Simply Dazzling Events

DIY - Crafted Bouquet and Centerpieces

The luscious blooms in this bouquet are always in season. We chose shades of pink, but a bride could fashion them in any color she wishes. What's more, you can make these paper flowers, which are suitable for formal and casual weddings, in advance. They're easy: A bouquet takes only an afternoon; all you need are a few supplies and your own loving hands.

How to make flowers and leaves: A bouquet like this one requires about 25 flowers and 10 leaves. Once you have arranged them, cover the stems in wide ribbon. You will need tissue paper, a rotary cutter or scissors, 24-gauge green cloth-covered floral wire, white craft glue in a bottle with a needle-nose tip, two Styrofoam balls (1-inch and 1 1/2-inch), artificial stamens, and green floral tape. Purchase supplies online or at crafts or floral-supply stores. If using a rotary cutter, work on a self-healing mat.

Double Leaf
To make three double leaves, stack tissue in three hues of green. Cut 2-by-3-inch rectangles through all layers; fold in half. Trim tips into points; unfold. Twist each sheet at center. Fold 18-inch floral wire in half, slip over center of leaf, and twist. Fold tips toward each other, and curl.

Long Leaf
Stack tissue in two hues of green. Cut 2-by-3-inch rectangles through both layers. Apply glue along the upper third of a 9-inch piece of floral wire; sandwich between tissue layers. Let dry. Cut a leaf shape. Separate layers of tissue.

Folded Petal

Cut several 1 3/4-by-2 3/4-inch and 1 1/4-by-2-inch rectangles from tissue paper; fold each in half lengthwise; cut one end to be rounded, and twist other end to shape. For the center, roll white tissue paper into a tiny ball; cut out a square from white tissue paper, and wrap it around the ball, twisting tissue at its base. Attach the twisted end of the ball to a piece of floral wire by wrapping with green floral tape; add petals one at a time (start with small petals and end with large ones), taping twisted ends onto floral wire. Trim floral tape; spread out petals.

Bubble Petal

Each bloom requires 12 (or six pairs) stamens attached to floral wire with floral tape and five 4-by-2 1/4-inch pieces of tissue paper. For each petal, wrap tissue halfway around 1 1/2-inch Styrofoam ball, forming a half-sphere; twist ends, and remove ball. Attach one end of a petal to the base of stamen with floral tape. Add the other petals one at a time. Trim pointy ends. Gently pull petals away from center.

Rolled Petal

Cut a 16-by-3 1/2-inch strip of tissue paper; make 2-inch accordion folds. Trim and notch one end of tissue through all layers, as shown; unfold. Insert floral wire into a 1-inch Styrofoam ball; place ball near bottom of tissue strip. Roll tissue around ball; twist bottom. Remove the ball with tweezers. Wrap floral tape around the twisted tissue and wire. Trim the floral tape.
Curly Petal Cut a 16-by-3 1/2-inch strip of tissue paper; make 2-inch-wide accordion folds. Make 3-inch-deep snips in tissue to create fringe. Wrap unfringed end around floral wire. Secure with floral tape. Run scissors blade along pieces of fringe to curl; fluff.

Curly Petal
Cut a 16-by-3 1/2-inch strip of tissue paper; make 2-inch-wide accordion folds. Make 3-inch-deep snips in tissue to create fringe. Wrap unfringed end around floral wire. Secure with floral tape. Run scissors blade along pieces of fringe to curl; fluff.

Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

DIY - Preston Bailey's Giant Rose Centerpiece

I'm super excited to have found this YouTube video of Preston Bailey sharing a budget friendly, DIY tip on creating a giant flower centerpiece. You can create one per person or one to two per table. Get creative by giving thought to your container / vase for this project.

If you choose this DIY project for your wedding, let me know how this one turns out for you. I'm going to try this one for my next dinner party.

DIY - Bling on the Centerpieces

Here’s a pretty and budget friendly project for a table centerpiece. Add a little sparkle to your wedding day and create a dazzling floral centerpiece using glass, some beads, and fresh flowers. Take this initial idea and make it your own. These vases can be customized to any size, shape, and color. These vases make fantastic centerpieces for weddings, showers, and other celebratory occasions. Or just make one for your own pleasure and enjoyment.

Measure and cut elastic thread to a length that will encircle glass, plus several inches to tie off. Thread first group of beads on elastic thread, test for fit and tie off. Now you can pre-cut a number of pieces of thread and continue threading until vase is completely covered.

Fill vase two-thirds full with water and floral preservative. Cut stems of flowers (lisianthus are used here) to correct length so that the flowers sit just at the top of the rim of the glass. Continue until the vase is full.

This post courtesy of Julie Mulligan, floral and lifestyle expert.

Would you create these for your wedding or special occasion? Have you tried this idea? Let us know your thoughts by posting a comment.

DIY - Colorful Pearls & Centerpieces

To create a colorful centerpiece, fill a glass container or vase with polymer pearls. They expand into mini - marble like spheres when placed in water. User separately or mix colors in one vase to create a dazzling presentation.

Materials:

Glass vase

Polymer pearls

Water

Short branches

Three pillars, assorted heights

Round serving dish / tray

Three flower heads

Photo courtesy of ThingsFestive.

DIY - If It Can Hold Water, It Can Hold Flowers!

I think the most interesting floral arrangements are the ones that are in a unique or unexpected container. So why not use old tin cans, bottles and more. Look around in your kitchen, garage, or attic – if it can hold water, it can hold flowers!

Even if the object can’t hold water, you can always put a glass or plastic cup inside of it to fill with water. Below is one idea to get your started.

Be creative and just have fun with it!!

Tin Can
This is a container that was received as a gift from the luxury chocolatier, MarieBelle® New York. The container was filled with a delicious mix of Aztec Iced Chocolate. The can has a great vintage look and the family graphic on the front adds to the whole look and feel. This arrangement contains beautiful blue hybrid delphinium to complement the blue of the container.

This post courtesy of floral lifestyle expert, Julie Mulligan.

DIY - Ink Bottle Centerpieces

Who knew?! I can’t take credit for this unique design. Believe it or not, this unique design was discovered at a garage sale at an old house. At garage sales, you need to use your imagination when digging through old cast-offs, but just sitting there was this little old drawer filled with little ink bottles.

When each bottle is filled with a single bloom, it makes the perfect centerpiece. They don't need to all look alike. Simply collect an assortment of mini bottles and create an eclectic cozy look for your reception tables.

Today's post courtesy of Julie Mulligan, floral lifestyle expert.

Other great sources for bottles and trays are Home Goods, A.C. Moore and Michaels .

DIY - Flowers Make the Perfect Present - Literally!

I know from experience that flowers are a great gift to give to anyone. Flowers are usually unexpected and unfortunately not something that we usually buy for ourselves. Flowers also make people feel good.

The next time you run into an occasion where you need to give a gift, why not make it a real surprise and give a present that is made out of flowers. It’s simple, fun and will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Step-by-Step Directions:

Glue a piece of floral foam to a plastic tray or liner and thoroughly soak the foam.

Stems of button poms have multiple blossoms on them. Cut the individual flowers from the main stem leaving about 2” of the stem on each bloom. Insert the button poms directly into the foam so that the flower is just touching the floral foam. Continue until you have covered the entire piece of foam creating the “present”.

Tape a piece of ribbon to the bottom of the plastic tray/liner. Make a bow with the same ribbon and attach to the center of the present using a pearl head straight pin.
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Today's post courtesy of Floral Lifestyle Expert, Julie Mulligan.

Green Bride - Inexpensive & Eco-Friendly Centerpieces

Live plants are an eco-friendly and inexpensive alternative to your typically pricey flower centerpieces. Live plants are simple to set up, beautiful and make great gifts or wedding favors. Here are some live plants that work well with weddings:

Succulents
These plants are adorable and have plenty of character. They only require watering once a week and are inexpensive alternatives. You can arrange a cluster of two to three on each table. Or, you can plant two to three in a wooden bowl for added organic beauty.

Bamboo
Small bamboo plants are often referred to as "lucky bamboo." Lucky bamboo add an Asian flare to any reception table. As centerpieces they are easy to transport and not messy as not dirt is ever required to keep them alive. Make sure guests are informed of how to care for their lucky bamboo by adding a small instructional tag to each plant. This option is also a very economical decor item.

Branches
Branches are fairly inexpensive and make for dramatic centerpieces. You can 'force' branches to bloom before the spring so long as they are not in a dormant state. Simply put the branches in warm water for several days until the buds start to sprout. Combine the branches with dried flowers and / hanging candles and you've got centerpiece style on a eco-friendly dime.

Herbs
Herbs can be grown from seeds in your own home. Cluster a few of them as centerpieces and attach a note with a recipe calling for that particular herb. Guests will appreciate such a practical gift

Flowering Plants
Common household flowering plants can serve as centerpieces at a reception. There are lots of lovely colors to choose from all of which have their own unique charm.

Sources for this article: The Green Bride by Kate L. Harrison. Learn more on how to create an eco-friendly wedding on any budget, pick up a copy of The Green Bride Guide by Kate L. Harrison.