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Planning a wedding is a big job, but it can be a lot of fun, especially if you're doing your own flowers. DIY wedding flowers can save you money and give you a personal touch. To help you get started, we've put together ten tips for prepping and storing your wedding flowers. Follow these steps to keep your flowers fresh and beautiful for your big day.
1. Cut Stems at an Angle
When your flowers arrive, the first thing you should do is cut the stems. Use sharp snips to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This helps the flowers absorb more water because it increases the surface area. It also prevents the stems from sitting flat on the bottom of the vase, which can block water from getting in.
Cutting stems at an angle is a small step that makes a big difference. It allows the flowers to drink more water, keeping them hydrated and fresh. Straight cuts can block water absorption, leading to wilting flowers. By cutting at a 45-degree angle, you create more surface area for water intake.
Tip: If possible, recut the stems every day to keep them fresh and help them take in more water. This simple step can extend the life of your flowers significantly.
2. Hydrate Immediately
As soon as your flowers arrive, unpack them, give them a fresh cut, and place them in clean, cool water. This step is important because it helps rehydrate the blooms and keeps them fresh. Flowers can lose a lot of water during shipping, so it's important to get them hydrated right away.
Hydration is crucial for flowers that have been in transit. During shipping, flowers are often without water for an extended period, which can cause them to dehydrate. Rehydrating them immediately upon arrival helps revive their freshness and keeps them looking vibrant.
Tip: When hydrating phototropic flowers like snapdragons, prop them against the corners of a wall so they'll hydrate upright. For roses that arrive in cardboard sleeves, leave those sleeves on for several hours for hydration support. After a few hours, you will remove all sleeves and packaging.
3. Remove Lower Leaves
Strip any leaves that will be submerged in water. Leaves left below the water line can rot and create bacteria, which can shorten the lifespan of your flowers. Removing these leaves helps keep the water clean and your flowers fresh.
Tip: Be gentle when removing leaves to avoid damaging the stem. Damaged stems can affect water uptake and shorten the life of your flowers. Using leaf strippers or a thick gardening glove will speed up the process and also protect your hands from any rogue thorns.
4. Use Flower Food
Add flower food to the water if you have it. Flower food contains nutrients and antibacterial agents that help keep your flowers fresh longer. This step is optional, but flower food does give your blooms a little hit of sugar to perk them up.
Flower food is like a vitamin boost for your flowers. It provides essential nutrients that help flowers stay fresh and vibrant. The antibacterial agents in flower food also help prevent bacteria from growing in the water, keeping your flowers healthy.
Tip: If you run out of flower food, do not make your own concotion. Plese do not put bleach, sugar, pennies, or any other recipe you find on the internet into your water. Fresh, cool water is best in this instance. Let's not risk damaging your flowers now!
5. Change Water Daily
Replace the water in your vases or buckets every day to keep it clean and free of bacteria. Recut the stems each time you change the water to help them absorb more water.
Changing the water daily is one of the best ways to keep your flowers fresh. Fresh water prevents bacterial growth and provides your flowers with the hydration they need. Recutting the stems each day also helps them absorb water more effectively.
Tip: Clean the vase or bucket thoroughly before refilling it with fresh water. This step ensures that no bacteria from the old water contaminate the fresh water.
6. Store in a Cool Place
Keep your flowers in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and drafts. Ideally, they should be stored in a room without direct sunlight and crank that AC down! Heat and light can cause flowers to wilt faster, so keeping them cool helps them last longer.
Temperature and light are critical factors in keeping flowers fresh. Direct sunlight and heat can cause flowers to dehydrate and wilt. By storing them in a cool, dark place, you slow down the wilting process and extend their freshness.
Tip: If you're having trouble keeping the room cool, put heavy shades over the windows to help block light and heat. If it's an option for you, close or partially close the vents in other rooms to push more cool air into the flower room. In areas of the country without AC, consider using a portable AC unit for the flower room!
7. Mist the Flowers
Lightly mist your flowers with water or Crowning Glory to keep them hydrated, especially during the warmer summer months. Ourdoor arch arrangements can also benefit from being misted with water during the summer, as many flowers can take in water through their petals in addition to their stems.
Misting flowers helps keep them hydrated, especially in dry or warm conditions. Flowers can absorb water through their petals, so misting can be an effective way to keep them fresh. This is especially important for arch arrangements and other large displays that might not get as much water through their stems.
8. Fridge as a Cooler
If you opt to put your flowers in the fridge, keep your flowers away from ripening fruits and vegetables, as they release ethylene gas which can cause flowers to wilt and age faster. Seal up fruits and veggies, then turn the refrigerator to its warmest setting. Ranunculus and anemones are the most common flowers we store in the fridge to keep them fresher longer. Note: do not put tropical flowers in your refrigerator.
Tip: Make sure the fridge is clean and free of any strong odors that can be absorbed by the flowers. Cleanliness and proper storage are key to keeping your flowers fresh in the fridge. Also be sure to keep the flowers from touching the walls of the fridge.
9. Remove Guard Petals
Roses and garden roses will arrive with guard petals which protect the inner petals from damage. These petals are oftentimes darker in color and look chewy. Pluck them off before you begin to design.
Guard petals are the outer petals of roses that protect the inner blooms during shipping. They can look a bit rough, but they serve an important purpose. Removing these petals before arranging your flowers ensures that your bouquet looks its best. It can also signal to the flower to open.
Tip: Save the guard petals to use in the flower girl's basket. They are great for this purpose and a wonderful way to use all parts of your roses!
10. Prepare Floral Foam Properly
If you’re using floral foam or Oshun pouches, make sure it’s fully soaked in water before arranging your flowers. Let it soak naturally without pushing it down, which can create air pockets. Fill your kitchen sink, a bathtub, or bucket with water and place the foam on top. Then let it absorb all the water as it sinks below the water line. We like to let ours soak for 20-30 minutes before using!
Floral foam is a great tool for creating stable arrangements, especially for beginners . However, it's important to prepare it properly. Soaking the foam thoroughly ensures that it provides consistent hydration to your flowers.
Oshun pouches are a wonderful and eco-friendly alternative to foam. Make sure the pouch has fully absorbed water before using, and keep table surfaces protected; the water that can leak from the Oshun pouches will be darker due to the natural content of the pouch.
Tip: Floral foam can dry out quickly, so keep it moist by adding water to the arrangement every day. This ensures that your flowers continue to receive the hydration they need. You can use a watering can, sink sprayer, or garden hose to do this.
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For compote centerpieces or urns, don’t pack the container full with floral foam, leave some space between the edge of the container and your foam. This will ensure that you have enough space to have a small reservoir of water which will help keep your foam saturated!
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Bring a small watering can with you on site so you can add water to your vases especially if they’re going to be sitting outside in warm weather.
Monitor Temperature and Humidity
Flowers are sensitive to temperature and humidity. Too much heat can cause them to wilt, while too much humidity can lead to mold and rot. Aim for a cool, somewhat dry environment to keep your flowers fresh. Most homes have a temperature and humidity level that are just fine for flowers.
Tip: Use your best judgement when storing your flowers. Are you in a comfortable temperature and setting? Your flowers probably are too. Don't store them in a hot garage in the middle of summer when it's sweltering outside. If you aren't comfortable with the temp, your flowers probably aren't either!
Handle with Care
Handle your flowers gently to avoid bruising or damaging the petals and stems. Rough handling can shorten the lifespan of your flowers and make them look less appealing.
Tip: Use clean, sharp tools when cutting stems or removing leaves. This helps prevent crushing or tearing the plant tissue.
Transporting Your Flowers
If you're transporting your flowers to a different location, take steps to protect them during the journey. Use flower boxes or containers to keep them secure and prevent damage. Tuck old towels into the void spaces to help prevent vases from tipping during transit. The worst sound during transit is that of a lot of water sloshing in the backseat. Ask us how we know.
Tip: Transport flowers in a cool, shaded vehicle. Avoid leaving them in a hot car, as high temperatures can cause them to wilt quickly.
Keep Them Hydrated
Anti-desiccant sprays, like Crowning Glory, can help seal in moisture and keep your flowers hydrated. This is especially useful for outdoor weddings or hot climates. You can also fill a mister or spray bottle with clean water and mist the blooms if you don't have Crowning Glory on hand.
Tip: Apply the spray evenly to the petals and leaves. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results. Don't waterlog your blooms; a nice fine mist will do the trick.
Preparing Flowers for Arrangements
When you're ready to start arranging your flowers, follow these steps to ensure they look their best:
1. Clean Your Work Area: Start with a clean, organized workspace. Remove any clutter and sanitize your tools and surfaces to prevent contamination.
2. Sort Your Flowers: Lay out your flowers and greenery in the order you'll be using them. This makes it easier to see what you have and plan your arrangement.
You can also pre-section your flowers according to your floral recipes. This makes it easier for helpers to build arrangements and bouquets. You can simply hand them the bucket or vase of flowers and instruct them to build a bouquet with those flowers.
3. Trim Stems and Remove Leaves: Recut the stems and remove any excess leaves or damaged petals. This prepares your flowers for arranging and ensures they look neat and tidy.
4. Soak Floral Foam: If you're using floral foam, make sure it's properly soaked before starting your arrangement. This helps keep your flowers hydrated and in place. Always use waterproof tape to secure your foam in the vessel.
Nothing will break your heart faster than carrying your floral masterpiece into the venue only to have a strong gust of wind blow it out of the vessel and onto the ground. Again, ask us how we know.
5. Start by Setting Your Margins: Begin your arrangement by placing the greenery or volume flowers first. This will give you a visual guide to know how big to make your arrangement. It also ensures that all of your centerpieces will be roughly the same size.
6. Add Fillers and Texture: Next, add your filler and texture flowers to fill in the gaps and create a balanced look. Vary the heights and angles to add dimension and interest.
7. Finish with Accents: Add any final accents, such as small flowers, berries, or decorative elements, to complete your arrangement.
Long-Term Care and Maintenance
Once your flowers are arranged, follow these tips to keep them looking fresh throughout your wedding day and beyond:
1. Keep Them Hydrated: Check the water level in your vases or floral foam daily and add more as needed. Hydrated flowers last longer and look better.
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep your arrangements out of direct sunlight, which can cause flowers to fade and wilt. Place them in a shaded or indoor area to extend their life.
3. Remove Wilting Flowers: Regularly check your arrangements for any wilting or damaged flowers and remove them. This prevents them from affecting the rest of the arrangement. Typically they need to be given a fresh cut and placed in water to rehydrate. Afterwards, you can place them back in your arrangement.
4. Mist Daily: Lightly mist your arrangements with water or Crowning Glory to keep them hydrated and fresh. This is especially important in hot or dry climates.
5. Keep Cool: If possible, store your arrangements in a cool place overnight to help them stay fresh. This can be especially useful if you're preparing flowers a day or two before the wedding.
By following these ten tips, you can ensure that your DIY wedding flowers stay fresh and beautiful for your big day. From cutting stems at an angle to storing flowers in a cool place, these steps will help you get the most out of your blooms!
Ready to start planning your DIY wedding flowers? Use the links below to get started right away! Shop Flower Moxie’s extensive selection of bulk wholesale white flowers, DIY wedding flower packages, and white mixed boxes. We offer free shipping on orders over $150 and ship straight from the farm to your door.
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About the Author
Tiffany Thomas is the true-crime-loving, logistic + artistic powerhouse behind Flower Moxie. When she's not ogling photos of protea, she can be found running her own online store, Good Wknd.