Creating A Wedding Bouquet Wrap: A Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding bouquet wrap is an important part of your bridal bouquet design. It's a small detail that can change the look of your arrangement. The wrap can be made from ribbon, fabric, twine, or lace, and can be used to add a sentimental touch, drive home your wedding colours, or simply dress up your bouquet. In this article, we'll take you through the steps to make your own wedding bouquet wrap, as well as offering some creative ideas for customisation.

Using ribbon

Gather Your Materials:

Choose a ribbon that complements your bouquet and the wedding theme, considering factors like colour, texture, and width. You will also need a pair of sharp scissors and, optionally, some floral tape, pins, or glue.

Preparing the Bouquet:

Remove any excess foliage or leaves that may obstruct the ribbon's placement. Trim the stems to a uniform length, ensuring they are long enough to be held comfortably. Secure the stems together using floral tape or rubber bands to create a sturdy base for the ribbon.

Positioning the Ribbon:

Hold the bouquet upside down, allowing the stems to hang freely. Place the centre of the ribbon at the base of the bouquet, ensuring it is positioned evenly. Wrap the ribbon around the stems, keeping it flat and covering any tape or rubber bands.

Wrapping the Ribbon:

Continue wrapping the ribbon around the bouquet, creating multiple layers. Overlap each layer slightly to ensure a secure hold. When you reach the desired length, trim the ribbon, leaving a few inches of excess.

Finishing Touches:

Fold the excess ribbon over itself, creating a loop. Tuck the loop under the ribbon layers, neatly concealing it. Secure the ribbon in place with pins or glue to prevent it from unraveling.

Creative Variations:

For a creative twist, consider using two ribbons of contrasting colours or textures, wrapping them alternately for a striking visual effect. Opt for ribbons with unique textures, such as lace, velvet, or burlap, to add depth and dimension. You can also incorporate ribbons with delicate patterns like polka dots, stripes, or floral motifs for a whimsical touch.

Personalisation:

To make your bouquet truly unique, embroider or print the bride and groom's initials, wedding date, or a meaningful quote onto the ribbon. Adorn the ribbon with sparkling crystals or lustrous pearls for added glamour. Tuck small blooms or sprigs of greenery into the ribbon's folds for a vibrant, natural look.

Using fabric with sentimental value

Choosing the Fabric

The first step is to select the fabric that holds sentimental value for you. This could be a piece of fabric from your wedding dress, a family heirloom such as your grandmother's handkerchief, or any other fabric that has special meaning to you. Consider the colour, texture, and pattern of the fabric, as well as its sentimental value, when making your choice.

Preparing the Fabric

If the fabric holds sentimental value, it is important to handle it with care. Carefully cut or prepare the fabric, ensuring that you do not damage it in the process. If the fabric is delicate, consider consulting a professional or someone with experience in fabric crafts to assist you in this step.

Creating the Wrap

Once you have chosen and prepared your fabric, you can create your bouquet wrap. The design of the wrap will depend on the type and amount of fabric you have available. Here are some options:

• Ribbon Wrap: If you have a length of fabric, you can create a ribbon wrap. Cut the fabric into a long strip and use it to tie a bow around your bouquet. You can also wind the ribbon around the stems multiple times for a tighter bouquet.
• Fabric Bouquet Wrap: For a fabric bouquet wrap, you will need a wider piece of fabric. Cut the fabric to size, ensuring that it is long enough to wrap around the stems of your bouquet comfortably. You can then secure it in place with pins, or by gluing or sewing the fabric, depending on the fabric type and your crafting skills.
• Lace Overlay: For a delicate and vintage look, consider using lace fabric. Cut a piece of lace to size and overlay it on top of the stems, securing it with a ribbon or twine.
• Embroidered Monogram: If you have a smaller piece of fabric with sentimental value, consider embroidering your monogram or initials onto it. You can then attach this to your bouquet wrap, perhaps with a decorative pin, to add a personal touch.

Finalising the Bouquet

Once you have created your fabric wrap, it is time to finalise the bouquet. Ensure that the wrap is secure and will not come loose. You may wish to add further embellishments, such as a decorative brooch, pearls, or a locket with a secret photo or message inside. These extra details can enhance the sentimental value of your bouquet wrap.

Creating a wedding bouquet wrap with fabric that holds sentimental value is a unique and meaningful way to incorporate your story into your special day.

Using multiple colours

Choosing Colours

The first step is to select the colours for your ribbon or fabric wrap. You can choose colours that complement your wedding colour palette or the colours of the flowers in your bouquet. If you want a more subtle look, opt for neutral colours like white, cream, or beige. However, if you want to make a bolder statement, consider using multiple colours that contrast and complement each other. Play around with different combinations and don't be afraid to experiment!

Different Widths and Fabrics

Using ribbons or fabrics of different widths and colours can create a unique and eye-catching effect. Try combining a wide ribbon in one colour with a thinner ribbon in a contrasting colour. For example, you could use a thick satin ribbon in a deep burgundy shade along with a thinner ribbon in a light gold shade to add both texture and colour to your bouquet. You could also mix and match different fabrics like silk, satin, velvet, lace, or even twine to create a rustic or bohemian look.

Ombre Effect

An ombre bouquet wrap is a stylish way to incorporate multiple colours. Choose ribbons or fabrics in varying shades of the same colour, gradually changing from light to dark or vice versa. This will create a subtle gradient effect that adds depth and dimension to your bouquet. You can also try using ribbons with similar colour families to create a soft, harmonious look.

Rainbow Theme

If you want to go all out with colours, a rainbow theme is a fun and vibrant option. Use multiple ribbons, each in a different colour of the rainbow. This idea is perfect for same-sex weddings, where each member of the wedding party can carry a bouquet with a different colour ribbon. It's a wonderful way to celebrate love and diversity.

Braided Ribbon

For a creative and unique look, try braiding ribbons in different colours together. Take three ribbons in complementary or contrasting colours and braid them tightly. Then, wrap the braided ribbon around your bouquet stems for a stunning effect. This technique adds both colour and texture, making your bouquet truly stand out.

Using contrasting pins

Choose a bold colour: Opting for pins in a vibrant or contrasting colour can create a striking effect. For example, if your wedding colour palette includes shades of blush and ivory, consider using dark green or burgundy pins to secure your bouquet wrap. The contrast will make the pins stand out and create a stylish, modern look.

Play with different sizes: Using a mix of pin sizes can also add interest and texture to your bouquet wrap. Try combining longer pins with shorter ones, or even adding a few decorative brooches or pearl pins for a vintage-inspired look.

Create a pattern: If you want to take your pin design to the next level, consider creating a pattern with your pins. You can achieve this by spacing the pins evenly or arranging them in a specific shape, such as a heart or a monogram. A pattern will not only look visually appealing but also give your bouquet wrap a more polished and intentional feel.

Match your pins to your theme: If you're having a rustic wedding, for example, you might choose twine or burlap for your bouquet wrap. To add a contrasting element, use gold or brass-coloured pins to secure the wrap in place. This combination will create a beautiful mix of rustic and elegant details.

Add a touch of sparkle: If you want to add a bit of glamour to your bouquet wrap, consider using pins with a touch of sparkle or shine. Crystal or rhinestone pins can be a subtle way to add interest and contrast to your bouquet, especially if your dress or jewellery has similar sparkling details.

By incorporating contrasting pins into your wedding bouquet wrap, you can add a unique and personalised touch to your special day. Whether you match them to your theme, create a pattern, or simply choose a bold colour, these pins will not only secure your wrap but also elevate the overall design.

Using lace

To create a bouquet wrap from your wedding dress, start by choosing the part of the dress you want to use. This could be the frilly lace portion or any other element, such as satin, tulle, or decorative buttons, to add different textures and looks. Cut out the desired fabric and glue it to the base of your bouquet, covering it entirely for a cohesive look.

If you want to incorporate more lace, you can create rolled flowers from lace fabric. Simply tie a knot at one end, twist and roll the fabric, securing it with hot glue as you go. These lace flowers can then be arranged on your lace-covered base and secured with more hot glue.

When selecting lace for your bouquet wrap, consider bringing a swatch of your wedding dress fabric to find a matching piece of lace. This will ensure that the hues of white are the same, creating a cohesive and elegant look.

You can also add other decorative touches to your lace bouquet wrap, such as a locket with a secret photo or message, an old-fashioned key, or a family heirloom like a brooch or necklace. These embellishments add a personal touch and can be kept as mementos after the wedding.

Frequently asked questions