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While I love flowers passionately, I have always felt they are an unnaturally large expense at weddings. A good portion of any wedding budget can be sucked into this, and in the end, the flowers often go to waste.
With our own budget in mind, I have already reduced our centrepieces to include only a few blooms, if any. But then there are other elements, such as boutonnieres, bouquets and corsages to consider. I have always been determined to make these things myself, but I have to admit that time will be limited to make these with fresh flowers on the day of the wedding, or even the day before.
So I began researching alternatives for flowers… and look what I found.
Beautiful, handcrafted, french beaded bouquets. And the best part is that they last forever. While to purchase one of these perfect specimens will cost you a pretty penny, I am thinking a little DIY is in order. We have some great bead stores near our apartment in town and with a few months to go, there is plenty of time to experiment and get the craft down. I think I might even get the bridesmaids to come over and give it a go as well.
If worst comes to worst, I will enlist the help of some local street vendors. South Africa is famous for its beaded crafts and they can be found on every street corner. If I am going to be spending any money on this project, I think supporting a local industry is the way to go.
Oh, and if I do get the hang of the beading thing, I will be sure to post about it…
Is anyone out there an expert bead crafter? Any tips, or how-to book recs for a newbie?
Those are gorgeous and would make a great keepsake. I’ve never tried making beaded flowers, but bookmarked this link a while ago. http://www.marthastewart.com/article/beaded-flowers Good luck!
Thats seems like a whole lot of work - but they look gorgeous!
those are so pretty! But they look like hours upon hours of tiny beading–I love some DIY but I dont think I would have the patience!
We decided to go with clay flowers from DK Designs: http://www.dkdesignshawaii.com/
they are amazing! and last forever!!
@Miss Gloss: Hehe. A lot of work indeed! I hadn’t planned to make a full bouquet as I have my lanterns already. Thinking more of the corsages for the ladies.
Wow, I LOVE that last pic! Definitely get some bridal party assistance!
that first bouquet is absolutely beautiful. now i need to rethink my flower choices…
I had fallen in love with beaded bouquets too but after I sat at Barnes & Nobles reading a how to book….wow!!! it is really detailed so I opted for the real deal and is considering a new hobby
I beaded my bouquet for my wedding and I LOVED it! My husband’s bout was also beaded to match my bouquet.
All the groomsmen wore a beaded bout but it was different from the Groom’s. The rest of the bridesmaids carried a fall leaf bouquet that I made from the floral dept. in Michael’s.
There’s a book called, “The Beaded Object”. I don’t remember who the author is, but you can find it on Amazon. There’s a picture of a flower on the front (if I remember correctly!) It was SUPER easy to make, the hard part was piecing it all together, as it is very heavy!
I attached the link to my blog site where you can see my wedding details, along with my awesome bouquet!
I felt flowers were a wasted expense too! There were no real flowers at my wedding, just pumpkins and gourds! 
Enjoy! And if you need any help piecing your bouquet together, let me know!
I bet you could find something like this on Etsy for a reasonable price if DIYing doesn’t work out!
my grandmother has a GIANT beaded flower centerpiece i’ve loved since i was little…and definitely check out the martha article, i have the copy from her encyclopedia of crafts…i want to try and make some for a headband.
Those are gorgeous, I’m testing out some fabric flowers, but am unsure of them as yet. Maybe they just need some beads thrown in.
These are so neat and very pretty! Can’t wait to see the DIY versions!
If you make one of these bouquets, I’m coming to steal it from you!
Wow, if you have the patience for this I will bow down to you! Pleeeease post pictures of the process! There is a long, cold winter between now and my wedding, so maybe I’ll get inspired to try it myself!
those look so pretty amazing. i love the first one the most! if i was visiting South Africa now, i would so come and help you….haha…..but, i won’t be going there until next year….well after your wedding. i can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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Mrs. Lightning, Cape Town Age and Occupation: 22, Journalist and Graphic Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer Scientist Engagement Date: December 27, 2008 Wedding Date: September 2009 Venue: Hout Bay Manor About Me: I'm a young American living abroad in the beautiful city of Cape Town with a wonderful South African fiance and our crazy kitty Zeus. We're young, driven and madly in love. Together we're pursuing our wildest dreams including our biggest undertaking yet, a vintage retrospective wedding filled to the brim with DIY madness. I have an unnatural attraction to cake, a passion for blogging and a love of good design. While I might be an overly obsessive creative with too many ideas and nowhere to put them, Mr Lightning is my biggest fan and I can't wait to make my true love mine.
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