Bridal Bouquet Alternative: Bridal Hoop How-To Tips | 4 min read

One of the things I love about the creative expression of floral design is the fact that there are no rules. No one way of doing things. No expected procedure to follow. The limitless creative potential in flowers is no more evident than in wedding florals. If you can imagine it, then a designer somewhere can conceive a way to make it a reality. While a flower bouquet may be customary for the bride to hold, doesn’t make it mandatory. So, if you desire to step off the beaten path for your wedding, the exciting unknown awaits.

My favourite alternative to a classic bridal bouquet is a bridal hoop. For the sentimental at heart, a bridal hoop in dried florals makes for a truly unique ceremony piece that can be treasured long after your special day. To follow, are my super simple tips for designing a one-of-a-kind bridal hoop.

1. When selecting your materials, look for floral elements that provide movement and texture. Like a bridal bouquet, a hoop should feel abundant in visual details. For my hoop, I utilised soft, delicate textures with a whimsical quality, including feather grass, pampas grass, preserved fern, and bunny tails.
2. Let your wedding aesthetic guide your hoop base selection. A portion of the base, of course, remains uncovered to create a handle, so as a prominent feature it should complement the overall design. For a natural, timeless style, a vine base harmonises beautifully. For coastal, beach vibes, a rattan hoop is a lovely option. Metal rings also work with a variety of aesthetics from the contemporary to the classic. If you are game to try making your own base, grapevines, honeysuckle, and Virginia creeper work particularly well for binding; however, bases can be sourced from local craft stores or Etsy has a range of suppliers. For my design, I crafted a base using grapevines that is perfectly imperfect in style. I began by applying a little extra binding to create a secure foundation.
   
   
      
3. There are a variety of mechanics that can be used for attaching florals from wire to twine. I find raffia effective for creating a firm bind that is also neat and professional should the back of the hoop be visible. As you begin building your design, I recommend adding florals in groupings placing them at alternating diagonals as you work your way along the length of the base. It can be helpful to regularly view your hoop in a mirror or at a distance so that you can gauge proportions and ensure you’re happy with the overall shape.
4. Remember to create levels as you bind your materials. A bridal bouquet is a three-dimensional design that ebbs and flows. Ideally, you want to create the same feeling in your hoop. So, as you add florals, make sure some elements are placed up and outwards from the base, avoiding a flat appearance.
   
   
      
5. Keep your bind taut as you attach your materials. Ideally you want to cover anywhere from half to two thirds of the base, but I find each design reaches its own natural conclusion. Finishing with draping ribbon or neatly tying off with twine is entirely optional but should complement the overall aesthetic.
   
   
      

I am such a cheerleader for taking creative license with wedding florals and a bridal hoop is just one example. I hope these tips help your design process, provide inspiration, and potentially solve some problems before they arise. Remember there is no right or wrong way to approach design. Embrace your creative instincts or use those same instincts to connect with a floral designer whose style speaks to you and whose work resonates with your dream wedding aspirations.

At Bracken & Berry, we are currently planning our wedding and events offering! We will begin with small weddings and events, with larger events possible as the team grows. More information will be released as we approach the launch date in late Spring 2022. Until then, please enquire here.