Does anyone have any tips on making Calla Lily bouquets?

I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding in June and to save money the bride has decided that we're going to make our own bouquets with flowers she's having shipped in. Recently she tried working with the flowers to get a feel for it and started to get worried. She has so many other things to worry about right now and I really want to help, but I've only found one article online and the rest is just advertisements. Any suggestions, tips, resources?

Does anyone have any tips on making Calla Lily bouquets?
Sorry, but calla lilies are a water intense flower. They need special oasis and special care just after being cut. Unless you are a florist, calla lilies are not the flower to 'play with'. She's just going to have to pay the florist to arrange them or pick a different flower. If her world falls apart at this, ask her which will last longer, this wedding or her marriage? That is to say, which is more important to be perfect?
Reply:Above answers seemed very helpful.

If you do end up making them yourself... I dont know if this is helpful, but... We had calla lily bouquets. The flowers were tightly packed, and the bottoms of the stems seemed like they had been dipped in wax. Ribbon was tightly tied around the stems, with some pins to hold it down.
Reply:Usually florists wire the stems so they stand up (not on their own of course) and look sturdier than they actually are.



I'm not a florist but have worked on the rose parade floats for years and know what they do.
Reply:To avoid stress, I'd recommend that she use fakes. Hobby Lobby and Michaels have really nice ones and she can do them way ahead of time. If she would like real she can order it through a florist. It will be a lot less stressful for her. If she doesn't want fakes she might want to change flowers.
Reply:I'm having my wedding in August and I wanted Calla Lilly's as well, but when I went to the florist they informed me that it would cost $10 per stem!! So I was thinking of either doing a single Calla Lilly or just going with a traditional white rose bouquet with a couple of accent flowers that go with my color scheme, perhaps small orchids. But there many other really beautiful flowers that you could go with, may I suggest doing something with freesia, it's a beautiful flower and smells really good! Congratulations and Best Wishes! :)
Reply:Here are a bunch of pictures of different calla lily bouquets:



http://www.budget-bride.com/calla%20lily...





Step by Step instructions:



http://www.save-on-crafts.com/calibo.htm...



http://www.acmoore.com/projects/weddingp...



http://www.favorideas.com/learn-about/we...
Reply:www.acmoore.com
Reply:The first answer is right on. But if you do want to continue with doing it yourself. Be extra careful not to get the drippings of the flower cutting, on any of your clothes.Because it will be permanently stained.I would put some carnations and yellow roses with some baby's breath with each vase.Also cut some of the calla lily's leaves.
Reply:I have been a florist for years and my best advice is to get a florist to do this for you but if u are determined to try this on your own the lily will have to be wired mostly because when u cut them to length it looses alot of water that gives it its stiffness run a floral wire in the center becareful not to go all the way thru the lily itself all the other posts are right dont let the juice from the lily get on clothing it will ruin . I use 1 or 2 things depending on the situation at hand best bet is to bunch some together after wiring u can use a rubberband to asssist u in this ( BUT DONT LEAVE IT ON THERE it will bruise the stems ) dip ends in candle wax it will keep it from leaking and loosing its firmness tie a ribbon around and tie a simple bow but if u want somethin more fancy u can lace the ribbon up the stem in a criss cross fashion and tie a bow at the top . if all else fails u can use artifical hobby lobby has the best quality calla lilys in diffrent sizes that look real. hope this helps
Reply:You've gotten great answers already. Definetly use wire, those small water containers can be hidden with ribbon (wide wired).



A single calla lilly with ribbon is elegant.