Thinking of making my own bouquets, am I mad?!

[ThePortlyPinUp]

We're getting married in September, very small midweek regisrty office ceremony with two witnesses and our 4 dd's. Budget is minuscule (technically non existent as we have just bought things weekly out of household budget) so was thinking of making my bouquet and bridesmaids posies myself. The colour theme is red, black and leopard print so was looking at foam roses on ebay. Has anyone successfully made their own and have any tips?

[caker]

I made mine, and it was lovely! I used roses from M&S and watched videos on YouTube about how to tie a bouquet. Good luck!

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

No, not mad! My SIL did just this. She actually drove to a flower market at 7am the day before her wedding and bought all the flowers fresh, then she and her bridesmaids (me included) sat around and put them together in bunches while we had a natter the day before. Kept them in cool water in buckets.

With foam flowers you wouldn't have to worry about them staying fresh and probably cheaper, as long as you're happy with them not being the real thing.

[Squeakyheart]

We did with roses bought from Dutch auction house who were brilliant! The advice I would give if you are doing it with fresh is practice and look up ideas/ tips on you tube and Pinterest, good luck with the wedding!

[ThePortlyPinUp]

I'd prefer artificial flowers as our reception in on the Saturday evening and is when all of our family and friends will see us for the first time so would like to have nice flowers for then. My friends can't understand why I'm not loving the whole planning process but they did all have thousands of pounds budget, I have pounds and pence and that's about it Now to keep my fingers crossed that I win the wedding dress I'm bidding on ebay today

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

Aww, yeah I'm sure you can do it and they will look lovely!

[starsandunicorns]

I nearly did foam flowers ( loads on ebay) choose to make a button boquet instead
Good luck for the dress i got mine from ebay too

[whereisshe]

I did my own flowers. I just used things that don't wilt easily (Australian natives mainly). It was sooo much cheaper. You can get the florists tape and wire etc on amazon.

[ThePortlyPinUp]

stars I was debating going for a button bouquet! If I was going to wear a leopard print full circle dress then it was buttons but I just won a ivory silk tea length dress on ebay for £50 so I think it'll probably be flowers. The dress is my one concession to a conventional wedding

[ThePortlyPinUp]

Now to work our how many flowers I will need for 3 small bridesmaids, 2 big bridesmaids, my bouquet and two button holes...

[HumphreyCobbler]

My sister made my bouquet. It was lovely and exceptionally cheap.

[ThePortlyPinUp]

Cheap is very good, I was shocked how much bridal packages were, I'm hoping to do my own for under £50 or so, the whole wedding should come in under £500 by my reckoning. I really like the look of the foam roses and have discovered that The Range do rose and pearl bouquets ready made for £6.99 each so may buy a few to split and add some colour to.

[ftmsoon]

My mum helped me make for 3 bridesmaids and me. We made laying bouquets that had to be cradled. I bought the button holes & corsages as wiring leaves looked too hard!

[Staryy]

I crocheted mine for under £20. I think if you think you can make it yourself - go for it! Flowers for weddings are just so expensive, it's just not worth it in my opinion! It'll be a lovely personal touch :)

[foreverforaging]

Yes, just slightly! Your flowers will be in all of your photos so it is a bit of risk if they turn out rubbish/you are unhappy with them.

Where are you, Op? I'm a freelance florist and would do it for cost if you're local. Failing that, I could advise you on what to buy if it helps.

[ThePortlyPinUp]

I've been and looked at the bouquets in the range and decided to get them and just add a few coloured roses and different ribbon, they look beautiful already but I thought just adding the colours in will tie them in a bit better :)

[foreverforaging]

Best of luck

Have a lovely day!

[ThePortlyPinUp]

Thank you :)

[ammature]

Hey what about making tissue paper flowers? They looks wonderful and super cheap and fun to make... Have a look on Pinterest.

[icanmakeyouicecream]

I did, with artificial foam flowers. They look beautiful!

[icanmakeyouicecream]

Here it is. All bridesmaids have the same, same for corsages and buttonholes

[InThisTogether]

Did you make it in the end PinUp?

I understand how you feel about it, we are trying to do the whole thing (including EVERYTHING) for under £1000 and I have decided to make it a challenge rather than a hardship. All my (£16k+ wedding) friends are seeing it as a pity bt I am quite enjying it, it certainly focusses the mind...

Am attempting this bouquet at the moment...
pretty pleased with the results so far and have spend £12 on all the materials including the glue gun so far!