Creating A Wedding Piñata: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding piñatas are a fun new trend. They can be used as decorations, photo props, and entertainment for your guests. You can make your own wedding piñata with a few simple materials, such as cardboard, crepe paper, glue, and rope. There are many creative ways to fill your piñata, such as with candy, small toys, lottery tickets, or mini plastic liquor bottles. You can even get creative and make a piñata that looks like a wedding cake or a hot air balloon!

Sectioning and assembling the cardboard base

To make a wedding piñata, you'll need coloured crepe paper, a glue gun, glue sticks, a strong rope or zip tie, and a cardboard box.

Start by cutting four circles from the cardboard box: one small, one medium, and two large (exact same size). Trace your circles using three bowls of different sizes. The measurements don't have to be exact, as long as the three circles graduate about the same amount from one size to the next. Once your circles are cut out, stack your small, medium, and one large circle on top of each other. Then, using your pencil, 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, making sure to leave at least 1/2″ of space from the pencil circle all the way around. These holes will allow you to put candy in your piñata from the top and let it fall into the bottom. Next, cut the flaps off your box and use the centre panels to be the walls of your cake. If your box is too tall, trim the panels to be about 10″ tall. Curve the panels into a circle, taping the bottom edge to the large circle without a hole as you go, and finish by taping together the seam of the panel.

Repeat the process with your middle tier, taping a wide panel of cardboard to the medium circle. Use lots of tape to attach the middle tier to the bottom tier.

Next, bend a smaller panel into a small, wide tube shape and tape the seam shut. This will be your top tier. Use lots of tape to attach the top tier to the medium tier, leaving the top open for candy!

Now, trim about a zillion 1.5″ strips of white crepe paper and use fringe scissors to trim across each strip, cutting up to the centre of the strip. You can layer a few strips at a time to speed up the process. Once you’re stocked up on strips, glue a large sheet of crepe paper to the bottom of the cake.

Starting from the bottom, glue layer by layer of fringe. Warning: this is going to be quite time-consuming. It probably will take a total of four or five hours to glue on all the fringe, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time for this step.

Gluing the edges and corners are the hardest. You can cut your strips into shorter pieces to help navigate those pesky curves. You can also cut little notches in the non-fringe portion of the strips and glue those on top of each other if you notice the strips puckering. And if all else fails, just add more layers.

Be sure to stop adding layers once you get close to the top of the third tier. Now, add your candy and party favours! Some ideas for party favours include glow sticks, goofy sunglasses, confetti poppers, stick-on moustaches, bubbles, and non-chocolate candy (to avoid melting).

Before you tape the small circle to close up the top, you’ll want to add a rope or zip tie to it to hang your piñata. You can do this by pokeing two holes into the small circle and then tying the rope or fastening the zip tie through those holes to create a loop. The closer the loop is to the cardboard circle, the sturdier the piñata will be when it’s hung. Also, make sure the holes aren’t too close to each other, so they don’t tear and become one large hole under the weight of the piñata. Now, go ahead and tape on the small circle very securely. Cover the top with solid sheets of white crepe paper (you may want a couple of layers for a clean finish) and add any last fringe layers to the sides of the tier.

Adding the crepe paper

Continue adding layers until you get close to the top of the third tier. Then, add your candy and party favours. Some ideas for party favours include glow sticks, sunglasses, confetti poppers, stick-on moustaches, bubbles, and non-chocolate candy.

Before you close up the top, add a rope or zip tie to the small circle that will form the top of the piñata. Poke two holes in the small circle and tie the rope or fasten the zip tie through them, creating a loop. The closer the loop is to the cardboard circle, the sturdier the piñata will be when it's hung. Tape the small circle securely to the top of the piñata and cover it with solid sheets of white crepe paper. Finally, add any last fringe layers to the sides of the top tier.

Making the flowers

Gather Your Materials:

First, you'll need some colourful tissue paper, scissors, floral wire, and green floral tape. You can find these supplies at most craft stores.

Cut the Tissue Paper:

Begin by cutting your tissue paper into squares. For larger flowers, cut 10-inch squares, and for smaller blooms, opt for 6-inch squares. Layer 6 to 10 sheets of tissue paper for each flower, depending on how full you want the petals to be.

Create the Petals:

Accordion-fold the stacked tissue paper squares. Secure the centre of the folded paper with the floral wire, leaving a long tail of wire to serve as the stem. Cut the ends of the paper stacks to create petal shapes. You can experiment with different shapes, such as rounded, pointed, or fringed edges, to give variety to your flowers.

Shape the Flowers:

Carefully separate and fluff each layer of tissue paper to give volume to the petals. Gently pull each layer of tissue paper towards the centre, shaping the petals around the floral wire.

Wrap the Stems:

Using the green floral tape, wrap the long wire stems to give them a more natural appearance. This will also help to secure the flowers. You can wrap the tape around the stem in a spiral pattern, ensuring that the wire is completely covered.

Arrange the Flowers:

Once you have created several flowers, you can arrange them on your piñata. Use the wire stems to attach the flowers securely to the piñata. You can create a beautiful floral arrangement by clustering several flowers together or spacing them out for a more delicate look.

Feel free to experiment with different colours, sizes, and styles of flowers to create a unique and personalized touch for your wedding piñata!

Filling the pinata

Filling the piñata is one of the most important steps in creating a wedding piñata. This is where you get to be creative and choose items that are meaningful to the couple and their guests. Here are some ideas and suggestions to help you fill your wedding piñata with fun and excitement:

Choose a Theme:

Start by selecting a theme that ties into the wedding. This could be based on the couple's interests, hobbies, or even their favourite colours. For example, if the couple loves travelling, you could fill the piñata with small items representing different countries or landmarks. Or, if they have a sweet tooth, create a candy-themed piñata with a variety of treats inside.

Sentimental Items:

Adding sentimental items to the piñata will make it extra special. Include small gifts, love notes, or mementos that hold a special meaning for the couple. For instance, you could add a small photo album with pictures of their journey together, a mix CD of their favourite songs, or even a handmade coupon book offering acts of service like "One Free Back Rub" or "Dinner on Us."

Fun and Interactive Items:

To make the piñata experience more interactive, include items that encourage guests to engage and participate. This could be small games, trivia cards, or even scavenger hunt clues that lead guests on a fun adventure. You could also add items like confetti poppers, bubbles, or small noisemakers to create a festive atmosphere.

Personalised Favours:

Fill the piñata with personalised favours for each guest. This could be anything from customised keychains, bottle openers, or magnets to handmade soaps, candles, or even small potted plants. Adding a personal touch will make the experience more memorable for your guests.

Sweet Treats:

No piñata is complete without some delicious treats! Fill your wedding piñata with an assortment of candies, chocolates, cookies, or other sweets. You can even include small bags or boxes so that guests can collect and take home their treats. If the couple has a favourite candy or chocolate, be sure to include those as well.

Final Touches:

Once you've filled the piñata with larger items, don't forget to add some smaller items to fill in the gaps. This could be colourful confetti, glitter, small toys, or even novelty items like stickers, temporary tattoos, or funny sunglasses. These extra touches will make the piñata bursting with excitement!

Hanging the pinata

Hanging the piñata is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of your wedding guests during this traditional party game. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to help you hang your wedding piñata safely and securely:

Firstly, choose a suitable location for hanging the piñata. Select an open area with ample space for guests to swing at the piñata and for others to stand and watch at a safe distance. Avoid hanging the piñata too close to walls, trees, or other obstacles that could pose a hazard. Ensure there is enough clearance for the piñata to swing freely when struck.

Next, you'll need to decide on a hanging method. One common approach is to use a sturdy rope or cord. Choose a rope that is strong enough to bear the weight of the piñata and any additional decorations or treats inside. Secure the rope to the piñata, creating a loop that can be used for hanging. You can attach the rope to the piñata by threading it through pre-cut holes and tying a secure knot, or by using sturdy adhesive hooks or tape.

Now, it's time to find an anchor point for your piñata. Look for a sturdy, stable structure such as a beam, a tree branch, or a post. If you're hanging the piñata indoors, a ceiling hook or eye bolt can be used. Just make sure that whatever you use can bear the weight and the force of people swinging at the piñata. If you're hanging it from a tree branch, ensure the branch is strong and secure enough to withstand the force without breaking.

Once you've identified your anchor point, it's time to hang the piñata. Throw or tie the rope over the beam, branch, or hook, ensuring that the piñata is hanging at a suitable height for your guests to reach. You may need to adjust the length of the rope accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to hang the piñata at chest height for the tallest person who will be playing. This ensures that everyone can take a turn without having to strain or reach too high.

Finally, test the stability of your hanging piñata. Give it a few gentle tugs to ensure that it's securely fastened and won't come loose during the game. It's also a good idea to have someone stand underneath the piñata to guide players and ensure they don't accidentally hit each other with the stick.

Remember to always prioritise safety when hanging your wedding piñata. Ensure that the area is clear of hazards, and supervise children closely during the game. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a fun and safe piñata activity at your wedding celebration!

Frequently asked questions