focus on design
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Floral design by Rich Salvaggio AIFD, AAF, PFCI
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Photography by Ron Derhacopian
A combination of fresh and permanent flowers makes a beautiful do-ahead wedding bouquet. Many of today’s permanent flowers are so realistic, it’s hard to tell which flowers are
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real and which are not. When the fresh flowers are gone, they can be replaced with more permanent or preserved flowers,
1. To make the foundation for this bouquet, wrap a Styrofoam cone with preserved moss (the kind that comes on a roll) and then with “branch/berry” ribbon, securing both to the cone with greening pins. Leave the top of the cone uncovered.
turning the entire bouquet into a keepsake. This concept is perfect for weddings that take place in a harsh environment, where flower longevity is a concern.
2. Wrap the cone further with metallic decorative wire to tighten the shape and add a touch of brightness. 3. Permanent foliage and berries can be inserted directly into the Styrofoam at the top of the cone. To add fresh flowers, use a vegetable peeler to dig holes in the Styrofoam where you can then insert water tubes. Add some reindeer moss around the water tubes. 4. The water tubes accommodate last-minute additions of long-lasting fresh cymbidium orchids and chinaberries—beautiful complements to the materials already gathered into the bouquet. b
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