Question
Hi, I'm having trouble figuring out how to get a full arrangement into a tall (eiffel/tower/tapered) vase!  I am thinking of using silk flowers for my table centerpieces, and have purchased some silk peonies, hydrangeas and roses.  I would like a fairly dense arrangement, about 20 stems, and I can only get about 3 stems to fit into the top of the vase.
Also I am concerned that those tall skinny vases will topple over if the tables are bumped--is there anything I can do to prevent this?  I've seen beautiful pictures of those eiffel vases and would love to have that at my wedding, but I am nervous that it may be a disaster waiting to happen!
Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Ashley,
I suspect that the skinny vases that you have seen have a ball of florists foam taped to the top of them.  The stems of the flowers are then cut short and arranged in the foam to give a natural effect with trailing foliage or blowsy flowers hiding the rim of the vase and the tape.
You will also need to weight the vase - glass pebbles will do this - just pour them in the top till they come about 20-30 cm up the vase, this weights the vase and stops it being top heavy.
The important thing with wedding flowers is exactly what you are doing - practice well ahead of the day.  You can get balls of dry flower foam (it is usually grey and is for dried and artificial flowers) and flower tape in many florists.
best wishes for your wedding
Jane