When to cut roses for bouquet

[HaddockDiem]

I’ve got the most stunning David Austin rose bush in my front garden - it’s the type ‘desdemona’. I really want to use this in a bridal bouquet because the scent and colours are amazing …. but…. I read garden roses are temperamental and I have no idea when to cut them for a wedding on Friday.

I can’t even decide whether to risk using these roses in case they wilt.

Can anyone advise. I do have lots of buckets, flower food and Event Decor Direct Oasis Floralife Finishing Touch Spray along with a mobile aircon in my garage ( which is where the flowers will be kept)

Any help much appreciated x

AI says 2-3 days before the wedding, although that advice may not hold in a heatwave!
To cover all bases, do you have enough to do some Tuesday morning and then some more Wednesday morning. And for peace of mind, have a Plan B (raiding somebody else's garden or buying flowers from a florist)
Good luck!

Depends on whether roses are in bud or already in flower. If they are in bud, then they need a day or two to start opening up (late DM used to do church flower arranging, and would rope me in to help with harvest festival, weddings etc).

When will the bouquet be assembled?

Caveat: I have no experience of David Austin roses whatever. Maybe you could contact them and ask for their advice.

@senua @Yamadori thanks to both for replying.

I have plenty of commercial and farm flowers coming so it’s ok if they don’t last! Just be nice if they did

thanks again x

All done!! All flowers great after me getting up in the middle of night to put ice cubes in water. I sealed cut hydrangeas with alum powder and they lasted great. David Austin roses survived but but floppy so ended up gracing meadow boxes. Thanks everyone

Oh, those pictures are fab OP! When you said you were doing the bouquet I thought, "you're a braver woman than me". I did DD's table flowers but no way was I doing the bouquet. Your palette is gorgeous and really sets off the dreamy dress.

But, most importantly, DD looks very happy.
Well done.

@senua that’s lovely of you xxx