How to DIY a Wedding Centerpiece: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creative Brides

Planning a wedding is a beautiful mix of dreaming and doing—and for couples who love a hands-on approach, crafting your own floral centerpieces can be a meaningful and budget-friendly way to personalize your big day. Whether you're going for rustic charm, garden romance, or modern minimalism, creating your own centerpieces gives you the freedom to design something that feels uniquely you.

Here’s everything you need to know to DIY your wedding centerpieces like a pro—plus how Evans Flowers can support you every step of the way.

Step 1: Define Your Style

Before you pick up a single stem, take some time to explore what styles you're drawn to. Are you imagining lush, overflowing arrangements or clean and sculptural ones? Do you gravitate toward soft, romantic colors or bold, modern hues?

Browse Pinterest boards, save Instagram posts, or flip through bridal magazines. Pay attention to:

  • Color palette
  • Flower types
  • Container styles
  • Arrangement shape (round, low and wide, tall and linear, etc.)

Having a clear vision will make everything else easier.

Step 2: Choose Your Flowers

Once you've defined your aesthetic, it’s time to pick your blooms. You’ll want a mix of:

  • Focal flowers – These are the stars (roses, dahlias, peonies).
  • Secondary blooms – Smaller supporting flowers (ranunculus, lisianthus, spray roses).
  • Textural accents – These add interest (berries, pods, grasses).
  • Foliage – Greens bring volume and shape (eucalyptus, ruscus, ferns).

Pro tip: Choose flowers that are in season for better pricing and quality.

Step 3: Source Your Flowers

You can buy flowers from:

  • Local flower markets 
  • Wholesale flower farms (harder to do without a EIN/TIN)
  • Florists (many offer bulk stems for DIYers—Evans Flowers included!)
  • Online flower delivery services (most variable in terms of quality)

Be sure to order a little extra to account for damage or design mistakes.

Step 4: Prep Like a Florist

Treat your flowers well and they’ll last longer on the big day. As soon as you get them:

  • Trim the stems at an angle
  • Remove lower leaves that sit below the water line
  • Hydrate them in clean water in a cool, dark place for 12–24 hours
  • Group them by type so they’re easy to access during arranging

Florists call this step "Flower Processing" and doing it correctly is one of the critical steps in getting flowers that bloom and last 

Step 5: Choose Your Vessels

Your vase or container sets the tone. Think beyond glass—rustic wood boxes, gold compotes, ceramic bowls, or even vintage teacups can make stunning centerpieces.

Make sure your container:

  • Fits your table size and arrangement style
  • Is watertight or has a liner
  • Is heavy enough to stay put

Step 6: Arrange Like a Pro

Here’s a simple formula for arranging:

  1. Start with greenery to create a base and shape.
  2. Add focal flowers evenly around the vase—imagine a triangle to balance.
  3. Fill with secondary flowers in between the larger blooms.
  4. Add textural elements to create movement and dimension.
  5. Step back and edit—remove or reposition anything that feels off.

Pro Tip: Use floral foam or a taped grid over the vase opening to help keep flowers in place.


Step 7: Keep Them Fresh

Once your arrangements are done:

  • Keep them cool and out of direct sun
  • Recut stems if needed the day before the wedding
  • Mist the flowers lightly to keep them hydrated
  • Transport them carefully in boxes or crates with padding

A Final Note: DIY with Confidence—or Let Us Do It for You

At Evans Flowers, we believe your wedding should reflect your love story—whether that means handcrafted centerpieces made with your bridal party the night before, or a full-service floral dream created by our design team.

If you want the joy of doing it yourself but need a little help getting started, we offer custom DIY flower kits that include:

  • Hand-selected seasonal blooms
  • Pre-portioned bundles by arrangement
  • Vases, tools, and floral tape (if needed)
  • Printed and video guides for arranging
  • Optional in-store consultations

Or if you’d prefer to leave it to the experts, our full-service wedding offerings include everything from bouquet design to ceremony installations to guest table florals—with delivery, setup, and breakdown.

Whatever path you choose, we’re here to make sure your flowers are unforgettable.  Call us (978 531 0047) or make an appointment.  We are here to help. 

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