Crafting Tissue Paper Flowers For Your Wedding Day

Tissue paper flowers are a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft that can be used for a variety of purposes, including weddings. They can be made in different sizes, shapes, and colours, and hung or displayed in various ways. This introduction will cover the materials needed, the steps to make tissue paper flowers, and the different ways to decorate with them.

Choosing colours and buying tissue paper

Choosing the right colours for your tissue paper flowers is important. You can opt for a single colour, or a combination of two or three shades. If you're making flowers for a wedding, you might want to choose colours that match the wedding theme or the bridesmaids' dresses. You could also use white tissue paper and add a drop of coloured paint to each sheet to create a beautiful, subtle ombre effect.

When it comes to buying tissue paper, there are a few options. If you're making a large number of flowers, it might be a good idea to buy in bulk from a wholesaler. This can often work out cheaper, and you'll likely have more colour options available to you. Amazon is a good choice if you're after a wide range of colours, while Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby and Walmart also stock tissue paper in a variety of shades.

If you're making a small number of flowers, you can simply buy tissue paper from a craft store, or even a dollar store. This is a good option if you want to see the colours in person before you buy, and it's also convenient if you need to buy other supplies for your project.

Cutting and stacking the paper

To make flowers out of tissue paper for weddings, you'll need to cut and stack the paper before folding and shaping it. Here's a detailed guide:

Start by choosing your desired colours. You can use a single colour or experiment with multiple shades to create a vibrant, colourful flower. Once you've selected your colours, you'll need to cut the tissue paper to the desired size.

If you want to make a standard-sized flower, cut your tissue paper to a width of 8-9 inches. You can also make mini tissue paper flowers by cutting the paper to a smaller width. Remember to cut the tissue paper so that each piece is the same size.

For an 8-inch flower, you'll need 12 layers of tissue paper. If you're making a larger flower, add a few more layers, and if you're making a smaller flower, remove a couple of layers. It's not an exact science, so feel free to experiment with different sizes and numbers of layers.

Once you've cut your tissue paper to the desired size, stack the pieces neatly in front of you. If you're using multiple colours, decide on the order of the layers. For example, you can place a yellow layer in the centre to resemble the stamen of a flower or add a green layer at the bottom to create leaves.

After stacking the tissue paper, fold it in half and then unfold it. Cut along the fold to create two halves. You'll only need one half for this project, so you can set the other half aside for another flower or a different craft project.

Now, take your half stack and fold it in half again, then cut along this new fold. You should now have four sheets of tissue paper. Stack these four sheets on top of each other and fold them accordion-style, with folds of about 1 inch. You can use a ruler or measuring tape to ensure your folds are even.

Once you've created an accordion fold, fold it in half again and crease it sharply to mark the centre. This crease will serve as a guide for attaching the stem later.

Folding the paper

Now that you have your tissue paper, it's time to start folding!

Firstly, fold the two tissue paper sheets in half. Then, fold them in half again. You should now have a square.

Next, find the corner with all the separate pieces of paper (not the folded edge). Take this corner and fold it to the bottom edge to make a triangle. You can then trim off the extra rectangle of paper.

Open up the triangle to make a square, and trim off any edges that still have a fold so that you are left with eight individual squares.

Now, fold the paper accordion-style. You should end up with around six or seven folds.

Once you have your accordion, staple it in the centre.

Finally, trim each edge to create the flower petals. You can cut rounded petals, pointed petals, or inverted rounded petals to create different styles.

Shaping the petals

Start by choosing the right tools for the job. You can use either a rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and self-healing cutting mat, or simply use scissors. If you're making a large number of flowers, the former option might be more efficient. Prepare your tissue paper by folding it neatly. This will ensure that your petals are evenly shaped. For the initial fold, take two large sheets of tissue paper and fold them in half, and then in half again. This will give you a stack of tissue paper that is easier to work with.

Now, find the corner with all the separate pieces of paper (not the folded edge). Fold this corner to the bottom edge to create a triangle. Trim off the extra rectangle of paper, but be sure to leave enough paper to work with. Open up the triangle to reveal a square, and trim off any edges that still have a fold to create individual squares. You should aim for about eight squares, depending on the size of your tissue paper.

Once you have your stack of squares, it's time to get creative with the petal shapes. Here are some ideas:

• Rounded petals: Cut the ends of the folded tissue paper into rounded shapes. This will give your flower a soft and romantic look.
• Pointed petals: For a more dramatic effect, cut the ends of the tissue paper into pointed petal shapes.
• Inverted rounded petals: Create a unique look by cutting the ends of the tissue paper into inverted rounded shapes.
• Scalloped edges: Go for a classic look by creating scalloped edges on your petals.
• Fringe-cut edges: If you want to add some texture, cut the edges of the tissue paper into fringe. This will give your flower a playful and whimsical appearance.

Remember to cut through all layers of tissue paper when shaping your petals. You can also experiment with different colours and sizes of tissue paper to create a variety of flowers for your wedding décor.

After you've cut your petals, it's time to assemble your flower. Carefully separate the layers of tissue paper, pulling from the inside of each layer to avoid tearing. Continue fluffing and shaping the petals until you achieve the desired fullness.

Displaying the flowers

Displaying your tissue paper flowers is the final step in bringing your creations to life. Here are some ideas on how to showcase your handiwork:

Table Decorations

Tissue paper flowers are a perfect addition to your wedding table settings. Place them in the centre of each table as a beautiful bouquet, or as single stems in small vases. You could even add some scent to the flowers with a spritz of perfume or a drop of scented oil to create a fragrant centrepiece.

Photo Backdrops

Create a stunning photo backdrop by arranging your flowers in a large display. Attach the flowers to a wall using push pins, command hooks or strips, or some strong tape. You could also hang the flowers from a length of string or ribbon to create a floral curtain effect. This will provide a gorgeous setting for wedding photos and will be a memorable feature of your special day.

Gift Toppers

Add a handmade touch to your wedding favours by using your tissue paper flowers as gift toppers. Simply tie or attach the flowers to the gifts for an eye-catching and colourful finishing touch.

Bridal Bouquet

Instead of fresh flowers, why not carry a bouquet made from your tissue paper creations? This is a unique and cost-effective alternative to traditional bouquets and will be a fun talking point for your guests. You could even add some extra scent to the bouquet to carry with you as you walk down the aisle.

Cake Toppers

Your tissue paper flowers can also be used as cake toppers. Create mini versions of your flowers and carefully place them on your wedding cake for a unique and colourful display.

Frequently asked questions