FLORAL ARRANGEMENT CONSTRUCTION

If you've never worked with cut flowers before or put together a bouquet or boutonniere, you might be apprehensive about creating your own arrangements. Here are some tips from professionals about using different floral construction tools and techniques to create visually pleasing, secure flower arrangements and bouquets for weddings,bar or bat mitzvahs, baby showers, or any other special event!

Construction of Arrangement Using Floral Foam

Floral Foam: If you want to make centerpieces with a uniform shape, you'll want to use floral foam as a base. Arrangements like pomander balls, tall trumpet vases with arrangements on top or tall arrangements require floral foam. Some arrangements do not need floral foam, like hand tied bouqets, boutonnieres, corsages, glass vase arrangements, mason jar arrangements and bud vase arrangements. If you're using a clear vase, you will not want to use foam, or can cover the sides of the foam with thick ti leaves.

Creating shape with floral foam: Here are some diagrams that will help you create the arrangement shapes you desire using floral foam. Use the flower construction diagrams to help you pick the right flowers to create these shapes. You will have to pick tall straight flowers (like snapdragons and larkspur for arrangements with tall elements.

Imagine that the floral foam in these photos are in vases or designer dishes. This will help you understand how to place the flowers in the floral foam.

Greenery and Constructing Arrangements

• Line the bottom of the vase with greenery to create a base. This will begin to create a shape and will also make sure to cover the floral foam once flowers are added.
• Use greenery to fill open spaces in between focal flowers and greenery. Having greenery evenly spread throughout the arrangement will also create a more balanced and professional look.
• When making floral garland, wedding arbor décor, or floral head bands use greens that are long and flexible like Ivy and Italian ruscus. Stiff greenery like myrtle, pittosporum, or leather leaf are better for creating structure in arrangements because they are firm.

Focal Flowers/ Fillers and Constructing Arrangements

• After you line your vase with greenery, start adding the largest focal flowers. Then, start filling the spaces with the smaller focal flowers and fillers.
• Keep in mind that shape you wish to create with each flowers you put into your arrangement.
• Keep turning the arrangement to make sure your design looks even and well balanced.
• After you have used the fillers and focal flowers you desire, back track and cover any other mechanics with greens or fillers.

Bouquet Construction Basics

• If you are using a bouquet holder with floral foam you will need to cut the stems of all the flowers short. This will help you insert them into the foam without blocking other interfering stems. You may also need to use floral adhesive to make sure the bouquet is secure and prevent flowers from falling from the base.
• If you are making a hand tied bouquet you will need floral tape. Bundle a rotation of flowers together and use floral tape to secure the flowers in sections. Keep building on your design. Outlining the bouquet with greens will create a finished look similar to arrangements for centerpieces.

Factors to Keep in Mind About Construction

• Some vases or arrangement shapes will require a different assembly. If you need help learning how to make a specific arrangement you can email our staff at any time for help. We really answer, no automated computer that will send you a generic answer, we will personalize the message based on your needs!
• Making arrangements is a trial and error process. You will need to work on the arrangement until you are happy with how it looks.
• Cutting floral foam to fit in your vase is not a work of art. Don't worry if it doesn't look perfect, you can always also cut and add more pieces. All the foam will be completely covered by flowers and greenery anyway.
• Pay attention to hydrating your flowers. This will really save them when they are in arrangements. Increase vase life by hydrating before and caring for the flowers properly, refer to our flower care and preparation lesson!