Enchanting Floral Centerpieces

Wedding flowers are expensive, no matter how simple you want to do them. For my own wedding last summer, I wanted to really go all out and be a fairy princess. Fairy princess flowers were waaaaay out of my price range. However, with a bit of time and about $70.00 at the local Dollar Tree, I made 15 of these beautiful, everlasting centerpieces.

For each one, you will need:

• 1 glass taper candle holder
• 1 glass bowl vase
• hot glue gun
• wire cutters
• floral tape
• various silk/fake flowers (I went with a central rose, some colorful filler flowers, and some decorative grass, but you can get this same look with whatever flowers you like best)
• 2 bags glass gems
• 1-2 flameless led tea lights

Step 1: Glue the bowl vase on top of the candle holder. (The one in the picture is not on a candle holder stem, but for an idea of how it looks, check here.

Step 2: Pour glass gems into bowl.

Step 3: Use wire cutters to clip fake flowers to single stems.

Step 4: Arrange your flowers in a pyramid or cone shape, starting with the central flower.

Step 5: Wrap the stems of the flowers together, covering the bottom 3 inches or so. Use the wire cutters to trim any excess and adjust length

Step 6: Turn on tea lights and place in the bowl. Place flower arrangement into bowl. Enjoy your beautiful new centerpiece!

Feel free to add decorations, play with colors, etc! Make a big, lovely bow to add!

Bows! And how to make them

Bows are some of the most versatile decorating staples. I like to use them in flower arranging and holiday décor, but they can also be added to hats, clothing, accessories, stuffed animals, anything you want to fancy up a bit. Once you know the technique, you can make them as big or tiny as your project calls for. And those expensive pre-made bows are simple and quick to make at home for much less money! Here's how.

Materials:

Ribbon (preferably wired)

Scissors

Floral wire or thin string (even heavy thread will work)

Directions:

1. Cut your wire or string to about one foot. Set aside.
2. Leave a tail of ribbon a bit longer than you want it to be in the end.
3. Make a loop and hold the ends firmly in one hand.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Twist the ribbon where the center of the bow will be.
   
   
   
5. Make a loop on the other side. Twist. Hold firm in the middle.
6. Repeat until you have as many loops as you desire. (Don't worry about squishing the loops, you can fluff them when you're done!)
7. Cut the other ribbon tail, again, an inch or two longer than you want it to be.
8. Take your wire and lay it across the middle of the bow.
   
   
   
9. Fold it in half and twist the two ends behind the bow. It helps to fold the loops over the wire.
   
   
   
10. The most important part of this is making sure to twist the wire good and tight.
11. Fluff your bow.
    
    
    
12. Trim the ends to the desired length, giving them fancy cut ends if you so desire.
13. Ta da! Done! Use the wire ends to attach to projects or trim short if you want to glue or sew the bow onto something.
    
    
    It seems like a bunch of steps, but once you get the hang of it, you will be able to make these in a matter of minutes!