Vintage Brooch Bridal Bouquets

Jonathan Pushnik

The bride: Malena Martinez, married at Terrain at Styer’s, Glen Mills. (Her bouquet is on the left.)

The inspiration: She was planning on working just a few vintage brooches into her floral bouquet. “But then I got a really plain dress,” says Malena. “So I decided to do the entire thing with sparkle.”

The method: The bride, who owns Malena’s Vintage Boutique in West Chester, collected brooches and earrings from her store’s vendors, then brought them, with a Lucite handle from Michaels, to Kati Mac Floral Designs. Owner Kate MacNamara wrapped an oasis bouquet holder in cream satin and secured the jewelry to it using pearl-tipped boutonniere pins. She then added a collar of real magnolia leaves.

The keepsake: Today, Malena’s bouquet is displayed under a turn-of-the-century glass dome. “I’m hoping one day my kids can use it.”

The bride: Emily Bremer, married at Loch Nairn Gold Club, Kennett Square. (Her bouquet is in the middle.)

The inspiration: “I love crafty stuff and knew I wanted to do something for the wedding,” she says. “I think it’s weird that flowers are so expensive—they die in three days!”

The method: Emily spent eight months buying buttons and wiring them in stacks topped off with fabric and fake flowers. She went to Home Depot and wrapped the stems in pipe insulation, then covered them in ribbon. She then made five more for her bridesmaids, and 12 boutonnieres.

The keepsake: “I got more compliments on my bouquet than anything else,” says Emily. She now keeps it in a wooden display box.

The bride: Dana Forman, married at Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia. (Her bouquet is on the right.)

The inspiration: “I’m not a very crafty person,” says Dana, “but I had seen pictures of bouquets like this and thought I could do it. I loved that I could use vintage things, that it was quirky and colorful, and that I could do it exactly the way I wanted it.”

The method: Dana collected vintage brooches and mismatched earrings; she wired the pieces with pipe cleaners, flower wire, “and loads of hot glue,” then wrapped them with florist tape. She used fake hydrangea to fill in the tiny gaps.

The keepsake: “I keep it in a vase on my windowsill,” she says. “It probably ended up costing as much as a real bouquet—but it’s forever!”

This article originally appeared in the spring/summer 2012 issue of Philadelphia Wedding.

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