Creating A Wedding Wrap: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

A wedding is a celebration of love and unity, and a thoughtfully wrapped gift can elevate the occasion. Whether you're crafting a gift for the happy couple or creating a bouquet wrap for the bride, a DIY approach adds a personalised and memorable touch. In this guide, we'll explore creative ways to make a wedding wrap, from choosing the right materials to adding unique embellishments. We'll also discuss the significance of gift wrapping and provide step-by-step instructions for a bridal bouquet wrap, ensuring your creation is both elegant and meaningful.

Using lace, satin, tulle, and buttons

Choosing the Materials

Select the parts of your wedding dress you want to use. Consider using different elements such as lace, satin, tulle, and even decorative buttons for added texture and visual appeal. These materials can be found at most fabric stores or online. Keep in mind that you can also use other decorative elements like brooches, pearls, or vintage jewellery to add extra sparkle.

Creating the Base

The base of your wrap can be made from styrofoam balls, which you can cover with the chosen fabric. For example, cut out a frilly lace portion of the dress and glue it to the ball using a hot glue gun. This will create a beautiful and intricate base for your wrap. Alternatively, you can opt for a ready-made base such as a bridal bolero or a cardigan.

Designing the Wrap

Now, it's time to design the wrap itself. You can create a see-through tulle wrap, allowing your dress's neckline and details to shine through. Tulle is a versatile fabric that can be draped, wrapped, or tied in various ways. Consider adding classic fabric-covered round buttons, which can be positioned at the back or front, for a touch of elegance and versatility.

Embellishing and Finalizing

Enhance your wrap with embellishments like lace appliques, embroidery, or beading. You can also mix and match different fabrics like satin and tulle to create a layered effect. Play around with different textures and colours to find a combination that complements your wedding dress. Finally, secure any embellishments with hot glue and ensure that your wrap is comfortable to wear and fits well.

With these steps, you can create a one-of-a-kind wedding wrap that will not only keep you warm but also add style and sentimentality to your special day.

Creating a base with styrofoam and twigs

Gather Your Materials

You will need styrofoam, which can be found at most craft stores, and a collection of twigs from your local craft store or backyard. You will also need a hot wire knife or a serrated knife, glue, and clamps or heavy objects to hold the pieces together. Don't forget to work in a well-ventilated area or outdoors when cutting styrofoam to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.

Plan Your Design

Before you begin cutting and assembling, take some time to sketch out your design. Consider the overall shape and size of your base, as well as the placement of the twigs. Do you want them to form a intricate pattern or a more natural, organic arrangement? Planning ahead will make the construction process easier and help you achieve the look you desire.

Cut and Shape the Styrofoam

Using your hot wire knife or serrated knife, carefully cut the styrofoam into the desired shape and size for your base. Don't worry about creating a perfectly smooth surface, as the twigs will cover most of the styrofoam. However, aim for a rough shape that will provide a stable foundation for your arrangement.

Assemble the Base

Start by gluing the twigs to your styrofoam base. Work in small sections, applying glue to both the styrofoam and the twigs for a strong bond. Use clamps or heavy objects to hold the twigs in place while the glue dries, following the pattern or arrangement you planned earlier. If you're using longer twigs, you may need to insert pins or wires at an angle through the styrofoam to secure them in place until the glue dries.

Embellish and Personalize

Once your base is complete, you can add your personal touches and embellishments. Consider wrapping twine or string lights around the twigs for a whimsical touch, or add flowers, leaves, or other natural elements to create a romantic, rustic vibe. You can also incorporate colours or themes that match the wedding palette or the couple's style.

Finalize and Display

After adding your finishing touches, step back and admire your unique creation! Place your wedding wrap on a table or use it as a decorative accent at the ceremony or reception. It can be a beautiful backdrop for the wedding cake, a creative way to display place cards, or a charming addition to the gift table.

Making flowers from fabric

Firstly, select the fabric for your flowers. Consider the colour, pattern, and overall aesthetic you desire. Also, think about the texture—stiffer fabrics hold their shape better, while softer fabrics are more pliable. If you want to make your fabric flowers look realistic, choose a fabric that resembles the flower you want to create.

Next, gather your tools and materials. You will need fabric, scissors, a hot glue gun or fabric glue, and any embellishments you want to add, such as buttons or beads. If you are creating flowers with stems, you will also need green floral wire stems.

Now, let's begin constructing the flowers. Cut strips of fabric, and make small cuts along each strip. Then, roll these strips up to form the centre of your flower. Secure the rolled fabric with glue. You can also add some embellishments to make each flower unique.

To create the petals, cut circles or semi-circles from your fabric scraps. You can gather, pleat, or curl the edges of these fabric pieces to give them a more flower-like shape. Attach the petals to the centre of the flower with glue. Layer multiple petals for a fuller effect.

For a more realistic look, add details such as veins and texture to the petals. You can use embroidery floss or paint to create these details.

Finally, assemble the flowers by attaching them to stems or arranging them into bouquets. You can also sew or glue the flowers directly onto your wedding wrap, or use them as embellishments for a sash or headband.

With these simple steps, you can create beautiful fabric flowers to add a unique and personal touch to your wedding wrap.

Adding personal touches

Creative Table Names/Numbers

Instead of naming your tables with numbers, get creative and make it personal! This could be places you have travelled together, your favourite drinks, sports teams, books, music artists, etc. Table names are a great opportunity to showcase your interests and add a unique touch to your wedding. It will surely be a talking point for your guests, especially if they can't easily guess the connection.

Personalised Signage

Welcome your guests to your wedding with personalised signage. This can include a seating chart, bar menus, social media sharing signs, photo booth instructions, or even a couple's "love timeline". You can also add quotes or bible verses that are meaningful to you. Handwritten signage adds a special touch and sets the tone for the day. If you're feeling creative, you can make the signs yourself, or you can work with a professional to bring your ideas to life.

Signature Cocktails

Offer your guests a signature cocktail that reflects your relationship. Put a twist on your favourite cocktail or create something new using your favourite ingredients. You could even choose a drink that's native to your hometown. Give the cocktails meaningful and clever names, and don't forget to include a sign at the bar so your guests know what you're drinking!

Personalised Favours

Show your appreciation to your guests with personalised wedding favours. Make these gifts an extension of you and your partner. For example, if you're plant lovers, gift each guest a baby succulent. Or, if your hometown is known for a certain beverage, give mini bottles of the local drink as favours. Personalised favours will leave a lasting impression on your guests and remind them of your special day.

Handwritten Vows

Display your vows as a beautiful backdrop during your ceremony. This not only adds a personal touch but also showcases your love for each other. If you want to keep it more subtle, consider having a smaller backdrop with your names, monogram, or special words that hold meaning for both of you.

There are endless ways to add personal touches to your wedding wrap. Get creative, have fun, and make your wedding truly yours!

Finalising the bouquet

Now that you have assembled your bouquet, there are a few more steps to take to ensure it is neat, secure, and ready for your big day.

Firstly, you will want to tie a piece of wire around the stems to secure them in place. Then, use wire cutters to trim the stems so that they are all uniform in length. Make sure they are not too long, so they do not interfere with your wedding dress, but also not too short, so you can still hold the bouquet comfortably.

Next, you will want to cover any exposed wires and keep the bouquet neat and organised. To do this, take a piece of floral tubing and insert 2-3 stems inside, going about 3/4 of the way up. Repeat this process until all stems are encased. Then, wrap any remaining exposed stems with green floral tape, starting where the floral tubing ends and working your way up to the base of the bouquet. This will help the bouquet stay in place and protect your hands.

Finally, you can add a ribbon to create a handle and give your bouquet a polished look. Hot glue a satin ribbon in your chosen colour around the base of the bouquet. You can then tie a bow with 2 ribbons near the handle, leaving a fair amount of excess ribbon for a flowing, elegant effect. This symbolises the fellowship between you and your partner.

Your bouquet is now ready for your wedding day!

Frequently asked questions