A Quick Guide to Choosing the Right Vase for Your Bouquet
When it comes to styling flowers, the vase is just as important as the blooms themselves. The shape, size, and colour of your vase will completely change the mood of your bouquet — whether you want a chic, formal arrangement or something relaxed and abundant. Here’s how to choose the right vase and make sure your stems fit beautifully.
Why Vase Shape Matters
Tall Vases with a Narrow Rim
A tall vase with a slim opening naturally pulls stems together. This creates an upright, elegant look that’s perfect for long-stemmed flowers like lilies, gladioli, or roses. The bouquet feels structured and polished, ideal for hotel lobbies or dinner party tables.
💡 Styling tip: Cut your stems so the flowers sit about 1.5–2 times the height of the vase above the rim for a well-balanced look.
Low, Wide Vases
A shorter vase with a wider mouth lets flowers relax outward. The result is a softer, more natural arrangement that feels abundant and garden-like. This style is wonderful for hydrangeas, peonies, or mixed meadow flowers.
💡 Styling tip: Trim stems shorter so the blooms rest just above or gently spill over the rim.
The Versatile Medium Vase
Not too tall, not too wide - the medium vase is the all-rounder. It works with most bouquets and creates a “just picked” style that isn’t too formal or too sprawling. This is the vase you’ll reach for again and again.
How Vase Colour Changes the Mood
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Clear glass vases – classic, timeless, lets the flowers shine.
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White or neutral ceramics – soft, modern, minimalist.
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Dark-toned vases (black, navy, forest green) – dramatic, makes pale flowers pop.
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Coloured glass or vintage vases – playful, nostalgic, full of character.
Think of the vase as part of the artwork: the colour frames your flowers and sets the overall tone.
Cutting and Fitting Stems to the Vase
Getting the stem length right makes a huge difference. Too long, and flowers look awkward. Too short, and they disappear inside the vase. Here are the best tools for the job:
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Florist scissors – sharp and precise for trimming thinner stems.
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Bypass pruners or secateurs – strong enough for woody stems (like roses).
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Bolt cutters or heavy-duty wire cutters – ideal for faux flowers with wire centres or very thick stems.
💡 Tip for faux flowers: If stems are too stiff, you can bend the wire inside to adjust the height instead of cutting. This keeps your options open for reusing them in different arrangements later.
Pro Tips for Vase Arranging
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Don’t overcrowd the vase. Give each bloom room to open up.
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Use the “1.5–2x rule”: flowers should rise about 1.5 to 2 times the vase height.
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Treat the vase and flowers as a single composition — they should complement each other, not compete.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right vase shape, size, and colour is just as important as choosing the flowers. A tall, narrow vase will give you sleek elegance, while a low, wide vase will make your bouquet feel relaxed and abundant. Pair that with the right stem cutting tools and techniques, and you’ll always have arrangements that look professional, balanced, and beautiful.