How to Make Your DIY Wedding Flower Arrangements

You’ve bought the flowers. They’re hydrated. They’re sitting in buckets around your house.
Now comes the part everyone gets nervous about: actually making the arrangements.

This guide will walk you through:

• How to set up your workspace

• The exact order to build arrangements

• How to make bud vases, centerpieces, and bouquets

• Real florist tricks to make DIY florals look professional

First: Set Yourself Up for Success

Before touching a single flower, do this.

Pick Your Flower Day

• Make arrangements 1–2 days before the wedding

• Bouquets are best made the day before

• Do not attempt this the morning of your wedding. As a planner, I would never recommend this to my couples!

Choose a Workspace

Best options:

• Kitchen island or dining table

• Garage (if cool)

• Large table with easy access to water

Put down:

• Old towels or tablecloths

• Trash bag for stems and leaves

Have a playlist, a drink, and at least one helper. This should be fun, not frantic.

Supplies You’ll Actually Use

• Floral shears (not kitchen scissors)

• Buckets with clean water

• Floral tape

• Floral foam or Flower Frogs (only if arrangements won’t sit in water)

• Vases already washed and ready

• Paper towels

Do not overbuy tools. Simple is better.

The Golden Rule of Arranging Flowers

Greenery first. Focal flowers second. Fillers last.

How to Make Bud Vase Arrangements (Easiest + Most Forgiving)

Bud vases are the #1 DIY-friendly option and look beautiful on long tables.

How many stems per vase?

• 1 focal flower

• 1–2 pieces of greenery

• Optional: 1 filler flower

Step-by-step:

1. Fill the vase halfway with clean water

2. Add greenery first, let it drape naturally

3. Insert focal flower slightly off-center

4. Add filler last (if using)

5. Rotate the vase, it should look good from all sides

Pro tip:
Bud vases look best when not identical. Slight variation = intentional, not messy.

How to Make Table Centerpieces (Round or Medium Arrangements)

These should sit below guest eye level. If people can’t see each other, it’s too tall.

Step-by-step:

1. Start with greenery

   • Create a loose “nest” shape

   • Let some pieces spill outward

2. Add focal flowers

   • Place them evenly around the arrangement

   • Not all in the center

3. Add filler flowers

   • Fill gaps, don’t crowd

4. Step back and rotate

   • Fix any bald spots

Real florist trick:
Odd numbers photograph better. Aim for 3, 5, or 7 focal blooms.

How to Use Floral Foam (Only When Needed)

Use foam if:

• Arrangements won’t be in water

• You’re making arches, urns, or installations

Foam rules:

• Soak foam completely (do NOT push it under water)

• Let it sink naturally

• Keep foam wet at all times

Insert stems gently, stabbing damages foam and shortens flower life.

How to Make Bouquets (Bridal + Bridesmaids)

Hand-Tied Bouquet Method:

1. Start with one focal flower

2. Add greenery around it

3. Rotate bouquet as you add flowers

4. Keep stems angled slightly outward

5. Stop early — bouquets should feel light, not heavy

Once finished:

• Wrap floral tape tightly around stems

• Cover with ribbon

• Trim stems evenly

Bridesmaid bouquets:
Smaller versions of the bridal bouquet or even single-stem flowers look intentional and modern.

Keeping Flowers Fresh Overnight

• Store in the coolest room in the house

• No refrigerators (food gases kill flowers)

• Keep away from sunlight and heat

For bouquets:

• Wrap stem bases in soaking wet paper towels

• Place in sturdy plastic bags

• Cover handles with ribbon

Common DIY Floral Mistakes (Avoid These)

❌ Overcrowding arrangements
❌ Using too many flower types
❌ Forgetting greenery
❌ Making everything identical
❌ Waiting too long to hydrate flowers

If something looks “off,” remove one flower — not add another.

Final Pro Tips from Someone Who’s Done This a Lot

• Simpler always looks more expensive

• Greenery does most of the visual work

• Flowers don’t need to be perfect to be beautiful

• Your guests will not notice tiny imperfections — they will notice effort and intention

DIY florals don’t need to look like a luxury florist install to feel stunning. They need to match your wedding, your vibe, and your priorities.

And if you want help scaling this up, simplifying your plan, or figuring out what’s realistic — I’m always happy to help 🤍