40
April | 2023
Design
40
Design
40
April | 2023
Design
Spring Bridal
Bouquet
AN EXUBERANT
HAND-TIED DESIGN
CREATED WITH A
CHICKEN-WIRE
ARMATURE
When developing a color palette for a bridal bouquet, I am
often inspired by one or two flowers, and I build around
those. For this cheery composition, I was drawn to yellow
garden roses, embodying April sunshine and the onset
of spring. Tulips with a complex pink coloration were
the next botanicals that drew me in. From there, I chose
other botanicals in soft yellows and buttercream as well
as vibrant magenta and rich burgundy hues, to create a
sophisticated and balanced harmony of colors.
When I design a bridal bouquet, I always think about how
it will be photographed; therefore, I'm intentional with
accent colors, to create range and depth. Also, for this
design, I employed a modified spiral hand-tying technique
and a chicken wire armature. I use this technique for
bouquets that will be moved around a lot and need a
strong support system.
DESIGN TIPS: If you have small hands or arthritis, the
chicken wire armature will take pressure off your hands
and help you better manage the bouquet's structure.
Also, loosely bind the bouquet stems with waterproof
tape as you design rather than waiting to bind all the
stems when it's finished. Alternatively, you can bind the
bouquet stems with self-fusing binding tape, stem wrap,
raffia or other material of your choice.
Floral design, step-by-step photos
and text by Shelayne Hammack
Twist Flowers, Reno, Nev.
Bouquet photo by Jessica Lillian
Jessica Lillian Photography
Reno, Nev.
Rhythmic
