Hands up! Who wants to take their wedding day look to the next level? That’s right, everyone! And what better way to do that than by choosing wedding flowers that really compliment your wedding’s overall theme and at the same time look visually stunning in all your gorgeous photos?
Well, in order to do that you’re going to need to know how to make a cascading bridal bouquet. They’re super elegant and a real statement piece that will have all your guests oohing and ahhing. So how do you make one? That’s where we come in!
How to Make a Cascading Bridal Bouquet
In this article, we’re going to tell you exactly that. To begin with we’ll tell you why we think they’re such a good idea and some considerations you should make before getting started. We’ll then delve into the tools and equipment you’ll need and then reveal how to make your very own cascading bridal bouquet.
So, there’s no time to waste. Grab your artistic license and let’s create your masterpiece!
What is a Cascading Bridal Bouquet?
Think of a waterfall made of flowers. Sounds pretty epic, doesn’t it? And they are. A cascading bridal bouquet is a real statement piece.
They’re typically made up of a mixture of flowers and green foliage that can either be real or artificial. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of these options later in the post. Either way, they’re designed to drape and flow over the bride’s hands providing a timeless and classy look.
They’re one of our favorite designs of bouquets because they make a real statement in photos.
They can vary in size from quite small all the way to extra large. This decision will largely be down to the bride and how much they’ve been bench pressing before the big day…We joke but a large bridal bouquet can get quite heavy if carried for extended periods of time.
Luckily a bride generally doesn’t hold the bouquet for that long. The key times are walking down the aisle, as they exit the ceremony and for the photo opportunities. The rest of the time the bouquet will generally be kicking back, preferably in a vase of water to keep hydrated.
Reasons You Need a Cascading Bridal Bouquet at Your Wedding
So, what are some of the reasons we think you should have a cascading bridal bouquet? Let’s take a look now:
Versatile Aesthetic
The style of a cascading bridal bouquet can be adapted to all manner of wedding themes. From the super rustic outdoor barn wedding to the perhaps more elegant ballroom black tie affair. At the same time, it’ll also pair well with a variety of dress textures and colors. So whether you choose a black wedding dress or go down the more traditional route of a white wedding dress the cascading bridal bouquet will still work wonders for your overall look.
Easily Personalized
The bouquet is one element of your bridal look where you can really express your personality. It allows you to get creative with the colors chosen and can tie in with the overall theme of your big day. At the same time, you can add little personalized motifs to make it 100% unique to you.
Simple to Create
As you’ll find out later in this article they’re not all that difficult to create. They give off the look and feel of complexity and they’ll have all your guests swooning over it. However, the reality is that you can create one from scratch in as little as an hour.
Cost Effective
A cascading bridal bouquet can be achieved on a budget if required. This is particularly useful for those who need to be careful with every dollar they spend. At the same time, the cascading bridal bouquet doesn’t look cheap. Quite the opposite in fact. The cascading bouquet can often be achieved with fewer flowers than a traditional one. Equally, creating it yourself rather than hiring a professional could also help you to keep the costs down.
Considerations Before You Begin Creating a Bouquet
Before you whip out the garden shears we think it’s important to set some goals for your bouquet. This will help to ensure you stay on track and create the best arrangement you can with your resources.
Budget
According to Brides.com the average cost of a wedding bouquet is roughly $250 [1]. That can of course drop significantly if you’re tackling this yourself. However, it’s still worth considering your budget for the materials and floral selections.
Research
It’s important to do your research into cascading bridal bouquets. Of course, you are because you’re here. At the same time though, create a mood board of different ideas and color schemes. This will help you when you come to design or make your own.
DIY or Florist?
From the outset, it’s important to establish whether you’re the DIY type or it’s best to call in the pros. Whilst they’re not all that difficult to create they do require some degree of practicality and artistic flare. We understand that this isn’t something everyone possesses so be realistic about whether it’s something you want to tackle.
Overall Wedding Theme
Tying your cascading bridal bouquet into the overall theme of the day can be a great touch of class. Using Eucalyptus foliage in your table displays? Well, it could be a great idea to also use this as the base of your bouquet. Equally, if you’re super prepped you could incorporate some of the elements of your bouquet into your invitation design. We’re thinking hand drawn flowers surrounding your names. This way you’re establishing the theme of your day super early on.
Size
In our opinion bigger is always better when it comes to cascading bridal bouquets. However, we have seen bouquets that are simply too big for the bride at times. It’s important to find the balance. Consider the bride’s height and figure when deciding how big the bouquet should be. You don’t want them to completely cover up the gorgeous dress but you equally don’t want it to look like they’re carrying a corsage. There’s a middle ground when it comes to sizing and it’ll depend on each individual bride.
Real Flowers vs Artificial
There are two options at your disposal when it comes to creating any wedding bouquet. Do you opt for real flowers? Or go for fake ones? There are pros and cons to each decision so let’s find out what they are.
Pros of real flowers
- They can look better and more natural. Their appearance is something difficult to replicate.
- More environmentally friendly.
- They usually give off a pleasant aroma.
- More authentic appearance in photos.
- Can be dried and preserved after the wedding providing lasting memories.
Cons of real flowers
- They don’t last very long.
- Their fragility, they can easily be bruised or damaged.
- Your perfect flower may not be available due to the season.
- Pollen allergies may ruin your wedding photos.
- They need more attention to keep them looking fresh and vibrant.
Pros of artificial flowers
- They’ll last a super long time especially if preserved.
- They don’t require much attention.
- They won’t cause an allergic reaction.
- You can use whatever blooms you like regardless of the season.
- Artificial flowers can often be cheaper than real flowers.
Cons of artificial flowers
- They’re not eco-friendly (they’re literally fake nature).
- They often look fake and plastic.
- You won’t get a gorgeous fragrance unless you spray them with essential oils.
- They’re unlikely to have the same texture as real florals.
- Each flower of the same variety is likely to be identical adding to their inauthenticity.
What Will You Need to Make a Cascading Wedding Bouquet?
Should you wish to tackle the creation of a cascading bridal bouquet you’re going to need the correct tools, equipment, and most importantly flowers.
You’ll need to think about getting the following essentials from your local craft shop or florist in order to get started.
- Flowers (real or artificial): Hopefully you’ve done your research into the flowers you want and weighed up the pros and cons of real vs artificial. Next, select the flowers that speak to you visually and best represent your wedding theme and personality.
- Foliage: An important part of the design of a bouquet is the greenery. This acts as a sort of backdrop to the main event but shouldn’t be underestimated. Eucalyptus, ivy ruscus, salal, beargrass, and ferns are all popular choices.
- Ribbon: Pick out a ribbon that serves as an accent for the cascading bouquet. This will be relatively hidden from view but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t choose something that reflects the theme of the wedding.
- Pliable green wire: This will come in handy to hold the structure of the cascading bouquet in place. As it’s bendy it can also mean that you can adjust the bouquet as and when to create the best look at all times.
- Wire clippers: You’ll need these especially if you’ve gone for artificial flowers. Equally, you’ll need them to trim the green wire so that you can create as minimal a look as possible.
- Floral tape: This will come in handy for firmly securing all the stems of your florals and foliage in place.
- Garden secateurs: If you’ve opted for real flowers then a good pair of secateurs will be essential. Scissors often aren’t sharp enough so don’t be tempted to use them instead. You’ll use them to trim the ends of stems and help you to form the perfect shape for the bouquet.
- Patience and your artistic license: As with any DIY project patience is key as you’re likely entering uncharted territory. At the same time, it’s important to bring your artistic flair to the occasion if you want to create a bouquet that wows your guests.
- Cascading bridal bouquet holder: This is a slightly angled device that can make carrying the bouquet a little bit easier. At the same time, they can also come with a foam material in which you can insert the stems of your florals. This can make the whole process a little quicker and easier for the amateur bouquet makers out there.
Selecting the Perfect Ribbon for Your Cascading Bouquet
Ribbon can really amp up the look of your cascading bridal bouquet. It can be used in a way that flows lower than the last flower or can be used in a more conservative way.
We think that there are some considerations when choosing it to ensure it looks the absolute best it can be.
- Consider the color: A major factor in how it will complement your bouquet is to choose the correct color. You can attempt to make it match, go for a neutral color, or pick out a complete contrast.
- Look for quality: You only have one wedding day (hopefully!) so push the boat out and choose one that’s high quality. Velvet, silk, and satin can be popular options and it’ll be easy to see why when you get hands-on with the material. Yes, they’re a little more expensive than polyester ones but definitely worth it!
- Texture and width: Choose a ribbon that has textural elements. Yeh, it’ll make your guests want to touch it but we say let them! Equally, choose a ribbon that is quite wide around 5cm as this will create a more elegant appearance.
- Length: If you want your ribbon to cascade well beyond the flowers then it’s important to get the length right. How far down you allow this to drape will be up to you. We suggest getting more than you need as you can always wrap more around the handle or trim off the ends of the ribbon.
Step by Step Guide: How to Make a Cascading Bridal Bouquet
Preparing the flowers and foliage
De-thorn
The first stage is to de-thorn any stems. This is an especially important step as you don’t want any unnecessary injuries. Equally, you down want anything that will snag on your very expensive wedding dress.
Hydrate and condition your flowers
Place the stems of your flowers in a vase or jug filled with cool water as well as a floral preservative. This will ensure your blooms stay in tip-top condition throughout the process. Try to store the flowers in this way whenever not in use as it’ll help them to maintain their bright and bold colors and form. As a rule of thumb around 4 hours and you’re good to go.
Group
Having multiple vases will help you to group your flowers more easily by their size, shape, and color. This will make it much easier when you come to assemble the bouquet.
Bringing it all together
If you’ve followed the previous steps correctly you should have everything nicely lined up and ready to go. Make sure you choose somewhere with plenty of space and use some kitchen towel to dab the ends of the flowers dry.
Start with a strong base
It’s important to start with the greenery of foliage. This acts as a sort of blank canvas upon which you will build. The foliage also serves to provide bulk and adds to the free-flowing nature of a cascading bouquet. Try to imagine a rough shape of an inverted triangle. That’s what you should be aiming for.
Slowly Start to Add Flowers
Now’s the time for the main event! Start adding your focal flowers. These pops of color here and there will be the main focus of your cascading bouquet. Try to space them evenly but also not in a particular pattern. You ideally want this to look as natural as possible. You should use the pliable green wire at this point to secure the flowers to the foliage.
Throw in Some Accessories
Whenever we have photographed weddings we love seeing the addition of a broach containing photos of relatives that are no longer with the bride. This is a subtle touch that connects them to their Grandmother, grandfather, or whoever can’t make their special day. You could also opt for something just to zhuzh it up such as pearls or gems.
Add Some Gorgeous Ribbon
The final stage in crafting a cascading bridal bouquet is to finish it off with some ribbon. As we’ve already touched on, try to match this with the theme of the flowers and the rest of the wedding. Use it to wrap around the stems of the flowers and foliage and hold everything securely in place with either a glue gun or pins.
Voila! You have successfully created your very own cascading bridal bouquet. We think you deserve a pat on the back.
FAQ about cascading bridal bouquets
What is the best greenery for a cascading bouquet?
You’ve got lots of options at your disposal when it comes to choosing greenery for a cascading bouquet. Ivy works particularly well as it naturally trails. Eucalyptus lasts a while once dried out. Ferns just look fab and add texture. It’s important to look for inspiration first although these plants are generally inexpensive so you can always try them out.
When should I make my cascading bridal bouquet?
If you’re using fresh flowers it’s best to create your bouquet 1-2 days before the big event. That being said we would also recommend you try the process much earlier to see if you’re capable. For artificial flowers, you could prepare your cascading bouquet much earlier as there is no risk of the flowers wilting away.
How should I transport my bouquet so it doesn’t get damaged?
It’s all about maintaining a nice temperature and surrounding your bouquet with lots of padding. Choose a nice sturdy box and pack it well with tissue paper or bubble wrap. Gently lay your bouquet inside and secure the box. Avoid direct sunlight and don’t let anyone handle it that you don’t trust to take the utmost care.
How Many Flowers Do You Need for a Cascading Bouquet?
This will of course come down to how big you want your bouquet to be. Equally, it’ll also be influenced by whether you want space between your flowers or to pack them in tightly. In our opinion, you don’t want too few flowers so that your bouquet ends up looking amateur. Aim for somewhere around the 40-60 stems mark and you should be fine. You’ll know more when you come to make your own and it never hurts to remove some flowers. What’s difficult and annoying is if you fall short, so we think you should always overcompensate.
Conclusion
So? Do you think you now know how to make a cascading bridal bouquet? We blooming hope so (pun totally intended)
We hope that we’ve provided you with all the details to give it a go. However, if that’s not the case or you lack the confidence to bring your vision to life you can always call on the professionals.
A cascading bridal bouquet is a real statement piece and can make or break a bride’s overall look.
Make sure to choose florals and foliage that align with the general vibe of your day. You can even incorporate the same flowers into other aspects of your wedding so that everything is completely matching.
A big decision you’ll have to make is whether to choose artificial or real blooms. Our preference is always with real flowers as we think they can look better in photos.
However, we also understand that different climates and circumstances may not make this possible, and there are definitely some good artificial flowers out there. Just make sure they’re photographed from a distance haha.
Gain your inspiration from what others have done at their weddings. Scoar the wedding blogs and scrutinize the details of the bride’s bouquet. Take inspiration and put it into your own design and try to make it reflect you and your personality. Do this and you really can’t go wrong.
Sources
[1] – https://www.brides.com/story/how-much-do-wedding-flowers-cost-carmel-valley
