Floral DIY

With the help and expertise of the people behind Real Simple (which is one of my most favorite magazines in the world by the way!), I am going to show you how to transform supermarket flowers into gorgeous bouquets. It is not as difficult or as time-consuming as it sounds, I promise! Just make sure you do a little practicing beforehand, and maybe even ask a couple of friends to help you out. You will save a lot of money if you can pull this off!

Mixed blooms:

1. Buy a bouquet of monochromatic mixed blooms at your local market. Suggestions include rununculus, fresia, tulips, and small white roses.

2. Remove the green fillers such as asparagus fern and hypericum.

3. Rearrange the flowers so they are mixed well and at the appropriate height levels.

4. Tightly secure the bundle with floral wire and taping supplies.

5. Cover a large portion of the stems with matching satin ribbon and fasten with a pearl headed pin or vintage brooch.

Purple Flowers (How gorgeous for fall?):

1. Buy several bundles of purple flowers at your local market such as irises, statis, and carnations. Try to vary the size, shape, and shade as much as possible.

2. Once you have the mix, arrange them in an alternating pattern. You want the unopened irises to be juxtaposed by the fluffier carnations so it balances out.

3. Fasten the stems with floral wire. Make sure you do this from the top of the long stems toward the bottom to avoid them getting separating and appearing 'droopy.'

4. Cover the stems and wire with a thick satin ribbon.

5. Fasten with a pearl headed pin, brooch, or even tie a bow with decorative ribbon. Voila!

Depending on how many bridesmaids you have in your wedding party, this could be a DIY project that is well worth the effort.