A flower cloud - Part 1 - The mechanics

A Flower Cloud - Part 1

The mechanics

A flower cloud has become an increasingly popular decorative moment at weddings and parties. It's so visually effective, while also being simple to make. First, you will need to construct the inner workings.

You will need:

• Your chosen flowers, either dry or fresh - I am using gypsophila
• Wire cutters
• Secateurs
• Strong fishing wire
• Paper-covered wire or twine
• Stub wire
• Reusable cable ties in a variety of sizes
• Protective gloves
• Chicken wire-coated or galvanised will be easier to work with
• Water vials in a variety of sizes
• Strip or branch of wood around 50cm in length with screw in Eye hooks at either end
• Pot tape

Making the framework

Step 1

Use wire cutters to cut a length of chicken wire that is roughly double the length of your piece of wood.

Step 2

Lay the chicken wire roughly centrally over the top of the wood, and feed the two eye hooks through the holes. The chicken wire should be loose and airy, rather than flat to the wood so that you have space later on.

Step 3

Encourage the rest of the chicken wire to wrap around the wood, scrunching as you go to create a loose and organic shape. You are aiming to get multiple layers of chicken wire at various points to give the stems better security - you can also add additional layers of chicken wire to achieve this if necessary.

Step 4

Once you're happy, loosely secure the edges of the chicken wire together with cable ties or pieces of stub wire.

Step 5

Cut a generous length of fishing wire. Feed one end through both hooks and then tie both ends of the wire together so that you can hang your framework. It's always best to go as long as you can in the beginning, as you can always shorten the length once you've finished.

Tips and timings

• I would always advise creating your flower cloud in situ for the best results.
• If this isn't possible, you can make the top half, and then insert the flowers on the underside at the venue to prevent them getting damaged in transit.
• Fresh flowers will require misting to keep them hydrated and looking their best.
• Dried flower clouds can be made days in advance.
• Fresh flower clouds must be made on the day, and you should work as quickly as you can, aiming to finish just a few hours before the beginning of the event.
• Water vials are invaluable for extending the life of a fresh flower cloud.

Long lasting flower options

• Gypsophila
• Ruscus
• Asparagus fern
• Old man's beard
• Ivy

A note on Old man's beard

Old man's beard is a wild clematis that produces pale yellow flowers from July to September. Once the flowering season is over, the flowers turn into seed heads called achenes. This is when I particularly love to use Old man's beard, as the seed heads produce gorgeous silky, wispy strands - they give displays an ethereal feel and I adore how they look alone, or mixed in with other foliage.

Spring Recipe:

• Any flowering blossom branches branches - apple, cherry, pear - all gorgeous!
• Spirea, philadelphus, beech branches, scented jasmine vines and peonies

Autumn Recipe:

• Dried grasses
• Hydrangea heads (dried or fresh)
• Clematis seed heads, hollyhocks, hops, cosmos