Project: DIY Botanical Ice Buckets & Wine Coolers

The Vibe:

As August brings the heat, this DIY focuses on keeping drinks cool while doubling as a gorgeous centerpiece. It captures the fleeting beauty of summer florals before the season turns. It is ethereal, practical, and highly photogenic.

Materials Needed:

• Two plastic containers of different sizes (one must fit inside the other with about 1 inch of space between them).
• Fresh flowers (bright zinnias, roses, or wildflowers), greenery, and citrus slices (lemons or blood oranges).
• Distilled water (boil and cool it first for crystal-clear ice).
• Rocks or weights.
• Tape.

The Process

1. Prep the Layer: Pour about 1 inch of water into the bottom of the larger container and freeze (this creates the base).
2. Set the Mold: Place the smaller container inside the larger one, resting on the frozen base. Place rocks/weights inside the small container to keep it from floating. Tape across the top to secure it centered.
3. Stuff the Walls: Slide your flowers, greenery, and fruit slices into the gap between the two containers. Use a chopstick to push them down if needed.
4. Fill & Freeze: Pour water into the gap, filling it to the rim. Freeze overnight.
5. Unmold: Run warm water over the outside of the large bucket and inside the small bucket to release your ice sculpture. Place a wine bottle inside and serve!

Tie it to the Invite

Planning a late-summer garden soirée? Match the florals in your ice bucket to the blooms on our [Insert Name of Floral Invite Collection]. It creates a cohesive visual story from the moment the envelope is opened to the moment the champagne is poured.