Franklin Dean
Decorating wedding cars with bows is a fun and simple way to add a touch of festivity to the big day. Bows can be made from florist ribbon in the colour scheme of the wedding and are an easy way to dress up the car. The ribbons can be draped over the hood of the car, attached to the windows or rearview mirrors, or used to create a large bow on the front or back of the car. The size of the bow will depend on the width of the ribbon, with thin ribbons used for small bows and wide ribbons for large bows. Bows can also be made more full by wrapping the ribbon around more times. This is a creative way to add a personal touch to a wedding and can be done by hand or with the help of a florist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Ribbon, florist ribbon, scissors, curling ribbon, twist tie, wire, chenille stem, tulle, plastic soda bottles, heart-shaped Mylar balloons, flower bows, mounting putty, magnetic tape, window-writing markers |
| Techniques | Hand-tying ribbons, securing ribbons to the hood, attaching ribbons to windows, bundling ribbons onto the bumper, draping tulle, tying ribbons and streamers to the antenna, creating a big bow, attaching bows to the rearview mirrors, adding accents like banners |
| Considerations | Check the forecast, use waterproof supplies if it will rain, consider the ground you'll be driving on, avoid using tape to secure ribbons, use dark-coloured ribbons if it will be wet and muddy, ensure you don't cover up the license plate |
What You'll Learn
Choosing the ribbon
The ribbon you choose will be a key part of your wedding car bow. Here are some things to consider when selecting your ribbon:
Type of Ribbon
It is recommended to use wired ribbon, as this will allow you to shape the loops exactly as you want them. Wired ribbon is also a good choice if your ribbon is only printed on one side, as you can ensure that side is the one that shows on your finished bow.
Width of the Ribbon
The width of the ribbon will determine the size of your bow. As a general rule, thin ribbons are better suited for small bows, while wide ribbons are used for large bows. The length of the bow loops should be about 2-3 times the width of the ribbon. For example, if you are using a 1" wide ribbon, your loops will be 2-3" long, resulting in a bow that is 4-6" across when completed.
Colour of the Ribbon
You may want to choose a ribbon colour that matches the wedding colour scheme. If the wedding has a theme, you can also choose complementary colours. For example, if the wedding is taking place in a forest, you might use green, maroon, and brown ribbons.
Amount of Ribbon
The amount of ribbon you will need depends on the size of the bow you want to create. For a 6" wide bow, you will need 12" of ribbon for each circle, so 7-10 feet of ribbon for 7-10 circles. Similarly, a 4" wide bow would require 8" circles and about 5-7 feet of ribbon.
Other Considerations
If you are attaching anything extra to your bow, such as flowers or pearls, make sure to choose a ribbon colour that will complement these additions. You may also want to consider the weather forecast for the wedding day and choose a ribbon that is suitable for the conditions. If it is expected to be wet, opt for a darker-coloured ribbon that will hide any dirt or mud that may be picked up.
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Forming the first loop
Start by choosing a ribbon that is wired and has a width suitable for your desired bow size. Wired ribbons allow you to shape the loops exactly as you want them. For small bows, use thin ribbons, and for large bows, opt for wider ribbons.
To achieve the best proportional results, the length of the bow's loops should be about 2-3 times the width of the ribbon. For example, if you're using a 1" wide ribbon, your loops should be 2-3" long, resulting in a bow that's 4-6" across when completed. It's important not to go to extremes with the loop size, as it can make your bow look funny.
Now, let's begin forming the first loop. Make a loop in the ribbon, measuring the width. Ensure that the end of the ribbon overlaps your centre point by about an inch. This overlap will prevent the end from falling out of the bow later.
After creating the first loop, you'll make the second loop. Pinch the ribbon in the middle, being careful to measure the width of the loops and the total width of the bow. This measurement ensures that your bow remains within the desired size range.
By following these steps, you'll have successfully formed the first loop of your wedding car bow. The next step will be to create the remaining loops, followed by opening up the circle of ribbon to prepare for the next steps.
With careful measurements and attention to detail, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful bows for wedding cars.
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Creating the remaining loops
Now, wrap the ribbon around the centre about 7-10 times, or more or less, depending on how full you want your bow to be. If you want a fuller bow, you can wrap the ribbon around more times. Conversely, if you want a less full bow, you can wrap the ribbon around fewer times.
When you cut the end of the ribbon, ensure that it goes about an inch past the centre point, so that the end won't fall out of the bow.
Next, open up the circle of ribbon a bit, holding the two centre points with your fingers. Be careful not to drop the two ends of the ribbon. Then, re-fold the circle so that the centre points are now the end points. Make sure that your ends are positioned so that they go about 1-2 inches past the fold. This will keep the ends from falling out of the bow.
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Opening the loops
Now that you've formed the first loop and determined the bow size, it's time to open the loops. Open up the circle of ribbon a bit, holding the two center points with your fingers. Be careful not to drop the two ends of the ribbon. Then, re-fold the circle so that the center points are now the end points. Ensure that your ends are positioned so that they go about 1-2 inches past the fold. This will keep the ends from falling out of the bow.
Holding one of the creases firmly, use a pair of sharp scissors to cut off the corners of the ribbon. Take care not to cut the ribbon all the way across, or the bow will fall apart. Just notch out the corners to remove some of the bulk. Repeat this process on the other side, notching the corners to reduce bulk.
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Adding tails
You can also use this technique to make very large bows, which are great for adding to gift wrap and decor. For instance, if a gift is too large to wrap, you can still attach a giant bow to the top using the ribbon you tied around the centre.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a ribbon in your choice of colour, a sharp pair of scissors, and some curling ribbon or a twist tie.
First, form the first loop and determine the bow size. Then, create the remaining loops. Next, open the loops and re-fold the ribbon. Remove excess ribbon bulk by notching out the corners. Reform the loops and secure the ribbon. Finally, separate the loops and shape them as you like.
Secure the ends of the ribbons to the latch on the middle of the hood. You can also use mounting putty to secure the ribbon in place.
Decide on a colour palette for the ribbon. Check the forecast for the wedding day and use waterproof supplies if it will rain. You can also attach plastic soda bottles to the bumper, or flower bows to the rearview mirrors.
