Creating The Perfect Wedding Bow For Your Invites

Wedding invitations with bows are a great way to add elegance to your special day. They are also a clever way to incorporate your wedding colour scheme or theme. You can tie bows with any kind of ribbon or even make the bows out of paper. This introduction will cover how to make a bow for a wedding invitation, including the materials you will need, the steps to follow, and some tips to create a beautiful and elegant invitation.

Choosing the right ribbon

When choosing the right ribbon for your wedding invitation, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the ribbon's width will depend on your wedding style. For a formal and luxurious look, go for a wider ribbon, such as a 25mm satin ribbon. If you prefer something more casual, a skinnier ribbon, like 10mm, will do the trick! You can also match the ribbon to your wedding colour scheme or theme. Satin ribbons, for example, come in a variety of colours, from classic white to blush pink to black.

Another thing to keep in mind is the type of bow you want to create. If you don't like big bows, opt for a simple bow-style knot that gives an impression of luxury but takes only seconds to make. On the other hand, if you want something more fun and easy to make, you can try making a double bow, which is an updated version of the classic single bow.

When it comes to attaching the ribbon to your invitation, you have a few options. You can either tie the ribbon around the invitation, secure it with a glue dot, or use a belly band that matches your invitation suite. If you're concerned about the ribbon making the envelope bulky and increasing postage costs, you might want to consider just using a dot of hot glue to seal the ribbon.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment and practise. Tying the perfect ribbon on your wedding invitation may take a few tries, but it's a great way to add a personal and elegant touch to your special day.

Using a template

One popular template features a black and white bow design, perfect for the cool and trendy bride. This template is easy to use and can be filled out digitally before being printed on white textured card stock paper.

Another option is to create a bow-shaped invitation wrap. You can use any type of ribbon to create this design, and it's easy to customise to match your wedding theme. You'll need a paper trimmer, high-tack double-sided tape, scissors, a glue gun, and ribbon, card, and backing paper of your choice. Cut your card and backing paper to size, stick the backing paper on top of the card, and download and print your chosen template onto the card. Cut a length of ribbon twice the width of your invitation plus 2 cm, place your invitation face down in the middle and bring both ends of the ribbon in towards the back, gluing them together to form a band. Make a separate bow with a length of ribbon, glue it to the top of the ribbon band, and you're done!

Tying the perfect bow

The bow is a clever way to incorporate your wedding colour scheme or theme. You can tie bows with any kind of ribbon or even make the bows out of paper. The width of the ribbon you use will depend on your wedding style. For instance, a 25mm wide ribbon lends a formal and luxurious look, while a skinnier ribbon, such as 10mm, gives a more casual feel.

Simple Bow Style Knot

If you don't like big bows, you can try a simple bow style knot. This gives an impression of true luxury but takes only seconds to produce.

Dior Bow

Dior bows are frequently used on laser-cut wedding wraps as they create a great sense of elegance. You can also add a small pearl and crystal embellishment for the perfect finishing touch.

Double Bow

The double bow is an update of the classic single bow. It is fun and easy to make with your fingers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tying a Bow:

• Cut a length of ribbon 31cm long (twice the width of your invitation plus 2cm). Place the ribbon on a flat surface.
• Position your flat invitation face down in the middle of the ribbon.
• Bring both ends of the ribbon in towards the back of the invitation and use a glue gun to stick one end of the ribbon onto the other end, forming a band around the invitation.
• Pull off a length of ribbon and tie a bow using the "bunny ear" method. Depending on the ribbon you choose, your bow might need some teasing. Keep tightening and loosening the bow until you have teased it into shape.
• Once you are happy with the shape and size of the bow, cut off the excess ribbon. Leave a small tail, and cut the excess ribbon into an inverted "V" shape.
• Turn your bow upside down and add some glue from your glue gun along the outside edges. Press the bow into place on top of the ribbon band. Make sure that you don't get any glue on the card or paper.

Adding embellishments

Embellishments are a great way to make your wedding invitations stand out and to incorporate your wedding colour scheme or theme. Here are some ideas for adding embellishments to your bows:

Firstly, you can choose to use a ribbon to make your bow. Ribbons can be made from materials such as satin, which is a popular choice for a formal and luxurious look. The width of the ribbon you use will depend on your wedding style. For a formal and luxurious look, a wider ribbon is a good choice, while a skinnier ribbon will create a more casual feel. You can also choose from a variety of colours to match your wedding theme, such as white, blush pink, or black. If you don't want to use a large bow, you can try a simple bow-style knot, which gives an impression of luxury but takes only seconds to produce.

Once you have chosen your ribbon, you can follow these steps to create a symmetrical bow:

• Adjust the ribbon length so that both ends are the same length.
• Cross the two ends of the ribbon, passing one end under the other.
• Tie a knot where the ribbons have crossed to hold the equal lengths in place.
• Make one side of the ribbon into a loop, then repeat to make a second loop, making sure not to twist the ribbon.
• Cross the two loops, pulling the top loop under the bottom loop.
• Pull the loops together tightly, then adjust them until they are symmetrical and the desired size.
• Trim the ends of the ribbon if needed.

You can also add extra embellishments to your bow. For a sense of elegance, try adding a small pearl or crystal embellishment. For a unique touch, consider using pearl, silver, or crystal brads to hold your invitation together. You could also add twine or a ribbon tied around the invitation, or use a lace envelope liner and a kraft paper backing card.

Assembly and addressing

Now that you have chosen your design and materials, it's time to put your wedding invitations together. Set up your workspace as an assembly line to streamline the process. Assign specific tasks to different people if you have help. For example, one person can attach the overlays to the background cards, while another can attach the bows or other embellishments.

• Reply card with a stamped envelope or reply postcard
• Reception card
• The invitation itself

Once your invitations are assembled, it's time to address the envelopes. Handwrite your guests' names and addresses on the front of the envelopes for a personal touch. On the back flap of the envelope, include your return address. Avoid using abbreviations for streets and cities.

Finally, add an envelope seal for an elegant finishing touch. Your invitations are now ready to be mailed! Be sure to bring a sample to the post office to determine the correct postage, and mail your invitations four to six weeks before your wedding date.

Frequently asked questions