DIY Wedding Florals: How to Create Your Own Bouquets and Centerpieces in Calgary
Creating your own wedding florals can be a cost-effective and rewarding way to add a personal touch to your special day. While DIY florals may seem daunting, with the right planning and materials, Calgary brides can easily design beautiful bouquets and centerpieces without breaking the bank. Plus, sourcing flowers locally helps support Calgary vendors while ensuring fresh blooms.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create stunning DIY wedding flowers, along with some expert tips on when to hire a professional and where to source your materials in Calgary.
Step 1: Plan Your Floral Design
Before you start gathering flowers, you’ll need a clear vision of the look and feel you want for your wedding florals. Ask yourself the following questions:
What’s your color palette? Do you want soft, pastel tones or vibrant, bold colors?
What’s your style? Are you aiming for a minimalist, modern look, or a rustic, wildflower vibe?
What flowers are in season? This is crucial for both cost savings and ensuring your florals are fresh. For example, peonies and roses are popular in summer, while dahlias and sunflowers are great for fall weddings.
Consider creating a mood board or using Pinterest to collect inspiration for your bouquets and centerpieces.
Step 2: Source Your Flowers Locally in Calgary
One of the best parts of DIY wedding florals is the opportunity to work with local flower markets and farms to find fresh, seasonal blooms. Calgary offers a variety of places where brides can source flowers, whether you want bulk orders or unique blooms for custom designs.
Here are some of the top spots in Calgary to source your DIY wedding flowers:
SBE Wholesale Flowers: A go-to destination for wholesale flowers, perfect for DIY brides looking to buy in bulk. They offer a wide variety of flowers at affordable prices.
Michele Masterson Botanical Design: Located in Calgary, this floral shop offers beautiful seasonal blooms, greenery, and all the supplies you’ll need for arranging your own wedding flowers.
Pro Tip: When sourcing flowers locally, be sure to consider how much time you’ll need for assembly. Flowers should be ordered and picked up close to the wedding day to ensure they remain fresh.
Step 3: Gather Your Supplies
In addition to the flowers, you’ll need a few basic supplies to create your DIY bouquets and centerpieces. Here’s a list of essentials:
Floral tape and wire: Helps bind the stems together and keep your bouquets secure.
Floral foam: Essential for centerpieces that need structure.
Vases or jars: Choose vessels that complement your wedding theme, from rustic mason jars to elegant glass vases.
Ribbon or twine: Use these to wrap around the stems of your bouquets or tie decorative bows around your centerpieces.
Many of these supplies can be found at local floral shops or craft stores like Michael’s in Calgary.
Step 4: Assemble Your Bouquets and Centerpieces
Now for the fun part—arranging your flowers! Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own wedding bouquets and centerpieces:
How to Create a DIY Bridal Bouquet:
Prepare your flowers: Trim the stems to a manageable length and remove any extra leaves or thorns.
Start with a focal flower: Choose a large bloom (like a rose or peony) to be the focal point of your bouquet.
Add greenery: Begin layering in greenery (like eucalyptus or ferns) around the focal flower for texture and volume.
Build around the focal flower: Add smaller blooms and filler flowers (such as baby’s breath or spray roses) around the center bloom, turning the bouquet in your hand as you go.
Secure the bouquet: Once you’re happy with the arrangement, wrap the stems tightly with floral tape, and then cover the tape with ribbon or twine.
How to Create a DIY Centerpiece:
Prepare your container: Place floral foam inside your vase or container to help secure the flowers.
Add greenery first: Start by placing greenery around the edges of the foam to create a base.
Insert focal flowers: Position your largest flowers toward the center of the arrangement.
Fill in with smaller blooms: Add smaller flowers and fillers, ensuring a balanced look from all angles.
Pro Tip: Keep your arrangements hydrated by placing them in water as soon as they’re assembled. For bouquets, store them in vases until it’s time to walk down the aisle.
Step 5: Know When to Hire a Professional
While DIY wedding florals can save money, it’s important to recognize when hiring a professional florist is worth the investment. Consider working with a professional if:
You want a highly intricate or large-scale floral design (like floral arches or elaborate installations).
You’re unsure about floral care or don’t have enough time to assemble everything in the days leading up to your wedding.
You want a specific look that requires expertise in floral design, such as cascading bouquets or symmetrical centerpieces.
If you decide to DIY, but want some professional guidance, many Calgary florists offer workshops or consultation services to help you hone your skills.
Cost-Saving Tips for DIY Wedding Florals
Choose in-season flowers: Opting for flowers that are in season will not only save you money but also ensure the blooms are fresh and abundant.
Reuse flowers: Repurpose your ceremony flowers for the reception. For example, bridesmaids’ bouquets can double as centerpieces.
Focus on a few statement pieces: Instead of trying to fill every corner with flowers, concentrate on creating a few impactful floral arrangements, such as a statement bouquet or a large centerpiece for the head table.
DIY wedding florals are a fantastic way for Calgary brides to add a personal touch to their special day while saving money. By planning your floral design, sourcing flowers from local vendors like the SBE Wholesale Flowers, and gathering the right supplies, you can create stunning bouquets and centerpieces that reflect your unique style. However, if you’re unsure about certain designs or want a professional finish, don’t hesitate to hire a local florist for help.
For more DIY wedding tips, local vendor recommendations, and floral inspiration, visit YYCBride.com!
