Baby’s Breath: The Perfect Touch of Elegance and Romance
When we think of floral arrangements, there’s often one unsung hero that steals the show without ever demanding the spotlight: Baby’s Breath. This delicate, white flower with its tiny blossoms and feathery appearance has been a staple in bouquets, corsages, and centerpieces for years. But Baby’s Breath is much more than just a filler flower. Its delicate beauty and rich symbolism make it a beloved bloom across the world.
What Is Baby’s Breath?
Baby’s breath, scientifically known as Gypsophila paniculata, belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. The plant is native to Europe and Asia, but it is now cultivated worldwide due to its popularity in floral arrangements and gardens. The flower’s petite white blooms grow in clusters, creating a cloud-like effect when bunched together. This airy look gives baby’s breath a unique, ethereal quality, making it both a perfect filler and a focal point in floral displays.
Why is baby’s breath so popular?
Baby’s breath has become synonymous with weddings, where it is used to complement a variety of other blooms. Brides often choose baby’s breath for bouquets, creating a soft, romantic feel that pairs beautifully with more vibrant or colorful flowers. It can also be used to craft full, stunning floral crowns, wreaths, or even garlands to adorn venues. IMO, a few reasons for the rise of babies breath in wedding decor are:
1) Versatility
Its versatility is one reason why baby’s breath is so beloved. It can work in almost any floral design, from minimalist bouquets to extravagant displays. Its lightweight nature and soft texture allow it to be integrated seamlessly into both rustic, country-themed arrangements as well as more modern, sleek designs.
2) Affordability
Weddings can be expensive, and floral arrangements are often a significant part of the budget. Baby’s Breath is a cost-effective option that still creates a luxurious and full-bodied look. Its voluminous characteristic means that a little goes a long way, and the price point is substantially less than many other florals like roses or lisianthus.
3) Long Lasting and Easy to Care For
Baby’s breath is hardy and can last for days, even weeks, when properly cared for. This makes it an excellent choice for couples who want their floral arrangements to last throughout the day of the wedding and into the reception. its not fussy and doesn’t require special care. On a hot summer day it doesn’t wilt and it stands up great without water, which is ideal if you’re using it in a garland or arch without a hydration source.
4) Ease of Incorporation into Wedding Party Details
Baby’s breath isn’t just for bouquets and centerpieces—it can be incorporated into every part of the wedding. From flower crowns for the bride or flower girls to boutonnières for the groom and groomsmen, Baby’s breath adds a cohesive look to the wedding party’s attire. Bridesmaids can carry small baby’s breath bouquets, or it can be woven into their hair for a romantic and whimsical touch.
What Other Wedding Details Can Baby’s Breath be Used for?
While baby’s breath is often used as a filler in larger arrangements, it can also take center stage in your floral design and be used in many wedding details beyond bouquets! Here are a few ideas:
- Boutonnieres: A small stem of baby’s breath can make a beautiful boutonniere for the groom and groomsmen.
- Centerpieces: If you’re looking for a cost effective decor option, filling mason jars with baby’s breath is a perfect choice if you’re looking for an airy, ethereal vibe. It also looks great in vintage vases or even beer growlers!
- Wedding Arch: Adorn your ceremony arch or backdrop with lush baby’s breath for a soft, romantic vibe.
- Hair Accessories: Wear baby’s breath in a floral crown or as individual accents in your hair for a natural, ethereal look.
- Cake Decoration: Babies breath is also a great accompaniment to other florals for decorating a wedding cake. In this photograph it makes a perfect backdrop to the roses; adding a delicate and elegant touch to this beautiful wedding cake.
Using Baby’s Breath in Bridal Bouquets
Having just babies breath in a bouquet is a super popular choice (and super easy to DIY!). If you’re wanting to have more than just baby’s breath in your bouquet, combining it with roses and eucalyptus is an excellent choice and super popular for couples that love greenery (silver dollar eucalyptus and baby blue eucalyptus are shown below).
How to Care for Baby’s Breath
Although Baby’s Breath is relatively low-maintenance, proper care is essential to keep it looking fresh in arrangements. Here are a few tips:
- Hydration: Like most flowers, baby’s breath needs water. Ensure the stems are submerged in water, and change the water every two days to keep it fresh.
- Trimming: Trim the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing them in water. This allows the stems to absorb more water and helps the flowers last longer.
- Cool Environment: Baby’s breath thrives in cooler temperatures, so keep arrangements away from direct sunlight or hot spots in your home.
- Use Pruners: We always suggest cutting your flowers with pruners rather than scissors, the reason is that scissors aren’t sharp enough to give a clean cut to the stems, and may slightly crush the stems, which impedes water uptake.
FAQ’s About Baby’s Breath
What do I do if the baby’s breath stems are tangled!?
The stems of baby’s breath easily become entwined and you’ll need to untangle them carefully to avoid damaging them. We suggest holding them upside down and gently shaking them (do this outside and you’ll loose a few florets during this, which is totally normal). The shaking will help loosen the stems up, and then you can take your fingers and tease apart the stems after.
How do I dry baby’s breath?
It’s super easy to dry baby’s breath, you can just leave it in a vase without water, or hang it upside down in a dry space that has good air flow (without enough airflow it might mold). Once dried properly, it’s a beautiful preserved flower that can be used in wreaths or as home décor (and makes a great memento to remember your wedding!)
How long does baby’s breath last?
Baby’s breath can last quite a long time in vases with water. IIt’s a great floral to use in wedding bouquets or garlands because of it’s long lasting nature, it doesn’t wilt or sag when out of water and will last the entire day of the ceremony looking just as good as when you made it.
How much babies breath do I need for a bouquet?
If you’re looking to create a bouquet that looks like this photograph, you’ll need approximately one bunch per bouquet, we always suggest getting a bit more, just in case you like the look of a fuller bouquet… and it never hurts to have a bit more!
Where can I buy bulk baby’s breath?
At You Floral we ship baby’s breath all across Canada and the US from our multiple warehouse hubs across the country. When you buy from us, you’ll save money, and are guaranteed to have high florist grade, quality florals!
How big is a bunch of baby’s breath?
Babies breath is sold by a weighted bunch, which generally weighs 250 grams. The best way to judge the size is to check out this video, where we show the average bunch size!
Baby’s breath has earned its place as a wedding favorite due to its beauty, symbolism, and versatility. Whether you use it in your bridal bouquet, as a focal point in décor, or for smaller accents in your wedding party’s attire, baby’s breath adds a soft, romantic touch to any wedding. If you’re considering this charming flower, you can rest assured it will bring elegance and timeless appeal to your big day.
If you’re considering DIY’ing your bouquets for your wedding, don’t hesitate to reach out, we offer free consults!
Thanks for reading our blog 😀
Sarah & Kat
