I have always heard that hydrangea do not do well once you separate them from the bloom and since they need so much water how do you make bouts and corsages with them? I have always steered customers away from using them but I now have a bride that is quite insistent on them. Any advise on how to keep the blooms alive? Do you use the stems with the cotton tip or would it be better to wire and tape them to a saturated cotton ball?
Hydrangea Bouts and Corsages
- Thread starter vnance
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well, stems with cotton tip are for stephanotis. I took a design class last year and my instructor said when the hydrangeas come in, soak the heads. We soak them for about 3 or 4 hours. then we cut them and put them in super hot water. They sure last a lot longer now. Also I think I would spray them down with hawiian mist or aquafinish and let them dry a bit and then if you're lucky enough to have some crowning glory left, coat them suckers with it and let them completely dry BEFORE you pull them apart to make your corsages. Be sure to get up under the head too. Then ask the floral gods to have mercy on you.
I wouldn't chance it, or contact Flyboy, and get some of the perserved type, but I have done it, but not the way you have listed here, I have taken them when they come in leave them alone put in cooler, to harden, then before use, take them, and cut on angle, hot hot water, put the stem say about 2 in of water, then wait a few minutes then add Vodka to the water, then put back in fridge, and I have never had a problem with wilting, but , I would make sure you cover all bases on the paper work if you do this..
I have to agree with them on this. My own experience in working with hydrangea. We were given hydrangea as part of our flowers when I tested for AIFD. We had floralmist and crowning glory as well. For the flowers to wear category, we were given a hair design to do. I chose to use yellow spray roses and blue hydrangea. Even with using crowning glory.......the hydrange did not hold well......several of the evaluators noted that and it cost me precious percentage of points.
This is one of those cases where I would tell that bride that what she is asking simply cannot be done.......if need be, make her a sample of the bout or corsage and have her wear it for a day.
This is one of those cases where I would tell that bride that what she is asking simply cannot be done.......if need be, make her a sample of the bout or corsage and have her wear it for a day.
I absolutely agree with the above. I'm in hydrangea crountry here and not a single wedding goes by that doesn't have hydrangea in something. But I steer brides away from them for bouts and corsages. Tell them about the wilting but the clincher is to tell them that hydrangeas are too fragile to be hugged over and over again. It will flatten like a pancake. You have a real stubborn bride - but what do we expect when the bridal magazines are showing hydrangeas as bouts and corsages. Just saw one yesterday...
Invite the bride to come in to your shop, pin a hydrangea bout (very simply designed) to her shoulder and hug her. Suggest she wear it all afternoon - then call you. Chances are very good, she will go with a bit of a silk hydrangea if she continues to insist on hydrangea.
We fired a bride last summer because she insisted on carrying hand tied hydrangea bouquets (2 flowers tied with a shoe lace like bow - because it was "romantic and sweet") in August. The ceremony began at 11:00, the reception began at 3:00. I explained about hydrangea being a thirsty flower, gave her one to carry around dry for the afternoon - she was still set on it. Another florist promised her the flowers would last. Had some customer stop in after the event - the talk of the reception was the dead, droopy bouquets preserved in all the wedding photos as the bridal party was announced at the reception.
We fired a bride last summer because she insisted on carrying hand tied hydrangea bouquets (2 flowers tied with a shoe lace like bow - because it was "romantic and sweet") in August. The ceremony began at 11:00, the reception began at 3:00. I explained about hydrangea being a thirsty flower, gave her one to carry around dry for the afternoon - she was still set on it. Another florist promised her the flowers would last. Had some customer stop in after the event - the talk of the reception was the dead, droopy bouquets preserved in all the wedding photos as the bridal party was announced at the reception.
Thanks for all of your advise. One of my pet peeves is all the stuff that they show in the bridal magazines and Martha Stewart that are made and photographed within minutes and the brides never see that the items are not practical at all. I was talking about the corsage stems not the stephanotis stems. I do like the idea of getting the preserved ones, do you have a number for them? This is a big wedding so I really do want to keep the bride happy. She just came in the other day and added $500 worth of arrangements to her bill and never flinched.
Carrieann
New Member
I would keep trying to steer her away from fresh. Have you suggested silk?
Remember no matter how much she adds to her order, if she is a "bridezilla" she may not be worth it in the end. You have to use your judgment and common sense. Are you going to be able to make this bride happy no matter what you do? If she is this fussy over bouts and corsages how is she with the rest of the pieces?
Above all, be sure your contracts are in order and SIGNED!!
Good Luck!!
Remember no matter how much she adds to her order, if she is a "bridezilla" she may not be worth it in the end. You have to use your judgment and common sense. Are you going to be able to make this bride happy no matter what you do? If she is this fussy over bouts and corsages how is she with the rest of the pieces?
Above all, be sure your contracts are in order and SIGNED!!
Good Luck!!
then once she sees first hand how the hydrangea will hold up.......she should realize and let you make the needed changes to make her day as perfect as possible.
design 3 bouts, 2 fresh and 1 silk, leave one fresh out for a couple hours before she stops in (wilted) then have her pick between the fresh and silk bout. With good botanicals she can't tell the difference and that should sell her on silk.
Thanks for the tip RWK. I had never tried what I thought might work. So I'm glad someone here had. I have never had good luck with hydrengeas either. But I figured it was because I live in an arrid area. Why do you think it is that we always see them in
selection guides then? Just a thought.
Eric S
Demoted Webmaster
I know when we do head wreaths we can get away with using the green Hygrangea.
I don't know when the wedding is so it may be an option depending upon the time of year.
Good luck I know its not easy to change people's minds when it comes to their wedding flowers.
I don't know when the wedding is so it may be an option depending upon the time of year.
Good luck I know its not easy to change people's minds when it comes to their wedding flowers.
We also have a wedding coming up that they want hydrangea corsages and other things that will be out of water and it will probably be the hottest day of the year as it usually is. She originally wanted peonies, not available in July, so she went with hydrangea, another mistake. We may have to suggest the silk approach, but this gal usually gets what she wants and we don't have the option of not doing the wedding. Any other suggestions for a large single flower? I had thought of using dahlias, not sure how they would hold up as corsage work, anyone know or have any other suggestions?
Trish
Trish
there are roses that look a whole lot like peonies these days. and as for big flowers, how about a big catalleya orchid.
This caught me - Vodka?? - sounds interesting... never heard that ONE before...
Sounds like a FAB reason to stock alcohol in here - never know when It may come in handy..:>
Carrieann
New Member
Thats good to hear, hope I didn't offend you. In my experience when a bride is so particular on one part of the flowers they become particular on all aspects, and in turn hard to please...
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