Creating Exquisite Wedding Bows: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding bows are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. They can be used to decorate everything from gifts to chairs, pews, and even champagne glasses! Making your own wedding bows is easier than you might think and can help you save money on decorations. With some ribbon, wire, and a few simple techniques, you can create beautiful bows that will wow your guests and elevate your wedding décor.

Making a bow with wired ribbon

Wired ribbon is perfect for making big, beautiful bows for wedding gifts, decor, and more. The structured edges of the ribbon allow you to create dramatic shapes and sizes that will make your gift stand out. You can also use these bows to tie onto chairs, add to flower arrangements, or attach to wedding signage. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a stunning bow with wired ribbon:

Step 1:

Take a long piece of wired ribbon, at least 2 yards in length, and create a loop. Then, wrap the rest of the ribbon in a continuous circle around that loop. This forms the base of your bow.

Step 2:

Decide on the length of the tails you want your bow to have. For longer tails, add 2 inches to your desired length. This extra length will be needed for the knot in the next step. Once you've determined the length, fold the loop in half from the center.

Step 3:

Pinch the center of the folded loop and wrap a matching pipe cleaner tightly around it. Twist and tighten the pipe cleaner, then trim off any excess length. This will help secure the shape of your bow.

Step 4:

Cut vertically up the center of the bow's tail to create two separate tails. Make sure the cut reaches almost to the pipe cleaner. This will give your bow a fuller appearance.

Step 5:

Take the two tails and tie a standard knot around the center of the folded ribbon. This will cover up the pipe cleaner and give your bow a neat finish.

Step 6:

Fan out the loops of your bow to achieve the desired shape and fullness. Adjust the loops until you are happy with the overall look of the bow.

Step 7:

Finally, trim the tails to your desired length. You can also cut the ends diagonally or in a chevron pattern for a classy touch. And there you have it—a beautiful, dramatic bow made with wired ribbon!

Creating pew bows with flowers

Planning and Gathering Materials:

Before you begin, decide on the colour scheme and style of your wedding. This will help you choose the right flowers and ribbons to complement your theme. You'll need:

• Ribbon of your choice (satin, chiffon, or wired ribbon are popular choices)
• Scissors
• Flowers (real or artificial) that match your colour scheme
• Optional: Pipe cleaners, pearl strings, or other decorative elements

Creating the Basic Bow:

• Cut two pieces of ribbon, one short (about 12 inches) and one long (1-2 yards). The length will depend on how big you want your bow to be and the length of the pew aisle.
• Create a small loop with the end of the long ribbon, then twist it where the loop ends. Hold the twist taught with one hand.
• Make another loop on the opposite side of the bow, then twist again. Repeat these steps, creating alternating loops, until you achieve your desired size.
• Use the shorter piece of ribbon to tie the bow loops together securely. Double knot it, leaving one end loose to create the second half of your bow's tail.
• Cut and fluff the loops and tails to your desired length and fullness.

Adding Flowers and Embellishments:

• Decide on the placement of the flowers. You can attach them to the centre of the bow, hang them from the loops, or create a floral arrangement at the base of the bow.
• Secure the flowers to the ribbon using pipe cleaners, ribbon, or hot glue. If you're using artificial flowers with wired stems, you can wrap the stems around the ribbon for a secure hold.
• Embellish your bow further by adding pearl strings, rhinestones, or other decorative elements.

Attaching the Bow to the Pew:

• Measure the height of the pew and cut a length of ribbon to match. This ribbon will be used to secure the bow to the pew.
• Attach the ribbon securely to the back of the bow, leaving enough length at the top to create a loop for hanging.
• Use pew clips, hooks, or clear plastic hooks to hang the bow from the pew. Ensure they are strong enough to hold the weight of the bow.

Decorating chairs with bows

Choose the Right Ribbon

The type of ribbon you choose will depend on the look you want to achieve. Options include silk, grosgrain, velvet, satin, or wired ribbon. Consider the colour and width of the ribbon as well; wider ribbons will create bigger bows. If you're using wired ribbon, you can create more structured and dramatic bows.

Measure and Cut the Ribbon

Before you start making your bows, measure and cut the ribbon to the desired length. For a nice-sized bow, cut the ribbon between 15 and 20 inches long. If you're using thicker ribbon, you may need to adjust the length accordingly. It's always better to start with a longer piece of ribbon, as you can always trim it down later.

Create the Bow

To make a simple bow, start by making a "bunny-eared" loop with the ribbon. Twist the longer end two times so that it becomes rope-like, making sure the shiny side of the ribbon is still facing up. Then, create a second "bunny ear" and adjust the loops to your desired size. Fold one loop over the other and bring it around and back through the centre hole, just like tying a shoe. Pull tight to create a knot, and adjust the loops and tails as needed.

Attach the Bows to the Chairs

Once you've created your beautiful bows, it's time to attach them to the chairs. You can tie the bows directly onto the chairs, or you can use clips or sashes to secure them. If using clips, simply attach the bows to the back of the chairs. If using sashes, drape the fabric over the chair and secure it in place with the bow.

Add Extra Embellishments

To take your chair decorations to the next level, consider adding extra embellishments to your bows. You can add flowers, pearls, rhinestones, or feathers to your bows for a more luxurious and elegant look. These embellishments can be attached with glue or wire. Play around with different textures and colours to create a unique and personalised look.

Adding bows to champagne and wine glasses

Firstly, source your materials. You will need a roll of ribbon in your chosen colour and texture, as well as clear, double-sided tape. Consider the thickness of the ribbon and whether you want it in silk, grosgrain, velvet, or wired ribbon. The type of ribbon you choose will determine the style and size of your bow. For example, wired ribbon is great if you want a dramatic, structured look. On the other hand, silk, grosgrain, or velvet ribbon will give you a softer, more romantic look. Remember, the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow.

Once you have your ribbon, cut a piece between 15 and 20 inches long. This length will give you a nicely sized bow, and you can adjust the length for thicker or thinner ribbon. Next, wrap a piece of the clear, double-sided tape around the stem of the glass. This will act as an anchor for your ribbon.

Now, it's time to make your bow. Start by making a bunny-eared loop with your ribbon, and twist the longer end two times so that it becomes rope-like. Ensure the shiny side of the ribbon is still facing up. Then, make a second bunny ear, adjusting the loops to your desired size. Make sure the tails are fairly even.

Take the left loop and fold it over the right loop, bringing it around and back through the centre hole, just like you're tying your shoelace. Pull it tight to create a knot, and then tug on the loops and tails to perfect your bow. Don't worry if it's not perfect on the first try! You can always adjust and finesse the bow to your liking.

Finally, trim the ends of the ribbon if needed. You can cut the ends diagonally to give them a classy, finished look. And there you have it—a beautiful bow to adorn the happy couple's champagne or wine glasses! This simple yet effective touch will surely elevate the celebration.

Making a basic bow with any type of ribbon

Making a bow out of ribbon is a simple process that can be used to decorate wedding gifts, flower girl baskets, aisle markers, hair accessories, wreaths, and more. The first step is to select your ribbon. Any type of ribbon can be used, such as silk, grosgrain, or velvet, and any width works, but remember that the wider the ribbon, the bigger the bow.

Once you've chosen your ribbon, cut a piece between 15 and 20 inches long. This length will make a nice-sized bow with 1-inch thick ribbon. If you're using a thicker ribbon, adjust the length accordingly.

Now, you're ready to start making your bow. Make a bunny-eared loop with the ribbon, and twist the longer end two times so that it becomes rope-like. Be sure to keep the same shiny side of the ribbon facing up.

Next, make a second bunny ear with your ribbon, adjusting the loops to the desired size for your final bow. Make sure that the tails are fairly even.

To create the center of the bow, fold the left loop over the right loop and bring it around and back through the center hole, just like tying a shoe. Pull tight to create a knot, and then tug on the loops and tails to adjust your bow as needed.

Once you're happy with your bow, you can trim the ends if desired. And that's it! You've made a beautiful basic bow with any type of ribbon.

Feel free to add your own creative touches to the bow. For example, you can cut the ends of the tails diagonally to give them a classy pointed look or perform a chevron cut for a unique shape. You can even tie a charm in the center of the ribbon for an extra special touch.

Frequently asked questions