Lots of brides are trying DIY wedding florals in recent years, but it is difficult to know where to start.
Floristry is an art, and can be stressful in the lead up to your wedding. However, when on a budget, it can be a money saver if you are happy to compromise on the finish and size of the arrangements for your day. Here is a quick guide to help you start your planning for each arrangement including bouquets, buttonholes, and table arrangements.
If you need help getting started, we offer hourly tutorials to support you with you big day blooms. Contact us today to find out more.
Tools & Resources
Mood & Colour Boards: Overwhelmed by too much choice? Have a look on Pinterest to get yourselves started with colour ideas. Magpie the ideas of other brides and themes you like. This is also a fantastic website to generate colour palette ideas.
Stem Calculator: Use and create your own spreadsheet to help plan the wedding flowers – you need a lot of stems for bouquets. It is a great visual guide for planning, purchasing and preparing the wedding flowers for the big day. Triangle nursery have created one for you, click here to download it.
Kit: If you’re working with faux flowers, you will need a good pair of wire cutters and some floral wire. For bouquets and button holes, purchase bouquet ribbon (around 25mm) and button hole ribbon (around 10mm). You will also need pins and I recommend double sided sticky tape – it really helps in securing your ribbon neatly. For larger arrangements, you will need to purchase dried foam and/or chicken wire, floral tape and some cable ties if you’re securing your pieces onto arches.
Wedding Bouquets
Wedding Bouquets and stem counts can vary. There are many factors to consider inclduing: the type of bouquet, the type of flowers, the style of wedding, the bride’s size and type of dress.
On average, a bride’s bouquet contains 25 to 30 stems*. This is the type of bouquet most frequently purchased by our brides.
On average, an adult bridesmaid’s bouquet contains: 12 to 15 stems
On average, an adult Bridesmaids (gypsophila only) bouquet: 5 to 7 stems
| BOUQUET | Small | Medium | Large |
| Mixed Bouquet* | 7 to 9 stems | 18 to 20 stems | 25 to 30 stems |
| Peony Bouquet | 5 to 7 stems | 9 to 12 stems | 12 to 15 stems |
| Garden Rose Bouquet | 5 to 7 stems | 9 to 12 stems | 12 to 15 stems |
| Hydrangea Bouquet | 2 to 3 stems | 4 to 5 stems | 6 to 8 stems |
| Rose Bouquet | 7 to 12 stems | 15 to 20 stems | 20 to 25 stems |
| Gypsophila | 3 to 5 stems | 5 to 7 stems | 12 to 15 stems |
* Mixed Bouquet includes focal, secondary, filler flowers and greenery
Buttonholes & Corsages
Standard Buttonhole: 1-3 stems (to include 1 focal flower i.e. rose and 2 filler flowers and/or greenery)
Standard Corsage: 2-6 stems (to include 2 focal flower i.e. rose spray and 2 filler flowers and/or greenery)
Wedding table CENTRES
Table centres come in all shapes and sizes and it can vary hugely based on the type of theme, style, flowers and containers that you are using in the arrangements.
Here is a rough guide based on the most popular flower arrangements:
| DESIGN | Small | Medium | Large |
| Mason Jars | 5 to 7 stems | 10 to 15 stems | Not recommended |
| Jam Jars or Milk Bottles | 1 to 3 stems | 5 to 7 stems | Not recommended |
| Mixed Arrangement – Low Vase | 10 to 15 stems | 18 to 20 stems | 25 to 30 stems |
| Garland** | 6ft: 1 bunch per foliage | 12ft: 2 bunches per foliage | 18ft: 3 bunches per foliage |
| Mixed Arrangement – High | 9 to 15 stems + greenery | 20 to 30 stems + greenery | 16-18″: 30 to 40 stems + greenery |
| Crate Arrangement: | 9 to 15 stems + greenery | 15 to 25 stems + greenery | 25 to 35 stems + greenery |
Large Arrangements
Similar to the other arrangements, the quantity will very much depend on the type and size of flowers you are looking to include.
| ARRANGEMENTS | Quantity (approx) |
| Pedestal (with Hydrangea)* | 25 to 35 stems (3-5 stems of Hydrangea) + greenery |
| Pedestal (without Hydrangea)* | 30 to 45 stems (including 7-9 focal flowers) + greenery |
| Top Table (with Hydrangea)** | 20 to 30 stems (3-5 stems of Hydrangea) + greenery |
| Top table (without Hydrangea)** | 25 to 35 stems (including 7-9 focal flowers) + greenery |
For more information on quantities, you can book a consultation and discuss your wedding flowers: contact us today
References:
https://www.trianglenursery.co.uk/help/how-to/articles/wedding-stem-counts