DIY Wedding Florals: What You Can Do Yourself

Wedding florals can represent one of the largest single expenses in a wedding budget. For couples looking to reduce costs without sacrificing beauty, a DIY approach to some or all of the floral arrangements is entirely achievable with the right preparation. The key is knowing which arrangements to tackle yourself and which to leave to professionals -- bridal bouquets and elaborate ceremony installations, for example, are worth the professional investment, while table centrepieces, bridesmaid posies, and ceremony aisle decorations are well within the reach of a motivated DIY florist.

Planning is everything for a DIY wedding. Start by establishing your colour palette and floral style at least three months in advance. Choose flowers that are reliably in season on your wedding date -- this reduces cost and ensures availability. Collect your vessels (vases, jars, urns) early by shopping at charity shops and estate sales. On the day before the wedding, collect your flowers in tight bud to allow them to open overnight. Store them in a cool room in fresh water with flower food. On the morning of the wedding, begin with the larger centrepieces and work down to the smaller pieces -- boutonnieres and hair flowers should be the last items made, as they need to be as fresh as possible for the ceremony.

For table centrepieces, the most foolproof approach is the "lush and loose" garden style: a generous cluster of roses, eucalyptus, and whatever seasonal blooms are available in your palette, arranged loosely in a clear glass vase. Resist the urge to be too formal or symmetrical -- a slightly wild, romantic aesthetic actually looks more expensive than a stiff, formal arrangement and is much easier to achieve at home. Practice your technique at least once in the weeks before the wedding using the same flower types, and you will be fully prepared for the big day.