The process of planning a wedding has been unexpectedly satisfying creatively and has provided a unique avenue to tell my and my fiancé’s story. When I started to think through a how-to-plan-a-wedding blog, I thought one of two things could happen 1) it could be something that helps other people who are on similar journeys OR 2) if only for myself alone, it could be something pleasant I look back on in the future since the whole wedding experience is so fleeting. Both possibilities seemed like a win either way.
My first area of focus will be on floral design. So you think you might want to DIY your wedding flowers?Many will discourage you. Heck, I may even regret it when it comes down to it. But I’m doing everything I can to prepare myself and if you’re reading this, then perhaps you are too. I’m confident that it will be worth it in the end. Apart from the savings- the creative satisfaction is overwhelming! Yes, flowers are temporary. But there’s something kind of beautiful about that. I imagine it’s similar to what urban street artists/muralists feel when they spray paint a design on a concrete wall. They know there is something very ephemeral about what they are making- it won’t withstand the test of time- but in the moment that it exists, it’s a unique expression that will touch many. Even as it gets covered by tags, weathered by rain, etc. - it was never meant to be permanent.
Ok! Thank you for letting me wax philosophical for a moment.
Let’s talk supplies. I learned a lot of this by trial and error. If you can pick up all of these things before you ever begin to design a floral masterpiece, you’ll be glad.
Flower scissors - sure, you can use that rusty pair of scissors in your junk drawer, but will they cut through a woody stem? Will they fray a delicate one? You can find a decent pair in the $10 range and it’s well worth the investment.
Floral tape - this stuff is weird but oh-so-neat once you figure it out! It’s not like traditional tape where one side is sticky and the other side is matte. It is waxy and has to be ‘activated’ through movement. The first time I used it, I thought I had a dud roll because I didn't realize I needed to activate it. When you pull off a piece, you stretch it a little (so as not to break it) and work it through your fingers until it feels tacky.
Floral foam // Oasis - this is stuff you stick in a vase to hold the flowers in place. It’s a little controversial - apparently it doesn’t biodegrade and there are claims that it can be toxic. Handle with care.
Chicken wire - this is an alternative to floral foam. Basically, you ball up the chicken wire to fit into the vessel then you feed stems all the way through, passing through at least two sets of holes, to hold the flowers in place.
Ribbon - more important for bouquets and floral crowns, this is a visually appealing mechanism to fasten floral elements to together.
Vessels (i.e. vase, compote or if you’re feely sassy, recycle a glass bottle) - I know, duh. But you do need it for an arrangement.
Product - basically, a fancy pants term for flowers. You will hear industry folks refer to it this way.
Inspo - valley girl speak for inspiration - more on that later
These items can easily be purchased from Amazon or a local retailer. I urge you to do your homework in order to find the items with the best value.