However, if you or someone close to you wants the job, do it yourself wedding flowers could save you lots of money and offer unique beauty for your wedding day.
To begin, do some research on different types of flower arrangements and wedding flowers. Look online and in your local florist shops to get a feel for which type of flowers for wedding arrangements you like. Check out the local library and your favorite bookstore for books about basic flower arrangement design. See if you can locate some pictures that are close, if not exactly, like the flower arrangements you have already seen. Use these photos as guides for your do it yourself wedding flowers.
Design magazines are another great place for floral arrangement ideas, design tips, and instructions. Many craft stores offer classes in flower arranging. Sign up for a class that appeals to you and use it as a way to get some hands on experience arranging wedding flowers. Put together a detailed notebook including any pictures or articles you found to be helpful and expect will be useful to you later.
Once you have decided on the type of arrangements you want to make, and which wedding flowers are your favorites, start practicing. Two days before the wedding is not the time to try your centerpieces for the first time. Hold your practice run several months before the wedding. This will give you lots of time to work out any kinks, make changes and refine your technique.
Try to practice in the same place you will be doing the actual flower arranging and make a list of items you will need for the project. For example, if you are going to need two different pairs of scissors and a pair of pliers, make sure you have all of the items listed on your checklist the week before the wedding. Practicing will give you a lot of information about what floral supplies you will need including flowers, tools, florist's foam, tulle and ribbon.
There are several places to get your wedding flowers. You can order them online, from your local florist or pick them up at the farmers market. If you live in a large city, check out the wholesale flower markets. Green embellishments such as baby's breath and ferns are important in any type of arrangement, so make sure you have plenty of them available to give your arrangements a professional look.
Before you pick up your flowers for wedding arrangements, make sure you have large buckets filled with water available to receive the flowers. Have more buckets than you think you will need. Once you have your wedding flowers, cut 3/4" off each stem and place the stems into water as soon as possible. To keep your wedding flowers fresh, place them in water and store them in a cool place.
Finally, arrange with a friend or family member to have them deliver and collect all of your arrangements. Give this person a detailed list of what is to be kept and what is to be thrown out. For example, if you have rented all your vases or used your grandmother's collection, let this person know and give them directions as to where to return them. If arrangements are to be given to friends and family, be sure to leave instructions with this person.
Do it yourself wedding flowers are a lot of work, but you will have the joy of knowing that you created the flowers for wedding beauty that surrounds you on your wedding day and your wedding flowers will be exactly what you wanted.