Creating A Ribbon Bouquet For Your Wedding Rehearsal

Creating a ribbon bouquet for the wedding rehearsal is a fun, quirky tradition that many guests will enjoy. It is made from the ribbons and bows from the gifts the bride receives at her bridal shower. The bouquet is used by the bride during the rehearsal, as she practices walking down the aisle. This guide will take you through the steps to make a beautiful ribbon bouquet.

Collecting ribbons and bows from gifts

To collect the ribbons and bows, it is a good idea to ask a bridesmaid or a crafty friend to gather the ribbons as the bride opens her gifts. This ensures that none of the ribbons or bows are accidentally discarded or damaged during the excitement of gift-opening. The maid of honour is often tasked with this duty, and it is a fun project for her to undertake.

The ribbons and bows can be collected from gifts at various pre-wedding events, such as the bridal shower or any other gift-giving gatherings. It is a good idea to separate the long ribbons from the short ones, as the longer ones can be used to create the base of the bouquet. Any fun extras, such as feathers or package tie-ons, can also be added to the collection for a more unique and personalised bouquet.

The ribbons and bows can be stored and organised before crafting the bouquet. This can be done by cutting holes in a paper plate and threading the loose ribbons through, or by simply collecting and storing them in a designated bag or container. It is important to be careful when unwrapping the gifts, as some traditions believe that breaking a bow predicts the number of children the bride will have!

Collecting the ribbons and bows from gifts is a fun and easy way to involve the bridal party in the wedding preparations and adds a special touch to the wedding rehearsal.

Using scissors to poke a hole in the paper plate

To make a ribbon bouquet for a wedding rehearsal, you'll need to start by poking a hole in the middle of a thick paper plate with a pair of scissors. The hole should be large enough to fit your finger through. This will be the base of your bouquet.

It's important to choose a thick paper plate as this will be sturdier and provide a stronger base for your bouquet. The hole in the middle will be used to thread the ribbons through, so it needs to be big enough for the ribbons to fit comfortably without tearing the plate.

When poking the hole, be careful not to apply too much pressure to the plate with the scissors, as you don't want to tear or rip the paper. Hold the plate steady with one hand and carefully insert the scissors into the centre, then slowly twist and apply gentle pressure to cut through the paper. You may need to wiggle the scissors slightly to enlarge the hole to the desired size.

Once you have the central hole, you can cut additional holes around the plate. These holes will be used to thread the ribbons through and create the bouquet's shape. The number of holes you cut will depend on the length of your ribbons and how full you want the bouquet to be. Typically, you'll want to cut at least two or four holes to create a criss-cross or star-like pattern.

Threading ribbons through the hole

• Start by obtaining a thick paper plate. You can use two plates for added strength if you have a lot of ribbons.
• Using scissors or a knife, carefully poke a hole in the centre of the plate. Ensure the hole is large enough for your finger to fit through. This step will create the foundation for your ribbon bouquet.
• Separate the long ribbons from the short ones. You will be threading the long ribbons through the hole to create the structure of the bouquet.
• Take the long ribbons and string them through the hole. You can use your scissors to gently push the ribbon through if needed.
• Pull the ribbons through the hole and around the outside of the plate. You can create an X shape by stabbing the plate with scissors and inserting a second ribbon to form a steady base.
• Tie a knot with the ribbons at the backside of the plate. This will secure the ribbons in place and provide a sturdy base for the bouquet.
• Continue threading and tying ribbons until you have used all your long ribbons or covered a significant portion of the plate.
• If you have any extra-long pieces of ribbon, you can cut them to ensure they match the length of the others.

By following these steps, you will create a beautiful and secure base for your ribbon bouquet. The ribbons will be neatly threaded through the hole, ready for the next steps of arranging the bows and adding any additional decorations.

Adding bows and other decorations

To attach the bows to the paper plate, you can use tape. You can also thread the loose ends of the ribbons through holes in the plate. If you want to add some extra decoration, you can curl the thin ribbons with your scissors by running the blade along the ribbon.

To make the bouquet look even more full and festive, you can add some gift extras or package tie-ons. For example, you can tape on a cute feather or some faux flowers or greenery or glue on paper leaves from the bridal shower decorations.

Creating a handle for the bouquet

To do this, you will need to cut a hole in the middle of a thick paper plate—make sure it's big enough to push your finger through. Then, string the long ribbons through the hole and around the outside of the plate. Tie the ribbons at the bottom of the plate, just under the hole. The knot of ribbons will form a handle for the bride to carry her bouquet. Cover the entire outside of the paper plate so that it is not visible.

If you want to make the handle even prettier, you can repeat the process of tying and gluing ribbons around the handle.

Frequently asked questions