What makes those arrangements on your wedding Pinterest board look different than ones you find at the grocery store?
Can you accomplish this yourself at home?
YES!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so opinions will vary greatly. These are tid-bits I've learned to make arrangements look a bit more "professional".
#1: Choose Your Palette
Notice how some bouquets tend to group colors that don't complement? Choose a palette and let that guide your decision making. Some typical ones I use are neutral or jewel-toned.
Comparison pictures courtesy of google:
#2: Go for Blend
When selecting ingredients, pick flowers or leaves with multiple shades. This gives the arrangement a blended look that tends to be more captivating.
Image courtesy of google:
Image from me:
Notice the ombre petals? God's pretty creative...
#3: Sturdy to Start
As a beginner, I learned the hard way that some flowers are not as forgiving to work with. I would waste money on weak flowers that were gorgeous but useless as they would break at the neck. Allow me to save you by telling you to CHECK the stems! Some ranunculas, anemones, and tulips are prone to this. (Of course these are the more expensive flowers). I'm not saying all of these breeds are weak, but definitely check! When you start out, you'll probably poke and re-poke flowers to get your arrangement "just right". With weak-stem flowers, you're not allotted that grace. Roses tend to be the most consistent in terms of sturdiness.
Another reason I'm giving this tip is because droopy flowers are trickier to arrange. As you get better, you'll figure out how to be strategic with the twists/bends. If the stem can be cut and used like a chopstick - you're good to go!
Image of a ranuncula courtesy of google:
#4: Old versus New
This one might be common sense, but be aware that some flowers will be on sale because they are about to expire. Ask the seller about freshness and when a particular one will be in optimal bloom. I've definitely gone for the sale flowers if I want to experiment or enjoy an arrangement for only a couple days. The choice is yours!
And last but not least....
#5: Don't Go for the Obvious
You may have a friend say "My theme colors are blue!". This doesn't mean you are limited to the stark blue hydrangeas you are tired of seeing at Baby Boy Showers. Work the color into the arrangement. Use a hint of the color with mostly neutral flowers, for example.
Images courtesy of google:
Notice how the one on the right has blue thistle and an elegant silk ribbon?
I hope this goes without saying that all the arrangements and pictures featured on this post are beautiful. It's always a matter of taste and opinion! Flowers are magical things that you really can't get wrong.
Happy Picking!!
Spencer Mar Photography
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