Whimsical DIY Bouquets!

I have a confession to make. I have a thing for dragonflies. I have dragonfly stationery, dragonfly jewelery...even a dragonfly tattoo. True story. My 10 year old daughter is the mad butterfly princess (no tattoos until you're 30 honey...). HOWEVER I absolutely fell in love with this idea a few months back - so much so that feather butterflies were one of the first items to be featured in the Moonlight & Whimsy online store!

As brides (I know - I've been one twice!) know - we sometimes get fixated with tradition. We immediately start planning our weddings around what church, which reception venue, and what colour our flowers are going to be. Don't get me wrong - I love flowers. I do! At my first wedding I had a long train of champagne roses. At my second, a bouquet of black tulips (much to everyone's shock! Black flowers? At a wedding?!). And it's all very well and good - but what if we stepped outside that box for a moment and considered that bouquets can be made from absolutely anything?

Martha Stewart Weddings posted this gorgeous little how-to on making butterfly bouquets. They're unique, inexpensive and are perfect for Spring and Summer weddings!

Tools and Materials

• Assorted floral butterflies
• White floral-wire stems
• White floral tape
• Ribbon

Butterfly Bouquet How-To

Floral butterflies come on wires, making this project super simple. Tape the wires close to the butterfly bodies with white floral tape to cover them and create a uniform appearance. Then gather together a few butterflies and tape their wires together using white floral tape. Stagger the spacing, or tape the wires only at the ends so you’ll have lots of wire to bend.

If the wires are short, or if you want the butterflies to be able to be bent farther apart, attach individual butterflies or clusters of butterflies to floral-wire stems (lay the wire from a butterfly alongside a wire stem with a 1- or 2-inch overlap, and tape the two together). Make several clusters, and tape them together to create the desired shape. Finish the stem by wrapping it in ribbon.

Smartbride has a plethora of non-traditional bouquet ideas too:

A simple sheaf of wheat and lavender can be enchanting and simple.

A stunning abstract bouquet.

Or for something a little more whimsical and fun - a pinwheel in your chosen colour!

No pun intended - but I'm a huge fan of the fan!

Looking to create a bouquet that's just a little bit different? Moonlight & Whimsy have feather butterflies ($7.50 for a pack of 5) and gorgeous hand held fans (in a contemporary hearts design) for $4.50 each. Why not consider an elegant parasol for $17.95?

No matter which way you go - remember, to keep thinking outside the square! Moonlight & Whimsy can help you create events that are as individual as you are! Check us out at www.moonlightandwhimsy.com.au!