How to make wedding Bouqet

To make:

o Separate the babies breath and cut it up into 3 sections each. Leave the stems about 3" long.
o Insert the babies breath around the holder just above the lace.
o Insert the rosebuds evenly around the holder. Save 4 rosebuds for the center, in-between the flowers.
o Cut the stems to 3" long and add the flowers to the middle of the holder.
o Cut all stems to 3" long. Fill in the open places with babies breath and insert the remaining single roses.
o Tie the ribbon around the base of the holder and secure it in back with hot glue. Make a bow or just let it float.

You can hot glue more lace around the edge to really fluff it up.

How to make a hand-tied wedding boquet

1. Prepare your flowers. (See working with fresh flowers and wiring techniques) If using fresh roses be sure to strip off (1/2 of the stem )most of the leaves. Thorns will need to be removed carefully so as not to damage the rose stems. If using silk flowers remove the any lower leaves on the rose stems.

2. Prepare the baby's breath and the ivy. Cut the ivy into sections on 8-12" each.

3. Start by holding a stem of baby's breath, and 2 rose stems in your hand. Holding the stems upright in your hand, gradually add more stems to the bouquet at a 45 degree angle, turning the bouquet in your hand so that a spiral gradually Hold the stems firmly at the binding point while slowly adding more flowers.

4. Insert your greenery (ivy, leafed branches ) throughout the bouquet. It is the greenery that brings out the flowers so place it carefully and sparingly around each bloom.

5. Once you are happy with the overall size, shape and color of the bouquet tie the stems together at the top and bottom with string, floral wire or raffia. You can wrap it securely - this will be covered with the satin ribbon. Then with sharp scissors or pruners trim the stems (if using silk flowers use wire cutters) at the bottom so that they are all one size.

6. Use the satin white ribbon to tightly wrap the stems. Start at the base of the flowers, leave enough ribbon to tie a knot later (about 3 inches), overlapping each twist to conceal the raffia and the stems. You are winding from top to bottom. When you reach the bottom, tuck the ribbon over the base of the stems and then wind the ribbon back up the stems (use a corsage pin to ribbon on the bottom in place-remove later). When you reach the starting point tie the ribbon in a knot (with the beginning of the ribbon). Push the knot into the top of the ribbon to conceal it. Use 3 pearl topped corsage pins to fasten the ribbon securely to the stem. Be sure to push the pins at a slant downward into the stems. This will also give the bouquet a finished look.

6. Set bouquet in an empty vase that has a narrow opening, until ready to use.

Material needed:

2 dozen sprays babies breath, or gypsophila or lilies of the valley

24 small yellow roses
12 large yellow roses
12 mauve roses
3 yards white satin ribbon
ivy garland, vine, or branches
raffia
floral wire
pearl topped corsage pins