1. Brooch Search
Good Will
Antique Stores
Department Store Sales
Cheap Online Clothing/Jewelry Sites
Old and broken jewelry from family and friends
Finally, the most important way I received some of my favorite pieces on my bouquet were from my grandmothers. My mom had a lot of jewelry she saved from my late grandma, and I loved them all! There were beautiful watches, brooches, earrings and bracelets that I showcased on the bouquet. My other grandma also donated some of her jewelry for it as well, making it all the more special!
2. Base of the Bouquet
I then glued another styrofoam ball on top of it to have a round area for where all of my brooches would be glued on to.
We attached this ( when I mean we, I mean my dad and my husband)--by cutting into a larger styrofoam ball to fit the base, then hot gluing it together.
Next i needed to color the base with something so that it was not just plain white. So I spray painted the styrofoam silver.
3. hot glue hot glue hot glue
To attach items I used a lot of hot glue and pins that had little pearls on the end, so they were pretty too! I made sure to hot glue any flat part of the brooch/jewelry and then if there was a place to put a pin on the jewelry, I put that in to for extra hold! There is a lot of overlapping to make the bouquet look very full and rich, so it really does take more jewelry than expected.
I suggest sitting down with your mom, grandma and/or sister, or in my case, mom aunt and cousin, and having some help deciding on what piece to put where. It really is fun!! Also have one of them help you hold the bouquet and glue, a lot of hands are necessary for this! I also used a heavy glass pitcher to put the bouquet in as well!
Don't forget to use lots of different shapes, textures, and types of jewelry. I used a lot of silvers, golds and whites in mine. I had flower shapes, star shapes, circles, ovals, squares, watch faces, rings, necklaces, strings of beads, earrings. Don't be afraid to let some beads hang off it and not have everything completely attached- just make sure it's not going to fall of while you're walking down the aisle!!
4. finishing touches
Check and recheck that everything is well attached.
Next be sure there are no wide open areas with nothing in them. If I saw areas like this I either added more jewelry or pushed some of the pins I already had into the holes.
5. Taking your bouquet down the Aisle
Tips/Advice:
-Watch out for the jewelry to snag on your dress, do not hold it too close to you.
-This bouquet will be EXTREMELY heavy. Practicing holding onto it and make sure your MOH is ready to be in charge of it as well!
-Don't forget to find someone to transport it for you after the wedding!
-Find a great place to put the bouquet after the wedding too!
-J