With the cost of bridal flowers continuing to skyrocket, using homegrown blooms really is the best way to save some money, and show the planet a little love. To help you grow your own wedding flowers like a pro, gardener and writer Sarah Raven has shared her expertise.
'Growing and arranging your own flowers for your wedding day can be so rewarding but it will require plotting and planning in advance, ' says Sarah. Take a look at her top tips below...
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Growing your own wedding flowers is no easy feat, but that doesn't mean you can't do it successfully. Before you begin, Sarah suggests planning what flowers you want on the day, as well as what purpose they will serve (for example, will they be used as a table centrepiece or in your bouquet).
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'Each couple will have their own taste and preferences; some will prefer light and delicate flowers, while others will lean towards more architectural shapes and sturdiness, ' she explains. 'It is important to choose flowers based on what will grow at the right time of year. I advise not to get fixated on any one individual flower, as they may not be in their best shape on the day; focus on colour and shape first and foremost.'
If you want a wedding filled with beautiful and bountiful flowers, then don't forget to bulk out your bouquets. Strong structural elements with fillers and foliage is a great way to pad out your displays, while on-trend pampas is also ideal for filling in the gaps.
'Foliage can be useful for weddings early in the season and still provides a beautiful display, while adding the all-important form to the arrangement, ' says Sarah. 'Every arrangement should have a mix of face flowers, complemented by the lines of foxgloves and lupins to give it structural interest.'
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From roses to tulips and dahlias, there are tons of ways you can add drama to your bouquet. If you're planning to grow your own, Sarah suggests choosing a range of dominant flowers as 'central pivots' for flower displays — and to bring personality to the palette.
Not sure what to choose? 'Dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias, echinaceas, roses and lilies all do a marvellous job of this, ' advises Sarah, 'I am strict with the idea of the Bride flower being the same colour as a smaller flower in the arrangement – what I call the Bridesmaid. Don't be afraid to use contrasting colours or feel that your colours have to be traditional wedding white and green.'
Slipping on your gardening gloves and heading out to pick your flowers is the most exciting part, but don't forget to pop them straight into cool water. 'Doing this makes a big difference to the vase life of the flowers and will keep them looking tip-top for longer, ' says Sarah.
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To do this, simply remove leaves from the bottom of the stem and pop them into water right away. If your blooms are looking a little floppy before the big day, Sarah suggests a little magic trick: 'Sear the ends in boiling water – five seconds for softer stems and 45 for woodier stems.'
Plastic-free, biodegradable confetti is a must for any wedding. Unlike paper confetti, real petals have beautiful colour and float beautifully in the air when thrown for photographs.
'Fresh rose petals and marigolds as well as dismembered cornflowers all work well. I like using the petals of larkspur and delphiniums too, ' adds Sarah. 'You can also catch all the dropped petals that have fallen off the other flowers you're using for the wedding and keep those as supplementary confetti.'
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When it comes to buttonholes, Sarah suggests growing gorgeous lilies, sprigs of heather or nigella pods: 'If you're set on having a rose or dahlia for buttonholes, be sure to wrap the stem in cotton wool, then cling film and buttonhole tape.'
'The most important thing to do once your arrangements are complete is to enjoy the day, ' says Sarah. 'Your venue will be brimming with the gorgeous smell of your favourite flowers, and you’ll take pride in seeing the fruits of your labour as a beautiful, natural decoration on your wedding day.'
This trio of succulents bedded in moss can be enjoyed for months with the right care. Perfect for livening up a coffee table, desk or windowsill, the succulents come in a stylish rose gold geometric tray.
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This herb planter is perfect for anyone throwing a BBQ – thanks to the rosemary, oregano and thyme, which is perfect for foodies. It comes with high-quality Japanese floristry scissors.
These heart-shaped leaves, trailing ceropegia, are super chic and cute. It comes in a rose gold-coloured hanging planter, so can be enjoyed right away.
From a nursery to a living room, these cute elephant planters will fit right in. The two planters, 7cm and 12cm tall, are potted with a blue star fern and parlour palm.
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This lush green jungle thrives in natural light – and sits perfectly on a windowsill. The gift includes an assortment of ferns and foliage with a flat-packed painted wooden planter.
This trio of colourful cacti, wrapped in hessian jackets and finished with colourful ‘hats’, is inspired by the bright colours and sun-drenched sands of Mexico. It's perfect for those who want a low maintenance plant.
Lisa Joyner is the Senior Digital Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market.
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Double Duty Flower Arrangements To Use As Bouquets And Centerpieces!
Molly Allen is a previous bakery owner with expertise in wedding orders, as well as a former event planner. She is now a freelance writer focused on lifestyle, travel, and food and beverage.
No matter the color, size, or type you choose, your wedding flowers are sure to make a statement. From your bouquet and your reception centerpieces to lining the aisle with blooms, the options for incorporating pretty petals are endless. But what if you were to take it one step further and incorporate flowers with long stems?
“Long-stemmed florals are best used in classic, elegant weddings where the bride is going for a simple, timeless, monochromatic look, ” says florist Caroline Eells. According to Eells, it’s traditional to use long stem roses as a wedding go-to, and Gracie Poulson, owner of Grace Rose Farm, agrees. “Roses are perfect for classic and romantic weddings where tall centerpieces and larger installations are the main focus, ” she says. But of course, roses aren’t the only floral option to look at. “Longer stems are beautiful when going for a one flower variety or a picked-from-the-garden look, such as an armful of delphiniums or peonies, ” adds Eells.
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Using long-stemmed flowers on their own can make a statement, or you can incorporate them into arrangements with other shorter stems for added interest. “Shorter-stemmed flowers or more romantic-shaped roses can be placed lower in a bouquet, and then some of thelongerand firmer flowers can be layered to create depth and dimension, ” says Poulson. Many roses bloom in sprays, such as Koko Loco, Honey Dijon, and Stephan Rulo. Big, gorgeous, bountiful sprays are a great way to fill out an arrangement, too!”
Want to dress up a long-stemmed flower arrangement even further? There’s a lot going on already, but according to Eells, a pretty silk ribbon is a great way to tie it all together. And as for fitting it into your budget? No need to worry. Long-stemmed flowers won’t necessarily cost you too much more just because of their stem length. According to Poulson, the stem length doesn’t typically increase the price of a rose. Rather, it’s determined by the origin and the variety. Other floral varieties, depending on where you source them, may come at a higher cost, but it all comes down to the type of bloom and whether or not it’s in-season, rather than its stem length. Eells suggests purchasing blooms at their typical length, without them being cut, as the ideal option.
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