Creating A Wedding Bell Piñata For Your Big Day

Wedding piñatas are a fun new trend, and a great way to add a unique touch to your special day. They can be made at home, or bought online, and can be filled with treats for your guests. You can even get creative and fill them with small favours like lottery tickets, personalised pins, small toys, or mini plastic bottles of liquor. If you're looking to make your own wedding bell piñata, you'll need a few supplies, including cardboard, crepe paper, glue, and string. You'll also need to be patient, as it can take several hours to create a piñata!

Making the base with cardboard

To make a wedding bell pinata out of cardboard, you'll need to start by creating a base structure. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Gather your materials: You will need cardboard, a pencil, a ruler or measuring tape, a craft knife or scissors, and strong adhesive tape.
• Plan the size and shape: Decide on the desired size of your wedding bell and sketch out the shape on the cardboard. You will need two bell-shaped pieces that are identical in size and shape. These will form the front and back of your pinata. Additionally, plan for a rectangular piece that will serve as the base or bottom of the bell.
• Cut out the pieces: Using your craft knife or scissors, carefully cut out the bell-shaped pieces and the rectangular base.
• Score and fold: To give your pinata a three-dimensional shape, score and fold the cardboard along the edges of the bell shapes. This will help create a curved bell structure.
• Assemble the base: Take one of the bell-shaped pieces and attach the rectangular base to its bottom edge. Secure it in place with strong adhesive tape.
• Create a hanging loop: Before closing up the pinata, create a hanging loop using string or ribbon. Tape or glue the ends of the string to the inside of the bell structure, ensuring it is securely attached.
• Join the bell pieces: With the hanging loop in place, attach the second bell-shaped piece to the rectangular base, forming the complete bell structure. Make sure to reinforce the seams with plenty of tape to ensure the structure is sturdy.
• Add reinforcement: Depending on the thickness of your cardboard, you may want to add additional cardboard strips or pieces to reinforce the seams and joints of your pinata. This will help it withstand more hits without breaking prematurely.
• Decorate the exterior: Once your base is complete, you can start decorating the exterior to resemble a wedding bell. This can be done with paint, glitter, streamers, or any other creative materials you choose.

By following these steps, you'll have a sturdy and decorative wedding bell pinata base made out of cardboard, ready to be filled with treats and enjoyed at your celebration.

Creating the layers

Start by cutting four circles from a cardboard box in three different sizes: small, medium, and large. You can use bowls of different sizes to trace the circles. The measurements don't have to be exact, but make sure the circles graduate in size from small to large. Once you have your circles, stack the small, medium, and one large circle on top of each other. Use a pencil to trace the small circle onto the medium circle and the medium circle onto the large circle.

Cut out a round hole in the medium and large cardboard circles, leaving at least 1/2" of space from the traced line. These holes will be used to fill the piñata with candy and other goodies. Next, cut the flaps off your box and use the centre panels as the walls of your piñata. Curve these panels into a circle and tape the bottom edge to the large circle without a hole. Continue taping the panels together to form a seamless structure.

Now, tape the large circle with the hole to the top of this base layer. Repeat this process with the middle tier, taping a wide panel of cardboard to the medium circle. Use plenty of tape to securely attach the middle tier to the bottom tier.

For the top tier, bend a smaller panel into a small, wide tube shape and tape the seam shut. Again, use a generous amount of tape to attach the top tier to the middle tier, leaving the top open for filling.

At this point, you should have a three-tiered structure that forms the base of your wedding bell piñata. Now, it's time to start adding the decorative fringe! Cut about a zillion 1.5" strips of white crepe paper (or any colour of your choice). Use fringe scissors to trim across each strip, cutting up to the centre. Layering multiple strips at a time will speed up this process.

Once you have enough strips, glue a large sheet of crepe paper to the bottom of the piñata. Then, starting from the bottom, begin gluing layer by layer of fringe. This step is quite time-consuming, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. Gluing the edges and corners can be tricky, so you may need to cut the strips into shorter pieces to navigate the curves smoothly. If you notice any puckering, try cutting small notches in the non-fringe portion of the strips and glue them on top of each other.

Continue adding layers until you reach close to the top of the third tier. Remember to leave enough space for filling the piñata! Now, it's time to add the candy and any other party favours you'd like. Some ideas for fillings include glow sticks, sunglasses, confetti poppers, stick-on moustaches, bubbles, and non-chocolate candy (to avoid melting).

Before sealing the top, you'll want to add a hanging mechanism. Poke two holes in the small circle and tie a rope or fasten a zip tie through these holes to create a loop. Ensure the holes are not too close to each other to prevent tearing under the weight of the piñata. Securely tape the small circle to close up the top. Cover the top with solid sheets of crepe paper, adding extra layers for a clean finish. Finally, add any remaining fringe layers to the sides of the top tier.

And there you have it! You've successfully created the layers of your wedding bell piñata. Now, you can add some final touches, like crepe paper flowers, to give it that extra special look. Your guests will surely be impressed by your creativity and craftsmanship!

Adding the fringe

Now, starting from the bottom, glue layer by layer of fringe. You can cut your strips into shorter pieces to help navigate the curves. If you notice the strips puckering, cut little notches in the non-fringe portion and glue them on top of each other. If you're still having trouble, simply add more layers.

Stop adding layers once you get close to the top of the third tier. You can now fill your piñata with candy and party favors! Suggested items include glow sticks, confetti poppers, stick-on mustaches, non-chocolate candy, and bubbles.

Filling with treats

Once your wedding bell piñata is crafted, it's time for the fun part: filling it with treats!

The amount of candy or other goodies you can fit in your piñata will depend on its size. A 17-inch tall wedding bell piñata can hold approximately 3 to 7 pounds of treats, while a 19-inch tall piñata can hold around 4 to 6 pounds.

So, what treats should you fill your wedding bell piñata with? Here are some ideas:

• Candy: Choose an assortment of your favourite candies, but avoid chocolate as it might melt.
• Glow sticks: These can add a fun element to your wedding celebration, especially if it's an evening or outdoor event.
• Goofy sunglasses: Imagine the fun photos you'll capture of your guests wearing these!
• Confetti poppers: They will add a burst of colour and excitement to your wedding festivities.
• Stick-on mustaches: These can be hilarious and offer a unique photo opportunity for you and your guests.
• Bubbles: Add some whimsical fun to your wedding with bubbles!
• Lottery tickets: Your guests will surely enjoy the chance to win some extra cash.
• Personalized pins: Create custom pins with your wedding date or a special message for your guests.
• Small toys: If there will be children at your wedding, they will surely appreciate some fun toys.
• Mini plastic liquor bottles: For the adults at your wedding, these can be a fun treat to enjoy during the celebration.

When filling your wedding bell piñata with treats, be sure to consider the weight of the items. You want to ensure that the piñata is not too heavy, especially if it will be hung from a string. Distribute the treats evenly within the piñata to maintain its balance.

Additionally, if you're including treats that are not wrapped, such as loose candy, consider placing them in small bags or containers before putting them into the piñata. This will prevent the treats from falling out accidentally or becoming stuck inside the piñata.

Hanging the pinata

Hanging a wedding bell pinata is a fun and simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you hang your pinata securely and safely:

• Prepare the Pinata: Before hanging your wedding bell pinata, ensure it is fully assembled and decorated as desired. Also, check that it has a sturdy loop or string attached to the top for hanging. This can be a weight-resistant string or even a zip tie.
• Choose a Suitable Location: Pick a spot with enough open space for guests to stand and swing at the pinata safely. Consider a location that is open and away from any fragile items or obstacles.
• Determine the Hanging Point: Look for a sturdy overhead structure from which to hang the pinata. This could be a tree branch, a beam, or a hook in the ceiling. Ensure that the hanging point can bear the weight of the pinata and its contents.
• Use Strong Materials: When hanging the pinata, use strong and durable materials such as thick rope or twine. Avoid thin string or wire that may snap under the weight. Thread the rope through the loop or string attached to the top of the pinata.
• Secure the Pinata: Once you've chosen the hanging point, securely attach the rope. If using a tree branch, ensure the rope is tied tightly and won't slip. For beams or ceiling hooks, you can use strong tape or other secure fastenings.
• Test and Adjust: Before declaring the pinata ready for action, give it a test tug to ensure it is securely attached and won't fall unexpectedly. Make any necessary adjustments to the rope length or the pinata's position to ensure it is at a suitable height for guests to hit.
• Supervise the Fun: When it's time to hit the pinata, ensure there is always adult supervision to maintain a safe environment. Also, ensure that guests take turns and follow any rules you've established, such as wearing a blindfold and taking a maximum number of swings.

Remember to fill your wedding bell pinata with treats and goodies before hanging it up, as this will affect the overall weight and stability. Most importantly, ensure that everyone takes necessary precautions to avoid any accidents during the pinata activity.

Frequently asked questions