Make a Hand Tied Wedding Bouquet
A natural hand tied bouquet is very popular with brides. The same type of flowers can be used together such as roses or a variety of different flowers. If desired, leaves such as camellia can be placed around the edges. This type of bouquet is made by holding the flower and foliage stems in one hand and adding the other stems around in a spiral fashion, criss crossing the stems at the one point,and binding them in position with string. A ribbon bow with long tails completes the bouquet. It's really easy to do yourself, as follows.
Contents
Steps
- Choose suitable materials - you will need flowers with fairly long stems such as roses, irises, carnations, alstroemeria, freesias, Singapore orchids and lisianthus. Suitable foliage includes camellia leaves, eucalyptus gum, box, ivy, nandina and leather fern.
- A mixed bouquet looks best when there are three or four varieties of flowers plus foliage.
- Cut the ends of the stems on a slant and give the flowers a long drink. Remove the thorns and strip off the lower foliage from the bottom half of the stems.
- Lay the flowers out on the table.
- Start off with the largest flower to form the centre.
- Hold the stem between the thumb and first finger on the left hand about 15-20cm (6-8") from the base of the flower head.
- With the right hand, add about 4- 6 clusters of foliage evenly around and just below the flower heads to fill the spaces between them. Criss crossing the stems on an angle and turn the bouquet in your hand as you lay in the foliage.
- Secure the stems in position by placing the end of a piece of string or florist tape and wind it around a couple of times. Do not cut the string or tape yet.
- Holding the bouquet in the same way as before, with the thumb facing towards you, place 5-6 of the same type of flowers evenly around the bouquet. Turn the bouquet in one direction and secure all the stems in place with a couple of twists of string or tape as before.
- Continue adding flowers for the next round extending these flowers out slightly further. Keep the bouquet a gentle rounded shape across the top like an upside down saucer. Criss cross all the stems and give the bouquet a quarter turn as you add more blossoms. Secure stems in position with string in the same place as before when necessary.
- Continue adding flowers and foliage stems turning the bouquet around clockwise until the bouquet is the desired size. You could add wired camellia leaves around the edges, or use pieces of foliage having the tips extend out about 5-7.5cm (2-3") past the edges of the flowers. Secure all the stems together with string winding it firmly around several times in the same place as before, cut the string and tuck the end in.
- Cut the ends off the flower and foliage stems so they are about 6-8"(15-20cm)long and all the same level.
- Spray lightly with water.
- Finish off the bouquet by tying a piece of wide ribbon around the bouquet to cover the string and tie the ribbon in a shoelace bow with long tails.
Tips
- Check the finished bouquet side on as this is how it will often be seen, specially in the church.
- Using all the same colour roses is easier if you are new to flower arranging.
- If using different coloured flowers make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the bouquet.
- Bouquets can be placed along the front of the bridal table and used instead of centrepieces which will save money
Warnings
- It is important to remove thorns as they may prick someone or tear a dress. They can be removed with a rose stripper which can be found at florist suppliers or by running a pair of scissors with the blade open along the stem.
