Crafting A Wedding Peony: Handmade Elegance For Your Big Day

Peonies are a popular choice for wedding decor, from bouquets to centrepieces, and even wedding cakes. They are loved for their lush shape, soft petals, and romantic aroma. While fresh peonies are only available for a short period of time, you can make your own paper peonies or use garden roses for a similar look. In this article, we will explore different ways to incorporate handmade peonies into your wedding, from creating simple bouquets to crafting paper flowers for a timeless decoration.

Choosing the right paper

When making handmade wedding peonies, it is important to choose the right paper to ensure they look realistic and hold their shape. Here are some tips to help you select the best paper for your project:

Type of Paper

Crepe paper is an excellent choice for making paper peonies due to its stretch and ability to create a rounded cup shape for the outer petals. However, not all crepe papers are created equal. Floral crepe paper, such as Italian crepe paper, has more stretch and is thicker than craft crepe paper, making it better suited for creating intricate and complex blooms like peonies. Craft crepe paper is thinner, has less stretch, and may not hold the shape as well, resulting in flowers that look more crafty.

Paper Weight

The weight of the crepe paper is another important factor to consider. Heavier papers, such as 180g, may not capture the finer details of intricate flowers like peonies. Lighter papers, such as 60g or 140g, are better suited for creating the delicate petals of peonies. Lia Griffith, the creator of the DIY Crepe Paper Peonies, recommends using extra fine crepe paper, which is most comparable to 60g crepe paper.

Grain Direction

Cutting the paper along the grain is crucial for achieving the desired shape of the petals. Cutting against the grain can result in petals that do not stretch enough or lie flat, affecting the overall appearance of the flower. Lia Griffith's pattern includes grain lines to guide you in placing and cutting the paper in the correct direction.

Paper Colour

When choosing the colour of your crepe paper, consider the natural colours of peony petals. Soft, muted colours found in nature, such as pale cream, blush, and various shades of pink, peach, and coral, will give your paper peonies a more realistic and romantic look. You can also try experimenting with different colours to create unique and non-traditional peonies.

Paper Source

The source of your crepe paper is essential for ensuring quality and ease of use. Lia Griffith recommends using crepe paper from Carte Fini, an Italian crepe paper supplier known for its high-quality papers and natural, muted colours. Another option is to purchase crepe paper from The Crepe Paper Store, which sells Carte Fini crepe paper.

Peony bouquet arrangement

Peony bouquets are a popular choice for weddings, with the lush shape and soft, romantic petals of the flower making for a versatile arrangement that can be customised to suit any style of celebration. When creating a peony bouquet, you can opt for a monochromatic arrangement or mix and match different colours to create a dynamic and textured look.

If you're making your own peony bouquet, it's important to consider the colours and varieties of peonies you choose, as well as their bud stage. Peonies come in a range of colours, including white, pale pink, and deep magenta, and each variety can lend a different feel to your bouquet. For a soft, vintage look, go for pink peonies, or choose white peonies for a classic and elegant arrangement. Darker red and magenta peonies make a bold statement and are a good choice if you want to dry your bouquet.

The bud stage of the peonies you choose will also affect the overall appearance and longevity of your bouquet. Tighter buds will open gradually over a few days, helping your bouquet stay fresh for longer, while fully open peonies will have a shorter lifespan. A mix of tight, soft, and fully open peonies will create a dynamic and captivating arrangement as the flowers bloom at different times.

When arranging your peonies, start by selecting an appropriate vase or container, considering the size of your bouquet and choosing something proportionate. A clear glass vase or ceramic container will give a classic and elegant look, while mason jars are perfect for a more rustic, casual vibe. You can also use floral tape or scotch tape to create a support structure for your bouquet, especially if you're mixing peonies with other flowers that have weaker stems.

Before placing the peonies in the vase, wipe the container clean and fill it with room temperature or slightly warm distilled water, along with a preservative or homemade flower food. Cut the peony stems at a 45-degree angle to help them absorb water, and remove any leaves that will be submerged. Place the taller stems in the middle of the vase and the shorter ones around the edges, arranging them at varying heights and angles to create visual interest.

You can also add complementary flowers, foliage, and greenery to your bouquet for depth and contrast. Eucalyptus and ferns pair well with peonies, and flowers like hydrangeas, ranunculus, and roses can add a beautiful touch when mixed with peonies.

Peony centrepiece

A peony centrepiece can be a beautiful addition to your wedding decor. Here are some tips and tricks to create a stunning peony centrepiece:

Choosing the Flowers:

Firstly, decide on a colour scheme that complements your wedding theme. Pick a variety of flowers and fillers to work with, including some light and dark shades for contrast. When selecting peonies, look for tight buds that show a good amount of colour; they should feel like marshmallows. You can also use other flowers such as roses, lisianthus, or ranunculus, which pair beautifully with the ruffled, round shape of peonies. For fillers, consider herbs like blooming cilantro, rosemary, basil, or sage for added greenery and fragrance.

Preparing the Flowers:

When working with peonies, ask your local florist or flower market about the best techniques for handling them. Peonies require specific methods for peeling the leaves and petals to encourage blooming. They also need to be kept cool to prevent premature opening. Remove any yellowed or lower leaves that will fall below the water line in the vase.

Selecting the Vase:

The vase you choose will depend on the style of your wedding and the size of your arrangement. Consider using simple canning jars, short cylinder vases, or wide-neck vases. If using a vase with a wide opening, purchase clear florist tape to create a grid that will help hold the flowers in place.

Arranging the Centrepiece:

Start by filling your vase with water and creating a grid with tape. Begin with your largest blooms, removing the leaves, cutting the stems, and placing them in the centre of the vase. Work your way outwards, "measuring" the stems by placing them at an angle near the vase and trimming them to size. Don't worry if the arrangement doesn't look full yet, as you can fill it in later.

Continue adding flowers in a circle around the vase, using different varieties and fillers to create height and texture. Don't be afraid to play around with the flowers and see what works best. Fill in any gaps with smaller sprigs of filler materials, creating a nest between the flowers and the vase. You can also use delicate branches, like eucalyptus, to extend out from the arrangement for a balanced, asymmetrical look.

Add interest and height to your centrepiece by incorporating delicate fillers, such as plum fern, to contrast with the light flowers and add a dark hue. You can also change up each centrepiece by leaving out certain flowers or using different combinations of fillers to highlight different colours and textures.

Step back and admire your handiwork! Your peony centrepieces will add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding decor.

Peony wedding arch

Peonies are a popular choice for wedding decor, and with their lush shape, soft petals, and gorgeous aroma, it's not hard to see why. They are believed to bring good luck and prosperity to newlyweds, and their versatility means they can be used to match any wedding style.

When creating a peony wedding arch, you can use a combination of real and artificial flowers to achieve a full and vibrant look. Etsy offers a wide range of peony wedding arch decorations, including floral swags, garlands, and draping fabric. You can also incorporate other elements such as eucalyptus leaves, candles, and coloured flowers to create a unique and personalised arch.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own paper peonies for your wedding arch. Lia Griffith provides a detailed tutorial on how to create crepe paper peonies, which can be a fun and cost-effective way to add a handmade touch to your special day.

• For a bright and colourful summer wedding, decorate your arch with light pink and fuchsia peonies, paired with olive branches.
• A refined and chic wedding could feature an arch adorned with greenery, pink peonies, blue and white blooms, and elegant candles.
• A bold and modern statement can be made with a bright peony arch, incorporating hot pink peonies, orange and pink blooms, and lush greenery.
• For a romantic and whimsical touch, opt for a combination of bold pink, blush, burgundy, and orange peonies, accented with white leaves and fruit.

With their versatility and beauty, peonies are an excellent choice for creating a stunning wedding arch that will leave a lasting impression on your big day.

Peony cake topper

Materials:

• Crepe paper in the colour of your choice (Lia Griffith recommends Carte Fini)
• 18-gauge floral wire
• Floral tape
• Low-temp hot glue gun
• Scissors

Steps:

• Cut out the petals using the template provided by Lia Griffith. Cut along the grain, as this will allow the petals to stretch enough to achieve a rounded cup shape.
• Glue the ends of the tiny leaves surrounding the bloom base onto the wire and begin your wrap over the top of the green paper leaves.
• Stretch the floral tape gently as you twist it down the wire to secure it.
• Use three leaves on their own floral wire stems to support the flower head, as it is very heavy.
• Once you have made enough flowers, arrange them on your cake.

Tips:

• Lia Griffith recommends using floral crepe paper, as it has more stretch than regular crepe paper.
• Lia Griffith also recommends using a cutting machine to cut out the petals, but this is not necessary.

Frequently asked questions