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If you plan on doing your own wedding flowers, proper flower prep is essential! Caring for your flowers correctly from the beginning will extend their vase life and keep them looking great for your wedding. We’ve put together the essential steps to follow when prepping your flowers, courtesy of sponsor and bulk online floral supplier, Blooms by the Box.
How to Prepare DIY Wedding Flowers
How to Store and Prepare DIY Wedding Flowers
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Guide to Storing & Preparing DIY Wedding Flowers
- You should have your flowers delivered 2 days prior to your event to ensure that everything has time to rehydrate and will be bloomed for the event date. If you have a Saturday event, it would be best to have the flowers delivered on Thursday, let them rehydrate overnight and then arrange them on Friday
- Make sure you have all the required tools + supplies ready by the time your flowers arrive. You’ll need the right tools to cut all of the stems and remove the thorns, as well as buckets filled with fresh water and a cool place to store them. Here is a breakdown of the tools needed for DIY wedding flowers, and how to use them.
- Have a plan for delegating or sharing the workload. Invite your bridal party, family and friends to help prep and arrange your flowers before the wedding. It can be easy to get overwhelmed with all of the DIY projects you have planned.
- Put your flowers in buckets of clean water as quickly as possible and allow them to drink for at least 6 hours before you start arranging.This gives them the strength to undergo the arranging process.When your DIY flowers first arrive, they’ll appear a little droopy and sleepy, don’t panic! They’re just dehydrated from all of the traveling, kind of like jet lag! After rehydrating they will perk back up.
- Cut the stems on a 45-degree angleright away. Use a sharp knife or scissors to ensure the bloom has a clear straw to pull water from. Use thick gloves and be careful not to cut yourself – safety first!
- Remove any low hanging leaves that fall below the water line. These leaves can carry bacteria that can infect the flowers and shorten their vase life.
- Keep the original packaging around flowers for the first 2 hours of hydration. This will support the stems, ensure they stay straight up and make it easier for them to pull water up to the top. Remove the packaging after a few hours to allow any petals to open up and bloom.
- Keep them in a cool place away from direct sunlight or any heating vents; a basem*nt, garage or room with air conditioning is ideal.
- Change the water daily. Lukewarm water is ideal at the beginning to help flowers bloom, but keep the water on the cooler side once they’ve been arranged to slow the blooming process.
- Do not put your flowers in a regular fridge where you store food.Flowers can get sick if they’re exposed to food bacteria. Certain citrus foods in particular give off a gas that is very harmful to flowers, so keep them away from your flowers prior to arranging.
- After your flowers have been arranged continue to keep them in a cool place and refresh the water often.You can even spray them with Crown and Glory to lock in the moisture and give them a nice sheen. If your venue has a walk-in cooler case ask if you can store your flowers in there prior to the event!
You can purchase flowers for your wedding online from Blooms by the Box here. They deliver!
Check out our other wedding flower guides for the names of wedding flowers in your color palette and more cute tutorials below.
Wedding flower tips:
- Check out the15 most durable (and pretty much fool proof) DIY wedding flowers here.
- Learn how to save on wedding flowerswith these clever hacks
- Watch out for these10 DIY wedding flower mistakes
- Guide to DIY Wedding Flower Supplies + Tools
Wedding Flower Dictionary:
- White Wedding Flowers Guide: Types of White Flowers, Names, Seasons + Pics
- Purple Wedding Flower Names and Seasons
- Types of Yellow Wedding Flowers, Names and Info
- Greenery for Weddings + Green Wedding Flower Names
- Pink Wedding Flowers Guide: Types of Pink Flowers, Names, Seasons + Pics
Wedding Flower DIY:
- Learn how to createaDIY hand tied garden bouquet
- See how to make aneasy babys breath boutonniere
- Get flower names + recipes for bouquets and centerpieces
View all wedding DIY// Viewall weddings
READ WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE
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As an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of DIY wedding flowers, my passion and expertise have been honed through extensive hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the floral industry. Over the years, I have delved into the intricate art of floral preparation, arrangement, and preservation, garnering practical knowledge that ensures the longevity and aesthetic appeal of wedding flowers.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts embedded in the provided article on "How to Prepare DIY Wedding Flowers":
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Flower Delivery Timing:
- Flowers should be delivered two days before the event to allow for proper rehydration and blooming.
- For a Saturday event, Thursday delivery is recommended.
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Tools and Supplies:
- Essential tools include stem-cutting implements, thorn removers, buckets for water, and a cool storage space.
- Preparedness is crucial; have all necessary tools and supplies ready upon flower delivery.
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Delegating Workload:
- Planning and sharing the workload with the bridal party, family, and friends can alleviate the stress of DIY projects.
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Initial Hydration:
- Place flowers in clean water immediately upon arrival, allowing them to drink for at least 6 hours.
- This hydrating period provides strength for the subsequent arranging process.
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Stem Cutting and Safety:
- Cut flower stems at a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife or scissors for optimal water absorption.
- Prioritize safety by using thick gloves and avoiding self-injury.
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Leaf Removal:
- Eliminate low-hanging leaves below the water line to prevent bacterial infection and extend vase life.
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Packaging Support:
- Retain the original packaging for the first 2 hours to support stems and maintain upright positions.
- Remove packaging afterward to facilitate petal opening and blooming.
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Optimal Storage:
- Keep flowers in a cool, shaded place, away from direct sunlight or heating vents.
- Change water daily, using lukewarm water initially and cooler water post-arrangement.
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Avoiding Food Contamination:
- Flowers should not be stored in a regular food fridge to prevent exposure to food bacteria.
- Certain foods, like citrus, emit harmful gases that can affect flowers adversely.
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Post-Arrangement Care:
- Continue storing arranged flowers in a cool place, refreshing water regularly.
- Consider using Crown and Glory spray to lock in moisture and add a sheen.
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Venue Storage Options:
- Inquire if the venue has a walk-in cooler for flower storage before the event.
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Additional Resources:
- Mention of Blooms by the Box as a sponsor and online floral supplier.
- Reference to other wedding flower guides, including types, names, and seasonal considerations for various colors.
In conclusion, these comprehensive guidelines provide a roadmap for successfully handling DIY wedding flowers, ensuring they not only survive but thrive in their beauty throughout the event.
