Make Your Paper Wedding Bouquet Shine Brighter

Paper flowers are a great way to add a creative, handmade touch to your wedding. They're long-lasting, inexpensive, and can be made to look just as beautiful as real flowers. You can make paper flowers shine by using different types of paper, such as construction paper, crepe paper, or even metallic paper. Adding a watercolour wash or printing patterns on the paper can also give your flowers a unique shine. To make your bouquet shine, you can decorate the paper vase with construction paper, markers, or paint. You can also add beads, brads, or ribbon to your paper flowers for an extra touch of glamour.

Choose the right paper for your flowers and vase

Choosing the right paper for your flowers and vase is a crucial step in making your paper wedding bouquet shine. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you select the best paper for your project:

Type of Paper:

• Construction paper: Construction paper is a readily available and affordable option for making paper flowers. It comes in various colours, allowing you to create vibrant and colourful bouquets.
• Printer paper: If you want to print intricate designs or patterns on your paper, using printer paper is a good option. You can find printer paper in different colours as well.
• Rice paper: When it comes to origami, rice paper is an excellent choice. It is thicker than regular paper, creases well, and is less likely to tear.
• Crepe paper: Crepe paper has a unique texture that can add interest and dimension to your flowers. It is stretchy and may require different templates than regular paper.
• Text weight paper: This type of paper is ideal for creating delicate and lightweight flowers. It is not too thick or too flimsy, making it easy to work with.
• Cardstock: If you want to make sturdy and robust flowers, cardstock is a good option. However, it may be more challenging to work with for intricate designs.

Colour and Pattern:

• Solid colours: You can choose a single colour or a combination of colours for your flowers and vase. Consider the overall theme and colour palette of your wedding when making your selection.
• Metallic paper: For a touch of elegance and shine, consider using metallic paper. It reflects light beautifully and can make your bouquet stand out.
• Printed designs: If you want to add intricate patterns or designs to your paper, consider using printer paper. You can print your desired design or even watercolour paint directly onto the paper.

Paper Weight and Thickness:

• Thicker paper, such as cardstock, is ideal for creating sturdy flowers that will hold their shape.
• Lighter weight paper, like text weight paper, is perfect for delicate and lightweight flowers.
• If you plan to use origami techniques, choose a paper that is thick enough to hold a crease but not so thick that it becomes difficult to fold.

Amount of Paper:

• Consider the size of your bouquet and the number of flowers you need to make. Calculate the number of petals per flower and the number of flowers you need to create to determine the total amount of paper required.
• For the vase, you will likely only need one or two sheets of paper, depending on the size and design you choose.

Remember to choose paper that aligns with your vision for the bouquet and complements the overall style of your wedding. Enjoy the process of creating your paper wedding bouquet!

Cut and fold your petals

To make paper flowers for a wedding bouquet, you'll need to cut and fold your petals. This process can be time-consuming, so make sure you set aside enough time to make enough flowers for your bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide to cutting and folding your petals:

• Cut your paper into squares: You'll need 3-5 squares of paper for each flower, depending on how full you want your flowers to be. Keep the squares as large as possible to have enough material for the folds. If you're using printer paper, a helpful trick is to fold one corner of the paper over to the opposite diagonal side and cut the remaining strip to create a square.
• Fold a diagonal crease: Fold each square diagonally to create a clean crease in the centre. This will serve as a guide for the next steps.
• Fold up the edges: Bring the centre edges of the square up to the top corner, creating a small square or diamond shape with triangular halves folded over. Ensure your folds are precise for the best results.
• Fold the open edges: Take the open edges at the centre of your diamond and fold them outwards to meet the outer edges of the triangles. This will create a "kite" shape. Open up the kite shape over the diamond base to create a full kite shape.
• Bring the edge folds together: Turn your petal inwards to create a small cone shape. Add a small amount of glue between the folds to secure it. Allow the glue to dry before handling the petal further.
• Repeat the process: While one petal is drying, start working on the next one. Continue until you have enough petals for your desired number of flowers.
• Assemble the petals: Once you have enough petals, it's time to assemble them into flowers. Add a dab of glue to the centre of each petal and attach it to the stem, with the glued flaps facing inward. Ensure the petals are secured before moving on.
• Create multiple flowers: Each flower should have 3-5 petals. Repeat the petal-making and assembly process until you have the desired number of flowers for your bouquet.

Assemble your flowers

Now that you have all your materials ready, it's time to assemble your paper flowers. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Cut several teardrop (petal) shapes out of the crepe paper. You can do this quickly by cutting straight from the roll.
• Cut a small square of crepe paper and fold it in half to create a triangle.
• Take your floral wire and wrap the triangle around the tip, securing it with double-sided tape.
• Continue wrapping the paper around the wire until it is completely covered.
• Add more petals to form the bud of your flower, securing each petal with floral tape at the base.
• Repeat steps 1-5 until you have created the desired number of blooms.
• Twist the wired leaves onto each flower stem.
• Gather the stems and cover them with floral tape to create a bouquet.
• Trim the floral wire ends with wire cutters.
• Wrap ribbon around the bouquet stems to cover the floral tape and add a finishing touch.

You can also add other decorative elements, such as beads or ribbons, to personalize your bouquet and make it even more special.

Create your paper vase

To create your own paper vase, you can follow these simple steps:

Option 1: Papier-Mâché Vase

This option is a little more involved but will result in a sturdy vase that can stand on its own.

• Prepare the papier-mâché paste: In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup of flour with water until you reach a batter-like consistency. You can adjust the consistency by adding more flour or water as needed.
• Prepare the materials: Tear newspaper into thin strips. These will serve as the foundation for your vase. The smaller the strips, the smoother your vase will be, especially around the round corners. Blow up a small balloon to about 4 inches wide. This will act as the mold for the bottom of your vase. You can adjust the size of the balloon to create a larger or smaller vase.
• Create the vase form: Protect your workspace, as this step can get messy! Dip the newspaper strips into the papier-mâché paste, removing any excess with your fingers. Attach the glued strips directly to the balloon, overlapping them slightly, until the balloon is covered. Leave a hole at the top for the vase opening. Set aside to dry for at least 4 hours.
• Add the vase neck: Once the papier-mâché layer is dry, hot glue a toilet paper roll to the balloon at the hole. This will form the neck of your vase.
• Complete the vase form: Continue adding glued newspaper strips to the vase, connecting the balloon and toilet paper roll, until you achieve the desired shape and thickness. Let each layer dry before adding a new one. For a smoother finish, add a final layer of tissue paper strips.
• Remove the balloon: Once the final layer is dry, pop the balloon and remove it from the vase.
• Create a flat bottom: Find a flat surface and gently push the bottom of the vase onto it to create a flat base so that the vase can stand on its own.

Option 2: Origami Vase

If you're looking for a quicker and simpler option, you can create an origami vase using just a sheet of paper.

• Prepare the paper: For this option, you will need a square piece of paper. If you only have a rectangular piece of paper, you can fold it diagonally to create a square.
• Create the base: Fold the square diagonally to create a triangle. Then, fold the triangle in half towards the centre, opening it up again to create a crease. Fold the corners of the triangle towards the centre crease, one at a time, so that they meet at the centre. You should now have a smaller diamond shape.
• Shape the vase: Fold the left and right corners towards the centre, one at a time, so that they overlap slightly. You should now have a smaller diamond shape with two layers. Fold the entire diamond in half towards you, creasing it gently.
• Add the finishing touches: Open up the top of the vase by gently pulling apart the layers. You can now add flowers or other decorations to your vase.

Option 3: Rolled Paper Vase

Another simple option is to create a vase by rolling paper into a cone shape.

• Prepare the paper: Choose a rectangular piece of paper in the colour or pattern of your choice. You can also cut a piece of cardboard to size and cover it with paper for a sturdier vase.
• Roll the paper: Place the paper pattern-side down if it has one. Roll the paper into a cone shape, adjusting the angle and overlap as needed to create the desired vase shape and width.
• Secure the vase: Use tape or glue to secure the paper in place. You can decorate the vase with ribbons, paint, or other embellishments if desired.

Decorate your bouquet

Now for the fun part! With all the pieces ready, it's time to decorate the bouquet and give it some extra visual spunk. You can decide what overall look you're going for and what style you want the bouquet to have. If you're feeling extra creative, you can even invent a fresh pattern of your own!

• Wrap construction paper around the vase: You can use construction paper to wrap around the vase and secure it with tape. This will give you a canvas to decorate however you choose. You can also use multiple colours of paper for a bolder look.
• Draw a design around the vase: Use markers, pencil crayons, or even watercolours to add a unique touch to your vase. You can go for a simple geometric pattern or a full-blown drawing, depending on your artistic skills.
• Accent your flower petals: Add some extra life to your bouquet by drawing intricate designs or shaded textures on the petals. A little bit of shading can go a long way in improving the overall look of your flowers.
• Arrange your flowers in the vase: Play around with the arrangement of your flowers to create a visually appealing composition. Distribute them evenly across the front and back, or get creative and experiment with different placements.
• Add some shine: If you want to add a touch of sparkle to your bouquet, consider using glitter glue or glitter paper for some of the petals or vase decorations. You can also use metallic paper for a more subtle sheen.
• Incorporate ribbon: Ribbon can be a great way to add texture and interest to your bouquet. Try wrapping ribbon around the stems of your flowers or incorporating it into the vase design.
• Add some greenery: Include some paper leaves or other greenery to give your bouquet a more natural look. You can find templates for paper leaves online or draw your own.

Frequently asked questions