How To Make A Classic Clutch Bouquet

How to Make a Classic Clutch Bouquet (Click on this link
for even more ideas! From Pick a Petal)

This is a beginner-level arrangement. With proper preparation and planning,
you can expect to complete this twenty-four-stem bouquet in about 20 minutes.

Materials

To create this arrangement, you'll need the following items:

• 24 of our fresh roses.
  
• A fully stocked workspace.
  
• Green florists tape, available at craft supply stores.
  
• 2 to 3 yards of 1 to 3 inch wide ribbon.
  
• A one quart plastic container, 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
  
• Spray bottle filled with clean water.
  
• A tall kitchen garbage bag.

Preparation

• Order your roses in advance.
  
• Gather your supplies and get your workspace ready.
  
• The day your roses are delivered, prepare them according to our
  instructions. Remove all foliage and snip the tips of the thorns if your
  roses have them.
  
• If you are doing more than one or two arrangements, enlist the help of a
  few friends and relatives. They'll make the project go faster and keep the
  focus on fun.
  
• If you are planning a morning or early afternoon wedding, make your
  bouquet the night before. For a late afternoon or evening wedding, plan to
  assemble it that morning.

Instructions

1. Start by selecting three roses that will become the center of your
   arrangement. Hold them in your left hand, about 6 inches from the heads, as
   if you're holding your bouquet. They should make a triangle. Place them at
   slightly different heights (about a quarter of an inch difference is good)
   to give your arrangement more dimension.
   
2. Add three additional roses between each of the roses already in your hand.
   Again, vary the heights ever-so-slightly. You should now be holding six
   stems in your hand in a roughly triangular shape.
   
3. Place two roses on each side of the triangle; now you'll have a dozen
   roses in your hand and the domed shape should begin to appear.
   
4. Working in a circle around the outside edge, add the remaining twelve
   roses to the arrangement. If you see any roses that are out of place, just
   loosen your grip a bit and make the adjustment.
   
5. Starting about 8 inches lower than the flowers, wrap the bunch of stems
   firmly with green florist tape. The pros can do this on their own, but we
   recommend an extra set of hands to accomplish this at home. As you wrap the
   tape up the stems pulling them closer together, the bouquet will become
   rounder. When you have created the dome shape you want, stop taping.
   
6. Leaving about 6 inches (12 inches if you want your bouquet to have a bow),
   carefully wrap the ribbon from the top of the bouquet down the stems for
   about 6 to 8 inches and then back up again, making sure to cover all the
   green florist tape. Tie the ends in a square knot to secure.
   
7. Using the utility scissors, cut the stems about an inch below the ribbon.
   
8. Put three quarters of an inch of water in the one quart plastic container
   and place the bouquet in the container. Lightly spray the flowers with
   water, being careful to keep the ribbon dry.
   
9. If you have space, place the arrangement in the refrigerator covered
   loosely with a plastic bag. If there's no room in the fridge, don't worry;
   the flowers will be absolutely fine if you keep them stored in your
   workspace.

Success Tips

• Blow a puff or two of air -- as if you were blowing out a candle -- down
  into the center of each rose just before adding it to the arrangement. This
  helps the petals open out a bit more and gives you a fuller look.
  
• While you're making the arrangement, check the shape in a mirror to see
  how it will look to others.
  
• Wash your hands before handling the ribbon.
  
• Take a deep breath and relax. You can do this!