How did people live before the Internet?  I have learned so many totally random skills from the Internet, including:

 

  • How to take apart a road bike
  • How to change a bike tire
  • How to remove a tick
  • How to clean hardwood floors
  • How to say “You are beautiful” in five languages
  • How to use natural birth control
  • How to brush a dog’s teeth without them biting your fingers off

 

And now, I can safely say, I can make a bridal bouquet.  Thanks, Internet!

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Someone is getting married at the courthouse today, and I offered to make a bouquet and a boutonnière.  The  boutonnière was easy – insert pin in the back of a flower, but the bouquet required a little more work.

 

Here’s how I did it!

 

Last night, I bought 18 red Gerber daisies from Trader Joe’s.  When I got home, I snipped 1 inch off the ends and placed in lukewarm water with plant food.

 

Today, I put the bouquet together.  First, spread out your flowers on a table (massage table not necessary) and pick the largest one for the center piece.

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Work your way out, taping each flower to the center flower as you go.  I just used regular old clear tape.

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Because Gerber daisies are so big and beautiful, I used the last eight to create a ring around the base of the bouquet. 

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Then, run tape up and down the length of the stem (two fists’ worth at least).

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Now it’s time to add the ribbon!  Start at the top.  Use a little piece of tape to secure the end of the ribbon to the stems and wind the ribbon down and back up.  I used 9 yards in total.  Secure the end with a push pin.  You’ll want to push the pin in and up – make sure it doesn’t stick out the other side!

 

I created a fun little swirl with a bunch of red pins.

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Cut off the remaining stems.

 

Last, but not least, spray the flowers with some hair spray.  This will help preserve them!

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And that’s it!  A bridal bouquet for less than $25 – finished in 45 minutes.  I paid $100 to have someone else make mine for my wedding – I wish I had thought to make my own!  It would’ve been a fun pre-wedding activity with my bridesmaids.

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Now – the BIG question is… “Who’s getting married today, Caitlin?!”  My lips are sealed for now, but in just one hour, the wedding bells will be ringin’!

{ 79 comments }

 

  • Amy July 1, 2011, 1:02 pm

    Does HTPDad have a lady friend? Maybe it’s him!

  • Brittney July 1, 2011, 1:03 pm

    Nicole!

    • Katie @ cooklaughmove July 1, 2011, 3:18 pm

      My thought too!

    • Katherina @Zephyr Runs July 2, 2011, 12:05 am

      I think so, too! Rincon could be a ruse!

  • MariaBu July 1, 2011, 1:05 pm

    My money is on Nicole!

  • Marissa C July 1, 2011, 1:06 pm

    Very nice! I do recommend using floral tape–really holds it together nicely.

    My sister and I made all of the flowers for my wedding. 7 bouquets, corsages, bouts, and about 12 centerpieces. It was totally doable and the total cost of the flowers (and they were gorgeous–farmstogo.com) was $300. My MIL paid for my bridal bouquet and I thought it was pretty lame for the $250 it cost!

    I did take a floral arranging class in advance. Totally worth the $40.

    • Marissa C July 1, 2011, 1:07 pm
      • Natalie@fitjamericangirl July 1, 2011, 3:05 pm

        Thanks for this Marissa. I’m wedding planning my self and in this recession!! Woow it is difficult.

        • Katie @ cooklaughmove July 1, 2011, 3:19 pm

          I got my flowers from globalrose.com, you can select the varities/colors of roses and flowers!! So inexpensive and they looked great and were fantastic to work with!

    • Katie July 2, 2011, 11:05 am

      I did the globalrose.com thing for my wedding too! For $300 I made my own bouquet, bridesmaid’s bouquets, boutonniere’s for the groomsmen and parents, centerpieces for the reception, and decoration for the ceremony. The bridal bouquet I wanted was $150 alone! There was no way I was spending $1000+ on flowers. My MIL about had a heart attack when she found out I was putting my own flowers together 2 days before the wedding, but it worked GREAT!

  • Chase @ The Chase Project July 1, 2011, 1:08 pm

    Genius!

  • Amanda (modernation) July 1, 2011, 1:09 pm

    I am doing all my own flowers for the wedding. I haven’t really figured out HOW to do it, but this give me hope. I have a guess on the happy couple, but will wait and see!

    • Marissa C July 1, 2011, 3:16 pm

      See if you can find a floral arranging class in your area. Helped me immensely!

  • Ellie July 1, 2011, 1:09 pm

    Ahhh how cute Caitlin! I luv diy stuff

  • Kris July 1, 2011, 1:10 pm

    Gorgeous, and what a nice gesture to offer to make it for the bride!

    I love Gerber daisies, and those look so pretty. 🙂

  • Jess@atasteofconfidence July 1, 2011, 1:13 pm

    Looks great!

  • Megan July 1, 2011, 1:18 pm

    I’m still betting on Nicole!

  • LindseyAnn July 1, 2011, 1:22 pm

    THANK YOU FOR THIS! Sorry for the shouting, but I’m planning on DIYing as much of my wedding as I can next year, and this will be an awesome help. 🙂

  • Gavi @ Gavi Gets Going! July 1, 2011, 1:24 pm

    I bet it’s Nicole, too! 🙂 I agree with LindseyAnn–thank you for this useful, awesome tip! We are starting to think about flowers for our wedding and everything is just so expensive. This bouquet looks gorgeous and festive and well put-together. Enjoy your day!

    • Caitlin July 1, 2011, 1:24 pm

      My other tips for saving $$ on flowers: tell the florist what colors you want but not which FLOWERS, and ask her to make it as cheap as possible using in-stock, in-season items. Much cheaper than getting your heart set on a specific flower.

      • Gavi @ Gavi Gets Going! July 1, 2011, 1:25 pm

        Ooooh, love that idea! I do have a special fondness for sunflowers, but I will try not to be too particular. Thanks for the tips!

    • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith July 2, 2011, 12:00 pm

      In order to save money on flowers we did what Caitlin suggested – letting the florist choose the flowers and just kind of giving direction on colors and styles. But we also didn’t use flower centerpieces, we used mirrors with candles on them. There are a tons of cost-saving centerpiece solutions out there!

  • Lauren @ Lawfully Wedded Wife July 1, 2011, 1:27 pm

    This is a great tip! I WISH I had made my own bouquet, turns out it was definitely easy enough to do and my florist ended up botching the job so I had a bouquet I hated instead. This is a FANTASTIC idea for future brides, I’d highly recommend trying it to anyone getting married!!!

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) July 1, 2011, 1:33 pm

    Are you ever gonna spill?! I wanna know!

    Good tip, by the way!

    I have watched vids on the Internet on “how to do your makeup” and “how to change your tail-light,” among other things.

  • Amy July 1, 2011, 1:34 pm

    Gorgeous! What a pretty, simple bouquet. My BFF had bouquets like that made of tulips for her wedding, but I wish we’d seen these tricks when we made hers!

  • Johanna B July 1, 2011, 1:36 pm

    I had daisies and yellow roses in my bridal bouquet. A good friend owns a flower shop and she made it for me at cost. So I guess you could say a friend did mine. It was beautiful. So is the one you made.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 1, 2011, 1:42 pm

    Gorgeous bouquet!!!!

  • Katherine July 1, 2011, 1:49 pm

    It HAS to be Nicole! I’m positive!

  • Khushboo July 1, 2011, 1:51 pm

    Pls tell me that last pic of u and K is framed! SO adorable!

  • Sarah for Real July 1, 2011, 1:58 pm

    So pretty! I want one! I might just make myself one for funzies.

    Tip for gerbera daisies, they likes to drink water through their whole stem. So if you have to keep them for a day or two prior, be sure to cut the bottom, like Caitlin said, and then get a tall vase filled to the brim with water. Keep it full of water and you’ll know they’re getting a good drink. You should be sure to get a good drink too 😉

    (I worked in a floral shop through college where I learned random facts like this.)

    • Sarah for Real July 1, 2011, 1:59 pm

      omg idiot typo!

      “they likes to drink”

      It must be Friday.

      • Erica July 1, 2011, 2:57 pm

        LOL ” they likes to drink ” I thought you were just being funny!

      • Erica July 1, 2011, 2:57 pm

        LOL ” they likes to drink ” I thought you were just being funny!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey July 1, 2011, 2:00 pm

    Gaaah! I want to know who is getting married so bad! I can’t wait to see!

  • Hillary July 1, 2011, 2:06 pm

    I should send this on to my best friend, who’s getting married in October. Saving a little dough never hurt!

  • Kelly July 1, 2011, 2:08 pm

    Is it Nicole???

  • Jess July 1, 2011, 2:09 pm

    Wanna make my bridal bouquet? Also, I can’t wait to see who got married!

    • Caitlin July 1, 2011, 6:06 pm

      I would love to make your bridal bouquet!

      • Jess July 2, 2011, 2:04 pm

        Haha, awesome!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 1, 2011, 2:11 pm

    No clue who is getting married!

    I made my own bouquet — I used fake flowers and even my photographer thought it was real. I used hydrangeas and they were so beautiful. My sister used gerbera daisies in her wedding and they looked so cute!

    • heather July 1, 2011, 4:37 pm

      I did the exact sane thing. Fake hydrangeas and they were beautiful!

  • Dani July 1, 2011, 2:13 pm

    I thought Nicole as well! Congrats to whomever it is 🙂

  • Dani July 1, 2011, 2:14 pm

    Btw, the bouquet turned out really nicely! Thanks for the tips!

  • Nikki July 1, 2011, 2:14 pm

    So pretty!!! We used red gerber daisies in our wedding too and I loved them.

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 1, 2011, 2:23 pm

    nice job on the bouquet it looks great! can’t wait to hear who the heck is getting married!

  • Courtney July 1, 2011, 2:26 pm

    I had Gerber daisies as my wedding flowers and I loved them! I made my bouquets too and it was so easy 🙂

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef July 1, 2011, 2:28 pm

    how fun!

  • Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty July 1, 2011, 2:40 pm

    Awesome!! I made 4 bridesmaids bouquets for my wedding for under $10!! 🙂 I pretty much did it the same way!

    I got loads of compliments on them too!

  • Catherine@happinessafterheartache July 1, 2011, 2:44 pm

    Anyone in the Buffalo area? Van Norm’s florist in Lackawanna is AWESOME!!!!! I love this bouquet, a friend of mine is getting married in September and loves Gerbers!

    • Gloria July 1, 2011, 4:10 pm

      I’m in Buffalo! My sister is getting married in the fall too and is still looking for a florist actually! 🙂

  • Baking 'n' Books July 1, 2011, 3:10 pm

    Who is it?! Probably noone I “read” though as I only read a few…so curious now though! I assume they’re going to say after the fact? Why is it so “quiet”?

    …I was beginning to think it was Jenna from ELR 😉 – but I assume it’s someone in your area!

  • Alaina July 1, 2011, 3:41 pm

    How beautiful!! My sister in law made her own bouquet of orange roses. It was so pretty. 🙂

  • Sarah @ The Strength of Faith July 1, 2011, 3:45 pm

    Who knew it was so easy? I don’t even want to know how much money my parents spent on flowers for our wedding.

  • Rachel July 1, 2011, 3:56 pm

    Beautiful bouquet! I just got married in April and made my own bouquet too. And… I didn’t even use real flowers. I used “real touch” artificial flowers so that I could keep the beautiful bouquet forever. Here’s a pic of the one I made – it was a little simpler with calla lilies.

    http://www.eatwriterun.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/RS0417W_03_0001IMG_1259_Ammie_Wang_PhotographyEdit.jpg

    • Kamaile July 1, 2011, 4:13 pm

      Your bouquet is gorgeous!

  • Corrie Anne July 1, 2011, 4:14 pm

    Great bouquet! My mom did all our wedding flowers from her garden so that was AWESOME. Can’t wait to see who’s getting married! You’re super cute! 🙂

  • Jessica July 1, 2011, 4:35 pm

    That was so sweet of you to do that for your friend! Looks very professional! Fantastic job!

  • M July 1, 2011, 4:41 pm

    I am excited to find out if it is Yuppie Yogini
    Nicole!!
    I enjoy her blog and would find it super romantic and
    beautiful if they eloped after their recent engagement!
    I think that would be swoon-worthy to read about….sigh,
    ah true love!! 🙂

  • Meg July 1, 2011, 5:14 pm

    My friends, mom and sis did all our centerpieces the day of the wedding. It was fun and super easy. We got farmers market flowers, cheap vases from Crate and Barrel and oasis (the green foamy stuff to stick stems into) the day before. It probably took an hour tops to do the whole project…about 15 centerpieces…and they looked great.

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) July 1, 2011, 5:17 pm

    Oooh, pretty! Have fun at the courthouse if you will be attending 🙂

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 1, 2011, 5:20 pm

    I was hoping it’d be Jenna and Adam just because they are so frickin cute!! I suppose they wouldn’t go to Orlando to get married at a courthouse though. DARN!!!

  • monicanelsonfitness July 1, 2011, 5:36 pm

    Clever! Look at you…what can’t she do? ladies and gents! 🙂

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 1, 2011, 5:43 pm

    Oh HOW fun! What a cool idea 🙂 I LOVED my bouqet, but my mother-in-law is a florist, so it wasn’t hard to get exactly what I wanted at an amazing price! WHO is getting married?! I want to know!!

  • sarah (sarah learns) July 1, 2011, 5:52 pm

    oh i hope hope hope it’s nicole! that’s what i’ve been thinking since you mentioned it earlier this week!!!

  • Gracie (complicated day) July 1, 2011, 7:39 pm

    I made my own bridal bouquets! And they were daisies! It was $49 for a big box of flowers – so all my corsages, bouquets, boutonnieres, and even table decorations came in under $50 (Well, $58 if you count in ribbon, floral tape, and pins!).

  • Laura @ Cookies vs. Carrots July 1, 2011, 10:02 pm

    This is so cute! I can’t wait to hear who got married!

  • Meaghan (My Spoonful Of Inspiration) July 1, 2011, 10:47 pm

    Love the wedding photo! 🙂

  • Nicole July 1, 2011, 11:58 pm

    I also say Nicole!

  • Katherine July 2, 2011, 12:30 am

    Can’t wait to see who got married using that beautiful bouquet!

  • Reenie July 2, 2011, 2:44 am

    That’s beautiful. Looks like a professional did it.

    I can’t remember who Nicole is.

    I’m guessing The Husband’s sister =)

  • Angie July 2, 2011, 6:22 am

    So pretty!
    Can’t wait to find out who they are for!

  • LizAshlee July 2, 2011, 9:17 am

    How crafty…what a great idea…and a beautiful bouquet!

  • Katherina @ Zephyr Runs July 2, 2011, 9:22 am

    Other than my guess that it’s Nicole’s wedding I wanted to add a thanks for this post! I plan on diy-ing most of my future wedding and will try to keep it in a financial range of a months salary, so this is awesome 🙂

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 2, 2011, 10:30 am

    Looks fabulous, great job! 🙂

  • Amber K July 2, 2011, 12:19 pm

    My flowers were a gift from one of my mom’s friends, but I had no idea how simple making them could be! I still love my wedding flowers, they were beautiful. But man, look how much you can learn from the internet! I would never want to go back in time, only to the future to see what’s next!

  • kristenq July 2, 2011, 1:57 pm

    I had no idea about the hair spray! Great idea, Ill have to remember this.
    And I cant wait to herea bout this!

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