Bridal Shower Favor: A Flower Bar
Looking a fun and creative guest favor for a bridal shower? How about an activity where guests can take home their own creation? A Flower Bar is a unique bridal shower favor that create an experience for your guests. A Bouquet Bar can serve as both a bridal shower activity and a bridal shower guest favor. What is a flower bar, you ask?
A flower bar, also known as a stem bar or bouquet bar, is a display of flowers in vases for guests to build their own bouquet. The station should include shears for cutting stems, and rubber bands for tying bouquet together. You can go all out by including ribbons and bouquet carriers, or keep it simple if you’re on a budget. Whether your bridal shower guests enjoy flower arranging, DIY, crafting, or simply love flowers, they will be sure to love the flower bar.
You can choose a color palette that compliments your event.
The Flower Bar as Event Decor
Not only is a bouquet bar a bridal shower activity and guest favor, but it adds to the decor of your event! It’s hard to put together a bouquet bar that isn’t colorful, whimsical, and dreamy….I mean it’s a table full of fresh flowers!
You can even choose flower colors and ribbon colors that coordinate with the color palette of your event to tie it all together.
Where to get your flowers?
There are several options for this, all with their own pros and cons…
Florist
Local Wholesaler (this is what I did)
Flower Farm
Grocery Store
Grow your own!
Florist
First of all you will have to see if your local florist is willing to work with you on this since it may be different than their traditional services. This may also be one of the more costly routes BUT they can likely provide a great selection and information of which flowers are best. Not all flowers last long once they are cut and some are more delicate than others.
Local Wholesaler
I went to a local wholesaler. They had a huge selection and decent prices, and were also able to offer tips on which flowers would hold up well in wedding bouquets. If you live in a small city or rural area, there may not be flower wholesalers that are local to you. You also may need to have a reseller license for this option or have account with them - be sure to call ahead to find out.
Flower Farm
For my sister-in-law’s wedding in the mountains of Virginia we stopped by a small wild flower farm on the way to the wedding and picked flowers to decorate with. What a dreamy experience! Using a local flower farm is a great way to support local while creating your stem bar. Maybe you can even host the event there!
Grocery Store
This option may offer you the least amount of variety to choose from in terms of color and flower variety, but if you are flexible and live in a rural area with out many florists, wholesalers or a flower farm, this could be a great option and it is easily accessible.
Grow your own
Ok, this one is obviously for the extreme DIY planner with a green thumb - not me - but this can be such a rewarding option. Things to consider if you go this route include
Know what to plant - which varieties will last when when cut for bouquets
Know when to plant your flowers so they bloom when needed.
Are they cut-and-come-again-flowers or will they provide a limited amount of blooms?
Learn how to properly harvest and store them prior to the bridal shower day
Have a back up plan in case extreme weather conditions take out your blooms!
How to set up a Bouquet Bar?
Set up a spot for women to choose flowers, table space to set down the flowers in needed while arranging, and a space with materials to bundle them. Try to keep in mind the flow of traffic as you place your flowers and arranging space. Be sure to plan enough time into your event for all shower guests to build their bouquet. Chances are everyone won’t be able to be at the flower bar at the same time and will have to take turns. Here is a list of specific items you will need.
Fresh Cut Flowers
Vases with water
Shears for cutting stems
Rubber Bands
Bucket for cut stems
Ribbons and bouquet bags or carriers if you want the extra touches! Click HERE for the bouquet carriers we use.
Rent a Flower Bar
Sound like too much work? If you’re in the Charlotte, NC area or Rock Hill, SC consider renting the Botanical House Flower Cart! We will deliver, stock, set up, and clean up a flower bar for your bridal shower so you can focus on the rest of the event planning details.
We will coordinate with you on the color palette and any specific flowers in case you or the bride has favorites! See below for details.
If you choose to build your own bouquet bar, we believe it you!