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

Creating bows for wedding chairs is a simple and affordable way to decorate for a wedding ceremony or reception. Chair bows can be made from a variety of materials, including satin, chiffon, organza, lace, and burlap. The process is straightforward and only requires a few tools, such as a ruler or tape measure, scissors, and a lighter or hot glue gun. The first step is to measure the chairs to determine the length of ribbon needed, followed by cutting the ribbons to size and tying them around the chairs to create bows. Chair bows can be customised to fit the desired aesthetic and are a great way to add a pop of colour or a personalised touch to the wedding decor.

Choosing the right ribbon

The ribbon is the most important component of your wedding chair bows. The right ribbon will depend on the style and theme of your wedding, as well as your budget. Here are some things to consider when choosing the perfect ribbon for your wedding chair bows:

Type of Ribbon

There are many different types of ribbon that you can use for your wedding chair bows, including satin, chiffon, organza, tulle, lace, burlap, and spandex. Consider the style and theme of your wedding when choosing the type of ribbon. For example, satin, chiffon, and organza ribbons are elegant and luxurious, while tulle and lace ribbons are more whimsical and romantic. Burlap ribbons are perfect for a rustic-themed wedding, and spandex ribbons can give a sophisticated look to a corporate event.

Colour

The colour of the ribbon you choose will depend on your wedding colour palette and theme. If you want to make a stunning first impression, choose eccentric colours that complement your wedding theme. For a romantic wedding décor, accent your white chair covers with red chair sashes. Gold and silver chair sashes will give a glamorous and elegant look to your event design. You can also use chair sashes to incorporate vivid dark shades that you love into your décor.

Width and Length

The width and length of the ribbon will depend on the size of your chairs and the style of the bow you want to create. For a simple knot, you will need less ribbon than for a bow. Most ribbons come in 10-yard rolls, but the width can vary. Measure your chairs beforehand to determine how much ribbon you will need. For example, for a chair with a garden chair back, you will need approximately 1.5-2 yards of ribbon for a simple knot or bow.

Price

Ribbon prices can vary depending on the type, width, and length. Keep an eye out for sales at your local craft stores to get the best prices. Buying ribbon in bulk or during a sale can help you save money on your wedding decorations.

Measuring your chairs

The first step to making bows for wedding chairs is to measure the size of the chairs. This is important to ensure that the bows are the correct size and fit securely on the chairs. Contact your rental company and ask them to provide measurements for the chairs, including the width of the chair back, where you plan to tie the ribbon.

For the antique folding chair used in this example, 1.5 yards of ribbon was needed for a simple knot and 2 yards for a bow. Keep in mind that the amount of ribbon required may vary depending on the size and style of your chairs.

Once you have determined the length of ribbon needed per chair, you can calculate the total amount of ribbon required based on the number of chairs you plan to decorate. Consider whether you want to tie bows on every chair or just those down the center aisle, as this will impact the total ribbon needed.

After measuring and calculating the required amount of ribbon, use a ruler or measuring tape to cut the ribbon into strips of the desired length. You are now ready to start creating your bows!

It is recommended to tie the bows on the actual chairs as close to the wedding day as possible. However, you can pre-cut the ribbons to size and plan ahead to make the process smoother and faster when it's time to set up.

Cutting your ribbons to size

Now that you've decided on the style of your chair bows, it's time to cut your ribbons to size. Measure the width of your chair backs and add a few extra inches to that measurement to determine the length of ribbon you'll need for each bow. Don't forget to account for the size of the bow loops and trailing ends!

If you're going for a simple knot, 1.5 yards of ribbon per chair should be sufficient. For a bow, you'll likely need around 2 yards. But remember, it's always better to have a little extra ribbon than not enough, so round up your measurements if you're unsure.

Before you start cutting, calculate the total number of chairs you'll be decorating. This will help you determine the total length of ribbon you need to cut. If you're using 10-yard rolls of ribbon, as is common, you may be able to cut strips for multiple chairs at once.

Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure out the required length of ribbon for each chair, and then cut your ribbons accordingly. It's a good idea to double-check your measurements before cutting, especially if you're cutting multiple ribbons at once.

Once your ribbons are cut to size, you can move on to the fun part: tying the bows!

Tying the knot

Making bows for wedding chairs is a simple and affordable way to decorate your wedding venue. All you need is some ribbon, a ruler or tape measure, and a lighter to seal the ribbon ends.

Step 1: Measuring your chairs

First, you need to work out the size of your chairs so you know how much ribbon to buy and how long to cut each strip. Call your rental company and ask them to measure the size of the chair where you will be tying the ribbon.

Step 2: Buying your ribbon

Keep an eye out for sales at your local craft store to get the best price for your ribbon. You'll need around 1.5 to 2 yards of ribbon for each chair, depending on whether you want to tie a simple knot or a bow. For a set of 10 chairs, you'll need around 15 to 20 yards of ribbon.

Step 3: Cutting your ribbons to size

Use a ruler or measuring tape to cut strips of ribbon to the size you need for each chair. If you have 100 guests, you'll need 100 strips of ribbon.

Step 4: Tying the knot

Take a strip of ribbon and tie it around the back of the chair. You can either tie a simple knot or a bow. If you're tying a bow, hold the ribbon in the middle to create two loops, then take the loop on the right and cross it around the loop on the left, bringing it through the back to make the bow. Adjust the loops and the knot to make sure the bow is centred and even.

Step 5: Trimming the ends

Once you've tied your knot or bow, trim the ends of the ribbon that hang down to your desired length.

And there you have it—a beautiful and elegant way to decorate your wedding chairs!

Adding extra details

If you want to get creative, you can add extra details to your wedding chair bows. For a rustic wedding, consider using burlap and lace ribbons to create your bows. Simply cut the burlap and lace to the desired length, glue them together, and then tie them around the chair to form a bow. This will give your wedding chairs a elegant and rustic look.

For a more glamorous look, try using satin or organza chair sashes. These sashes are available in a variety of colours and can be tied in different ways to create unique and eye-catching designs. You can also decorate your chair bows with accessories such as exotic flowers, crystals, LED lights, or ornate chair sash buckles.

If you're looking to add a pop of colour, consider using gold or red chair sashes. Gold sashes will give a sophisticated and gleaming appeal, while red sashes can add a romantic touch to your wedding chair decorations.

Chair bows are also a great way to incorporate your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a princess-themed wedding, you can use curly willow chair sashes to add a whimsical charm. Similarly, sequin chair sashes are perfect for a disco-themed wedding, giving your décor an extra punch.

Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of chair sashes to create a unique and personalised look for your wedding chairs.

Frequently asked questions