DIY bouquet bars are the cutest entertaining trend. Here's how to set one up for any event.
This interactive party idea doubles as decor and a take home favor guests love.
Whether you’re hosting a bridal shower, baby shower, bachelorette party or just want a reason to get the girls together, a DIY bouquet bar is a must for any occasion this year. After all, who doesn’t love fresh flowers?
This activity creates a memorable experience for partygoers, and also pulls double duty as party decor and a take-home favor for guests.
And the great news is that adding a make-your-own bouquet activity to your party plans is easy. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a DIY flower bar that results in beautiful bouquets, happy guests and memories that will last long after the petals have faded.
Keep the flower selections simple
Avoid overwhelm by limiting the flower varieties to 5 - 7, and greenery options to 2 - 3.
Also, consider choosing flowers of similar shades or in colors that coordinate with the shower or party theme.
Having fewer flowers to choose from and a cohesive color palette lets guests who are unsure of their flower arranging abilities successfully create beautiful bouquets, and keeps the activity moving.
Helpful tip : consider ordering flowers in bulk ahead of time through a florist, who may be willing to discount the price since they don’t have to do any floral arranging. You’ll be sure to get what you need without crossing your fingers that the grocery store will have what you want the day of the party.
Provide the necessary supplies
While you don’t need a lot of supplies in addition to flowers and greenery, there are some important items to have at any DIY flower bar station.
Sharp scissors are essential for trimming stems and removing leaves. A wastebasket nearby is also key.
And, packaging for the bouquets is very important. You can either offer guests kraft paper and twine to tie up their bouquets, or you can have vases for guests to choose from.
Labels are another important item. Provide a permanent marker for guests to write their names on kraft paper wrapping, or simple tags that guests can write their names on and tie onto vases.
Helpful tip : Thrift vases or buy inexpensive glassware at Dollar Tree if you would like guests to display their bouquets on tables at the event.
Include instructions
Giving guests simple instructions reduces any hesitation and keeps the bouquet bar station moving.
Design a simple sign that tells guests to choose their greenery, pick their stems, tie their bouquets together, and package them up, whether that’s with kraft paper or in vases.
Helpful tip : In the instructions, include the number of flower stems each guest should select. This ensures that some guests won’t take too many flowers, leaving guests who visit the bouquet bar later on without enough flowers.
Consider the location
For a build-your-own-bouquet activity, you’ll need a table that can accommodate all of the flowers and supplies, and another table where guests can arrange their selections. One table can become too congested, so be sure choose a flower bar location that can accommodate both supplies and guests.
Use the bouquets as party decor
Just like bridesmaids’ bouquets often become table decor at wedding receptions, so too can guests’ bouquets become party decor at your event.
If you choose not to send guests home with vases for their bouquets, temporarily place their bouquets into your own vases and display them around the party.
Helpful tip : Have empty vases already set out around the party so you can efficiently place guests’ bouquets once they’re finished.
What makes a DIY flower bar so appealing isn’t just how pretty it looks, but also the experience. Guests get to be active, create something and walk away with a beautiful bouquet to remember the event. A simple setup, some pretty flowers and easy planning will make your bouquet bar a huge hit, and contribute to a memorable occasion.
