A romantic bridal bouquet - Part 2 - The hand-tied technique
with WILLOW CROSSLEY
Lesson 3 of 20
Already a member? Sign in
Willow demonstrates the hand-tied technique step-by-step; an incredibly popular method of creating bridal bouquets thanks to its flexibility for adding in and adjusting as you go.
From the Lesson Workbook
The Hand-tied Technique
Once your stems have been chosen and conditioned, it's time to arrange and assemble your bouquet. I'll be demonstrating the hand-tied technique, which offers the greatest flexibility for adding in and adjusting stems as you go.
You Will Need:
- Conditioned stems
- Very sharp secateurs
- Paper-covered wire or twine
- Ribbon
- Sharp scissors
The Hand-tied Technique
Step 6
If you are right-handed, take the first stem in your left hand. If you are left-handed, you will take the first stem in your right hand.
Step 7
Place the stem between your thumb and forefinger, and hold onto it lightly. Throughout the whole process, your grip should always be loose.
Step 8
Take your next stem, place it diagonally across the first and loosely grip - then use your other hand to twist the stems together.
Step 9
Continue to add stems in this manner - holding the bouquet in one hand, and positioning each stem and twisting with the other. Vary the height and placement of the stems as you see fit. It's a good idea to put more delicate stems towards the middle of your bouquet, and sturdier stems around the outside to protect them.
Step 10
Keep an eye on how your bouquet is looking from all angles; it can be helpful to make your bouquet in front of a mirror so you can get more of a 360° view. Feel free to adjust the height of different stems in the bouquet as you go, pulling the flower heads up if they're getting a bit lost.
Step 11
When you're happy with how your bouquet looks at the top, it's time to consider which flowers to add near the base to create a balanced shape. Play around with different options until you're pleased with the final result.
Get the full workbook, video lessons, and more with a Create Academy subscription.
Subscribe to access the full workbook
Your Instructor
Willow Crossley
World-renowned florist, author and designer, known as the UK’s ‘Queen of Flowers’.
Willow Crossley is a professional floral stylist, creating wild and whimsical arrangements full of colour, pattern and movement for an array of top British brands (Jo Malone, OKA). She is the author of four books and is regularly featured in House & Garden and many other publications. Willow is passionate about the profound impact nature can have on how we feel, and has gained a substantial following for her down-to-earth and inclusive approach to floristry and gardening. Willow firmly advocates a sustainable approach to floristry, working with the seasons and sourcing locally grown stems wherever possible.
Access to all courses