Brooch bouquet - who made theirs?

I've been working on my brooch bouquet for seemingly months. Last night I started assembling my bouquet. I had a difficult time keeping a true round shape so I went with more of a teardrop shape which is okay. I used silk hydrangeas as my base instead of the styrofoam ball thing but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't have done the ball because the bouquet is HEAVY! I used 84 brooches and 25 wired pearls. All I have to do now is add my feathers and wrap my handle.

I won't hold the bouquet through the whole Mass and wedding. Just on the way up and down the isle so maybe it isn't a big deal. It's a big church with a long aisle though. Has anyone else here made a brooch bouquet? Was it heavy?

Will add pics when I get to work.

I am not officially engaged yet, but I know that I want a brooch bouquet and will be making mine and also for my bridal party. I have heard that they can be heavy, to read you used 85 I can only imagine. The most I have heard to date  is around 50. I am interested in what others have to say regarding using a styrofoam ball versus a flower base.

Cant wait to see how yours turned out! 

LOL. I wanted a statement bouquet and went all out. I still have like 75 brooches that I will use for other things.

I didn't make mind, I'm getting it from etsy. No diy skills at all. It's in my bio.

My mothers friend was going to make me one, but I decided to go with real flowers instead!!

I made mine!! Mine wasn't as large as yours, a lot of that had to do with travel to our destination wedding, I didn't want it to get damaged.

I used a flower base and I really think this is probably the best method. It definitely is great for securing the brooches. Mine had about 35-40 brooches, and it definitely was on the heavy side, but worth it for the look! 

Something I did, which I think was a huge help to the weight:
Around the stems, I put that foam pipe stuff, I cannot remember what it is actually called! It has glue on each side of it, so it was easy to seal. And super cheap! They have various sizes so you should definitely be able to find something to fit yours. It really made it easier to hold/grip. I wrapped the ribbon on top of the foam. It really gave it a great finish!

Here are two photos of what I've gotten done so far.  Still have to add feathers and ribbon.

What do you all think?

I think it looks AMAZING!!! It is going to be a showstopper on your big day!

Wow.... i have to admit i wasnt a big fan of these a first but this is amazing!!! I love it! Very different and creative. It looks nice! 

I'm not having my bouquet done as a brooch bouquet but I'm making my flower girl's hollowed out broo h kissing ball with petals inside. I will probably hollow out styrofoam and reinforce with chicken wire and line it with fabric.
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