Crafting Giant Paper Flowers For Your Wedding Day

Flowers are a staple at weddings, but paper flowers offer a unique, playful, and colourful alternative. They are also a great way to save money on your big day. In this article, we will be exploring different ways to make big paper flowers for your wedding, as well as some creative ways to incorporate them into your decor.

Paper flower bouquet

Materials

To make a paper flower bouquet, you will need paper, stems, glue, scissors, and colouring materials such as markers or crayons.

Paper

Different coloured construction paper is a good option for paper flowers, but printer paper will also work. You will need 3-5 squares of paper for each flower you plan on making.

Stems

Floral wire is the best option for stems, but you can also use strips of popsicle sticks, standup wiring, or sticks of wood from your backyard.

Other Materials

• Glue (hot glue is preferable to regular stick glue)
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons

Optional Materials

Thick rice paper for the vase

Method

Making the Flowers

• Cut your paper into squares.
• Crease each square diagonally and fold the corners up so the edges align with the crease.
• Fold back those edges in half and glue the resulting flaps together to make a cone shape.
• Repeat this process 3-5 times to create your petals.
• Glue the petals together onto a stem, with the glued flaps in the centre.
• Repeat steps 1-5 until you have as many flowers as you want in your bouquet.

Making the Vase

• Choose the right type of paper. Thick rice paper is ideal for origami.
• Fold the creases for the waterbomb. Push the paper up from opposing ends inwards and hold the centre down as you push it up. Smooth out any crumpled edges.
• Flesh out the vase with folds. Take both of the far corners of your triangular base and fold them upwards to its opposing side. Fold the right side over to the left side and vice versa. Unfold it.
• Make the squash folds. Make squash folds on the left and right side of your vase, then flip over the paper and do the same for the opposing side.
• Open up the vase and fold the creases. Push gently from the inside out, making sure not to dislodge any of the folds you've already made. Hide the overlapping creases by folding them on the inside of your vase.

Decorating the Bouquet

• Decide on a colour scheme or theme.
• Wrap construction paper around the vase and tape it.
• Draw a design on the vase using markers, crayons, or paint.
• Accent your flower petals with intricate designs or shaded textures.
• Arrange your flowers in the vase.

Tips

You can experiment with different types of petals and stems.

Other Paper Flower Designs

There are countless paper flower designs to choose from. You can also invent your own pattern!

Paper bridesmaid bouquet

If you're looking to make a paper bridesmaid bouquet, there are a few different ways to go about it. You can use crepe paper, tissue paper, or even a combination of paper types. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful paper bridesmaid bouquet using crepe paper:

Materials:

• Crepe paper in various colours (Italian crepe paper is stiffer and stretchier, resulting in more durable petals)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Paper plate (a sturdy brand like Chinet is recommended)
• Floral tape
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Any desired embellishments (glitter, gems, etc.)

Instructions:

• Cut a strip of Italian crepe paper vertically, with the grain, to your desired petal width.
• Fold the strip in half, against the grain.
• Cut out a petal shape with the fold at the bottom. You can vary the shapes by making them pointy, rounded, or frilly.
• Gather the base of the petal, pinch to crease, add a dab of hot glue, regather, and hold until the glue sets.
• Gently stretch the centre of the petal away from you to create a cupped shape, being careful not to stretch the top edge.
• Repeat this process to create 8-10 petals for the outer layer and 6-8 petals for the inner layer.
• Cut a rectangle of crepe paper in a complementary colour, approximately 6 inches tall. Fold it with the grain of the paper several times until the fold is 2-2.5 inches wide, then fold it in half against the grain. With the fold at the bottom, cut out an oblong petal shape. Unfold, and you'll have a double-ended petal. Create 15-20 of these.
• Stretch the centres of the petals to form cupped shapes, then bring both sides together, pinching the centres.
• Cut a long strip of yellow or other coloured crepe paper for the inner fringe, approximately 4 x 20 inches. Fold it with the grain to a manageable rectangle, then cut about 2/3 of the way into the fold, making close cuts of about 1/8 inch wide. Unfold, then roll up the fringe, gluing the end to hold it together. Trim off any excess length, then glue it into the centre of the flower.
• Apply the outer petals to the paper plate, gluing the backside of each petal a couple of inches in from the edge and slightly overlapping the previous petal.
• Add the inner layer of petals just inside the ring of outer petals, folding the ends upwards to help them stand vertically.
• Stretch the edges of the outer petals to create a ruffled effect.
• Pierce the paper plate and add a wire hanger if you wish to display the bouquet as part of a wedding backdrop or flower wall.
• Repeat these steps to create multiple flowers for the bouquet.
• Arrange the paper flowers into a bouquet shape, securing them together with floral tape.
• Wrap the stems with ribbon, tying a bow to finish it off.

Tips and Variations:

• If you prefer a more natural look, you can use tissue paper instead of crepe paper. Simply follow the instructions for tissue paper flowers outlined in the sources.
• You can also add non-floral extras to your bouquet, such as long feathers for a boho feel or glittering gems for a glamorous touch.
• If you want to make smaller paper flowers, adjust the size of your paper squares accordingly.
• For a cascading bouquet effect, use a slanted bouquet holder and drape long strands of greenery like ferns or eucalyptus.
• Choose flowers with longer stems, such as roses or calla lilies, for a cascading bouquet.
• If you're using real flowers, be sure to remove the leaves and trim the stems to the same length before arranging them into a bouquet.

Paper flower garlands

To make a simple paper flower garland, you will need:

• Paper in your choice of colour and type (tissue paper, crepe paper, or cardstock)
• Scissors or a rotary cutter
• A ruler and self-healing cutting mat (optional)
• A hot glue gun and glue sticks
• String or twine for hanging

Start by cutting your paper into strips, following the grain of the paper. You can make the strips as wide or narrow as you like, depending on the size of petals you want. For a more delicate look, use tissue paper, while crepe paper will give you stiffer, stretchier petals. If using tissue paper, you will need to stack and fold several sheets together before cutting to create a fuller flower.

Once you have your strips, it's time to cut out your petals. You can choose any petal shape you like, from pointy to rounded to frilly. Be sure to leave enough space at the base of each petal to allow for gathering and gluing.

To form the petals, gather the base of each one and pinch to crease it. Add a small amount of hot glue to hold the gather in place, then gently stretch the centre of the petal away from you to create a cupped shape. Repeat this process until you have enough petals to form a complete flower—this will depend on the size of your petals and the desired fullness of your flower.

Now it's time to assemble the flower. Take a paper plate and glue the petals around the edge, slightly overlapping each one. For a more secure base, especially if you plan to hang your garland, you can use a sturdier plate, such as a Chinet dinner plate. Continue gluing petals in concentric circles, making each circle slightly smaller than the last, until you reach the centre of the plate.

To finish the centre of the flower, cut a strip of paper in a complementary colour and fringe one side. Roll up the fringed paper, secure with glue, and glue it into the centre of the flower. You can now fluff and ruffle the petals to give them a more natural look.

Finally, string your flowers together to create a garland, spacing them evenly along the length of the string. You can hang your garland as a backdrop, drape it over an arch, or use it to line the aisle for a beautiful and budget-friendly wedding decoration.

Paper flower backdrops

Paper flowers can be used to create stunning backdrops for weddings and other events. Here are some tips and instructions for creating paper flower backdrops:

Types of Paper

The type of paper you choose for your flowers will impact the overall look and durability of your backdrop. Some commonly used papers include:

• Tissue paper: This is a budget-friendly option that can create a gorgeous event decor with a big impact. You can find tissue paper in various colours and patterns, making it easy to match your wedding theme.
• Crepe paper: Crepe paper comes in two varieties: regular and Italian. Italian crepe paper is stiffer and stretchier than regular crepe paper, making it ideal for larger flowers. It is more expensive, but the petals will hold their shape better.

Flower Templates and Tutorials

When creating paper flower backdrops, it's essential to have a plan and the right tools. Here are some suggestions:

• Lia Griffith: Lia Griffith offers paper flower templates, patterns, and tutorials for a variety of flowers, including anemones, succulents, peonies, and more. You can access their content by signing up for a membership.
• A Practical Wedding: This website offers a $20 DIY paper flower backdrop tutorial. They provide downloadable PDFs of flower scans, including peonies and greenery, that you can print and cut out. The total time to make this backdrop is around 3-5 hours, and it can be done in advance of your wedding.
• Hey, Let's Make Stuff: This website has a tutorial on making tissue paper flowers in four different styles: rounded petals, pointed petals, inverted rounded petals, and tri-colour petals. They also offer tips on how to make smaller flowers and how to attach them to sticks for stems.
• Etsy: Etsy is a great source for finding paper flower templates and pre-made flower backdrops. You can find various designs, including 3D flower panels, flower wall backdrops, hanging flower installations, and more. Some shops even offer customisation options.

Assembly Tips

• Cutting: When cutting out your paper flowers, don't worry about being a perfectionist. Flowers have organic shapes, so it's okay if they all turn out a little different. Cut quickly and don't be afraid to leave some white space, especially on smaller flowers and leaves.
• Attaching: When attaching your flowers to a wall, use strong tape like painter's tape or double-sided tape. If you're using a white backdrop, you don't need to be meticulous in your cutting since the white edges won't show. Consider working with a friend to speed up the process.
• Displaying: If you don't have a wall to hang your flowers on, consider stringing them from a ready-made arch or using them as a photo booth backdrop. You can also get creative and use the flower scans for table numbers or decor in your home.

Creating paper flower backdrops for weddings can be a fun and budget-friendly way to add a personal touch to your special day. With some planning and creativity, you can make a stunning display that your guests will admire.

Paper flower centrepieces

Paper flowers are a great way to add a creative, colourful, and budget-friendly touch to your wedding. They can be used as centrepieces, backdrops, bouquets, or even as photo backdrops. Here are some ideas and instructions for creating paper flower centrepieces for your wedding.

Types of Paper

The type of paper you choose will impact the look and durability of your flowers. Tissue paper is a popular choice for paper flowers as it is lightweight and easy to work with, and creates a delicate, soft look. Crepe paper, particularly Italian crepe paper, is another excellent option as it is stiffer and stretchier than regular crepe paper, making it ideal for larger flowers that need to hold their shape.

Flower Styles

There are many different styles of paper flowers that you can create. Some popular options include:

• Peonies
• Poppies
• Roses
• Sunflowers
• Succulents
• Anemones
• Daisies

Centrepiece Ideas

• Vases or Jars: You can place paper flowers in vases or jars to create beautiful centrepieces. Consider using a mix of flower styles and colours to add interest and variety.
• Table Scatter: Small paper flowers can be scattered across tables to create a whimsical and romantic atmosphere.
• Flower Boxes: Create a rustic or vintage-style centrepiece by arranging paper flowers in a wooden box.
• Hoops or Stands: Hang paper flowers on hoops or place them on stands for a unique and modern centrepiece.

Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let's go through the steps to make paper flower centrepieces:

• Choose Your Paper and Flower Style: Decide on the type of paper you want to use and the style of flower you want to create.
• Gather Your Supplies: You will need paper, scissors or a rotary cutter, a ruler, a stapler or hot glue gun, and any desired embellishments like wire or sparkles.
• Cut and Shape the Petals: Cut out your petals according to your chosen flower style. You can experiment with different shapes like rounded, pointed, or inverted petals.
• Assemble the Flowers: Follow the instructions for your chosen flower style to assemble the petals, using staples or hot glue to secure them.
• Add Embellishments: If desired, add wire stems, leaves, or sparkles to enhance the look of your flowers.
• Arrange Your Centrepiece: Place your paper flowers in your chosen vessel, such as a vase, jar, box, or stand, arranging them to create a beautiful display.
• Fluff and Adjust: Ensure your paper flowers are fluffed and adjusted to look their best before the big day!

Frequently asked questions