Hello forgot one question. I sat down with a bride recently and she wants a hand tied bouquet of all hydrangeas. I am a bit nervous to do this, becuase I do not want them to flop by the end of the day. Any suggestions?
Hand tied hydrangeas
- Thread starter KTudor625
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We do this frequently, we have a special concealed water source that we use, it does require that you do a complete stem wrap of the bouquet. We've never had complaints, even on the hottest of days.
Ok, now for the secret....you need a non lubricated condom
If you want to know more I'm happy to go into detail....once you stop laughing
Ok, now for the secret....you need a non lubricated condom
If you want to know more I'm happy to go into detail....once you stop laughing
specialoccasion
New Member
I would suggest offering the bride an alternative that looks like a hand-tied but really isn't and provides a water source for the hydraingea so they do not wilt. We use a oasis bouquet holder which we soak in water and preservative solution, then cut the hydraingea head off the stem (leaving just enough stem to insert firmly into the foam) then take the stems and glue them securely around the handle of the bouquet holder building layers as you go, finally go back and finish adding hydraingea around the bottom of the bouquet to cover the tops of the stems where they meet the base of the holder. Add ribbon and done! Looks just like a hand-tied if done correctly and you can leave bottom of stems exposed or not. Although some say they have had problems with hydriangea lasting in foam, this method has always worked like a charm and we have never had one wilt on us.
we rent or sell vases for the head table for the bouquets to be placed for the reception.
we also delivered them in water to the venue. Make sure you crown and glory them well and they will hold up fine.
My nephew was married last july 1, his bride carried hydrangea, brovardia and steph. She left her bouquet at my house (reception in a big tent in our back yard). it sat on my counter 10 days looking beautiful (not the steph) The weather was a hot 90f and very windy. Girls bouquets were hydrangea and foliages, they held up just fine.
hydrangea from flowerbuyer.
Erline: I LOVE IT> Are we the only business who can find several ways to use items for which they aren't intended!!!!
we also delivered them in water to the venue. Make sure you crown and glory them well and they will hold up fine.
My nephew was married last july 1, his bride carried hydrangea, brovardia and steph. She left her bouquet at my house (reception in a big tent in our back yard). it sat on my counter 10 days looking beautiful (not the steph) The weather was a hot 90f and very windy. Girls bouquets were hydrangea and foliages, they held up just fine.
hydrangea from flowerbuyer.
Erline: I LOVE IT> Are we the only business who can find several ways to use items for which they aren't intended!!!!
I must confess I borrowed this from another florist but have really perfected the technique
The funniest part is going into the drug/grocery store and buying a box of 36 and asking for a receipt......LMAO! Especially buying a box of non lubricated....hmmm
Keep them in water
I agree with Inka -- we do hand tied hydrangeas quite often, and have never had a problem. That being said, we always let the bride know in advance that we will be delivering them in a little bit of water, and that they should keep them in that water until it is time to go down the aisle. Blot the ends of the stems, and no problem! Of course, we also strongly encourage the use of vases at the reception, and let the bride know that if she wants to keep the hydrangea looking fresh, and rehydrate any wilting ones, that a pair of sharp kitchen shears or pruning shears should be at the reception to recut the stems before putting them in the vases. We have had much better luck with this method than trying the bouquet holders. And, the brides much prefer the natural method so they can keep the bouquets for a few days after the wedding is over.
I agree with Inka -- we do hand tied hydrangeas quite often, and have never had a problem. That being said, we always let the bride know in advance that we will be delivering them in a little bit of water, and that they should keep them in that water until it is time to go down the aisle. Blot the ends of the stems, and no problem! Of course, we also strongly encourage the use of vases at the reception, and let the bride know that if she wants to keep the hydrangea looking fresh, and rehydrate any wilting ones, that a pair of sharp kitchen shears or pruning shears should be at the reception to recut the stems before putting them in the vases. We have had much better luck with this method than trying the bouquet holders. And, the brides much prefer the natural method so they can keep the bouquets for a few days after the wedding is over.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
Another hydrangea tip - really for all hand tieds - make your bouquet several days ahead, and cut to the finished length. This allows a "callous" to form on the cut stems, and it won't be so quick to wilt when removed from the water. If you cut them the day of the wedding, that fresh cut drinks whatever it can, water first while it's in the shop, then continues to "drink" air when it's packed up for delivery, resulting in quickly wilted blooms.
Erlene, I'm done laughing (especially about the supersized box! lol) What do you do with the condom?
tracy
Erlene, I'm done laughing (especially about the supersized box! lol) What do you do with the condom?
tracy
This bouquet was done using the concealed water source with a non lubricated condom.
The secret is to fold 2 or 3 paper towels in half (or slightly less than half), saturate and roll the condom on. Use Oasis tape at the top to secure to stems underneath blossoms. You will need to wind the tape above and below the condom end so it stays on on the stems.
Once the condom is on the stems securely you take 1" corsage tape, stretched, and put 2 or 3 strips over the bottom of the stem. This will cover the bottom, once that is done tape up the entire length of the stem.
You then ribbon wrap the entire bouquet, secure at the top and essentially you're done.
It was 95 degrees and humid as I've ever seen it during the wedding the above bouquet was for, notice how much the peonies developed in a relatively short period of time. The bouquet never wilted during the entire ceremony and reception.
This type of wrap can be done for most any bouquet. We use the concealed water source for nearly every hydrangea bouquet we make and we make them often (hence the 36 pack!!).
I know people think this is a silly/stupid method to use but one shouldn't knock it til one tries it
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
I love it! I tend to sell part wrapped bouquets, more than the full wrap ... partly because I don't want so much of that extra time the day of fully wrapping, timing everything so tightly so the flowers can be in water till the last minute etc etc. Your method alleviates that for sure. I guess if it's leak proof enough to prevent baby making, it'll hold water! Pretty cool idea.
I know there 's a joke in there somewhere, about condoms & brides .... maybe Victoria can think of one for us.....
tracy
I know there 's a joke in there somewhere, about condoms & brides .... maybe Victoria can think of one for us.....
tracy
A moisture barrier is a moisture barrier, LOL. Needs to be non lubricated though, otherwise the lubrication can ruin the ribbon.
The wrapping method used above is mostly for hydrangea and other wilt sensitve flowers during extremely hot conditions. Otherwise we use a partial wrap unless the bride wants a complete wrap.
We never wrap with the above method the day before, only the day of. Spritz with water or C&G and back in the cooler til it's time to deliver.
Connie
New Member
I know people think this is a silly/stupid method to use but one shouldn't knock it til one tries it
Silly? Stupid?? NO! It's a clever idea, and you're very generous to share this one!
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
It still buys you some time, though, I'm sure. Our part wrapped stay in water, even after the wrap treatment is on. Boxes are made up and set aside, and in the last few minutes, we blot very very very well and pack & send. I would think the rubber wrap would be able to be done same day hours ahead, no?
tracy
It buys us a lot of time really, and yes, hours ahead of time if it is refrigerated.
When we send out partial wraps we put a couple of paper towels on the base of the stems, saturate, slip a boutonniere bag on and either staple close to the stems or use an elastic band to secure on so there is a portable water source for hand tied bouquets even without the condom wrap.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
Another good idea, Erlene.
We had a bride last year, travelling 90 minutes from her home to her ceremony site, then 45 minutes from her ceremony site to her reception site. Anyway, hand tieds, gazers, roses etc etc. Water source during the travel time was the concern, so we used several long flower boxes to hold inexpensive cylinder vases as bouquet holders. Wadded paper towels with enough water to make a very small puddle, and dropped the bouquets inside. She called after and said it worked perfectly - boquets held up all day for photos, through travelling and through the reception.
We need a "tricks of the trade" book!
tracy
We had a bride last year, travelling 90 minutes from her home to her ceremony site, then 45 minutes from her ceremony site to her reception site. Anyway, hand tieds, gazers, roses etc etc. Water source during the travel time was the concern, so we used several long flower boxes to hold inexpensive cylinder vases as bouquet holders. Wadded paper towels with enough water to make a very small puddle, and dropped the bouquets inside. She called after and said it worked perfectly - boquets held up all day for photos, through travelling and through the reception.
We need a "tricks of the trade" book!
tracy
If I remember correctly, J Schwanke wrote 2 books with ideas from florists...
something like 1000 ideas & 1001 ideas. We need to ask him.
.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
I forgot! I have a signed copy, from his pre-jtv days, when he did Unit shows. Now I just have to find it ....
tracy
Seasonals
Well-Known Member
..and that Mother of the Bride has no idea her baby is walking down that aisle on the arm of her Father with a full condom in her hand. Ahhh the benefits of mechanics!! :jester
I want to thank everyone for their imput on this one. I am very excited to try this new method. I am also very interested in J. Schwankes book. Where can I find it? Thanks again! I will let everyone know how it turns out.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
I found this on funwithj.com
tracy
but it doesn't have purchasing info. I purchased in person at a design show probably 10 years ago.
tracy
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