Orchids, lilies and roses, oh my! More than ever, today’s bride is taking full control of her wedding plans—including creating her floral arrangements, bouquets and centerpieces. Though it’s expected for a bride to be in close contact with her floral designer, some brides are so particular they choose to create their own arrangements. What should the type-A bride-to-be consider if she wants complete control of her floral design? We went to Ovando, the luxury floral boutique based in Manhattan’s West Village, for answers. 

Take Classes

“DIY is such a big movement right now,” says Karine Bailly, Ovando’s marketing and new business director. “It’s a crafty, fun thing for a younger, savvier bride.” What’s the best way for a bride to begin this DIY approach? By taking floral arranging classes. Though Ovando has offered classes geared toward wedding preparation in the past (including DIY bouquets and boutonnieres), private classes are also available. These run at $300 per person for a minimum of four participants and a maximum of eight. 

Plan Ahead

If you plan to make your entire floral arrangement, Sandra de Ovando, the boutique’s founder and owner, recommends you take at least four instructional classes to prepare. Begin booking classes no later than six months before your big day. This will give you plenty of time to develop the techniques you’ll need to create your own gorgeous arrangement.

Staying Power

It’s best to use flowers that last between four and seven days, and create your arrangement a day or two before your wedding. This way, the flowers will bloom to perfection, but remain fresh. Ovando recommends roses, Calla lilies and orchids, and she prefers roses because they’re available in a variety of colors. “We love bold colors,” she says. “Most of our arrangements are saturated with color.”

Consult a Professional

While a bride might think she has complete control by creating her own floral arrangement, it may just add unnecessary stress to planning her big day. Instead, determine exactly what you want and work closely with a professional. Though creating your own design may add personal flair, managing an entire floral arrangement is not for amateurs. Instead, a bride can design something small and personal, like her bouquet. 

Ovando’s Tips for Flawless Flowers

1.     Knives and clippers MUST be sharp; if they’re not, you’re more likely to injure yourself when trying to cut your flowers.

2.     Cut the flower on a slant so water can flow through the stem and nourish the flower.

3.     Plan the structure of the arrangement before designing. Place larger flowers within the design first, then begin to add smaller ones. You don’t want to overcrowd the arrangement by using too many smaller flowers before adding the larger ones.

4.     Design to scale; the arrangement should be 1.5 to 2 times the size of the base. So, if the vase is 6 inches tall, the top of the arrangement should be 9 inches tall.