Creating Wedding Bows: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding bows are a great way to add a creative touch to your ceremony and reception. They can be used to decorate pews, chairs, gazebos, and even small details like champagne glasses. Making your own wedding bows is an easy way to save money and create a gorgeous atmosphere at your wedding. With some ribbon, wire, and a few simple techniques, you can make a variety of bows to elevate your wedding decor.

How to make pew bows with flowers

Pew bows are a great way to add a decorative touch to your wedding ceremony. They are symbolic of wedding ceremonies and can be used in both traditional and non-traditional weddings. You can make them on the day of the wedding or a few days before. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make pew bows with flowers:

Traditional Pew Bow:

• Gather your materials: You will need a roll of ribbon that is approximately six inches thick, some scissors, and invisible tape or crafting wire.
• Make the first loop: Take three yards of ribbon and create a loop by holding one end steady and folding the ribbon over itself.
• Create the next loop: Twist the remaining ribbon to the right and make another loop at an angle to the first one. Ensure both loops are the same size.
• Make the remaining loops: Continue making loops by twisting the ribbon back and forth to the right and left, holding the centre of each loop. Make about 12 loops.
• Wrap the centre: Hold the loops steady with one hand and use another strip of ribbon (about 12 inches) to wrap around the centre of the bow.
• Tie the bow: Tie a knot or bow tightly in the middle to secure the loops. Allow the remaining ribbon to fall down the centre.
• Add details (optional): You can cut a 3-inch line in the middle of each loop to create a unique detail.
• Improve the look: Adjust the loops by pulling and fanning them out. Pull some forward and some backward to add dimension.
• Attach the bow: Use invisible tape or crafting wire to secure the bow to the pew.

Tulle Pew Bow with Flowers:

• Gather your materials: You will need wired ribbon, tulle, scissors, twist ties, a rose or other large bloom, baby's breath or filler flowers, and floral tape and wire.
• Prepare the flowers: Cut the rose stem to about six inches. Arrange the baby's breath behind it, trim the stems, and use floral tape to secure them together.
• Fold and knot the ribbon: Take your wired organza ribbon and fold it in half. Make a loop that is slightly larger than needed to attach to the pew, and tie a simple knot.
• Position the flowers: Spread the ribbon ends apart at the knot and place the flowers in the centre. Use floral wire to tightly attach them.
• Create a loop: Fold one end of the ribbon to make an eight-inch loop.
• Tie a bow: Wrap the other end of the ribbon around the loop and tie a simple bow over the flowers.
• Adjust and trim the ribbon: Cut the ribbon ends at an angle to give them a finished look. Ensure they do not touch the floor.

You can also add flowers to other types of bows, such as those made with wired ribbon or paper, to create beautiful decorations for your wedding.

How to make chair bows

Chair bows are a great way to add colour and elegance to your wedding reception. They are easy to make and only require a few materials. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Materials:

First, you will need to gather your materials. For each chair bow, you will need:

• Four yards of six-inch-wide tulle or organza ribbon.
• A 12-inch piece of wire.
• A glue gun with glue sticks (optional).

Prepare the Ribbon:

Cut the ribbon into two two-yard pieces. If you want to add texture or design to your chair bows, you can glue a second type of ribbon to one side of the original ribbon. For example, you can glue ivory lace ribbon to wired burlap.

Tie the Bow:

Now you are ready to tie the bow. Wrap one piece of ribbon around the chair at the height where you want the bow to sit, and tie a single knot. Then, make two loops with the ribbon, holding one loop in each hand. Take the loop in your right hand and cross it around the loop in your left hand, moving in a clockwise direction. Bring the right loop back through the centre to make the bow. Adjust the loops and the overall bow size to fit the chair. You want the bow to be centred and even with the back of the chair.

Trim the Ends:

Once the bow is tied, trim the ribbon streamers that hang down to your desired length.

And that's it! You now have beautiful chair bows that will add a pop of colour and elegance to your wedding reception.

How to make a bow out of wired ribbon

Wired ribbon is great for making bows as it holds its shape. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a bow out of wired ribbon.

Step 1: Cut the Ribbon

First, cut a length of ribbon. The length will depend on how big you want the bow to be. The wider the ribbon, the more you will need to cut.

Step 2: Create Loops

Find the centre of the ribbon and make two loops on either side, pointing upwards.

Step 3: Create a Knot

Cross the loops over and under each other and gently tug to tighten the knot. This is just like tying shoelaces.

Step 4: Adjust the Tails and Loops

Pull on the loops and tails to adjust their length. When you are happy with the length, tug on them both at the same time to tighten the knot.

Step 5: Straighten the Knot

If you are using a wide ribbon, the knot in the middle may be wrinkled. Slip your forefingers under each side of the knot at the front and straighten out the edges.

Step 6: Shape the Bow

Use your fingers to fluff up the loops and shape the bow. The wires inside the ribbon will help the loops to hold their form. Trim the tails down with scissors if needed. You can cut the ends at an angle or into notches for a neater finish.

Alternative Method: Looped Bow

You can also make a looped bow, which is great for floral arrangements and wreaths. First, roll the end of your ribbon into a small loop and hold it in place with your thumb and forefinger. Twist the ribbon so the right side is showing and pull it under the first loop to make a second loop. Keep twisting the ribbon and making loops, making sure they are the same side as the second loop and getting bigger each time. When you are happy with the number of loops, wrap a wire through the centre to hold them in place. You can add tails to the bow by cutting a piece of ribbon, folding it in half, and securing it to the back of the bow with wire.

Alternative Method: Fancy Bow

For a fancier bow, place the end of a wide ribbon in the centre of a book, moving it towards the spine. Wrap the ribbon around the book 5-9 times, keeping it in the same place each time. Trim the ribbon so that the ends overlap. Slide the bundle off the book and wrap wire around the centre to hold it in place. Cut a longer piece of ribbon for the tails and tie a loose knot in the middle. Wrap this around the centre of the bow and use the excess wire to secure it in place. Fluff and shape the loops and trim the tails if needed.

How to make a paper bow

Paper bows are a cute and unique alternative to ribbon bows, especially for small gifts like bridesmaid jewellery or wedding cufflinks. They can be made from any type of paper, from magazines to wrapping paper, and they're a little easier to make than the popular origami bow.

Step 1:

First, download and print a paper bow template. Using your pencil and scissors, trace the template onto cardstock, then cut out the outline.

Step 2:

Place a dot of glue in the centre of the bow cut-out with the rounded edges. Fold one of the rounded edge pieces in half (without creasing) and press to adhere the square tip to the centre. Add another dot of glue and repeat on the other side. This piece is your bow loops.

Step 3:

Add a dot of glue to the centre of the tail cut-out, then gently press the centre of the bow loops piece on top.

Step 4:

Wrap the small band cut-out around the centre of your bow and glue the ends together at the back.

Tips:

• You can make your paper bow any size you wish.
• If you want to make a thinner strip, cut the strips of paper in half lengthways and widthways, and you will be able to make smaller bows.
• You can use any colourful magazine or old comic, a ruler, scissors and a glue stick.

How to make a floral bow

A floral bow is an elaborate, pretty-looking bow defined by its many loops. It is often used by florists as a finishing touch on flower vases or corsages, but it can also be used to embellish non-bloom-related details like a wedding program basket, wreath, or card box. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a floral bow:

Step 1: Cut the Ribbon

Cut two pieces of ribbon, one short (about 12 inches) and one long (one to two yards, depending on the size of your desired bow). The length of the long piece of ribbon will depend on how big you want your bow to be and how many loops you want to create.

Step 2: Create a Loop

Create a small loop with the end of your long piece of ribbon, then twist where the loop ends. This will be the center of your bow. Hold the bottom of the loop tightly between your thumb and fingers, ensuring that the "right" side of the ribbon is facing out.

Step 3: Create More Loops

While still holding the first twist taught with one hand, make another loop on the opposite side of the bow, then twist. Repeat these steps, making alternating loops, until you achieve your desired size and fullness. You can make all the loops the same size or make them progressively bigger as you go.

Step 4: Secure the Loops

Use the shorter piece of ribbon to tie the bow loops together. Double knot at one end, leaving the other end loose—this will be the second half of your tail.

Step 5: Cut and Fluff the Tails

Cut the tails and fluff individual loops to your preferred length and fullness. You can cut the tails as short or as long as you like and give them a slanted or swallow-tailed ending, whichever you prefer.

Tips:

• Wired ribbon is much easier to work with than soft ribbon as it holds its shape better, making a fuller bow.
• You can use any type of ribbon, but choosing a color or print that matches your wedding aesthetic is recommended.
• If your ribbon has a "right" side that you want to showcase, be sure to twist the ribbon after each loop so that the correct side is facing out.
• If you want your bow to have a more rounded, flower-like shape, spend some time pulling out the loops to the left and right.

Frequently asked questions