Nose Gays

Making your own bridal bouquet may seem difficult, but it doesn't have to be. One of the most popular bouquets right now is the simple nosegay made with monochromatic flowers. This type of bouquet may consist of all Roses, all Peonies, all Gerber Daisies, all Ranuculas or a combination of these flowers. Include a beautiful ribbon and interesting greens like Aspidistra, Bear Grass, Ti Leaves, Ruscus, or Eucalyptus. Even more common greens like Leather leaf Fern finish off a classic and elegant look. Don't forget that a Nosegay can be a combination of virtually any flower and certainly doesn't have to be all one color. The point is that they are stunning, and very easy to make!

Once you have selected your flowers, remove all thorns or extra leaves. Flowers with thick stems will support themselves. Flowers with thinner stems may need to be wired with floral wire for extra support. Cut stems to the desired length, (about ten inches long). Arrange the flowers to your liking, and wrap them with floral wire. Finish your bouquet with floral tape if desired and a ribbon.

Making Our Sample Bouquet

The bouquet pictured here was made with 18, 40cm "Vodoo" Roses, Limonium, and Bear Grass. To make this bouquet, remove all rose thorns and leaves. Gather several roses in your left hand (reverse hands if you are left handed) and add a small section of Limonium to the roses in your hand. Continue adding Roses and Limonium until the filler flower is spread evenly throughout the bouquet. Take a piece of Bear Grass and fold it in half. Add it to the edge of your bouquet, and continue adding folded pieces of Bear Grass around the entire edge.

When you are pleased with the result, take floral wire and begin wrapping it securely around the stems. Start beneath the base of the flowers. Work the wire down and then back up the stems leaving several inches of stems at the bottom free. Wrap the loose ends of the wire together. (You may need someone to hold the flowers while you do the wrapping)

Select a matching or coordinating ribbon. Again, starting beneath the base of the flowers, wrap the ribbon around the wire. This time, however, leave about two feet of ribbon loose at the top for your bow. Wrap the ribbon down the stems, covering the wire, and back up the stems to your loose piece of ribbon. Now cut your ribbon leaving another two feet to spare. You should now have two lengths of ribbon to tie together for a bow.

Our Nosegay was made with 18, 40 cm roses. You may want a larger bouquet for yourself and a smaller bouquet for your bridesmaids. You could also make a small nosegay rather than a corsage for the other honored women in your family. The best way to make your decision is to practice and see what you really like!

Presentation Bouquets

Presentation bouquets were the rage in the 1920s (remember your great-grandparents wedding picture?) and are making a comeback. These bouquets use long, billowing, flowers, which are gracefully carried in the crook of your arm. Calla lilies, Asiatic lilies, our longest roses, or French tulips are perfect flowers for a presentation bouquet.

Pick one long flower and place it on a flat surface. Gradually add flowers below the main flower until you have created an "arrow" shape arrangement that pleases you. Add interesting greens and tie the stems with floral wire at the base of the flowers. Cover the wire with a ribbon.

Make smaller presentation bouquets for your bridesmaids, and consider having a single stunning flower wrapped with a ribbon for the other honored women in your family.

Remember to always practice ahead of time. The morning of your wedding is not the time to decide what you like!

Contact us below for more information about pre-book your flowers in advance.
We can assist with selections and quantities needed for any size party. No tax-id is required!