How to Make a Bridal Cascading Bouquet With Fake Flowers

Cascading bouquets are considered to be the most formal bouquet style. The bouquets were first seen in the 1920s and 1930s, when the cascading portion of the bouquet was often long enough to sweep the floor. These oversized "shower" bouquets have evolved into the modern cascade, which rarely fall below the bride's knees. Though these formal arrangements are a bit complex in their structure, they can be made at home. However, it is best to begin making the bouquet a few months in advance.

Trim your flowers' stems to 1 1/2 inches. Push the ends of 10 to 12 of the stems into the foam bouquet holder. Adjust the flowers so that they all face outwards, as this will add fullness to the bouquet.

Cut the wire into lengths of 2 inches and 4 inches. Push the wires measuring 2 inches up the stem of the flowers so that they join the base where the petals meet. Push the 4-inch wires perpendicularly through the bases of the flowers and fold the wire down to meet the 2-inch wire. Twist the wires together to form a stable base.

Cover the stems and wires with floral tape, leaving about an inch of the wire uncovered. Though floral tape is not sticky on its own, it will stick to itself when you stretch it. In this case, it works to keep the wires together.

Lay out all of your flowers into three columns with the wires all pointing away from you. The outer columns should have six flowers in each while the middle column should have 10.

Wire the bottom flowers to the blooms above them. Do this by slipping the twisted wire through the small loop created by the wire pushed perpendicularly through the upper flower's base. Bend the twisted wire of the lower bloom down and pinch it in place to secure it. Repeat this process with the remaining flowers, working your way up to the top of the columns.

Hook the top wires of each column onto the plastic cage of the floral bouquet holder. Twist the wires around the cage to hold the flower columns in place. Adjust the flowers so that they cover the bouquet holder and face outwards.

Wrap your ribbon around the top of the floral bouquet holder, beginning at the top. Secure it in place to the foam with a pearl-headed corsage pin. Continue wrapping the ribbon around the holder until you reach the end of the handle and secure the edge in place with a dab of hot glue.