Create Beautiful Grapevine Balls For Your Wedding Day

DIY grapevine balls are a fun and easy way to add a rustic charm to your wedding. They can be used as beautiful, natural decorations both indoors and outdoors, and even as rustic wedding lighting. To make your own grapevine balls, you will need a few simple supplies, including grapevines, wire, and beach balls. You can also add lights, flowers, or other embellishments to make them even more special for your big day. In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating these unique decorations, so you can add a personal and whimsical touch to your wedding.

Sourcing grapevines

Firstly, if you live near a vineyard, you can contact them directly to ask about buying grapevines. This is a great option if you want to see, touch, and experience the grapevines before you buy them. However, it's important to plan ahead as vineyards often have their fruit contracted in the spring, so you should contact them before bud break. It's also a good idea to follow up and visit through the growing year, as small orders might not be their priority. If there are minimum purchase requirements, consider finding other crafters or wedding decorators in the market for grapevines to meet the minimum order.

If you don't live near a vineyard, you can still source grapevines. Many grape wholesalers, brokers, and craft supply shops sell grapevines, and most of them allow online ordering. Buying from a wholesaler or broker can also be a more reliable option in terms of consistency and quality, and they often provide additional services such as custom crushing and pressing. However, it is important to do your research and ask questions about the grapevines, such as their region of origin, the climate they were grown in, and their shipping methods.

Another option is to buy a grapevine wreath and take it apart to use for your wedding decorations. You can find these wreaths at craft stores or online. This is a convenient option if you don't have access to fresh grapevines, as the wreaths are already in a circular shape and can be easily unwrapped to create your desired decorations.

Lastly, if you are unable to source grapevines directly, you can try foraging for them. Grapevines are known to be invasive, so you may be able to find wild grapevines in fields, barns, or along tree lines. Keep in mind that wild grapevines may be more challenging to work with, as they can be tougher and less pliable than cultivated grapevines.

Remember to wear gloves when working with grapevines, as the process can be messy, and always verify pricing and pick-up parameters with your supplier before placing an order.

Preparing the grapevines

Firstly, source your grapevines. If you have access to a vineyard or live near grapevines, you can pick the grapevines yourself. It is important to pick them while they are still growing, soft, and pliable. Choosing grapevines that are already dry will make the crafting process more challenging as they will be too brittle and prone to cracking. Alternatively, if you don't have access to grapevines, you can purchase a grapevine wreath and take it apart to obtain the required amount of grapevines.

Once you have your grapevines, it's time to start preparing them. Wear gloves to protect your hands and avoid any damage to your nails, especially if you've just had a manicure! Start by stripping the grapevines of their grapes and leaves. You will be left with the brown, woody stems, which form the base for your grapevine balls.

Next, cut the grapevines into manageable pieces. You want to ensure they are long enough to wrap around your chosen template, such as a beach ball or balloon, with some overlap. This will allow you to secure them together effectively.

Before you begin wrapping, it is a good idea to prepare your binding material. You can use floral wire or twine to secure the grapevines as you wrap. Cut approximately 30 pieces of binding material into small, pre-cut lengths. This will make the crafting process easier, as you won't need to handle wire cutters along with the grapevines, template, and binding material all at once.

Now you are ready to start crafting your grapevine balls! Choose a template that is the desired size and shape for your balls. Beach balls or balloons work well as they provide a spherical shape. Begin wrapping the stripped grapevines around your chosen template, securing them with the pre-cut wire or twine as you go. Make sure to wrap the grapevines tightly and securely to create a sturdy base for your decorations.

Once your grapevine ball has started to take shape, you can carefully deflate and remove the beach ball or balloon if you are using one. Continue building up the grapevines, wrapping them in circles around the previous layer. It is similar to rolling a large ball of wool, and it will become easier as the ball takes shape. Don't worry if there are still some grapes or leaves attached to the grapevines, as they will eventually dry up and fall off on their own.

Finally, stand back and admire your handiwork! You have now prepared the grapevines and created the base for your wedding decorations. You can leave the grapevine balls as they are or add lights, beads, or other embellishments to suit your wedding theme.

Creating the structure

Firstly, you will need to source your grapevines. If you are lucky enough to live near grapevines, you can forage for them, making sure to pick them while they are still growing, soft, and pliable. Alternatively, you can buy a grapevine wreath and take it apart to use.

Once you have your grapevines, you will need to strip them of their grapes and leaves. This process will leave you with the brown, woody stem. Wear gloves for this step, as it is not a glamorous job!

Now, you will need to prepare your beach ball. It is important to buy a deflatable beach ball, as you will need to remove it later. You will be wrapping your grapevines around this beach ball to create the structure of your grapevine ball, so it is best to buy a few balls of varying sizes to create different-sized grapevine balls.

Start by wrapping the stripped grapevine around the beach ball, securing it with pre-cut wire as you go. This part will feel tricky at first, but it will get easier as the ball starts to take shape. Continue wrapping the grapevine around the ball, like you are rolling a ball of wool, until you are happy with the coverage.

At this point, you can deflate the beach ball and carefully remove it from inside the grapevine structure. You may need to murder the beach ball, depending on how far you have let it deflate!

And there you have it – the basic structure of your grapevine ball is complete! You can now add lights, flowers, or other decorations to your grapevine ball, or leave it as it is for a more natural look.

Adding lights

Types of Lights

When choosing your lights, go for string lights with about 50 little twinkle lights per strand. Ensure the wire on the lights is dark green or black so that it blends seamlessly with the grapevine. You can also use fairy lights or solar-powered lights for a more eco-friendly option.

Attaching the Lights

Before you start wrapping the vines, plan the placement of the lights. You can thread the string lights inside the grapevine balls and tie them in place with garden twine. Make sure to wrap the lights evenly around the balls so that they are uniformly lit. You can also wrap the mini lights randomly around the balls—there are no rules here!

Hanging the Balls

To hang your illuminated grapevine balls, you can use chain, twine, rope, or extension cords. If using an extension cord, attach electrical tape to secure the mini light plug and keep it free from rain and critters. You can also use a big ol' rope or funky twine for a more artistic twist.

Power Source

If you're hanging your grapevine balls outdoors, consider using battery-operated lights or solar-powered lights to avoid the need for electrical outlets. For indoor use, you can opt for regular string lights and plug them into an outlet.

Hanging the balls

Hanging your grapevine balls is a simple process and there are a few ways to do it. If you are hanging your balls outdoors, you will need to use sturdy materials like outdoor-rated twine or wire to ensure they remain in place, especially in windy conditions.

One method is to screw in two white eye hooks into the ceiling. Then, take a piece of burlap ribbon and tie it securely around the grapevine ball. Finally, hang the ball from the eye hooks.

If you are hanging your grapevine balls from a tree, you can use chain, twine, rope, or an extension cord. You can also add an extra touch by wrapping mini lights around the balls. If you are hanging the balls from a high place, you will need a ladder to reach.

For indoor use, you can hang the grapevine balls in windows, or place them in a decorative bowl or on a mantelpiece. You can also use battery-operated fairy lights inside the balls to create a soft, ambient glow without the need for electrical cords.

Frequently asked questions