Orchid Bridesmaids bouquets-urg!

[heatherh321]

The pre-made orchid bouquets I ordered from Save-on-crafts.com came in yesterday. I have to say I am a little disappointed! I knew I would have to "fluff" them up a bit to get the right effect but they were still so small and flimsy. I had some leftover garland from another project that I didn't need so I cut it up and used it to fill in the bouquets a bit.

I should have known that they may look like this but online they looked so much better. Here are some pics:

First WHAT I EXPECTED:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/heatherh0321/silkorchid.jpg

What I got when I opened the box:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/heatherh0321/bouquetbefore.jpg

What I did to try to "fix" them:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/heatherh0321/bridesmaidsbouquets.jpg

Obviously, I could have sent them back but I didnt, now I have messed with them and probably cant return them so I will mess with them until I am happy. I couldnt buy this many good artificial orchids in the store. They actually aren't that bad and as usual, look much better in person. I would love to hear your opinions or suggestions.

BTW the bouts look awesome, just as pictured online!
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/heatherh0321/bouts.jpg

[heatherh321]

BTW, I also tried filling them in with the greenery through-out but it looks too bush-like, too much green. Thats why I opted for just around the bottom instead. In person you can see more of the top, the white.

[domeafavor]

I see what you mean about them. You did great adding extras to fill it up. It just looks like a lot of green but you already addressed my concern. I love your orchids.

[EarlyBird]

Hmm okay- are you opposed to adding some sort of colored berry/bead???? I think adding that to the top of through some of the greenery would help alot.. dollar tree has some right now that im using for something and they come 2 stems per package - they are perfect for something like this-- they have like a pearl white, red and deep red, they also had a black.. i really like what you did but you maybe could find like a broach or bead to add to the handle to make it better for you if you dont like it-- or hang something off ribbon cascading down the handle for something more-- but i like them MUCH better since you spruced them up!!

[bichonlvr]

What if you added wire to them to make them stand up straighter??

Seems like the ones in the picture are very erect, but the ones you have are flimsy!!!

[EarlyBird]

wooo who megan ---- great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[heatherh321]

I like both the idea of adding the pearl things and possibly trying to make them stand up more. I certainly think they can be worked with. I am okay with the green because one of my colors is green. Also, the way I was holding it in the pic you could see alot of the green. Thanks for your ideas!

[TangoWedding]

I'm an orchid bride too! I've been trying so hard to get a bouquet with both orchids and callas...and it's hard to make it match. I'll post pictures as soon as I get some.

I got my orchids at both Michael's and Hobby Lobby...though Michael's were beautiful, they were PRICEY. I bought one at a time using the 50% off coupons. LOL

Pics coming. Maybe we can work off each other. Hehe!

[heatherh321]

Hmm okay- are you opposed to adding some sort of colored berry/bead???? I think adding that to the top of through some of the greenery would help alot.. dollar tree has some right now that im using for something and they come 2 stems per package - they are perfect for something like this-- they have like a pearl white, red and deep red, they also had a black.. i really like what you did but you maybe could find like a broach or bead to add to the handle to make it better for you if you dont like it-- or hang something off ribbon cascading down the handle for something more-- but i like them MUCH better since you spruced them up!!

I am going to try both doing something to the stems (ribbon or brooch) and adding that berry stem stuff in thoughout the top. I am stopping at the Dollar store place this afternoon. (although it is right by Kohls which I heard is NUTS today)

Thanks!!

[exoduslaughin]

Those of you looking for fake orchids, I just saw them at Target. Each stem had a few flowers on it, and they were $5 each. They had white and pinkish/purple.

[SouthernQueenBride]

I like them sooo much better after you added the green stuff. And I think if you move that little bow up more towards the flower part they will stand up a little straighter.

[Krimangel]

I like what you did with them. I had these in mind too. How big is it. Is it going to be yours or your BM?

[heatherh321]

I like what you did with them. I had these in mind too. How big is it. Is it going to be yours or your BM?

They are for my bridesmaids. I think they are about 10 inches from the bottom of the stem to the top. I have been driving myself nuts trying to do different things with them. I finally had to put them up to work on later.

[gennymac]

What about using some ivy to give them some length? They are beautiful. You could add some of the crystal gems to them and give them some depth.