DIY Centerpieces: The Basics

If you want to create your own centerpieces, a classic arrangement in a clear glass globe or cube is a lovely choice that isn't too difficult to assemble yourself. Hardy, large-headed flowers such as roses are best for this project. These centerpieces take between 30 and 60 minutes to arrange and, depending on the size of your container, will use about 50 to 75 stems. You can make them the day before the wedding, but before you begin, have your containers ready and filled with clean water. WHAT YOU'LL NEED 50 to 75 stems of a hardy flower like the rose Container Green adhesive floral tape (1/4") Stem cutter or very sharp knife Stem stripper STEP 1: Preparing the Flowers Use your hands or a stem stripper to remove excess foliage and thorns, and pull off damaged or unattractive outer petals. Fill a sink or bucket with water, and holding the stems underwater use the stem cutter or knife to cut the stems at an angle about 2 inches from the bottom. Allow the flowers to drink for a few seconds with the stem ends underwater, then place in a bucket filled halfway with cool water until you are ready to use. Note: If you're working with roses and the heads aren't open yet, force the blooms open by placing the stems in a bucket of hot water. But do this only for a couple of minutes just before you are going to use the roses, or you might kill them otherwise. Keep the stems long while working with them and trim to a shorter length when you've finished arranging. STEP 2: Assembling the Flowers Take one stem at a time with one hand, and use your other hand to hold the flowers in place. Assemble four flowers at an even height in a square shape -- these will be at the center of the arrangement. Add the other flowers one by one around the center flowers to create a dome shape. Note: As you're creating the dome, occasionally hold it up to your vase to gauge the width of the arrangement and adjust to create a pleasing overhang of flowers over the edges. STEP 3: Securing the Centerpiece Use adhesive floral tape to bind the stems at the natural spot where they join (about 3 to 4 inches below the flower heads). If desired, repeat the binding toward the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches excess beneath the bind to trim later. STEP 4: Measuring the Centerpiece Hold the arrangement alongside your container to gauge how much stem you'll need to trim from the ends. Trim the stems to the necessary length, cutting across on an angle to allow for better water absorption. STEP 5: Finishing the Centerpiece Gently place the arrangement into a container. Once the centerpieces are completed, keep them misted and refrigerated or in a cool or air-conditioned room away from heat and light until you are ready to use them. If you're using clear vases, you can allow the stem ends to fan in the water for a modern look, or bind them for a finished, clean appearance. To help prolong the life of the flowers, add a drop of bleach or lemon-lime soda to the water.

DIY Boutonnieres: The Basics

If you are craft-inclined and want to add a handcrafted touch, try making the groom's boutonniere. We suggest using a hardy flower with a big head such as a rose or miniature calla lily; they can survive being handled. You can make a boutonniere the day before the wedding, and be sure to get extra flowers for practice. Here's a step-by-step guide on do-it-yourself boutonnieres. WHAT YOU'LL NEED Blooms for boutonnieres Bucket Floral wire Green waxed floral tape Ivy leaf, fern frond, or other greenery Pearl-tipped corsage pins Pencil Resealable plastic sandwich bag Ribbon in a complementary wedding-day color (optional) Stem cutter or sharp knife Stem stripper Wire cutters STEP 1: Selecting & Preparing the Bundles of Blooms Pick your bundles of bouquets. Remove excess foliage and thorns, and pull off damaged petals. Fill a sink or bucket with water, and holding the stems underwater, use the stem cutter or knife to cut the stems at an angle about two inches from the bottom. Allow the flowers to drink for a few seconds with the stem ends underwater, then place the stems in a bucket filled halfway with cool water until you are ready to use them. Note: If you are working with roses and the heads aren't open yet, you can force the blooms open by placing the stems in a bucket of hot water; do this only for a couple of minutes just before you are going to use the roses, otherwise you might kill them. STEP 2: Choosing & Preparing Particular Flowers Choose a particular stem and/or flower for the boutonniere. Use a stem cutter or sharp knife to cut the stem to a length of approximately three inches. Create a bed for the flower: Take an ivy leaf, fern frond, or other bit of greenery and place it behind the flower. Knot Note: The bed should not extend much beyond the top of the flower and should be visible from the sides. Place a six-inch piece of wire behind the stems. STEP 3: Crafting the Boutonniere Prepare the stems: Starting from the top of the stems, begin to wrap floral tape down the stems in a spiral to secure them together; wrap until about 3/4 of an inch is covered. Trim away the excess stem and continue to wrap floral tape around the wire about three inches down, then wrap the tape back up toward the flower head. Once you're back at the top, wrap tape around several times to be sure it's secure. Trim the excess tape. STEP 4: Securing the Boutonniere Finish the boutonniere stem: Trim the wired and wrapped stem so the total length is about 1 1/2 inches. Curl the end around a pencil point and pinch the tip to finish it. Attach a ribbon bow (if you like). Depending on the weight of the boutonniere, insert one or two pearl-tipped pins into the stem to use later for attaching it to the lapel. The boutonniere is now complete! Mist it with water and place it in a resealable plastic sandwich bag (blow a puff of breath into the bag before you seal it to provide airspace around the boutonniere). You can place up to two boutonnieres in the same bag. The above information is adapted from The Knot Book of Wedding Flowers (Chronicle Books, 2003). PHOTO CREDITS Flowers prepared by Peter M. Krask; photos by Wendell Webber. Make sure to visit The Knot a great source of information for brides.