Tips for Being Your Own Everyday Florist

We don't really need to say it, but we absolutely love making arrangements and bouquets for weddings! We love sharing the beauty of floral design through our work on wedding days. Flowers can bring so much joy -- and they can be wonderful compliments to the kind of atmosphere you are trying to create.

That's why it's so much fun to have flowers not only for your big events, but also in your home. Flowers can really light up a room, but let's face it -- it can be expensive to buy arrangements at the grocery store -- and besides that, it's way more fun to make them yourself! So we've put together just a few tips for you on the basics of creating a flower arrangement for your home!

• Know that you don't have to spend a fortune on flowers! Always remember to pick up what's in season to get "the best bang for your buck!" You can find what's in season by googling around, or check out this FlowerExpert.com article that has a big flower list by season. Then stop by your local flower shop or grocery store -- both will sell individual flowers for you to choose what you want.
• Start with foliage. That's your foundation for the arrangement - think of it as the frame for the beautiful picture you're about to create! As you add it to the vase, think of what kind of shape you'd like (how tall, short, wide, etc). If you'd like the vase on the counter against a wall, perhaps try placing the foliage taller in the back and shorter around the sides and front.
• Put your biggest flowers in first. They'll fill most of the space and provide most of the volume of the arrangement. You can crisscross the stems of the foliage you've placed in so that these flowers stay where you want them. Try cutting the stems at different lengths - this will add more dimension to your arrangement.
• Fill in the empty spaces with smaller flowers, making sure to leave room so that the flowers are not squished up against each other.  For even more dimension, try adding fun, less-traditional elements, like twigs!
• Take your time! It's fun - and it's a way for you to appreciate the beauty of flowers and floral design and create something YOU love that you can appreciate every day in your home.

Bouquet: Bloomin' Bouquets. Photo: Katey Penton Photography.

-- And here are a couple helpful hints you may find useful on your flower arranging journey:

• Always cut stems before you put them in the arrangement to help the flowers live longer. Under running water is best! Fresh cut stems allow the flowers to better absorb the water.
• Change the water often, and when you do so, trim the stems to ensure the longevity of your beautiful bouquet. 
• Keep your arrangement out of the sunlight.
• You can use florist foam to create arrangements in other containers, instead of a glass vase. The foam helps your arrangement keep its shape.

And most of all - have fun! Flowers bring so much life to spaces and events - so why not enjoy them in your home?? Be your own everyday-florist. We find so much joy in floral design - and we hope you will, too!