Decorative Packaging

There are many ways to assemble a bridal bouquet.  This is just one way I think even the most inexperienced crafter can do.  Here are some simple instructions for making a silk wedding bouquet with this neat handle.  This gives the appearance of a fresh picked bunch of flowers and yet this handle keeps the flowers in place with out any slipping. The flower blossoms will be poked in the top and the stems will poke up into the bottom. The grip has floral foam in the top and can be found at most craft stores or floral supply places. The grip can be wrapped with your matching wedding ribbon and streamers. Its best to read all the way through all instructions before you start.

 Step 1:Gather the silk flowers you want.  You will also need wire cutters, white craft glue, scissors, ruler, rubber bands or masking tape and matching wedding ribbon and streamers.

Step 2:Measure and cut the bottom 5 inches off and save these stems for later. They will be added at the bottom to finish off.

Step 3:Gather your flowers in the order you like and when you have the look you desire, band it together with tape or a rubber band.  If you are making a round bouquet, then allow the center flowers to stick up taller than the outer edge ones.  Start with the center flowers and add others around and around until you feel that it is perfect.

 Step 4: It is now time to add the flowers to the holder.  The flowers will be stuck into the foam at the top of the holder.  Spread white craft glue (not school glue) all over the top of the foam.  This will help anchor your stems as you push them in. School glue contains a lot of water and will not be a stiff enough glue to hold the stems secure.

Step 5:Pick up the flowers you bundled, measure two inches below the rubber band and cut off anything longer than 2 inches below the original rubber band.  You need about 2 inches of flower stems to push into the foam.  When you have measured, cut the stems straight across leaving 2 inches of stems and the flower tops.  Be sure to use your tape as a guide and leave the flowers still bound from the original tape.

Step 6:For this next step, I recommend taking a quick picture so you can re-create your desired look. Lay your bundle of flowers down, and carefully cut the masking tape or rubber bands so that the flowers can be laid out on the table.  Start by inserting the center flowers into the center of the foam.  Then continue around with the flowers in the order you originally had them towards the outside edges of the holder.  The glue will help secure the finished bouquet. Be sure you don’t have any holes. If so, then add more flowers so that it’s a solid floral bouquet.  Use some of the left over leaves to finish off the base of the bouquet.  This will help hid any wires and stems.  

Step 7:It is now time to work on the bottom end of the holder.  Insert the 5 inches stems you first cut off and saved.  Begin around the outside rim first.  If you run out of the 5 inch stems you can fill in the center with others you have left from the middle stems you removed that may be shorter. Just remove all the leaves.  This will all be hidden in the middle, so if you have to fill in with un-matching stem pieces, no one will know!  You can dip the end of the stem into the white craft glue right before inserting it into the foam. The foam is designed to hold silk and dried flowers, but with the amount of handling a wedding bouquet can take, the glue can be a little extra help to keep the stems in place. As a finishing touch, use glue to add ribbons, streamers, and wide wedding ribbon or fabric strips to cover the handle.  They ribbon and fabric can match the gown or even the bridesmaide dresses.

Final hint,  give the glue 24 hours to dry completely before handling the bouquet. You can stand the bouquet up in a bucket or vase or tall jar to support it while it dries.