What Do I Need to Make My Own Flower Arrangements?

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Two days before your wedding go out and buy all the flowers you'll need and the floral accessories. Ask the florist the best way to keep your particular flowers their freshest. If you're buying a lot of flowers make sure you have storage to keep them fresh and bring someone with you to pick them up as fresh flowers are very heavy.

BOUQUETS AND BOUTONNIERES

You will need:

• green floral tape
• florist wire
• pins
• bouquet holders
• wired ribbon

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

You will need:

• floral foam
• baskets
• vases
• ribbons
• tulle
• water pick (little plastic things you put on the bottom of the stem, most craft/flower shops will know what they are)

WHEN YOU GET HOME

Make a diagonal cut and take off about 2cm from the bottom of each stem. Take off thorns and any leaves that are below half way down the stem. Put flowers in tepid water and add the recommended amount of preservatives. Let the flowers sit between 6 and 12 hours before you start working with them. Everyday you must change the water and trim the stems so the flowers stay fresh. Now you're ready to make your arrangements. TIP: You want to be comfortable with making your own arrangements, take a one day seminar on floral arranging. They are usually inexpensive and cover all of the basics. Or get your hands on a basic instruction book on how to create flower arrangements. It's easier than you think.

GREAT WEBSITE FOR FLOWERS

Go to www.freshroses.com to see a list of flowers that are in season for all the different months of the year. When you click on the name of the flower you can get a look at it and a little description.