Crafting A Paper Rose Wedding Bouquet: Cascading Charm

A cascading bouquet is a bridal bouquet that creates a natural, trailing effect. This type of bouquet has been a popular choice for brides as it invokes feelings of royalty and luxury.

While fresh flowers are the traditional choice, paper flowers are a great alternative as they are long-lasting, have no allergens, allow for customisation, are unique, and save money.

To make a paper cascading rose bridal bouquet, you will need:

- Paper rose flowers in various sizes and styles (statement blooms, supporting flowers, and filler flowers)

- Greenery (leaves, vines, and ferns)

- Ribbon

- Wooden dowels

- Floral or corsage tape

- Half foam ball

- Scissors

- Glue

- Optional: Cricut machine, paper bloom shaping mat and toolset

Steps:

1. Make your paper flowers.

2. Gather your supplies.

3. Create the base of your bouquet by covering a half foam ball in tissue paper and attaching it to the wooden dowels.

4. Create the greenery by curling and gluing the leaves and stems around the base.

5. Add your largest paper flowers to the foam ball, spacing them out.

6. Fill the spaces with small flowers, vines, and leaves.

7. Finish the bouquet handle by wrapping the wooden dowel with a ribbon.

Choosing your paper

Choosing the right paper is an important step in making your paper cascading roses wedding bouquet. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you select the best paper for your project:

• Paper Type: The type of paper you choose will affect the overall look and durability of your bouquet. Some common types of paper used for paper flowers include cardstock, text-weight paper, and metallic text-weight paper. Cardstock is thicker and sturdier, while text-weight paper is thinner and more flexible. Metallic text-weight paper adds a touch of elegance and can be found in various colors.
• Paper Weight: The weight of the paper is measured in grams per square meter (gsm) or pounds (lb). Heavier paper, such as cardstock, is often measured in points or lbs, and lighter text-weight paper is typically measured in gsm. For paper flowers, text-weight paper in the range of 24-60 lb or 80-100 gsm is generally recommended.
• Paper Color and Design: You can choose solid-colored paper or paper with printed designs, such as watercolor prints or metallic finishes. Consider your wedding color scheme and choose colors that complement your theme. You can also print your own designs onto text-weight paper if you want a specific pattern or color combination.
• Paper Source: There are several online and physical stores where you can purchase paper. Some popular options include Paper-Papers, Paper Source, and craft stores like Michaels.
• Paper Quantity: Determine the number of roses you want in your bouquet and calculate the amount of paper needed accordingly. Each rose may require multiple petals, and you may need additional paper for leaves and other embellishments. It's always a good idea to have extra paper on hand in case of mistakes or last-minute additions.
• Paper Finish: Consider the finish of the paper, as this will affect the overall appearance of your flowers. A glossy finish can give your roses a shiny, elegant look, while a matte finish provides a more subtle and natural appearance. You can also experiment with different textures, such as embossed or hammered paper, to add depth and dimension to your bouquet.
• Printing Quality: If you plan to print your own designs or use printable templates, ensure you have a high-quality printer that can produce clear and vibrant results. Laser printers are generally recommended for the best print quality on text-weight paper.

Remember, the paper you choose will impact the overall durability and aesthetics of your paper cascading roses wedding bouquet, so take the time to select the right type, weight, color, and finish to suit your vision.

Making the roses

The first step to making your paper cascading roses wedding bouquet is to gather your materials. You will need a low-temp hot glue gun, white text weight paper, and the printing instructions. The printing instructions include downloading and printing the paper rose PDFs and leaf PDFs onto the text weight paper. It is important to note that the PDFs have two pages – one to print on the front and the other to print on the back. For best results, use a laser printer.

Once you have your materials, you can start making the roses. Cut out the petals and leaves, and curl the petals with a skewer or pencil. Start with the smallest petals and work your way up to the largest. Curl each petal by wrapping it around the skewer and then gluing the bottom. Once you have curled and glued all the petals, it's time to assemble the rose. Start by gluing the smallest petals to the floral wire, and then work your way up to the largest petals. Finish by gluing the leaves to the base of the rose.

Repeat these steps to make as many roses as you need for your bouquet. You can also add other types of flowers, such as peonies, classic peonies, and buttercups, to create a fuller and more varied bouquet.

Creating the base

Now that you have your flowers ready, it's time to create the base of your bouquet. This will serve as the foundation for your arrangement and help keep your flowers secure. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating the base for your paper cascading roses wedding bouquet:

• Prepare your materials: Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials for the base. You will need a half foam ball, tissue paper, scissors, glue, two thin wooden dowels, and floral or corsage tape.
• Cover the foam ball: Start by covering the half foam ball with tissue paper. Cut the tissue paper to fit the shape of the foam ball, ensuring that it is completely wrapped. This step is important to create a smooth surface for your bouquet and prevent any unwanted colours from peeking through.
• Secure the tissue paper: Use glue to secure the tissue paper in place. Apply a generous amount of glue to the flat backside of the foam ball and press the tissue paper onto it. It doesn't have to be perfect, but make sure it is secure and won't come loose easily.
• Create a pilot hole: Take the point of your scissors and carefully punch a pilot hole in the centre of the flat side of the foam ball. Angle the scissors at a 45-degree angle as you create the hole. This hole will be used to insert the wooden dowels that will form the structure of your bouquet.
• Prepare the wooden dowels: Take your two wooden dowels and wrap them together with corsage tape. This will help to secure them together and create a stronger structure for your bouquet. If needed, you can use a bit of glue to hold the tape in place and ensure it doesn't come loose.
• Insert the dowels: Gently push the taped end of the wooden dowels into the pilot hole. Ensure they are inserted at the same 45-degree angle you used for the hole. This angle will give your bouquet a cascading effect. Once they are securely in place, add a small amount of glue where the dowels meet the foam ball to reinforce the connection.

Now that you have created the base, you can move on to the next step of crafting your paper cascading roses wedding bouquet!

Adding greenery

Step 1: Prepare Your Greenery

Before you begin, ensure you have a variety of greenery elements cut out in various shades of green. You can include primary leaves, anemone leaves, peony leaves, fern vines, and other assorted vines to add texture and interest to your bouquet. Curl your larger primary leaves backward using a dowel or a scraper edge tool. This will help give them a more natural, flowing shape.

Step 2: Attach the Greenery to the Bouquet Base

Take your prepared bouquet base, which should be covered in tissue paper to conceal any white foam showing through. Start by gluing the larger primary leaves around the bottom of the bouquet, covering any tissue paper that might be visible. You can also add some larger leaves closer to the edges of the bouquet base to create a natural, less perfect shape.

Step 3: Curl and Attach Additional Leaves

Now, take your additional leaves and curl them in various directions to add movement and dimension. Glue two leaves back-to-back with a small stem in between, and repeat this process with leaves of different sizes, styles, and colors. For delicate fern leaves, add a thin line of glue at the bottom center of the stem and adhere it to the wire. This will help create a more secure attachment.

Step 4: Fill Gaps with Greenery

Before adding your paper roses, fill in the gaps between the leaves with greenery. Pay close attention to all the spaces and continue adding greenery until it becomes difficult to see the tissue paper base. You can also glue some of the more delicate vines, like ferns, directly onto the foam ball, skipping the stems altogether. This will help create a seamless look and add to the cascading effect.

Step 5: Continue Adding Greenery Throughout

As you add your largest paper roses and begin filling in spaces with smaller flowers, continue to weave in greenery to add depth and complement the flowers. Once you've added about 80% of your greenery, you can start inserting your smallest paper flowers. Finish by placing the remaining greenery in any empty spaces to ensure your bouquet looks full and lush.

Remember, when it comes to adding greenery, feel free to get creative and experiment with different types of leaves and vines. You can always cut more if you need to fill in any gaps or add extra volume to your bouquet. Enjoy the process of crafting your unique paper cascading roses wedding bouquet!

Arranging the bouquet

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Start by covering a half foam ball with tissue paper. Secure it with glue on the flat backside, ensuring the tissue doesn't peek through the flowers or leaves. You can choose a matching colour for the tissue paper if you're creating a bouquet with a specific colour theme.

Step 2: Create the Stem

Take a pair of scissors and make a pilot hole in the centre of the flat side of the foam ball at a 45-degree angle. Take two thin wooden dowels and wrap them together with floral or corsage tape. Gently push the taped end of the dowels into the hole. Secure it with some glue where the dowel meets the foam. If you don't want a cascading effect, you can place the dowels at a 90-degree angle instead.

Step 3: Add the Greenery

Curl about five or six large primary leaves backward. Glue them around the bottom of the bouquet to cover the tissue paper. Curl the rest of your leaves in various directions and glue them back-to-back with small stems in between. For delicate fern leaves, add a thin line of glue at the bottom centre of the stem and attach it to the wire. Add about a quarter of your greenery to the bouquet.

Step 4: Add the Largest Flowers

Now, add your largest flowers first, spacing them out over the foam ball. You can use roses, orchids, peonies, or lilies for a traditional look. If you feel like the flowers aren't secure, add a dot of glue where the stem meets the foam. Once you've placed the larger flowers, you can start adding some smaller ones to fill the gaps.

Step 5: Fill in the Gaps

Continue filling in the gaps with greenery, vines, and smaller flowers until it's difficult to see the tissue paper beneath. You can also glue some of the more delicate vines directly onto the foam ball, skipping the stems. For a cascading effect, let some flowers and vines hang down, creating a waterfall-like appearance.

Step 6: Finish the Handle

To finish your bouquet, wrap the wooden dowel stem with a ribbon of your choice. Start at the top and work your way down, securing it with glue if needed. Cut another piece of ribbon and tie a bow at the base of the bouquet. You can also add a matching ribbon to polish off the design.

Frequently asked questions