yourself, do have a florist prepare the Stephanotis for you–it does not grow on a long stem, and will need to be wired to reach the outer edge of the bouquet. It is extremely delicate and prone to wilting and turning brown from inexperienced handling. Live Stephanotis will need to be strictly refrigerated until “aisle time” (even if the rest of the bouquet is silk)–and, of course, all of your fresh bouquets should return to the fridge as much as possible. I personally recommend using silk Stephanotis even if the rest of your flowers are fresh.
So, if you don’t have too-large a wedding party, and only require 3 or 4 bouquets, it’s not unrealistic to think that you (or your mom, or Aunt Sally) can assemble them yourself, and save a lot on the florist bill. Walmart carries reasonably-priced roses in a good variety, and the manager of the floral department will probably be happy to accommodate you about ordering in a sufficient amount of what you need, that you can pick up the day before–be sure to have buckets of water and a means of refrigerating them. (When you get them home, if they have given you packets of floral preservative, mix it into the water (otherwise drop an aspirin into each bucket)–and snip off the bottom of each stem with the kitchen shears–this all helps to keep the stems from “sealing off,” so that the stems are able to take in the water to keep the flowers hydrated.)
A couple of weeks before the wedding, purchase your floral tape, bouquet holders, etc., and enough flowers for just one “experimental” run-through. Go ahead and work with it until you’re satisfied, even if the flowers are looking sad by the time you’re finished. It will make a huge difference in both knowing what you’re doing AND how much time to allow for it when The Day comes. (Or use silks, and get them all finished weeks ahead–and you won’t even have to throw out your “experimental” bouquet!)
6.30.09
