Crafting Paper Flowers For A Wedding Centerpiece

Paper flowers are a unique and playful way to add a pop of colour to your wedding décor. They can be used to create a flower-filled celebration, either on their own or as a supplement to fresh blooms. In this guide, we will explore how to make paper flowers for a wedding centrepiece, including different types of paper flowers and the steps to create them. We will also discuss the benefits of using paper flowers and how they can be customised to match your wedding theme. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or a fun DIY project, making paper flowers for your wedding centrepiece is a great choice.

Using crepe paper to make flowers

Crepe paper flowers are a great way to add a whimsical touch to your wedding centrepiece. They are also a practical choice, as they are durable and won't wilt or droop. You can make the flowers in advance and choose the colours to match your wedding palette.

The Single-Petal Method

This method involves building a flower petal by petal. You will need to cut out the necessary number of petals and leaves from crepe paper, then shape and pleat each petal before attaching it to a stamen made from floral wire and tape. The number of petals and the shaping technique will depend on the type of flower you want to create. For example, a tulip uses six petals, with three of them rolled at the widest point to curve strongly inward. A peony, on the other hand, uses 35 petals, with each petal cupped inward slightly and the tips curled inward.

The Continuous-Petal Method

This technique involves cutting a strip of crepe paper with a fringe of petals, which is then attached to a stamen and shaped. This method can be used to create flowers such as spider mums and carnations. For a spider mum, you will need to attach the end of the strip to the stamen and wind it around, bringing the strip higher on the stamen as you go. Curl the inner layers of petals tightly inward, and the outer petals less tightly. For a carnation, you will need to pleat and wrap the strip of petals around itself, securing it with floral tape, before attaching it to the end of a floral wire.

Other Tips

• You can make a simple grid with waterproof floral tape or any other waterproof tape to hold the arrangement in place.
• You can mix crepe paper flowers with real flowers for a full bouquet.
• Lia Griffith's website has dozens of paper flower tutorials with easy-to-follow techniques.

Lia Griffith's paper flower tutorials

Lia Griffith is a master of the art of paper flowers, with dozens of paper flower tutorials on her website. Each DIY project includes a template, a list of the tools and materials you'll need, and a step-by-step tutorial. Lia Griffith's paper flower tutorials are perfect for those looking to create beautiful and elegant wedding centrepieces.

One of the most popular and easy-to-craft options is the German crepe paper, with nine pretty flowers to choose from. The creative team has crafted over 300 crepe paper flower templates and tutorials, with video tutorials included for each flower. The website also has a playlist of tips and tricks for paper flower-making, making it a great resource for beginners.

Some of the flower tutorials offered by Lia Griffith include:

• Crepe Paper Daffodils
• Simple Crepe Wedding Flowers
• Crepe Paper Parrot Tulips
• Crepe Paper Jumbo Coral Peony
• Crepe Paper Tiger Lily
• Crepe Paper Icelandic Poppy

In addition to the flower tutorials, Lia Griffith also offers a range of paper plants and paper wreaths. For those interested in exploring more advanced techniques, the website provides master classes at their Craft Academy, including "A Beginner's Guide to Crepe Paper Flowers" and "A Crafter's Guide to Paper Flower Arranging".

Using coffee filters to make flowers

Coffee filters can be used to make beautiful flowers for wedding centerpieces. The process is simple and can be done in a few easy steps.

First, you will need to dye your coffee filters in your desired colours. You can use standard white filters and dye them using watered-down acrylic paint, food colouring, or watercolours. Combine two or more primary colours and vary the amount of water added to the paint to create different shades. For example, you can mix pink, peach, and yellow to create various hues. Soak the filters in the coloured water, squeeze out the excess, and hang them up to dry. This step will take about an hour.

Next, you will need to cut the filters into petal shapes. Fold each filter into sixteenths by first folding it in half, then into quarters, and then again into eighths. You will end up with a skinny wedge shape. Cut the fat end of this wedge into a curved petal shape, and trim about half an inch off the skinny end. You can also cut the wedges into a pointy shape for variety. For each large flower, you will need three to four filters, and for small flowers, you will need two filters.

Now, take your cut and opened filters and gather them onto a piece of stretched-out tape. Cut the tape at a diagonal on both ends for a neater finish. You will need to fold and gather the petals as you go, which may take some practice. Once you have attached three or four filters to the tape, place the end of a stick or twig at the left side of the tape and start to roll it up. This step is a bit tricky, as you want to create a nice, fluffy flower shape. Avoid wrapping the tape down around the stick, as this will result in a tall cone shape. Instead, angle the tape upwards and gather it occasionally to keep it at an even level.

Finally, fluff the petals by gently pulling each layer outwards and downwards, starting with the outermost layer. This will help open up the flower and make it look fuller.

For an extra touch, you can add leaves by cutting out leaf shapes from green scrapbook paper and gluing them together with floral wire in the middle. Attach these leaves to the stems of your flowers, and your coffee filter flowers are complete!

Using paper flowers to fill in gaps in a floral centerpiece

Paper flowers are a unique and playful way to add pops of colour to your wedding décor. They can be used to fill in gaps in a floral centerpiece, adding texture and interest to the arrangement. Here are some tips and ideas for using paper flowers to fill in gaps in your wedding centrepiece:

Firstly, consider the colour palette of your paper flowers. Choosing the right colours will enhance the mood and impress your guests. You can opt for a spot-on colour palette, such as rich jewel tones, or go for something more subtle that complements your fresh flowers.

When creating your centrepiece, you can mix paper flowers with real blooms to create a lush and full arrangement. Lia Griffith, an expert in paper flowers, suggests using crepe paper to make peonies, which can be crafted ahead of time and serve as the main focal flowers. These can be combined with real flowers, such as hydrangeas and roses, to create a beautiful English garden feel.

If you're looking for a simpler option, try making paper flowers from coffee filters. This technique, shared by Shabbyfufu, involves dyeing coffee filters with food colouring or paint, cutting them into scalloped shapes, and then stapling and twisting them into flower shapes. These flowers can be used to fill in gaps in your centrepiece and will give it a unique, handmade touch.

Another idea is to use paper flowers as a base for your centrepiece and then add other items to fill in the negative space. For example, you could make a single large paper flower and pair it with a small trinket, such as a ceramic bird, to create a charming and whimsical display.

Finally, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Paper flowers can be used in a variety of ways to create unique centrepieces. For instance, you could create a paper flower garland, suspend paper flowers from the ceiling, or use a cake with paper flower toppers as your centrepiece. With a bit of creativity, the possibilities are endless!

Combining paper flowers with real flowers

Choosing Flowers

When selecting real flowers to pair with your paper creations, consider choosing flowers with softer petals and a variety of colour options, such as peonies, garden roses, sweet peas, and ranunculus. These blooms will add a romantic vibe to your centrepieces and are sought-after choices for wedding décor. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, opt for seasonal flowers that are in bloom during your wedding season.

Colour Schemes

When combining paper and real flowers, you can play with different colour schemes. Opt for complementary shades of similar colours for a coordinated look, or go bold by combining a mass of different hues in a single vase. For a subtle pop of colour, use mostly neutral shades with just a hint of a brighter tone. If you want to make a statement, embrace striking colours like pink, yellow, and orange, which will add vibrancy and excitement to your tablescape.

Creative Centrepiece Ideas

There are endless ways to arrange your paper and real flowers to create stunning centrepieces. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Use a combination of paper and real flowers to create a lush, full arrangement.
• Opt for suspended centrepieces by hanging mini floral chandeliers and candles in glass orbs from a structure above the table.
• Create a garden-like feel by planting a variety of blooms across a thick runner on your tables, instead of using a traditional vase.
• For a simple yet elegant look, place a single paper or real flower in its own glass bud vase, creating the illusion of floating flowers.
• Use paper flowers as the main focal point of your centrepiece, surrounded by real flowers and greenery to create a whimsical, English garden-style arrangement.
• Play with different textures by incorporating dried grasses, pampas grass, or ferns into your centrepieces for an artistic, sculptural effect.

By combining paper flowers with real blooms and adding a touch of creativity, you can design unique and memorable centrepieces that will wow your wedding guests.

Frequently asked questions