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

Creating a bow bouquet for a bridal shower is a long-standing tradition. It's a fun, inexpensive, and easy DIY project for crafty bridesmaids and a great way to make the bride-to-be happy at her wedding rehearsal. All you need are some paper plates, scissors, glue, ribbons, and bows from bridal shower gifts. You can also add some extra flair with faux flowers or greenery. The process is simple: cut holes in the paper plates, thread the ribbons through, and tie them together. Then, fill in any gaps with the bows, braiding the ends to create a handle. With these simple steps, you'll have a beautiful bow bouquet for the bride to practice walking down the aisle with!

Choosing the right ribbon

The ribbon you choose for your wedding bow bouquet will depend on the look you are trying to achieve. For a traditional, formal look, you might opt for crisp organza, romantic lace, or elegant satin. If you want something more modern and unique, you could try raw-edged silk ribbon, or something with a colourful print or shimmery finish.

For the ribbon bow itself, you can use any kind of ribbon, such as silk, grosgrain, or velvet. The width of the ribbon will determine the size of the bow, so keep this in mind when choosing your materials. If you want to make a large bow, go for a wider ribbon, and consider using wired ribbon to help you achieve a dramatic shape. Wired ribbon is also great for large boxes or for attaching to chairs or signage.

If you want to add a handle to your bouquet, you will need a longer length of ribbon. Something like 3" wide burlap ribbon would work well, or you could use a thinner ribbon to braid into a handle.

For attaching ribbons to your bouquet, you can use hot glue, or simply tie the ribbons together.

Creating the base

To create the base of your wedding bow bouquet, you will need two paper plates, scissors, tape, and ribbons and bows from the bridal shower gifts.

Start by preparing your paper plates. Take the first plate and, using your scissors, stab or cut two holes on opposite sides of the plate. Repeat this step to make a second set of holes to create an 'x' shape. This will create a large and steady base to tie your ribbons and bows onto. Thread your ribbons through the holes, tying a knot on the back of the plate. Repeat this process, creating another 'x' with a second ribbon. Then, tie a large knot with all the ribbons. This will be the base of your bouquet and what the bride will hold onto.

If you are using two paper plates, cut holes in only one of the plates. This plate will be the top half of the bride's rehearsal bouquet.

Adding ribbons and bows

For a simple bow, cut a piece of ribbon between 15 and 20 inches long. Make a bunny-eared loop and twist the longer end twice so it becomes rope-like. Make a second bunny ear with your ribbon, adjusting the loops to be the size you want your final bow loops to be. Make sure your tails are fairly even, then fold the left loop over the right and bring it back through the centre hole, like tying a shoe. Pull tight to create a knot and adjust the loops and tails as needed. Trim the ends if desired.

For a larger bow, use wired ribbon. Take a long piece of ribbon (at least 2 yards) and create a loop. Wrap the length of your ribbon in a continuous circle around that loop. Decide on the length of the tail and add two inches, then fold the loop in half. Pinch the centre and wrap a matching pipe cleaner around it, twisting and tightening before trimming the excess. Cut vertically through the centre of the bow's tail to create two pieces, then use the tails to tie a standard knot around the centre of the folded ribbon. Fan out the loops to achieve your desired shape and trim the tails if needed.

For a six-loop bow, pull out 4 inches of a half-inch-wide ribbon and a thinner second ribbon in a darker colour. Hold both ribbons firmly and form a 1 1/2-inch loop, then twist sharply to form a second loop on the opposite side. Pull more ribbon and twist to form two more sets of loops for a total of six. Place a wired stick next to the middle of the bow and wrap the wire tightly around the centre, then insert the stick into the bouquet.

When adding ribbons and bows to your paper plate bouquet, separate the bridal shower ribbons from the bows. Thread the ribbons through the holes in the plate, then flip the plate over and tie the ends of each ribbon together before cutting the trailing ends. Warm up your hot glue gun and fill in bare spots with pre-made bows. Use curling ribbon bows along the outer edge and pre-made gift bows in the centre.

Securing the bouquet

Begin by gathering the necessary materials. You will need a paper plate, scissors, tape, and ribbons or bows from bridal shower gifts. If you have a lot of ribbons, consider using two paper plates stacked on top of each other for added strength.

Using your scissors, create several holes in the paper plate. Stab the scissors through the plate in two points across from each other, then continue adding more holes as needed. You can also use a knife to create the initial holes. Leave a circle in the centre of the plate without any holes. This will be the base of your bouquet.

Once you have created the holes, start threading the ribbons through them. Don't pull the ribbons too tightly, and leave some space between the plate and the ribbon. Continue this process until the plate is covered with ribbons. You can also add some curls to the ribbons using your scissors by running the blade along the ribbon.

After covering the plate with ribbons, tie the ends of each ribbon together at the back of the plate. Cut any trailing ends to neaten it up. Don't worry if the bottom of the paper plate looks messy at this point.

Now, use tape to attach any premade bows you have. You can fill in the bare spots on the paper plate with these bows. Use the curling ribbon bows along the outer edge of the plate, allowing the curly ends to hang off for a pretty effect. For the centre, use the premade bows that look like those found on Christmas presents.

If you want to add more authenticity to your bouquet, you can include some faux flowers or greenery. Remove the leaves from dollar store flowers and hot glue them into the bouquet, or use paper leaves from the bridal shower decorations.

For the final step, create a handle for your bouquet. Take another paper plate and roll it into a cone shape. Secure it with packing tape along the edge to ensure it's tightly fastened. Glue the handle to the centre of the first paper plate, making sure to attach it to the empty part without any ribbons.

Your wedding bow bouquet is now secured and ready for the rehearsal and wedding day!

Final touches

Now that you've mastered the basics of crafting a wedding bow bouquet, it's time to elevate your creation with some final touches. Here are some ideas to make your bouquet truly unique and special:

Embellishments

Add some extra flair to your bouquet by incorporating embellishments such as feathers, faux flowers or greenery, or even paper leaves from the bridal shower decorations. These small details can make your bouquet more authentic and eye-catching.

Braiding

If you have any ribbons hanging through the holes in your paper plate, try braiding them together. This will create a beautiful and unique handle for the bride to hold on her special day. It also adds texture and intricacy to your design.

Trimming

Don't be afraid to trim and adjust the length of your ribbons and bows. You can cut the ends diagonally to create classy points, or even try a chevron cut by shaping the ribbon into an even triangle with the point facing the centre. Trimming the ribbons will give your bouquet a polished and uniform look.

Hot Glue

Hot glue is your friend when it comes to securing ribbons and bows. Use it to attach ribbons to the paper plate and to secure any loose ends. You can also use hot glue to attach embellishments, such as the feathers or faux flowers mentioned earlier.

Multiple Ribbons

Experiment with using multiple ribbons of different colours or textures. You can layer them, creating a textured and colourful effect, or try intertwining them for a unique look. Using multiple ribbons adds depth and dimension to your bouquet and allows you to incorporate the wedding colours or theme.

Personalisation

Add a personal touch to your bouquet by tying a charm or other bauble to the centre of the ribbon. This could be something meaningful to the bride or a symbol of her relationship with her partner. It's a great way to make the bouquet one-of-a-kind and infused with sentiment.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to crafting a wedding bow bouquet. Get creative, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with it!

Frequently asked questions