Creating A Fragrant Wedding Pomander Ball

Pomanders, also known as kissing balls, are a popular decorative element at weddings. They can be made with fresh or artificial flowers and are commonly used to decorate wedding arches, chair backs, door knobs, pew ends, and aisles. Pomanders can be carried by the flower girl, bridesmaids, or even the bride as a modern alternative to a bouquet. Making a wedding pomander ball is a simple process that involves using a styrofoam ball, artificial flowers, ribbon, and pins. The flowers are attached to the styrofoam ball using glue or pins, and the ribbon is added for hanging or carrying purposes.

Prepare your flowers and foliage

The first step in preparing your flowers and foliage is conditioning. This process ensures that your flowers will be strong and last throughout your wedding day. Remove any plastic wrapping and strip the flower stems of their foliage. Cut about 10% off the end of each stem at an angle using a sharp knife. Place the stems in fresh, cold water, away from drafts, heat, and passing traffic. This allows the flowers to 'settle'. If you're using garden flowers or foliage, this step is especially important to prevent wilting.

For fresh flowers, you'll want to soak your floral foam sphere in a bowl of water until it's completely saturated. Don't push the foam under the water; instead, let it absorb the water. This will provide a water source for your flowers and help them stay fresh.

Now, it's time to prepare your flower stems. Cut each stem to a length of around 2 inches, and always cut at an angle. Strip about one-third of the foliage from each stem. You'll be inserting the clean stems into the foam ball, so make sure there's no foliage left on the part of the stem that will be pushed into the foam.

If you're using artificial flowers, you can follow a similar process. Cut the stems to a length of about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. You may need to adjust the length depending on the size of your flowers and foam ball.

For paper flowers, you'll be creating compound flowers by layering two flowers of slightly different sizes on top of each other. This adds depth and texture to your pomander. You can use a Silhouette machine or a handheld punch to create your paper flowers. If using a handheld punch, try to make as many flowers as possible to streamline the process.

Soak the sphere

Soaking the sphere is an important step in making a wedding pomander ball. It involves wetting the sphere, which will serve as the base for your floral arrangement, to ensure that your flowers stay fresh and hydrated. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, at least 24 hours before you plan to assemble your pomander ball, you need to condition your flowers and foliage. Remove any plastic wrapping and cut about 10% off the end of each stem at an angle using a sharp knife. Place the stems in a container of fresh, cold water, away from drafts, heat, and foot traffic. This process, known as conditioning, allows the flowers to "settle" and strengthens them so they will last longer.

Now, it's time to soak the sphere. Place your sphere in a bowl of water and let it absorb the water until it is completely wet. Do not push the sphere under the water; instead, let it soak up the water on its own. This ensures that the sphere is evenly moistened and helps to prevent any damage that could be caused by forcing it under the water.

Once your sphere is fully soaked, you can move on to the next step of assembling your wedding pomander ball. Remember to handle the soaked sphere gently and dry your hands before moving on to working with other materials like ribbons or wires, as you don't want to accidentally soak those as well!

If you are using a foam sphere, be sure to only soak it long enough for it to absorb water without becoming overly saturated. You want the sphere to be moist enough to keep your flowers fresh but not so wet that it drips or falls apart. Depending on the absorbency of your sphere, this could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.

Additionally, if you are using a different type of base for your pomander ball, such as a wire frame or a cardboard sphere, you may need to adjust the soaking instructions. For example, with a wire frame, you may want to spray it with water or dip it briefly in water to avoid rusting or weakening the structure. Always consider the specific materials you are working with and adjust your soaking technique accordingly.

Prepare the ribbon and wire

To prepare the ribbon and wire for your wedding pomander ball, start by cutting a length of ribbon. The length will depend on how you want to use your pomander. For example, if you want a 12" drop, you would need 24" for the loop, 6" for the two ends to pass through the ball, and an additional 6" for knotting. So, for a 12" drop, cut a length of 36".

Next, fold the ribbon in half, with the "good side" facing out. If you are using a chopstick, fold the two edges of the ribbon over the end of the chopstick by 2" and push it through the styrofoam ball. Then, knot the two ends of the ribbon together on the other side. If you are using a sharper skewer, knot the ends of the ribbon together first and then use the skewer to gently push the knot through the ball. Pull the knot out of the other side and knot it again a few times to secure the ball.

Now you can prepare your wire. Align the middle of your wire with the centre of the folded ribbon and wind the wire around the ribbon, pulling tight and twisting it into position. You can then treat the two ends of the wire as one single piece and push it through the centre of the foam ball, leaving the ribbon snugly inside. Fold the wire ends over and push them back up into the foam.

Add flowers and foliage to the sphere

Now it's time to add the flowers and foliage to the sphere. If you are using a foam sphere, you will need to make a hole first for softer stems. Use a woody stem, not much thicker than your flowers, and push it into the foam about 1cm deep. Then push in your flower or foliage stem. If you are using thicker stems such as rosemary or roses, you can push them directly into the foam without making a pilot hole.

Start adding your flowers and foliage from the ribboned top of the sphere. You can use a mix of foliage and flowers, keeping the blooms tightly packed so that no foam peeks through. It can be helpful to stop every so often and move the ball around to check that the balance is consistent and even.

If you are using soft stems, you may find it easier to cup the whole ball in your hand so that your weight isn't concentrated on one part of the flowers and doesn't crush them. Continue adding flowers and foliage until the sphere is completely covered and you have filled any gaps.

If you are using artificial flowers with a rubber or plastic nub on the back, push this into the Styrofoam and then secure with a pin. Push the pin through the flower somewhere near the centre, but not through the hole in the middle. If you are using larger flowers with small pieces of stem attached, push the stems directly into the Styrofoam. Try to push the stems through where most of the layers overlap as this will be more secure. Continue attaching flowers over the entire surface of the ball, lifting the petals of already affixed flowers to allow you to place the next flower close by.

Once the ball is completely covered with flowers, you can attach any decorative accents, such as a bow. Tie a bow with a length of ribbon and push a pin through it to attach it to the pomander. Pin the bow to either the very bottom of the pomander or to the top, near the loop.

Transport and store the pomander ball

Transporting your wedding pomander ball requires careful handling to ensure that it remains intact and fresh-looking. Here are some detailed instructions to help you transport and store your pomander ball effectively:

Transporting Your Pomander Ball:

• Avoid the Trunk and Dashboard: Do not place your pomander ball in the trunk of your car, as the lack of ventilation can damage the flowers. The dashboard is also not a suitable option due to direct sunlight exposure and obstruction of your view while driving.
• Opt for a Bucket or Vase with Water: Place your pomander ball in a bucket or vase filled with water to keep the flowers hydrated. Ensure the container is only partially filled to avoid spills. Place it on the floor of the back seat, securing it with weights or by wrapping a blanket or sweatshirt around the base.
• Use a Cardboard Box: If you need to transport the pomander ball in a vase, place the vase inside a cardboard box with star-shaped cut-outs on the top for ventilation. Put the box on the floor of the car and fill any gaps with newspaper.
• Cup Holder Option: If your pomander ball is small enough, you can place the vase in the back seat cup holders to keep it stable and secure.
• Avoid Stacking and Direct Sunlight: Do not stack anything on top of your pomander ball, and avoid direct sunlight to prevent wilting.
• Drive with Caution: Drive carefully, avoiding sudden stops, sharp turns, or bumpy roads that could cause the flowers to fall over and lose petals.

Storing Your Pomander Ball:

• Refrigerate: Store your pomander ball in a refrigerator set to 40°Fahrenheit or below to slow down water loss and keep the flowers fresh. Remove all fruit from the refrigerator beforehand, as they release gases that can cause flower decay.
• Use a Vase with Water: Place the pomander ball in a vase that is about three-quarters full of clean water. Ensure no leaves are underwater, as this can cause them to wilt.
• Maintain Proper Temperature and Ventilation: Keep the pomander ball away from heaters, warm drafts, and drying air. Ensure it has adequate ventilation and a stable temperature.
• Spray the Petals: Mist the petals with water a few times a day to keep them hydrated.
• Change the Water Regularly: Change the water in the vase every day, and clean the vase to prevent bacterial growth and wilting.

Frequently asked questions