How I DIYed My Wedding Flowers:
(and Would I Do It Again? Not Sure!)
As a recent bride planning my own San Diego wedding, I decided to take on the ambitious task of DIYing my flowers. Why? Well, after being quoted around $5,000 for florals, I wanted to save some money. However, creating stunning arrangements from scratch wasn’t as budget-friendly as I’d hoped. The process gave me a whole new respect for florists. While it was fun and creative, it was time-consuming and stressful. If you’re a San Diego engaged couple thinking about going the DIY route for your big day, my advice is to scale it down!
Here’s how I made my own bud vases, boutonnieres, bouquets (for myself and my bridesmaids), and centerpiece arch flowers, step-by-step. This guide is perfect if you’re envisioning a garden party wedding vibe or want to get hands-on with your floral design.
Step 1: Create a Pinterest Board
First, I figured out the floral aesthetic I was leaning toward—lush greens, lots of white, and subtle blue tones to match the luxury SoCal wedding style I was going for. Pinterest is an amazing tool for planning, and it helped me refine my vision. If interested in seeing my wedding board, you can find that here.
Step 2: Identify the Flowers You Love
Once I had a clear idea of my vibe, I began identifying specific flowers. I took screenshots, uploaded them to Google to find their names, and referred to flower charts. Knowing the exact names of the flowers was crucial for ordering the right ones to fit my gorgeous wedding look.
Step 3: Make a Mood Board in Canva
To ensure all my flowers fit the overall theme of my San Diego wedding, I made a mood board in Canva. This is a great way to visualize how your color palette and flower types will work together.
Step 4: Find a Wholesale Flower Supplier
I ordered from Blooms By the Box, a wholesale supplier where you can shop by flower, color, or style. If you’re planning a wedding in Southern California, this is a great option because the flowers arrive fresh at your doorstep a few days before your wedding. No need to run around town last minute!
Step 5: Figure Out Flower Quantities
Blooms By the Box offered a complimentary consultation to help me figure out how many bunches I’d need. This is key if you’re not sure how to estimate quantities for a full DIY floral project—especially if you’re a busy San Diego bride balancing wedding planning and everything else.
Step 6: Gather Supplies
You’ll need more than just flowers. Here’s a list of must-haves:
- Buckets - for storing the flowers / keeping them fresh and in water once they arrive at your home
- Ribbon - to add color and wrap the bouquets in a pretty way
- Large rubber bands - to ensure the bouquets are TIGHT and wont fall apart
- Shears - to cut / prep flowers
- Pins - to give the men to put on their boutonnières
- Zip ties - for bouquets and securing flowers to the arch
- Flower tape - to wrap bouquets and boutonnières
- Vases - for storage
- Fresh flower arch foam (for live flowers) - I made the mistake of buying some for artificial flowers
Step 7: Assemble the Flowers
Two days before the wedding, I hosted a flower-making party with my bridesmaids. We divided tasks: some handled the centerpieces, one helped with my bouquet, and another crafted the boutonnieres. Though fun, it took way longer than I expected—about 8 hours in total! But seeing everything come together for my luxury wedding was beyond rewarding.
Step 8: Keep the Flowers Fresh
To keep the flowers looking gorgeous, I stored them in water in the fridge and changed the water daily. For the boutonnieres, we placed them in Tupperware on a damp paper towel and kept them refrigerated.
Step 9: Set Up the Flowers at the Venue
Delegate someone you trust (a friend or coordinator) to set up the flowers at the venue. Give them clear instructions on where everything goes. Also, decide what happens to the flowers at the end of the night—whether they’ll be thrown away or preserved.
Step 10: Enjoy Your Hard Work
Seeing my vision come to life on my San Diego wedding day was truly special! If you’re considering preserving your flowers, stay tuned for my next blog post on how I DIYed that too.
If you’re a San Diego bride dreaming of a gorgeous wedding with a garden party wedding vibe, I hope these tips inspire you! Would I DIY my flowers again? I’m not sure, but it was a creative and unforgettable part of my wedding journey. And if you’re still searching for the perfect San Diego wedding photographer, I’d love to be part of your big day and capture all those stunning floral moments!
