Create A Wedding Kissing Ball: A Diy Guide

Kissing balls, also known as pomanders, are a popular decoration at weddings. They are typically made from fresh or artificial flowers and are used to decorate wedding arches, chairs, door knobs, pews, and aisles. They can also be carried by the flower girl as a unique alternative to a bouquet. To make a kissing ball, you will need a styrofoam ball, flowers or greenery, ribbon, and pins or glue. The process involves covering the styrofoam ball with flowers or greenery, adding ribbon for hanging, and optionally including embellishments such as pine cones or berries.

Choosing a base: apples, potatoes, or foam balls are popular options

When it comes to choosing a base for your kissing ball, apples, potatoes, and foam balls are all popular options. Each has its own advantages and will give your kissing ball a unique look and feel.

Apples and potatoes were commonly used as bases for kissing balls during the Victorian era. This traditional option gives your kissing ball a natural, rustic look. If you opt for this base, you will need to decorate it with herbs, greens, and flowers. You can also add a ribbon for hanging. However, fruit and vegetable cores may not last long, so keep in mind that you may need to replace them if you want your kissing ball to last beyond your wedding day.

Foam balls, on the other hand, provide a more durable base. They come in various sizes, typically ranging from 3 to 8 inches in diameter. You can find these at your local craft store or online. Using a foam ball as your base also gives you more flexibility in terms of decorations. You can choose to cover it with fresh or artificial flowers, greenery, ribbons, and other embellishments. If you're using a white foam ball and want to avoid any showing through, you can spray-paint it green before you begin decorating.

Whether you choose a traditional apple or potato base or go with the more modern foam ball, your kissing ball is sure to be a beautiful addition to your wedding décor.

Selecting flowers: fresh or artificial flowers can be used, with popular choices including carnations, roses, and gerbera daisies

Kissing balls, also known as pomanders, can be made with fresh or artificial flowers. Popular flower choices include carnations, roses, and gerbera daisies. Carnations, for instance, are often used to symbolise compassion, nurturing, and love. Roses, on the other hand, are a classic symbol of romantic love.

If you want to use fresh flowers, it's important to choose ones that will last and not wilt quickly. You can also soak the flower sprigs in water overnight to prolong their life. Another option is to use artificial flowers, which will last throughout the event and can be kept as a souvenir or decoration.

When choosing flowers, consider the colour scheme and the overall effect you want to create. For a bold statement, you can use bright colours such as hot pink or red. For a more subtle and classic look, opt for white floral arrangements. You can also mix and match different types of flowers to create a unique and personalised kissing ball.

The size of the flowers and their stems is also important to consider. Smaller flowers with shorter stems might be easier to attach to the base, and flat flowers like daisies work well with styrofoam balls. If you want to use roses, for example, you might need to use a larger styrofoam ball to accommodate their size.

Adding greenery: holly, pine, and mistletoe are traditional choices, with some adding extra embellishments like pine cones and berries

When it comes to adding greenery to your kissing ball, holly, pine, and mistletoe are traditional choices, and you can add extra embellishments like pine cones and berries.

To begin, you'll need a foam sphere, wire, and your chosen greenery. Strip the ends of the greenery and cut each sprig to your desired size, ensuring they are all about the same length to create a uniform sphere. You can also add in some artificial berries for a pop of colour.

Next, stick the stripped ends into the foam ball, adding more greenery until your ball is as full as you'd like. If you're using a foam ball, you can also add some Spanish moss to cover the foam before adding the greenery. Using a hot glue gun, poke holes all over the ball and add a small amount of hot glue before inserting your greenery.

To finish, tie a ribbon around the wire at the top of your kissing ball. You can also add some ribbon streamers at the bottom if you like. Use hot glue to keep everything in place.

Your kissing ball will add a beautiful, natural touch to your wedding décor and is sure to be a conversation starter!

Hanging the kissing ball: options include using ribbon, wire, or a coat hanger to hang the ball from the ceiling, doorways, or wedding arches

Kissing balls are traditionally hung from doorways, arches, or ceilings to encourage romance and bestow blessings and good luck upon those who pass under them.

When hanging your DIY kissing ball, you can use ribbon, wire, or a coat hanger. If you opt for ribbon, simply make a loop with the ribbon at the top of the kissing ball and secure it with hot glue or pins. If you want to hang your kissing ball with wire, you can push a length of wire through the centre of the ball and bend the ends to form hooks to hold the ball in place. You can also use a coat hanger by straightening it out, pushing it through the centre of the ball, and bending the ends to secure it.

Once you've chosen your hanging method and secured your kissing ball, you can hang it from the ceiling, doorways, or wedding arches. If hanging from a doorway, be sure to choose a spot where guests will have enough room to stand underneath and share a kiss!

Maintenance: misting the kissing ball with water regularly will help it stay fresh for several weeks

To keep your kissing ball looking its best, regular maintenance is required. The key to keeping it fresh is moisture, so misting the ball with water is essential. This will ensure it stays fresh for several weeks. If kept outside in cooler weather, it will remain fresh throughout the holidays.

The kissing ball's longevity depends on how well it is cared for. Misting the ball regularly will keep the moss, greenery, and any other natural elements moist and healthy. The misting process is simple: use a small spray bottle filled with water, and lightly spritz the ball, ensuring you cover all areas. This will provide the necessary moisture to keep the natural elements from drying out and maintain their colour and texture.

For outdoor kissing balls, the natural elements and cooler temperatures will help to preserve the ball, and the misting process can be less frequent. However, for indoor kissing balls, the absence of natural humidity means more frequent misting is required. Aim to mist at least once a day, or twice if the ball is in a particularly dry environment.

In addition to misting, there are other care tips to keep in mind. Ensure the ball is not placed in direct sunlight for extended periods, as this can cause the greenery to fade and dry out. Also, avoid placing the ball in areas of high traffic or contact, as the natural elements are delicate and can be easily damaged or dislodged.

By following these maintenance tips, your kissing ball will remain fresh and beautiful, adding a unique and romantic touch to your wedding or holiday decor.

Frequently asked questions