Growing beautiful blooms at home is not only cheaper than purchasing them from a florist, but it can also be a fun and incredibly rewarding process. If you want to take a more hands-on approach and add a personal touch to your big day, growing your wedding flowers could be the answer.
You can easily have beautiful flowers for your wedding if you know what to do, have the right tools, and pay attention. This blog post will provide tips on how to grow beautiful wedding flowers from seed to vase.
By following these easy steps, you can save money on flower arrangements and feel good about the fact that you made them yourself.
Planning and Preparation
First things first: realizing that the time and effort you put into your wedding’s floral arrangements is a true labor of love. Steps vary widely depending on the desired outcome (in this case, the flowers). Go on reading;
Establish Your Vision
Your imagination is your best source of inspiration when it comes to picking the perfect wedding flowers. Think about the colors, textures, and shapes you would like to include in your bouquets, centerpieces, and other arrangements. You can look for ideas online or even check out some real-life flowers at a local florist shop.
Research Varieties & Growers
There are several methods to exaggerate your wedding flowers. If you’re looking for something conventional, avant-garde, crazily colorful, or something that emphasizes shape and texture, there are a ton of options to consider.
Several different sorts of growers might offer distinctive possibilities when it comes to wedding flower varieties. Local farmers frequently have access to heirloom types of flowers and other seasonal blooms that may not be found elsewhere. Wholesalers usually have a big selection of common flower types, but professional growers tend to focus on fewer types and often have access to the newest cultivars and hybrids.
The most common kinds of wedding flowers include hydrangeas, roses, tulips, lilies, and orchids. Roses are available in a variety of hues and sizes to match any wedding color scheme. When included in wedding bouquets or centerpieces, tulips may produce a stunning result.
Lilies’ long-lasting blooms lend an exotic touch, and orchids’ opulent, ethereal quality. Last but not least, hydrangeas have a classic garden look because of how many and how thick their flowers are.
Look for foliage species like ferns, ivy, and lavender if you’re thinking about adding shrubs or filler flowers to your garden. Without using too many flowers, foliage may be a terrific way to give your arrangements more depth and texture. Boxwood and other flexible shrubs make the ideal backdrop for any bouquet.
| Foliage | Fern, ivy, myrtle, lemon leaf, honey bracelet, grevillea, and so on. |
| Fillers | Statice, snapdragons, dianthus, poms, stock, bells of Ireland, and so on. |
| Shrubs | Rose, Croton, Lemon, Jasmine (Chameli), Azalea, and so on. |
Using the right mix of foliage fillers, shrubs, and flowers, you can make beautiful arrangements that will wow your guests.
Consider Seasonality and Timing
Getting your wedding flowers to bloom in the proper time frame is key to ensuring their freshness and beauty on the big day. It’s also important that you select flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. If a particular type of flower isn’t available, it will be more expensive or difficult to source.
With that in mind, here is an overview of the categories of flowers to plant according to their seasonality:
| Season | Flowers to Plant | Best Planting Time |
| Spring | Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths | Later winter or early spring |
| Summer | Sunflowers, zinnias, daisies, and cosmos | Early summer |
| Fall | Mums, asters, marigolds, and dahlias | Late summer or early fall |
| Winter | Mums, asters, marigolds, and dahlias | Early winter |
When planting your wedding flowers, it’s important to plan and keep timing in mind. You should consider if the flowers are perennial or annual. Perennial flowers (zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers) come back year after year and will bloom around the same time every year, while annual flowers (peonies and lavender) live for just one season and need to be replanted each year.
If you’re planning a wedding in the future, perennial flowers are great since they can be planted ahead of time and will have plenty of time to grow before your celebration. However, if you’re planning a wedding sooner and don’t want to wait for the plants to come into bloom, annuals are your best bet.
By understanding the different categories of flowers and when they should be planted, you can ensure that your wedding blooms will look their absolute best on your big day!
Make a Budget
You can start the process of growing your wedding flowers for almost nothing, but the cost of all the tools and materials you’ll need can add up quickly. To get what you need without raising your wedding budget, plan and develop a list of everything you need.
Various elements like seeds or seedlings, containers, soil, compost, and fertilizers fall under this category. When you know how much you’ll be spending, you can decide if cultivating your flowers is a feasible option.
Making a backup plan part of your budget is also crucial. Surprises can happen despite the most rigorous planning and throw the entire process off. You should have a backup plan for quickly finding flowers in case something goes wrong.
It could be as simple as establishing a source for garden flowers, such as a flower vendor at the farmers market or a local grower, for a replacement or additional fillings. You’ll feel more secure and be able to enjoy the process of growing your wedding flowers if you have a backup plan.
Planting Seeds and Cultivating Blooms
Now that you have decided on the type of flowers you would like to grow for your wedding, it is time to begin planting the seeds. Depending on the climate of your location, there are various ways and times in which one can plant flower seeds. It is best to consult with a local gardening center or an expert for advice on when to start sowing the seeds. You should start with the following;
Prepare Beds, Pots, or Growing Containers
The first step in cultivating your wedding flowers is settling on a strategy. They thrive in outdoor garden beds and pots but can be grown indoors. To guarantee your plants outdoors have everything they need to flourish, amend the soil with compost and other fertilizers. If you’re going to be growing your plants in containers, make sure to use a high-quality potting mix and some slow-release fertilizers.
Many varieties of flowers require at least six hours of sunlight per day to thrive, so make sure your growing space gets plenty of it no matter what method you select. Make sure to leave an adequate area between your plants for them to flourish.
Planting Seeds at the Right Time of Year
Be sure to choose the right flower varieties that suit your wedding’s theme and season. Pick varieties that can tolerate your chosen growing conditions, and consult with a local gardener or florist if you need more advice. For example, roses are classic and fragrant but require more maintenance. Consider other options such as dahlias and daisies if you’re looking for a low-maintenance option.
When it comes to the actual planting, remember that timing is everything. You want your blooms to be in season when you’re ready to use them—usually a few weeks before your wedding day. Most flower seeds need to be planted at least 4-6 weeks in advance, so plan.
Selecting the Proper Soil
The better the soil, the better your flowers will grow. When choosing soil for your wedding flower garden, look for one that is rich in organic matter and well-draining. Make sure to also select soil with adequate nutrients to support the growth of your plants.
If necessary, add some fertilizer or other amendments, such as compost or manure, to the area before planting. This will help to ensure that your plants have the best chance for success. Additionally, make sure you are aware of any amendments like lime or sulfur that may be required based on your soil’s pH level.
Caring for Your Plants
Proper plant maintenance is crucial to ensuring your flowers stay healthy and flourish. When caring for your plants, you need to make sure you do the following:
Watering and Fertilizing Needs
You should water your plants at least once a week, and more often in hot weather. Flowering plants need fertilizer every two weeks or so. Use a diluted solution of liquid fertilizer according to the instructions on the package.
If you’re working with potted plants, be sure to choose pots with adequate drainage holes in the bottom so that excess water can escape. Standing water can cause root rot and other problems, so you should never put your plants in pots without drainage holes.
Control Pests, Weeds, and Diseases
You won’t want to have your hard-fought flowers ruined by pests, weeds, or diseases. Use organic insecticides and fungicides to help keep these garden nuisances away from your blooms. If you’re growing in a greenhouse, use beneficial insects like ladybugs to control pest populations. You can also practice preventive measures like crop rotation, proper watering techniques, and keeping weeds away from the growing area.
Pruning and Deadheading Techniques as Needed
No matter how carefully you plan and tend to your flowers, there may come a time when pruning or deadheading is necessary. Pruning is the act of cutting off parts of a plant that are old or diseased, while deadheading involves removing deadhead flowers (flowers that have already bloomed). Doing so can help boost overall growth and encourage new blooms.
If flowers are overcrowded in a flower bed, it may be necessary to transplant them to another bed to ensure that they have enough space and light. Transplanting should be done in the fall or early spring, when plants are dormant.
If you do decide to transplant, make sure you dig deep and keep as much of the root system intact as possible. Fill in any gaps with fresh soil, and give your flowers plenty of water to help them settle into their new environment.
Harvesting and Post-Harvest Care
At this stage, it is important to monitor the growth of your blooms closely. You will need to determine when they are ready for harvest. The right time to cut is when the flower has reached its full size and the petals have fully opened but not wilted yet.
As a rule, you should always harvest in the morning when temperatures are cooler and the flowers are full of water. Make sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears when harvesting. This will ensure that the stems are cut smoothly so they can absorb water more effectively after harvest.
After picking flowers, there are some things you can do to ensure they last as long as possible in a vase;
- Immediately treat the cut ends with a flower preserver to prevent bacteria growth
- The flowers should also be placed in water, and the temperature needs to be monitored carefully. For best results, keep them between 35-45°F and out of direct sunlight. If you can’t put them in a cooler right away, submerge them in cold water for 30 minutes before placing them in a vase
- Finally, mist the flowers with water every few days to help keep them hydrated and looking their best.
With these simple harvesting and post-harvest tips, you will have gorgeous wedding flowers that last until the big day!
Designing an Arrangement
Here is where your creativity comes in! With the knowledge of available foliage and shrubs, you can now create a design for your special day. Consider the style of arrangement that best fits your theme: are you going for a wildflower bouquet or an elegant cascading floral arrangement?
If possible, draw out your ideas on paper to visualize how the finished product will look. Make sure to incorporate your favorite colors and varieties of blooms. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shapes, sizes, and textures as you develop the perfect design.
How to Make Floral Arrangement for Wedding | 5 Tutorial
You could visit a local craft store or market for items such as ribbons, floral foam, acrylic water tubes, and vases. You will also need several tools, such as scissors, secateurs, and twine, to help you assemble your arrangement.
Consider having a relative or friend help you when it’s time to put together the arrangements, to make sure that everything is completed properly. Remember, practice makes perfect! You can always try out your design on a smaller scale before you commit to working with the actual wedding flowers. With some patience and practice, you will be able to create beautiful arrangements for your big day.
FAQs
How Far in Advance Can You Make Wedding Flowers?
It depends on the specific flowers being used, but generally speaking, it is recommended to start preparing and growing wedding flowers at least 6-8 months in advance to ensure they are in peak bloom for the big day.
Is It Easy to Do Your Wedding Flowers?
There is no easy answer to this question. It depends on factors such as your experience with gardening and flower arranging, the availability of materials, and the amount of time and effort you are willing to put in. However, DIY wedding flowers can be a rewarding and cost-effective option with proper planning and resources.
Is It Cheaper to Do Your Wedding Flowers?
Many couples ask themselves this question when planning their wedding. The easy answer is it depends. It can be cheaper to do your wedding flowers if you have access to a garden or know where to purchase bulk flowers at a discounted price. However, it also takes time and effort to arrange the flowers and ensure they are properly cared for leading up to the big day.
How Do I Keep My Wedding Greenery Fresh?
First, make sure to trim the stems before placing them in water. Next, use clean vases filled with room temperature water and add flower food or aspirin as needed. Keep your arrangements away from direct sunlight and drafts, and replace the water every couple of days. Finally, mist the leaves regularly to maintain their freshness.
Conclusion
The value of growing your wedding flowers cannot be overstated. Not only does it save you money, but there’s something uniquely special about having your vision come alive from seed to the aisle.
Plus, with the abundance of DIY ideas and inspiration available online, it’s never been easier to grow custom-made blooms for your wedding day! With some green thumb knowledge, dedication, and a bit of trial and error, you can have the perfect bouquet for your special day. So why not give it a try? Growing your wedding flowers may turn out to be one of the most rewarding aspects of planning your big day!
