Professionally arranged flowers are a treat everyone enjoys, but few of us regularly indulge ourselves in these works of beauty and artistry. However, you don’t have to forgo the pleasure of having fresh flowers around just because you don’t have the time or budget to purchase from a florist every week. By following a few key principles, you can create a beautiful, simple bouquet yourself.
Picking Out the Perfect Flowers
To begin, buy the healthiest flowers you can. Check the stems and leaves to make sure that they are green and firm, not slimy or dried out. Look for flowers whose buds are just beginning to open. If the bloom is full-blown, then the flower has already hit its peak, and if its buds are tightly closed, they might not open at all. When you get your flowers home, recut the stems at an angle and remove all leaves that will fall below the water line in your container to help keep your flowers healthy.
Selecting Your Colors
When you’re selecting flowers and foliage for your arrangement, remember that when in doubt, less is more. Too many competing colors and textures can make your bouquet seem scattered. You can avoid this problem by limiting the number of colors you pick to a maximum of three. Another highly effective technique is to go monochrome—pick a single hue, such as purple or pink, and then choose different blooms of that color to make up your bouquet. The different shapes, sizes, and textures of the flowers themselves provide variety and interest.
Time of the Season
Seasonal flowers are a great source of inspiration—they’re likely to be fresher and hardier than out-of-season blooms, and they offer a great jumping-off point for building a bouquet that feels just right for the time of year. They also tend to be budget-friendly! Pick a primary flower to work with and then select complementary blossoms and foliage to go with it.
Assembling Your Bouquet
When you’re assembling your bouquet, remember to vary stem lengths so some flowers will sit high in your arrangement and others will rest lower. Rotate your arrangement as you work so you can be sure that all sides look attractive; this is especially important if your bouquet will sit somewhere where it will be viewed from all angles! Don’t be afraid to move things around until you’re satisfied with the results. Your container should support the stems so that your bouquet looks full and lush.
Flowers enhance even an ordinary day, and for special occasions, only the best flowers will do. Rachel Cho grew up surrounded by flowers, and her love of color, texture, and shape has brought her back to her roots to create inspired floral designs for her clients. Whether you’re planning a wedding or shower, organizing a corporate event, or simply looking for a special flower arrangement, contact us today for thoughtful, individualized service and design.
