How to Make the Prettiest Bouquet
Submitted by Francesca Tero
While I’m no flower expert, I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by people who are. These tips will be derived from special arrangements I’ve received from my mom and my boyfriend. I believe flower arranging can initially be a daunting task, however, a few simple adjustments can take the bouquet from store-bought to appearing artisanally curated. After all, arranging a bouquet has a special, intangible ingredient. The task requires more thought, effort, and attention to detail, not necessarily expertise in floral design.
Tip #1: Take the flowers out of the plastic they come in from the grocery store!
I know this sounds obvious, but doing this and then rewrapping them in something as simple as brown paper can make such a difference. I’ve seen people on TikTok repurposing Trader Joe’s shopping bags to do this! Here’s a tutorial. Another great option is to invest in a flower vase at a local thrift store for your person to keep for future use.
Tip #2: Cut the leaves off the flowers and pick off wilted leaves/drooping flowers
Especially with roses, this can make the bouquet look a lot more polished and fresh. (Cut the thorns off, too!) I know we all have been guilty of standing at the store trying to pick the freshest-looking bunches of flowers, but the reality is that they’re all going to have some wilt to them.
Tip #3: Have variety! Pick some “filler” bunches to put between your chosen statement flowers
This adds volume and dimension to the arrangement, making it more eye-catching! Usually, bunches of greenery or baby’s breath are priced at a lower rate, so this is a great way to add volume to the bouquet without packing on the cost!
Tip #4: Trim stems at a 45-degree angle!
This elongates the flower’s life in a vase by allowing for increased water absorption.
Tip #5: Replace vase water regularly
This might also be obvious, but the water can get murky over time with the flowers sitting in it. It increases the longevity of the flowers to have fresh water to absorb as well!
At the end of the day, it’s a creative process so just have fun with it! Getting someone flowers is already a thoughtful gesture on its own, so don’t worry about it being perfect. To conclude, I’m including some of my favorite arrangements I’ve received yet!
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