Creating Paper Flower Bouquets For Your Wedding Day

Paper flowers are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. They're inexpensive, long-lasting, and perfect as mementos for your bridesmaids and flower girls. You can make paper flowers in a variety of ways, from simple origami to more intricate designs using tools like a Cricut cutting machine. The process is time-consuming but rewarding, and you can even make your own paper vase to complete the look. So, gather your supplies, get creative, and craft a beautiful paper flower bouquet for your special day!

Choosing the right paper

Type of Paper:

• Cardstock: This is a good option for making paper flowers as it is thicker and sturdier than regular paper. It holds its shape well and is less likely to tear. You can find cardstock in various colours and weights, but for paper flowers, it is recommended to use medium-weight (65 lb) cardstock or lighter for easier rolling and shaping.
• Construction Paper: Construction paper is a readily available option and can work well for paper flowers, especially if you're making larger petals or leaves. However, it may not be as durable as cardstock and can be more challenging to work with for intricate cuts and details.
• Rice Paper: If you plan to create intricate origami flowers or vases, rice paper is an excellent choice. It is thin, flexible, and strong, making it ideal for precise folding and creasing. Rice paper also has a beautiful, elegant finish.
• Crepe Paper: Crepe paper, with its stretchy and textured surface, is perfect for creating a more natural, delicate look for your flowers. It is often used for making paper roses and other blooms that require a soft, flowing appearance.

Colour and Pattern:

When choosing the colour of your paper, consider the overall theme and colour palette of your wedding. You can opt for classic shades like ivory, white, and light pastels, or go bolder with vibrant hues that complement your wedding colours. You can also mix and match different shades of the same colour to create depth and variation in your flowers. Additionally, consider whether you want patterned paper, which can add interest and texture to your bouquet.

Weight and Thickness:

The weight and thickness of the paper will impact the ease of crafting and the final look of your flowers. Thicker papers, like cardstock, are easier to work with for beginners, while thinner papers may require more precision and skill. Lighter-weight papers are generally better for rolling and shaping petals, while heavier papers may be better for structures like stems or vases.

Quantity:

Finally, ensure you have enough paper to complete your project. As a general rule, you will need at least 12 flowers for a full bouquet, and each flower will require multiple petals. Consider the size and fullness of your desired bouquet and plan accordingly. It's always better to have extra paper than to run out midway through your project!

Cutting and curling petals

Cutting the Petals:

Firstly, you will need to cut several teardrop or petal shapes out of crepe paper. The number of petals required depends on the size and fullness of the desired blooms. An efficient way to do this is to cut straight from the roll. You can also cut squares of paper and fold them diagonally to create a triangle, which can then be folded and glued to form a cone-shaped petal.

Curling the Petals:

For curling the petals, you will need a piece of foam and a rounded tool like a wooden spoon or the end of a cosmetic brush. Place the petal on the foam and press the rounded tool hard against the edges of the petals, curling them upwards. The pressure applied determines the degree of curl, so press firmly but be careful not to break the paper. Repeat this process for all the petals.

Once the petals are cut and curled, you can proceed to assemble the flowers by gluing the petals together and attaching them to stems.

Attaching petals and stems

Preparing the Petals:

• Cut out several teardrop-shaped petals from crepe paper. You can cut straight from the roll to create uniform petals.
• Cut a small square of crepe paper and fold it in half to create a triangle.
• Wrap the triangle around the tip of a floral wire and secure it with a small piece of double-sided tape.
• Cover the entire wire with the crepe paper to create a smooth base for the petals.
• Repeat this process to create multiple flower buds, varying the size and fullness as desired.

Attaching Petals:

• Add petals to the flower bud by gluing them at the base. You can use hot glue or regular glue.
• Secure each petal with floral tape at the base to ensure they stay in place.
• Continue adding petals until you achieve the desired fullness for your flowers.

Attaching Stems:

• Twist wired leaves onto each flower stem. These can be purchased from craft stores.
• Gather the stems into a bouquet, grouping them together.
• Cover the stems with floral tape to hold them together.
• Trim any excess wire from the stems using wire cutters.
• Wrap a ribbon around the stems to cover the floral tape and add a decorative touch.

By following these steps, you can create a beautiful paper flower wedding bouquet with securely attached petals and stems.

Arranging flowers in the vase

Once you have made your paper flowers, it is time to arrange them in a vase. You can use a vase you already own, or make one yourself out of paper. To make a paper vase, you will need a few sheets of coloured paper, scissors, glue, and a ruler.

First, decide on the colours you want your vase to be. Then, cut the paper into squares. You will need to make a waterbomb base for the vase by folding the paper squares into a triangle, and then bringing the corners up to meet the opposite sides. Next, fold the kite shapes inwards and then unfold them to create the vase framework. Make squash folds on either side of the paper and then open up the vase, hiding the overlapping creases inside the vase.

Now that your vase is ready, you can start arranging your flowers. Depending on the number of flowers you have made, evenly distribute them across the front and back of the vase, or get creative with your arrangement. You can also add leaves or smaller flowers to fill in any gaps. If you have made flowers with wire stems, you can add height and dimension to your bouquet by pushing the wires into the foam at the bottom of the vase.

Decorating the bouquet

Now for the fun part: decorating the bouquet! First, decide on the look you're going for. Consider the occasion for the flowers, for example, a Halloween decoration may veer towards spooky oranges and blacks, while a Valentine's gift might conventionally lean on reds, whites and pinks.

Next, you can wrap construction paper around the vase and tape it, creating a canvas to decorate. Choose a colour that will complement your flowers. You could even use multiple colours for a bolder look.

Now, get creative! Draw a design on the vase using markers, pencil crayons or even watercolours. You could try a geometric pattern or, if you're feeling adventurous, a full-blown drawing.

Finally, accent your flower petals. You can draw intricate designs or add some shading to the petals to bring extra life to the bouquet.

Frequently asked questions