I’m not a professional wedding blogger, but I have some wedding experience — I got married almost eight years ago and used to create DIY projects for a wedding blog. So when David’s Bridal contacted me about highlighting their affordable bridesmaid dress options, it felt like the perfect opportunity to return to my DIY roots. I decided to design several bridal bouquets and style a soft, pastel-inspired bridal party using pieces from their collection. I’ve always loved making bouquets, and this shoot let me combine styling and flower design in one project.
Want to see the full gallery and learn how to build these bouquets yourself? Read on for photos and the complete “bouquet recipe.”
First, the dresses. I wanted the bridal party to look cohesive while still showcasing each model’s personality. I selected three David’s Bridal bridesmaid dresses in similar silhouettes — one of which is a convertible style — each in a different color. Two dresses are soft pastels and one is an earth tone to provide balance and prevent the palette from feeling overly sweet.
All three dresses cost under $200, and David’s Bridal offers many more bridesmaid dress options at even lower price points, with some styles starting under $100. Many dresses are available in a wide range of colors (some up to 50 choices), which makes coordinating with your wedding palette, invitations, or the groom’s attire easy whether you prefer a monochromatic scheme or a mix-and-match look.
Sarah wore the Strapless Tulle Long Dress with Removable Belt in Iris — a lovely shade that would pair well with a bold shoe color for a memorable shoe shot. Stephanie chose the same Strapless Tulle Long Dress with Removable Belt in Portobello; its muted tone and tulle overlay add a subtle, textured look. Mallory wore the Long Tulle Convertible Versa Bridesmaid Dress in Mystic. This convertible dress can be styled in more than 10 ways — halter, knotted tank, twist back, cap sleeve (which we used for some photos), one-shoulder, and more — making it easy to flatter different body types while maintaining a unified aesthetic.
For accessories, I chose geometric gold earrings for each bridesmaid, with each pair slightly different to reflect individual style while keeping a cohesive look. This is an easy idea to gift to bridesmaids as a keepsake. One tip: keep the metal consistent across jewelry pieces — all brass, all gold, or all silver — to maintain harmony in the overall styling.
Each bouquet was made from the same flower palette but varied in the count of each bloom so they looked coordinated without being identical. Some bouquets held five peonies, while others had three — a simple way to add individual character.
Flower recipe for these bouquets:
- 3–5 coral peonies
- 1–2 pincushion proteas
- 1–2 stems of Protea neriifolia
- 3–4 lilac stems
- 6–8 stems of scabiosa
- 3–4 stems of blue tweedia
To assemble the bouquet, use a spiral-method similar to standard DIY bouquet tutorials: cross stems into an X repeatedly while rotating the bunch to build a rounded, balanced shape. Start with the larger blooms, add filler flowers as you go, and continue layering stems of varying heights and textures until the bouquet feels full and harmonious. Secure the stems together with floral tape, then wrap the handle with ribbon or twine for a polished finish.
Photography by Amelia Lawrence
If you want to explore the dresses shown here or browse hundreds of other bridesmaid options, visit David’s Bridal — many stores accept appointments so you can try on styles in person.
Have your own wedding plans or DIY bouquet story? Are you getting married soon or making your own bouquets? I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
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This project was created in partnership with David’s Bridal. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch going.