One of the most costly expenses at a wedding is the flowers, and many couples have to make tough choices. Perhaps you wanted roses but need to settle for carnations because of budget restrictions. Or, perhaps you are limiting the number of flowers you put in your centerpieces. Either way, one of the most cost-effective solutions for this problem is using wooden roses for a bridal bouquet instead of the real thing.
The Benefits of Using Wooden Roses for a Bridal Bouquet
Though there are many benefits to using wooden roses for a bridal bouquet, the most obvious is their price. At a fraction of the cost of real flowers, they are easy to fit into any budget. Additionally, they feature a metal wire stem which makes them easy to work with when creating a bouquet. Lastly, they are available in a huge selection of color options; which means you can fit them into any wedding décor!
How to Make a Bouquet with Wooden Roses
Creating a bouquet with wood flowers is not much different than making one with the real thing. However, there are a few tools that you will need because of the materials they are crafted with. Additionally, the steps will be in a slightly different order. Here’s everything you need to know.
Choose Your Colors
First, you’ll need to choose your colors. Wooden roses are available in 11 vibrant colors, so you should be able to find a good match for your wedding theme. Most brides choose a combination of three different colors, but you can choose more or stick with only one color. You’ll need at least a dozen flowers for a full-sized bouquet; but I suggest eighteen for the best appearance.
Assemble Your Tools and Supplies
For this project, you will need a few supplies and tools. First off, you’ll obviously need your roses. However, you will also need wire cutters, ribbon for the handle, and any accent items that you’ll want to include. Items such as Baby’s Breathe are logical choices, and some brides even include medium-sized sparklers to create a glittering effect.
Create Your Bouquet
Similar to how you would bundle real flowers, begin grouping them together in the shape of a bouquet. Use your wire cutters to trim them to the appropriate length, and then twist the wire stems to hold everything together. Make sure you secure items like sparklers or accent foliage in the wire, too. If you are using more than one color, make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the bouquet. Lastly, be sure to start with the longest stems in the center; gradually getting shorter as you move to the edges. This will give the bouquet a very full and round look; which is what we desire.
Wrap the Stems
Once your bouquet is created, wrap the handle tightly with the ribbon of your choice. There are many colors and materials for ribbon, so take your time to get the right look and feel. Choosing a color that accents your wooden roses is a great option, and silk provides the best comfort on your hands. Once you have finished wrapping the handle with ribbon, your bridal bouquet is complete.
Is Using Wooden Roses for a Bridal Bouquet a Versatile Choice?
Sure, wooden roses are a lot less expensive than the real thing; but are they as versatile? Can you do all the things that you would be able to do with real flowers? Here’s a rundown on the advantages of a wood rose and how they stack up against the traditional version.
Bouquet Toss
Whether real or wood, you can absolutely toss your bouquet! What it is made from has nothing to do with how it performs during this activity. In fact, the advantage actually goes to wood because the bouquet will never dry out, deteriorate, or rot.
Wedding Favors or Keepsakes
Because they last virtually forever, wooden roses make perfect wedding favors or keepsakes for a wide variety of events. It’s just like handing out real ones, except they last forever. If you want that fresh flower scent, consider buying or making essential rose oil to drip onto each flower.
Bendable Stem
The bendable stem is what launches the wooden rose to first place for versatility. This built-in attachment feature allows you to put flowers where you aren’t able to with organic versions. When you add everything together, wood is the most versatile choice that there is.
Other Fun Uses for Wooden Roses
Besides just bridal bouquets, wooden roses can be used for a variety of fun things at a wedding! Here is a rundown of a few ways you can incorporate them throughout other areas of your event.
Corsages
Instead of spending upwards of $10 per corsage, making them with wood instead can save a lot of money! You can follow the same steps as you would with a bouquet, but create corsages instead. The bendable stems make a great wrap for around the wrist. They will look just as beautiful and cost a fraction of the price. As a bonus, they will be a lasting keepsake for your guests to take home.
Boutonnieres
Just like the corsages, you can also make boutonnieres out of wood. Best of all, they only take a few minutes to make. Just clip the stem, and hot glue a safety pin to them. It’s a great way to make boutonnieres for around a quarter apiece!
Centerpieces
Lastly, wooden roses are a great alternative to real flowers in centerpieces. They look great, and they are very inexpensive. Pacing them in a vase is also a great way to distribute them as wedding favors. Mix in some sparklers, candy, or other items to create a wonderful centerpiece that won’t go to waste at the end of the celebration.
As you can see, using wooden roses for a bridal bouquet is a cost-effective and versatile choice. They are every bit as beautiful as the real thing, but they offer several benefits. When you factor everything together, choosing wood is the best option possible.
