DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (2024)

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (1)

Designer DeJuan Stroud shares step-by-step instructions for making a centerpiece of bouquets that can be shared with party guests.

My memories of going to relatives’ homes are always of leaving with food or vegetables from the garden or flowers from their yards, so the tradition of giving something to guests as they leave was instilled in me from an early age. It’s in that spirit that I designed this centerpiece of bouquets.

Clients always ask what happens to the flowers at the end of an event, so I came up with this design that could be easily assembled and then disassembled once the party’s over. As a springtime arrangement featuring seven interlocking bouquets, it’s a show-stopping centerpiece. Once the dinner draws to a close, it can be disassembled, with each individual bouquet becoming a favor for your guests.

I used a rustic, 10-inch-wide container, but you could also use a silver Revere bowl or a pretty ceramic mixing bowl for a different look, keeping in mind how many bouquets you need and the size of your table. (For a 60-inch round table that seats 10, you’ll generally need a container about 10 inches wide. If you have an 8-foot dining table, however, consider two arrangements, each in containers 8 inches wide.)

Before you begin, take into account how many stems of each flower you’ll need for each bouquet. This ensures that each bouquet will be similar when placed in the container. I like to work one-by-one, but before I begin I first clean the stems with my knife, leaving any leaves only near the base of the blossom itself.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (2)

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

    • raffia
    • scissors
    • knife
    • clippers
    • large bowl
    • paper towels
    • waxed tissue paper
    • ribbon

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (3)

MATERIALS

    • pink hyacinth
    • pink ranunculus
    • Pieris japonica
    • Viburnum opulus
    • ‘Vuvuzela’ roses
    • Curcuma alismatifolia
    • Pittosporum
    • French anemone
    • Nerine

How to Make a Bouquet Arrangement

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (4)

1|To assemble the first hand-tied bouquet, choose the first two stems. I like to begin with the largest stem, in this case the hyacinth, and then add in a firm support piece like the Pittosporum. Cross the Pittosporum over the hyacinth so that it angles left to right (as if aligning with the numbers 10 and 4 on a clock face).

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (5)

2|Continue adding flowers and greenery by crossing them each over the last piece.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (6)

3|Rotate the grouping counterclockwise to get to a spot without flowers and keep adding to the bouquet. I continue with Viburnum opulus, Pieris japonica, and a rose.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (7)

4|Continue rotating and filling in until the bouquet is complete. Keep in mind that this one is the model for the remaining six bouquets, so be sure you’re happy with it before you move on.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (8)

5|Tie a knot of raffia right at the bottom of the leaves. Be careful not to tie it too tight or too high, in effect choking the blossoms. A simple, firm knot will do—no bows here, please.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (9)

6|Now it’s time to consider the height of the bouquet. You want the stems to be short enough to fit into the bowl, but long enough to reach across the base and interlock with other bouquet stems for stability. Stand the hand-tied bouquet next to the bowl and determine where to cut.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (10)

7|Snip the ends off in a clean cut, and fan the stems out before placing in the container.

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8|Fill the container with water, but be sure not to add so much that the remaining bouquets will cause it to overflow.

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9|Assemble the rest of the bouquets, which should be similar though not necessarily identical to the first one.

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10|Arrange the bouquets around the container and allow the stems to interlock.

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11| Fill the container with bouquets. Once it's complete you may find it’s just right as is. Or, if there are slight gaps between the bouquets, you can drop a blossom in here and there to fill in.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (15)

Keep in mind that you want the look of a solid arrangement.

DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (16)

When you distribute the flowers to your guests, be sure to blot the stems with paper towels before you wrap them in waxed tissue paper. I like to use two ribbons to tie them up for a tailored look. Also, don’t forget to remind your guests to give the stems a fresh clip before placing them in a vase at home. And don’t think this bouquet arrangement design is limited to springtime. With the right selection of materials and color schemes, it could work in any season. Enjoy!

By DeJuan Stroud | Photography by Udom Surangsophon

See Stroud’s celebrations, events, and weddings at his site.

More Bouquet How-Tos

  • How to Make a Tussie Mussie
  • French Twist: A Hand-Tied Bouquet
  • Bridal Party Bouquets
  • The Romantic Bridal Bouquet

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DeJuan Stroud's Centerpiece of Bouquets (2024)

FAQs

How many flowers come in a Mason jar bouquet? ›

How Many Flowers Do I Need For Centerpieces?
ArrangementCenterpiece in Mason Jars
Stem Count for Small Arrangement6-8 Stems
Stem Count for Medium Arrangement10-15 Stems
Stem Count for Large ArrangementNot Recommended

How do you present a bouquet of flowers in a vase? ›

Display your bouquet
  1. Fill your vase half to two thirds full with water and add the flower food included with your flowers. ...
  2. Remove the wadding from the stems but leave the elastic band in place for the time being. ...
  3. Trim the stems at a 45 degree angle to a length suitable for display in the vase.

How do you put together a beautiful bouquet? ›

How to Make a Floral Bouquet
  1. Choose the best flowers. Consider the color scheme, season, budget, and scent when you're picking your flowers. ...
  2. Remove any leaves and thorns. ...
  3. Start with a focal flower and build around it. ...
  4. Add filler flowers. ...
  5. Wrap the stems. ...
  6. Add any finishing touches.
Jun 7, 2021

How do you balance a bouquet? ›

Balance in Floral Arrangements

It doesn't mean that each side of a design must match the other, but that one side, color, or texture, is offset by an equal element on the opposite side. Make sure arrangements have equal visual weight or equal eye attraction on each side of the arrangement.

How many flowers are in a centerpiece? ›

The diameter of the chosen vase should be in proportion to the number of stems you want in the arrangement. In a vase with a diameter of 3 inches you can have 12 to 25 flowers. Each additional inch in diameter can need up to 12 more flowers. But once again it all depends on your personal taste.

What mason jars are rare? ›

This was the earliest version the company used when they were referred to as Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. These became known as Buffalo Jars since they were manufactured in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo jars are old and rare, only manufactured from 1885 to 1886!

Is it OK to give a bouquet of flowers? ›

Do flowers count as gifts? Flowers are a great birthday gift for anyone in your life. If you're unsure what to give someone, flowers are a convenient and accessible choice that your loved one will always appreciate. They also can be a great addition to any other gifts you have in mind.

Are you supposed to keep a rubber band on flowers? ›

You must spray your flowers with water at least once a day, in order to ensure long vase life. Tropicals do not only absorb water from the vase but also from their environment, just like in the rainforest. 6. Do not remove the rubber band of bouquets.

What is the 3:5-8 rule in floristry? ›

The 3 5 8 rule in floristry refers to the concept of using three types of flowers, five stems of greenery, and eight stems of filler flowers in a floral arrangement. This rule provides a balanced structure to the arrangement by ensuring a harmonious combination of different floral elements.

What color flowers go together in a bouquet? ›

Pretty common triadic combinations can include red, blue, and yellow or green, orange, and purple. In order to create such a gorgeous arrangement, you can combine Orange Carnations, Roses, and Gerbera flowers with Purple Lisianthus and Irises, as well as some greenery.

How do you make a bouquet look nice in a vase? ›

Keep adding flowers variety by variety and work in a circle, always walking around the vase, making sure to cover every angle. Now push the stems into the vase a bit and squish in a few strands of ivy to surround (and disguise) the stems. You'd be surprised; a little water, changed often, goes a long way. Done!

How do you make a bouquet look expensive? ›

The best way to make a bouquet look expensive is to mix different kinds of flowers together. Try arranging it so you have a consistent mix of smaller buds, larger focal blooms, and plenty of greenery to frame them.

What is the rule of three in flower arranging? ›

By grouping flowers in sets of three—whether it's three separate flowers, three distinct colors, or three varying heights—you achieve a harmonious and dynamic display that is pleasing to the eye. Transform your arrangements from simple decorations into striking focal points that draw attention and admiration.

What is the rule of thumb in floral design? ›

The perfect arrangement of flowers is the one with the right balance. This means that the height of the arrangement should be at least one and a half times more than the height of the container. Although the height of the arrangement can be higher than this, it is never lower.

How many flowers are typically in a bouquet? ›

Quick Guide to Help Plan for your Wedding Flowers
BOUQUETSmallMedium
Mixed Bouquet*7 to 9 stems18 to 20 stems
Peony Bouquet5 to 7 stems9 to 12 stems
Garden Rose Bouquet5 to 7 stems9 to 12 stems
Hydrangea Bouquet2 to 3 stems4 to 5 stems
2 more rows

How many flowers do bud vases typically hold? ›

Most bud vases look great with 2-5 flowers in them. If you already have vases in your possession that you would like to use, test out how many flower stems fit and look good in them before your event. Then, multiply that number by the total number of vases to get your total stem count.

How many flowers are in a Carnation bouquet? ›

Each Bouquet contains: Half Dozen Bouquet - Six Carnations in your choice of color and standard greenery in a standard vase with your choice of bow color. Dozen Bouquet - Twelve Carnations in your choice of color, standard greenery in a vase, and a bow.

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