DIY Bridal Bouquets: Tips for Seasonal Flower Selections

By Jennie K. Brown

Franklin County Master Gardener Karen Brown has listed the best bouquet varieties in bloom during each season.

Spring: gardenias, Oriental poppies, ranunculus, peonies, lily of the valley, lilac and lavender

Summer: hydrangeas, gerbera daisies, sunflowers, daisies, ferns, old-fashioned roses, coneflowers (Echinacea) and lisianthus

Fall: black-eyed susans (Rudbeckias), monkshood, fall-blooming anemones, rosehips, chrysanthemums and asters

Winter: camellias, forced forsythia branches, winterberry branches, holly branches, amaryllis, Japanese windflowers, tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths, Lenten rose and primrose.

Tips:

• Hydrangeas need to be kept in water as long as possible.
• Gardenias and lily of the valley bruise easily, and they should be kept upright.
• Choose hardier flowers such as roses, lilies and peonies as anchor flowers. They do not wilt as easily as other varieties.
• Use floral wire to support weaker stems.

Four Important Questions to Ask When Planning Your Bridal Bouquet

By Jennie K. Brown

Before you begin fashioning your homemade bouquet, make sure you’ve considered the questions below.

1. Are the flowers I wish to use available and in season? Although most types of flowers can be ordered and sent to you for your big day, a more cost-effective option is to use in-season varieties. (Look for a list of seasonal flowers at right.)

2. Does the shape and size of the bouquet complement the tone of my wedding? Create a round bouquet for a more traditional look. Fashion a loose bouquet for a relaxed mood. A crescent or long-stemmed bouquet works best for a formal church wedding.

3. Do the flowers complement my dress, not compete with it? An ornate gown would pair well with clean-looking flowers. A simplistic dress would be complemented by a bold single color bouquet or by an arrangement studded with silk ribbons, pearls and crystals.

4. Do I need to rent a large cooler, or do I have space available in my home refrigerator? Floral arrangements need to be refrigerated for proper preservation. You definitely don’t want droopy flowers on that walk down the aisle.