How to make a wedding bouquet that is interesting and unusual

Have you ever noticed how most bouquets look the same? Sure, they look beautiful, but they don't really have much variety.

They usually contain flowers and some type of greenery.

But who ever said that bouquets only had to contain flowers and greenery?

Why can't they contain something a bit more exciting?

Like what? I can hear you asking.

Well you can try anything really, it is only limited by your imagination.

Most brides spend hours thinking about what flowers they want in their bouquets and then what flowers they want as accents to the focal flower.

I wonder what what would happen if they had something else to choose from, instead of just flowers?

Does the person you are making the bouquet for have a favourite thing that they would love to carry down the isle?

You should always ask your bride what they would like in their bouquet because it doesn't have to be flowers.

There are plenty of other things you can add, such as: - toy cars - toy trains - toy aeroplanes - miniature teddy bears - small dolls - plastic horses, cats, dogs, or birds

Some other things you could add include candy, chocolates, bubble gum, fruit, vegetables, cup cakes etc. For my own wedding, I am adding lollipops to my bouquet!

You probably think I've gone mad! But trust me, people liked to have choice and they like to feel that they are different and unusual!

And adding interesting objects to the bouquet can be a good way to get the groom more involved with the wedding. For example, if the groom is a pilot, or likes cars, how about adding some toy planes or toy cars to the bouquet? This is sure to get him more involved!

Not all brides will want to do this, but it certainly doesn't hurt to have more choice!

And just because you are adding a few different things doesn't mean you still can't have flowers. All you do is combine the two, for example, you could have seven teddy bears and nine roses. It's really up to the person getting married.

As you know, weddings can be very stressful and taxing. So why not lighten things up a little and give people something to talk about for years to come?

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has pictures of wedding bouquets as well as lots of free information on making your own bouquets, including details (and pictures) on how to make a candy bouquet

Red Rose Bouquets

A bouquet of red roses can overwhelm anyone. Its overpowering presence and fragrance can consume people, and can compel them to give the sender a second look. Red rose bouquets have the desired effect when a single red rose is just not adequate to communicate what is usually much more than just liking. That's probably why people like to send red roses when they want to apologize for being hurtful, offensive.

People often wonder what it is about red a rose bouquet that has such a dramatic effect on the recipient that even if they are hurting, they smile instantly and feel better. In fact, they are almost disarmed and become receptive to the sender even if the sender has annoyed them or hurt them beyond their tolerance level. The answer lies in the fact that receiving a red rose bouquet is an exhilarating experience. It makes the recipient feel precious as it is the ultimate expression of giving someone attention, and feels like the perfect compliment. The receiver feels as beautiful as the bouquet, as important and as loved. That's why brides love to carry red roses to the altar.

There is, however, a subtle difference between the impact of a rose bouquet received in private and one that is received in public. For instance, when a red rose bouquet is received by a spouse at the workplace, the spouse may feel really special because the public display of love will lead to greater approval and respect from colleagues. At the same time, a bouquet of red roses before a candle-lit dinner in a private dining room can also make a spouse feel rather loved.

Red rose bouquets not only bring joy, but also alleviate pain. Sending one to a friend who has just been through a painful break-up, or a parent who is unwell, or a sibling who has not been able to manage good grades, can work like a healing touch. It makes loved ones feel that there is someone to share their pain with and they are not alone in their sadness. This healing touch is particularly helpful when the sender is unable to be present physically because of work constraints, or some other unavoidable limitations. Red rose bouquets also help when an important date needs to be cancelled at the last minute because of some other exigency and the sender wants to communicate genuine regret at not being able to make it. Similarly, the red rose bouquet helps senders apologize for forgetting anniversaries and birthdays without meaning to. The red rose bouquet always says much more than words.

Dark Red Roses provides detailed information on red roses, red rose bouquets, long stem red roses, red rose petals and more. Dark Red Roses is affiliated with Black Roses.

How To Make A Candy Bouquet In A Coffee Cup

Oh No! Its your Aunt Sally's 60th birthday, and she's coming over to see everyone. Normally you would think this is good news, but no-one told you, and you don't have a gift for her!

Don't Panic! There's a simple gift you can make her that she will absolutely love... It's a candy bouquet in a coffee cup, and you can make one using a coffee cup, some leaves, and some flower shaped candies!

Step 1: Find a suitable coffee cup...

Most people have lots of coffee cups in their house. Maybe you have a cup from an old coffee set that got broken?

Try and find a nice looking cup, as it will ruin the effect of the candy bouquet if you use an old tacky, chipped cup!

Step 2: Prepare the coffee cup to hold the candy...

Take some dried oasis and push it into the coffee cup. If you don't have an oasis, you can stuff the cup with cellophane, but an oasis will work much better, as it will hold the flowers up much more firmly.

Before placing the oasis into the cup, place a square of cellophane in at the bottom. This will make it easier to clean later, as any flakes that fall off the oasis will be caught by the cellophane.

Step 3: Add the leaves for the candy bouquet...

Place some leaves around the outside edge of the cup. Make sure that the leaves overlap slightly as this will give a nice fanned effect. Try and space the leaves out evenly, but don't worry too much if the aren't spaced perfectly... it will make the bouquet seem more natural.

Step 4: Insert the candy flowers...

The next step is to place the candy flowers into the cup. Start in the middle and work your way out until all the candy flowers have been used. Depending on the size cup, and candy you are using, this could be anywhere between 5 to 11 candies.

Step 5: Fill the gaps with leaves...

When you give the candy bouquet to Aunt Sally, you don't want her to see the oasis inside the cup, as this will ruin the effect. So fill in any gaps where you can see through to the oasis, with leaves.

Step 6: Add some ribbon...

Personally, I like candy bouquets that have some ribbon. Place some ribbon around the cup, and maybe even add a figure-of-eight-bow to soften the bouquet a little.

That's it, all done! Very quick and easy, I think you'll agree! This Candy Bouquet looks great, and will make an ideal present for anyone, especially Aunt Sally! Just don't be surprised if it's half eaten next time you see it!

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website at www.visionsofsilk.com has lots of free information on Candy Bouquets, including more details (and pictures) on How to make a candy bouquet in a coffee cup

Florist Or Supermarket - Which Flowers Are A Better Buy?

We have all seen the beautiful displays of colorful bunches of fresh flowers at our local supermarkets.They are usually placed at strategic points all over the store, targeting the impulse buyer. These flowers are full bloomed, bunched in attractive groupings that can be so very tempting.The question is, are these flowers really a good value?

Flowers sold in most supermarkets can, in fact, be very different than those purchased at your local florist. Often supermarket flowers are a lower grade bloom, culled by the grower from higher grade florist quality flowers. These flowers are offered to supermarkets and other chain stores at a reduced price.In many cases supermarket flowers do not receive the proper care and handling when received by these retail giants. Cut flowers must receive the proper care and handling, or their vase life can be greatly shortened. Once processed and cleaned, fresh cut flowers must be kept at a sustained temperature of 38 to 40 degrees in order to increase their vase life. Where cut flowers are displayed is another critical matter.

Ethylene gas is produced by all plants, fruits and flowers as they ripen and mature. The higher the ethylene gas level, the faster fruits ripen, plants flower and cut flowers die. It is very important that cut flowers are stored and displayed at the lowest ethylene gas level possible. I have visited all of my local supermarkets and, have found that all of them process and display most of their cut flowers in open buckets or open faced coolers the produce department! Storing flowers near ripening produce decreases their vase life by several days, this is a proven fact.

You will find that most quality flower shops process their flowers by strict quality standards. Fresh flowers are quickly unpacked upon receipt, fresh cut and placed in preservative solution. Flowers are then allowed to drink at room temperature for several hours before placed in temperature controlled refrigeration. Most flower shops store their processed flowers in closed refrigerated cases under a constant temperature of 38 degrees. Many times these refrigerated cases have ethylene gas filters to keep the ethylene gas level as low as possible.

Over all, I have found the quality, care and handling of flowers at flower shops to be greatly superior to that of the local supermarkets. These factors will greatly increase the vase life of florist quality flowers. Many times price is believed to be a big issue but, most flower shops run daily specials on loose cut flowers that will rival or, beat supermarket prices.

I suggest that the next time you are tempted by the colorful, fresh looking flowers at your local grocer, visit your local flower shop instead. Have them put together a mixed bunch of seasonal flowers and, you will be pleasantly surprised at the difference in quality, service and vase life you find there!

Mark Clark, owner and head designer of Flowers By Edie in Bradenton, Florida has owned floral shops in New York and Florida for over 30 years. He is a certified master designer and teaches floral design for Manatee Technical Institute. Mark has dedicated his time and talent to sharing his floral knowledge with others. Visit his on line shop at http://flowersbyedie.com