Creating A Pine Cone Wedding Bouquet: A Diy Guide

Pine cones are the seed vessels of pine trees and are considered sacred symbols in many cultures. They are also used extensively in arts and crafts, especially during the holiday season. Pine cone bouquets are perfect for rustic weddings and can be made in a variety of ways. You can make a basic bouquet or dress it up to celebrate any season or holiday. This could be a great DIY project for your wedding.

Choosing a container

When it comes to choosing a container for your pine cone wedding bouquet, the possibilities are endless. You can use an actual vase, a jar, a bottle, a bowl, a pitcher, a teacup, a teapot, a glass, or even a tin can. The type of container you choose will depend on the overall look you want to achieve and the size of your bouquet.

If you're going for a rustic or country-style wedding, a mason jar or a simple glass jar can be a perfect choice. For a more elegant or traditional wedding, consider using a classic vase or a pitcher. If you want to add a touch of whimsy or vintage charm, teacups or teapots can make unique and eye-catching containers.

Another option is to use a tin can, which can be decorated to match your wedding theme. For example, you could wrap the can in twine or paint it in your wedding colours. If you're having a winter wedding, a clear glass container filled with pinecones and accented with greenery or berries can be a beautiful choice.

Remember, the container you choose will also depend on the size of your bouquet. A larger bouquet will require a bigger container, while a smaller, more intimate bouquet can be showcased in a delicate teacup or jar. Don't be afraid to get creative and choose something that reflects your unique style.

Making a floral frog

One method is to use chicken wire. Cut a piece of chicken wire twice the size of your vase and fold it over to create a ball shape that fits inside the vase. Ensure you have chicken wire at the bottom and top of the vase to support the flowers. Place the chicken wire ball inside the vase, add water, and start tucking your flower stems through the chicken wire. For branching stems, tuck from the sides, and for taller flowers, tuck from the top.

Another method is to use floral or Scotch tape. Simply tape a grid across the top of your container, and you can start inserting your flower stems. This method is ideal for a demonstration, and you can watch a video tutorial online.

You can also make a floral frog using a paper cup and toothpicks. This type of floral frog is suitable for a small container and a dry arrangement. You can also use gravel, decorative stones, pine bark nuggets, or glass rocks to hold up your arrangement if you are using a glass container.

If you want to make something fancier, you can use air-dry clay. Roll out the clay with a roller or the side of a bottle to about 1/4 inch thick. Draw a circle slightly larger than the vase you plan to use. Then, use various ordinary objects like pen caps, straws, or markers to create holes in a pattern you like. Smooth out the edges with your fingers, and you can even press some herbs into the clay for added decoration. Allow the clay to dry overnight, and then place it on top of your vase before adding your flower stems.

Lastly, you can make a wire flower frog using paper-coated floral twine wire and five round wooden clothespins. You can follow a tutorial for the step-by-step process, but the basic idea is to cast on and then cast off after six rows, cinching the wire to form a tight circle. Place the floral frog over your vase and weave the tail end through the loops to secure it.

Adding decorations

Paint

You can paint your pine cones before attaching them to the stems. Get creative with colours such as gold or pink, or keep it simple with a spray of white paint. You could even add some glitter to the tips of the pine cones for a magical touch.

Essential oils

Add some fragrance to your bouquet with essential oils. Cinnamon oil, for example, will give your bouquet a warm, spicy scent.

Greenery and flowers

Add some greenery to your bouquet for a wintery feel, or spring flowers for a pop of colour. You could also include thistles, cotton, and small flowers for a soft, romantic look. For a bolder statement, add some large flowers, such as roses, and berries.

Ribbons

Wrap ribbons around the stems of your bouquet for a decorative touch. You could also tie ribbons to the pine cones themselves, letting the ends trail for a whimsical effect.

Fall leaves

If you're creating a fall-themed wedding bouquet, add some colourful fall leaves to your arrangement. You could even dip the leaves in gold paint for a glamorous, rustic look.

Beads and stones

For a touch of sparkle, add some decorative beads or stones to your bouquet. These could be glued directly to the pine cones or wrapped around the stems.

Painting pine cones

Choose the Right Pine Cones:

Select 6 to 10 small pine cones that are open and have a beautiful shape. You can find these in craft stores or collect them from the ground, ensuring they are clean and free of bugs.

Prepare Your Work Area:

Before you start painting, it is important to lay out some newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your work surface. Gather your paintbrushes, paints, and other materials so they are easily accessible.

Prime the Pine Cones:

Lightly sand the surface of each pine cone with fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth base for the paint to adhere to. You can also apply a thin coat of primer to the pine cones, especially if you plan to use light-coloured paint.

Select Your Paint:

Choose a paint colour that complements your wedding colour palette. You can use acrylic craft paints, spray paints, or even gilding for a metallic finish. Test the paint on a small area of the pine cone to ensure you are happy with the colour and coverage.

Paint the Pine Cones:

Using a small, flat-tipped paintbrush, carefully apply paint to the pine cone, working in the direction of the scales. Allow the paint to dry completely between coats, and apply additional coats as needed for full coverage.

Embellish with Glitter:

For a touch of sparkle, apply clear-drying craft glue to the tips of the painted pine cone scales and sprinkle with fine translucent glitter. Shake off the excess glitter and set aside to dry.

Add Fragrance (Optional):

If you want your pine cone bouquet to have a pleasant scent, add a few drops of essential oils, such as cinnamon, to the painted pine cones.

Assemble Your Bouquet:

Once the paint and glue are completely dry, follow the steps outlined in the previous response to assemble your pine cone bouquet, including drilling holes, attaching skewers, and arranging them in your chosen container.

Remember, you can also paint your pine cones in different colours to represent the seasons or specific holidays, such as gold and red for a festive winter wedding or pastel colours for a spring celebration. Get creative and have fun with this unique wedding bouquet idea!

Using glue to secure pine cones

To make a pine cone wedding bouquet, you will need 6 to 10 small pine cones, a Phillips head screwdriver, a glue gun and glue sticks, and wooden skewers. You can also use a drill and drill bit to make it easier to bore holes in the pine cones.

First, gather your pine cones and clean them by brushing them off and keeping them in a plastic bag overnight to catch any bugs.

Next, use your screwdriver to bore a hole into the bottom of each pine cone. Continue boring until you can secure a skewer into the bottom of the pine cone. If you want a more secure fit, you can use a glue gun to fasten the pine cone to the skewer.

For an extra-secure hold, wrap the skewer with floral tape before inserting it into the pine cone and adding glue. This will ensure that your pine cone bouquet is long-lasting and secure.

You can also add some fine translucent glitter to your pine cone bouquet by applying clear-drying craft glue to the pine cone tips and then pouring glitter over them. Shake off the excess glitter and set it aside to dry.

Frequently asked questions