A black bouquet may have been an odd choice only a few years ago, but with the changes in fashion, a bride’s choice for her bouquet has also become a wide open field of possibilities.
To achieve an elegant look, with a black bouquet, you must first decide if you wish to use live or silk flowers. There is much more flexibility in the use of silk but it can be done with the help of a good florist and a lot of patients with live flowers. Florists are able to tint certain flower types with a black die that will look good without damaging the flowers themselves.
You will need:
1 dozen long stemmed black silk roses
6-8 black silk Calla Lilies
6-8 long black feathers
2-3 ft. strain faux black peals
roll of floral wire
glue gun
tweezers
scissors
For the purpose of this example, we will focus on silk flowers and complimentary items.
Black roses will be the main theme of this bouquet. We will use a dozen silk black roses all cut to the same length. It is preferable that the stalks be a bit thick and woody. We will also be using black Calla Lilies and they can be at differing heights, as they will be used here and there throughout the arrangement to add highlights.
All of the stems will need to be spray painted black. You can accomplish this by taking them outside where it is well ventilated and spread out several sheets of newspaper. Spray each flowers stem right up to the flower itself and carefully lay them side by side on the newspaper to dry. When they have had the amount of time required on the paint can to dry, you can begin making the arrangement.
Start by gathering all the roses together in one bunch and try to hold them in one hand. Use your other hand to slip in Calla Lilies here and there to add height and definition to the bouquet. Once all of the lilies are add, start adding the black feathers towards the back of the arrangement. You will use far less of the feathers or the bouquet will begin to look awkward and over the top.
It is very important that you hold the bouquet tightly as you add each additional piece or you will have to start all over again if they begin to slip and shift out of place.
Once all of the bouquet elements have been added, it’s time to tie it in place. Using floral wire you will want to begin wrapping the stems about 3 inches down from the flowers. It is very important to wrap the wire tight and to make several passes. Cut the wire, leaving about an inch of wire unwrapped. Now take the wire and start wrapping in the opposite direction in the same location. Cut this piece, also leaving about an inch of unwrapped wire. Take the two pieces of unwrapped wire and twist them together very tightly and tuck the twist inside the stems, so it’s not visible.
Now you will want to heat up your glue gun and start gluing the strain of black pearls around and around the stubs of the flower bouquet. Keep each row right beside the one before it as you go around. When you reach the bottom, glue the final peal in place and snip the remainder of the strain away. Allow to cool completely, then take a small pair of scissors and a pair of tweezers and remove any stray glue strains.
This completes your wonderful black bouquet. I would suggest making it well ahead of time to give yourself plenty of time to work at a relaxed pace and the piece will come out much better.
