Do-It-Yourself Wedding Bouquet
December 9th, 2006 Posted in Wedding Planning and IdeasThe pomander bouquet is increasing in popularity, and not just amongst flower girls and junior bridesmaids. Pomander bouquets are balls of flowers suspended from a ribbon or twine and worn from the wrist. They are ideal for brides and bridesmaids who want to free up their hands during the ceremony. While this bouquet style may give a slightly more casual appearance to the ceremony, casual does not imply boring. In fact, the pomander can take on a wide variety of styles, with some of the most popular being a sphere of various flowers of a similar color, a ball comprised only of Bells of Ireland, and a square-like shape that adds a touch of Asian culture. This hanging bouquet can also be converted into a lovely decoration for the reception hall, in particular for the bridal party dinner table, where they can hang in front for everyone to see – and free up space on the table itself.
The required materials to create a pomander are minimal: a foam ball, material for the handle and tassel, a wire pick, floral adhesive or tape, and the flowers.
First, the foam must be saturated in water. Next, attach the handle. The two most popular materials for the bouquet handle are ribbon and bridal cord. Form a loop that is slightly bigger than the carrier’s hands. The handle should be short enough to keep it from banging into the dress and smashing the flowers, but long enough so that it sways as she walks. Attaching the handle is easy. Simply attach the two loose ends to wired picks, dip the pick into floral adhesive and insert the picks into the foam ball. You may also choose to add additional floral glue or tape for added support.
Depending on your taste, you may choose to add a tassel to the bottom of the bouquet. A tassel often adds formality and style as it sways with the bride’s steps. It is best to choose a tassel that matches the handle. The tassel is attached using the same technique used for attaching the handle. Be sure to attach it opposite from the handle’s location or it will hang crookedly. Some handles and tassels come as a single piece of fabric. In this case, use a pencil to poke a hole through the foam while it is dry, then slide the material through the hole and adjust it to the proper length. The handle and tassel can either be attached prior to or after inserting the flowers, making it convenient to assemble ahead of time.
Next are the flowers. Whether you choose to use entire blooms or cluster of small florets, both must be keep short in order to maintain the shape of the bouquet. It is the size of the foam ball that dictates the bouquet’s size, not the length of the stems. Use floral adhesive or wire picks if you find that certain flowers needed added support. One drawback of the pomander is that it cannot be placed in water after arranging. On the plus side, this bouquet is easy to assemble and can be done minutes before the wedding. Also, to keep the flowers hydrated, carefully add water to the inner foam ball. A light mist of water will also keep the petals looking fresh. Overall, the pomander is a trendy bouquet for brides craving something a bit different.