How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (2024)

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How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (1)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again– Galentine’s Day is one of the best days of the year. It’s a ton of fun, and it’s all about ladies celebratin’ ladies. Last year was the absolute worst (had one too many family health scares), so I wanted to do something special this year– and I landed on a DIY flower bar! I’ve been wanting to create one for so long, but I always assumed it’d be insanely expensive. It was surprisingly affordable, though, and it’s such a fun activity for parties, bridal showers, and even weddings. Keep reading for tips on how to create your own budget-friendly, build-your-own-bouquet bar. You can also press play on my Instagram Reel (below) for a before and after shot of the whole shebang!

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (2)

Creating a DIY flower bar can be as simple or complex (ie. affordable or extravagant) as you want it to be. It really just comes down to budget. As long as you have the right supplies, though (listing everything you need below!), the quantity of flowers really doesn’t matter. It’s all about getting creative.

In all honesty, I was working within a pretty modest budget for this flower bar cart, so I got real creative with all the extra touches. If you’re similarly strapped, keep reading for some simple tips for staying within your budget!

Bouquet Bar Supplies

One of the great things about creating your own DIY bars is that you can go as crazy as you want options-wise. I created this one for a Galentine’s Day brunch, so I kept it pretty simple. Here’s everything I used to create my budget-friendly DIY flower bar–

  • “Flower Bar” sign– I used my Cricut and the backside of an art print (what can I say? I’m cheap crafty) to create this flower bar sign! You can grab the design here.
  • Instruction card– A build-your-own-bouquet bar is pretty self explanatory, but it’s nice to provide some instruction. You can see a close-up of mine below (linking the design here, too)!
  • Garden roses– If you’re out to save money, order your flowers from Sam’s Club. A girlfriend tipped me off about Sam’s Club’s florals a few months back, and (assuming you’re wanting to buy in bulk) you will not find a better value anywhere else. I got this variety of pink garden roses for under $60! FYI- the price changes based on season/demand, so they may be more or less expensive at different points throughout the year.
  • Filler flowers– I didn’t want to buy filler flowers in bulk, so I went to the grocery store and grabbed some stock, spray roses, carnations, and baby’s breath. Other great budget-friendly filler flowers are alstroemeria, waxflower, statice, daisies, and button poms.
  • Greenery– Greenery is another great thing to buy in bulk! I ordered 50 stems of Nagi greenery from Sam’s, and it was more than enough.
  • Pink ribbon– I set out some pink ribbon (I figured it was only fitting for Galentine’s Day) for guests to wrap their bouquets with. Having scissors handy is a good idea, too!
  • Vases– I love saving old glass bottles (particularly liquor bottles– some of them are so pretty!), so I set out a variety of vases for guests to choose from. If you aren’t a hoarder like me, you can grab a dozen mason jars from Walmart for under $10.
  • Floral spray– Floral spray helps keep flowers hydrated throughout the day. If you don’t have any on hand (I ordered mine off Amazon), mist them with water every few hours to keep them fresh.

Also, they’re not visible in the frame, but it’s a good idea to have these items on-hand, too–

  • Floral shears– I absolutely love my floral shears. Farmgirl Flowers uses them, and they cut stems at the perfect angle to maximize water intake. They’e a bit pricey, though, so regular scissors are a great alternative.
  • Water tubes– If any of your guests choose to make a bouquet with ribbon, they’re going to need water tubes to keep their flowers hydrated. You can find an 100-pack on Amazon!
  • Floral wire– Just like water tubes, floral wire is essential for bouquet wrapping. If you don’t have floral wire on hand, floral tape works well, too. It’s just a little harder to use (at least in my opinion).
  • Flower food– It’s not at all necessary to hand out flower food, but it’s a nice touch– and it’ll help elongate the life of your guests’ arrangements!

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (3)How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (4)How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (5)

Seriously, though– how beautiful are these white and pink garden roses?! They’re even more gorgeous after they’ve fully bloomed, too!

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (6)

Tips for Creating a Budget-Friendly Flower Bar

One of the reasons I held off creating a DIY flower bar for so long was because I assumed it’d be insanely expensive. I mean, a single hydrangea stem is $5 at some florist shops. Fortunately, though, it wasn’t too bad at all. I think I spent under $150 on the whole shebang (it could’ve been much less, too, if I didn’t have my heart set on garden roses), and it had everything we needed and more.

Here are five tips for keeping your make-your-own-bouquet bar budget under control–

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (7)

Tip #1: Buy your flowers in bulk.

I’m telling y’all– Sam’s Club is a game-changer if you need large quantities of flowers. The problem is, though, that buying in bulk typically involves 50+ stems. So, for secondary and filler flowers, I recommend going and buying a few stems of what’s in season or on sale at the grocery store.

Tip #2: Stock up on greenery.

After creating Grocery Blooms, I realized just how handy greenery actually is. Not only is it beautiful, it takes up A LOT of space. It adds gorgeous dimension and color to arrangements, too.

I do want to mention, though, that certain types of greenery are way more expensive than others. If you’re on a strict budget, you probably need to stay away from fresh Italian Ruscus and eucalyptus. Even in bulk, those can be $2+ per stem. Some more affordable options are typically lemon leaves, huckleberry, and Nagi greenery. I’d actually never heard of Nagi before now, but I love it– and it’s incredibly affordable.

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (8)

Tip #3: Use what you have.

Unless you’re going to Dollar Tree (which isn’t a bad idea), supplying 10+ vases can be expensive. So, get creative and use what you already have. I set out pink ribbon (which I got on clearance at Michael’s), some really cool old liquor bottles, and a few extra mason jars we had lying around. Everyone loved the variety!

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (9)How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (10)

The same goes for decor, too, by the way. I used my Cricut to make both my flower bar sign and instructions card.

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (11)How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (12)

Tip #4: Avoid trendy flowers.

I know… peonies and ranunculus are drop-dead gorgeous. Florists and growers know it, too, and they charge accordingly. So, one easy way to save money is to only buy flowers that are easy to source and always in season. For example, roses are readily available year-round, as are carnations, and you can almost always get them for less than $1 per stem.

Tip #5: Don’t go overboard.

It’s extremely difficult for me to reign in my love for flowers (just ask Kyle), so I get it. It’s hard to not go overboard sometimes. Plus, full disclosure– I use an insane amount of flowers in my arrangements. So, I did some research and learned that the average small-sized mixed bouquet is around ten stems. Then, I took my guest list and multiplied it by 4 to determine how many statement flowers to buy. I did the same for secondary/filler flowers (x3) and greenery (x3), give or take a dozen. It was literally the perfect amount!

If you’re still not sure how many stems to order, I found this postparticularly helpful.

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (13)

More Fun Galentine’s Day Ideas

Bouquet bars aren’t for everyone, and I know that. So, if you need some other fun Galentine’s Day activities (or bridal shower activities– the two literally go hand-in-hand), here are a few more ideas–

  • Heart-Shaped Waffle Bar– Ladies love brunch, so create a fun little make-your-own-waffle bar! I created one for Galentine’s Day, and I used this mini iron to create little heart-shaped waffles. It all turned out so cute!
  • Fondue Dessert Bar– Melted chocolate and fresh fruit?! Yes, please!
  • Mimosa Bar– Regardless of the time/place/agenda, a colorful mimosa station never hurts! Whether it’s a full-on mimosa bar or just a designated corner with some champagne and fruit juice, it’ll get used. Trust me.
  • Candy Buffet Bar– A candy bar is an equally fun albeit much easier version of a DIY flower bar. You don’t have to worry about the flowers dying, and candy is significantly cheaper than fresh flowers!


What do y’all think?! Would you rather have a food/drink bar or a flower bar? It’s tough, but I literally can’t wait until I have an excuse to create another build-your-own-bouquet bar, so it’s safe to say I’d choose the latter.

PS- For even more Galentine’s Day party inspiration, check out some fun Galentine’s Day bar cart ideas here. Also, if you need gift ideas for your BFF or mom/sister/whoever, check out 14 super cute Valentine’s gifts for her under $50. Thanks for reading, y’all!

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar on a Budget | Diary of a Debutante (2024)

FAQs

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.

How to set up a bloom bar? ›

When you are setting up your flower bar on the day of your event, use decorative buckets. Fill the decorative buckets with clean water approximately ¾ high. If you opt for small vases for the guests, don't forget to fill them with water. Set the flower bar up by color, size, or type of flowers.

How many stems do I need for a bouquet bar? ›

For DIY bouquet bars at a wedding, guests typically want about 10 stems for a nice posy bunch that they can wrap up and take home. Most bridal bouquets use 40 to 50 stems (most of a bucket), boutonnieres and corsages use 3 to 5 stems and sometimes more.

What flowers for a flower bar? ›

These could include but are not limited to; Roses, Zinnias, Cosmos, Sunflowers, Strawflowers, Dahlias, Asters, Carnations, Daisies. 2 Greenery types. These could include but are not limited to; Eucalyptus, Ruscus, Grasses, Solidago.

What is the golden rule in floral design? ›

Employ The Golden Ratio

According to Bruni, the "golden ratio" for floral arranging is creating a visual where the arrangement is two-and-a-half sizes bigger than its container.

What is the rule of three flowers? ›

The 'rule of threes' which is commonly used in design also translates to floral arranging. This guideline says that things arranged in odd numbers are often more appealing, memorable, and effective than even-numbered groupings. In this case, I'm using three varieties of flowers to accomplish this beauty in threes.

How does a flower bar work? ›

A small-medium group of people gather around large tables, in a fun setting, to create flower arrangements that they ultimately take home. It's a great way to bond with a group of old or new friends, get to know your “team” at work or just hang out with family that you don't see very often.

What is a bridal shower flower bar? ›

What Is a Flower Bar at a Shower? A flower bar at a bridal shower lets guests create their own flower arrangements for a fun activity that's also a memorable thank you favor. Guests select their favorite flowers from a selection of blooms to make one-of-a-kind bouquets.

How many flowers are in a small bouquet? ›

Quick Guide to Help Plan for your Wedding Flowers
BOUQUETSmallMedium
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
Rose Bouquet7 to 12 stems15 to 20 stems
2 more rows

How many flowers for a birthday? ›

If you have only recently worked with an employee, then a bouquet of three flowers will be enough. Such bouquets are given as a token of gratitude and when expressing professional respect. For an anniversary or birthday, you should choose a bouquet, including 11-15 flowers in it.

What flowers make a good bouquet? ›

Some classic flower combinations that do well together in bouquets are roses and baby's breath, peonies and hydrangeas and the triadic color combinations of red, blue, yellow and green, orange, purple.

How many roses to make a bouquet? ›

How Many Flowers Do I Need to Make a Bouquet?
ArrangementRose Bouquet
Stem Count for Small Arrangement8-12 Stems
Stem Count for Medium Arrangement18-20 Stems
Stem Count for Large Arrangement21-25 Stems

What is a popular flower in corsages? ›

If you've never worn a corsage before, you must understand what kind of flowers are used in one. These include roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, orchids, and lilies. Roses and carnations are fantastic since they come in many colours and are long-lasting flowers that may be used throughout the night.

What is the most welcoming flower? ›

A Guide to the Best Welcoming Flowers and Houseplants That Symbolize Friendship and Hospitality
  • Eucalyptus. Like many botanicals, eucalyptus doubles as trendy home decor and an inviting symbol for guests. ...
  • Lavender. ...
  • Money Tree. ...
  • Bonsai Tree. ...
  • Anthurium. ...
  • Tulips. ...
  • Chrysanthemums. ...
  • Wisteria.
Sep 21, 2022

How do you display a bunch of flowers? ›

Place a large striking bouquet on the table one day, and on the next, you can divide your flowers in mini-vases. A large vase with colourful and exotic stems bring a unique energy to your interior. And stylish branches in mini-vases are the perfect finishing touch for any table setting!

What is the golden ratio of a bouquet? ›

Phi is usually rounded off to 1.618 and this is a common number throughout nature. The numbers of petals in many flowers (not all) follow the Fibonacci sequence. Oddly Phi appears as each petal is placed at 0.618034 per turn (out of a 360° circle) which is allowing for the best possible exposure to sunlight.

What are the four rules of flower? ›

In general, a flower has four whorl components, namely the calyx, corolla, gynoecium and androecium.

Which principle of floral design uses the ratio 3 5 8? ›

One of the European designs that we create in floristry is called the Form Linear, in which we apply flowers by using the 3:5:8 rule, with 3 main focal groups: 3 = Sub-dominate Group/Placement. 5 = Contrasting Group/Placement.

What is the proper ratio for flowers in an arrangement? ›

How tall should flowers be in a vase? As a rule of thumb, flowers or vase should dominate in ratio 1.5:1. For tall arrangements, flowers should be 1.5x the height of the container. Alternatively, for a low arrangement (like a mound of hydrangeas in a cube vase), these proportions should be reversed.

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