Creating A Paper Bridal Bouquet For Your Special Day

Flowers are a staple accessory for nearly every bride on her wedding day. Paper flowers are a great alternative to fresh flowers as they are long-lasting, have no allergens, allow for customisation, and are cost-effective. If you're looking to make your own paper flower bouquet for your wedding, there are several tutorials available online that can guide you through the process. These tutorials cover different types of paper flowers, such as paper ranunculus flowers and cascading paper flower bouquets, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to create stunning arrangements. With the right tools and some creativity, you can make a beautiful paper flower bouquet that adds a unique touch to your special day.

Choosing the right paper

When it comes to choosing the right paper for your DIY wedding paper bouquet, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a paper that is the right thickness and firmness. The paper should be firm enough to hold its shape but not too cardboard-like or flimsy. A4-sized sheets of firm paper are a good option, as you'll be able to make one flower from one sheet.

The type of paper you choose will also depend on the occasion and the overall look you're going for. If you're looking for a rustic, earthy vibe, Kraft paper is a popular choice. It's sturdy, versatile, and timeless. For a glossy and polished look, cellophane is a great option. It's available in a range of colours and will give your bouquet a glamorous feel. If you want something soft, delicate, and elegant, tissue paper is a good choice. It's lightweight, easy to work with, and comes in a variety of colours, from pastels to vibrant shades.

If you're concerned about keeping your flowers fresh, especially if they need to be transported or will be handled a lot, you might want to consider waterproof paper. This will protect your flowers from moisture and humidity and ensure they stay vibrant for longer. Waterproof paper is available in different colours and designs, so you can still match it to your wedding theme.

Finally, don't be afraid to mix and match different papers to create a unique and personalised bouquet. You can use double-sided paper, which offers the flexibility of choosing between two designs or colours, or simply combine contrasting papers for a layered look.

Drawing and cutting the petals

The first step in making your DIY wedding paper bouquet is to decide on the colour of your flowers. Choose a firm paper that will hold its shape, in the colour and quantity of your choice. You will need one A4-sized sheet of paper for each flower.

Next, you will need to draw your flower petal template. You can draw your own or adapt a template from one that can be found online. You will need to draw 14 flower petals on one sheet of paper, with 2 petals of each size, ranging from 7 different sizes, with each petal being slightly bigger than the last. You can adapt the shape of your petals, but make sure they are delicate and not too big. You can decide how many petals you want for each flower, and if you want bigger or smaller flowers, you can adjust the size of your petals accordingly. Adding more petals will give you a fuller flower.

Once you are happy with your template, copy it onto your A4-sized sheets of coloured paper. You can either draw the petals freehand or use a photocopier to copy the template.

Now it's time to cut out your petals. If you're using scissors, take your time and be careful not to cut yourself. If you have access to a cutting machine, this will make the process quicker and easier. You will need two petals of each size per flower, so make sure you have enough petals cut out before moving on to the next step.

Curling the petals

Once you've cut out your flower petals, it's time to curl them! This step will give your paper flowers a more realistic and dimensional look. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to curl your flower petals:

Tools and Materials

• Piece of foam or something similar: This will be your work surface for curling the petals.
• Rounded tool: You can use a wooden spoon, the end of a cosmetic brush, or even a pencil. Anything with a rounded edge will work.
• Flower petals: Cut out your flower petals before you start curling.

Curling Technique

• Place your petal on the foam: Position one of your flower petals on the piece of foam.
• Press and curl: Using your rounded tool, press quite hard and run the tool around the edges of the petal. The harder you press (without breaking the paper), the more defined your curl will be.
• Repeat for all petals: Continue this process until you have curled all of your flower petals.

By curling your flower petals, you're adding texture and dimension to your paper flowers. This step is crucial in achieving a realistic look for your DIY wedding paper bouquet. Feel free to experiment with different pressure and techniques to achieve the desired curl for your petals.

Once your petals are curled, you can move on to the next step of creating your DIY wedding paper bouquet.

Attaching the petals

Now that you have cut out your petals, it's time to attach them together to form beautiful flowers. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You will need your cut-out petals, a hot glue gun or normal cold glue, beads or brads (small wire nails with curved heads), and something to pierce a hole in the centre of each petal, such as a needle.

Step 2: Prepare the Petals

• Start by piercing a hole in the centre of each petal. This will allow you to attach the petals together.
• Next, place your petals in piles according to their sizes. You will need two petals of each size per flower.

Step 3: Attach the Petals

• To attach the petals, you can use beads or brads. Place the bead or brad through the hole in the centre of the petal.
• Once you have attached the bead and the brad, apply glue to the back of the petal around the hole. You can use Bostik glue or any similar adhesive.

Step 4: Overlapping Petals

• As you glue the petals, ensure that they overlap one another. Start with the smallest petals and work your way up to the largest.
• Adjust the petals while the glue is still drying to achieve the desired overlap. This will give your flower a full and luscious look.

Step 5: Create Multiple Flowers

• Repeat the above steps to create multiple flowers for your bouquet. You can vary the number of petals per flower to create bigger or smaller blooms.
• Remember to choose a colour scheme for your flowers and use firm paper that will hold its shape.

Now that you have created your paper flowers, you can move on to assembling your bouquet!

Adding the stems

Now that you have made your paper flowers, it's time to add the stems. You will need some pre-made paper flowers, thin wire or floral/corsage tape, and scissors.

First, cut your wire into thirds. These will be the stems for your paper flowers. If you are using floral or corsage tape, cut small pieces of tape and set them aside. Take a paper flower and carefully attach a piece of tape to the bottom of the flower. Alternatively, you can attach the wire stem to the flower using the tape. Make sure the stem is secure and firmly attached to the flower. Repeat this process for all your paper flowers.

If you want to add leaves to your bouquet, you can do so by cutting small wire stems for the leaves. Attach the wire to the leaves using a thin line of glue along the centre bottom of the leaf stem. You can also curl the leaves by gently running a wooden spoon or the back of a pencil along the edges to give them a more natural shape.

Once you have added stems to all your flowers and leaves, you can begin arranging them into a bouquet. Gather your flowers and leaves and start to fill in the gaps with greenery until it becomes difficult to see any empty spaces. You can also add some hanging vines to create a cascading effect for a more elegant look.

Finally, wrap the stems of your bouquet with ribbon or lace, and tie a bow at the base to complete your DIY paper wedding bouquet!

Frequently asked questions