Create Paper Pom-Poms For A Wedding: Easy Diy Guide

Paper pom poms are a fun, easy, and affordable way to decorate your wedding. They can be made in a variety of sizes and colours to fit any wedding theme and can be hung from the ceiling, placed on tables, or used as a backdrop for dessert tables. In this guide, you will learn how to make your own paper pom poms and add a unique and personal touch to your special day.

Choosing colours and shades

Choosing the right colours and shades for your paper pom poms is essential to achieving the desired aesthetic for your wedding. Tissue paper comes in a wide variety of colours and shades, allowing you to create pom poms that complement your wedding's colour scheme. You can opt for a single colour or mix and match shades to create a unique multicoloured look.

When selecting colours, consider the overall theme and atmosphere you wish to create. For a cohesive look, choose colours that match or complement your wedding colours. If you're having a casual wedding reception or dinner, cheerful and vibrant colours like pink, orange, and yellow can add a festive touch. On the other hand, if you prefer a more elegant and sophisticated look, opt for softer pastel shades or classic colours like cream, pale pink, and mint.

You can also experiment with different colour combinations to create unique effects. For instance, you can create an ombre-coloured pom pom by arranging the tissue paper sheets from light to dark shades of the same colour family. Alternatively, you can go for a bold contrast with a black-and-white array or choose jewel-toned shades for a luxurious feel.

Don't be afraid to mix and match different colours to create a vibrant and eclectic display. You can even include printed tissue paper, such as a houndstooth pattern, to add a unique touch to your pom poms. Play around with different combinations to find the perfect shades that reflect your personal style and wedding theme.

Stacking and folding the paper

To make paper pom poms for a wedding, you'll need to start by stacking and folding your paper. The amount of paper you'll need will depend on the size of your pom-poms and whether you're making pom-poms or napkin rings. For pom-poms, you'll need eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue paper. For napkin rings, you'll need four sheets.

Once you have your paper, you can start stacking and folding. Place your sheets of tissue paper on top of each other. If you're using different colours, place them in the order you'd like them to appear. For example, you could do a sort of ombre effect with cream, pale orange, and hot pink.

After you have your sheets stacked, you can start folding them together in a concertina or accordion style. Make 1 1/2-inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold. Keep folding back and forth until you have one long strip. Make sure your fold crease is nice and clean, and that you put lots of pressure to ensure that all layers of tissue have a clean crease.

If you're making napkin rings, cut a 10-by-5-inch rectangle through all layers, then make 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.

Trimming the edges

Firstly, you will need a sharp pair of scissors. The number of sheets of tissue paper you use will depend on the size of pom-pom you want to create. For a standard-sized pom-pom, you will need around 8-12 sheets of tissue paper. Stack your chosen number of sheets on top of each other, ensuring they are aligned and straightened for a neat finish.

Now, you are ready to trim! There are a few different methods you can use to create a variety of styles:

• Rounded Edge: Cut the corners of your square stack to create a circular shape. This will give your pom-pom a softer, fuller appearance. You can also create a rounded edge by cutting each end of the folded stack into a curve, forming a petal or scalloped shape.
• Pointed Edge: For a more defined, spikier look, cut the ends of your folded stack into triangle points.
• Experiment with different shapes: Try cutting the ends of the folded stack at a slant or creating a wave-like pattern for a unique, modern style.

Remember, you do not need to be too precise with your cutting – a rough trim will do! Once you have trimmed your tissue paper to your desired shape, you can move on to the next step of creating your paper pom-pom.

Attaching wire to the centre

Firstly, take a long piece of thin craft wire. Floral wire is a great option and can usually be found in the floral section of craft stores. You will need approximately 18 inches of wire for each pom-pom. Fold this piece of wire in half, creating a small loop at the centre. This loop will be important later when you want to hang your pom-pom.

Next, place the folded wire onto the centre of your accordion-folded tissue paper. Slip the looped end over the centre, ensuring that the two ends of the wire are on either side of the tissue paper stack. Then, twist the two ends of the wire together securely. Be careful not to twist the wire too tightly, as this may cause the tissue paper to rip when you try to fluff it out later.

Now, you can trim any excess wire. Leave enough wire so that you can create a hanging loop with one end. Shape this end into a small circle and twist the remaining wire around itself to secure the loop.

And that's it! You have successfully attached wire to the centre of your paper pom-pom. This wire will now allow you to hang your pom-pom from the ceiling, a table, or anywhere else you desire. You can also attach a string to the wire loop if you wish to hang the pom-pom in a different way.

Opening the pom-pom

Now that you've stacked and folded your tissue paper, trimmed the edges, and attached wire to the centre, it's time to open the pom-pom!

The last step in creating tissue paper pom-poms is fanning out the paper to create a voluminous sphere shape. Start by gently pulling on each sheet of tissue paper to form the pom-pom shape. Ruffle and reposition the sheets carefully until you get an arrangement you like. Be very careful not to tear the tissue paper!

If you're making a garland, string multiple pom-poms onto a long piece of string or wire for a whimsical arrangement. You can also attach a string or ribbon to the wire loop if you wish to hang the pom-poms.

For a more rounded pom-pom, scrunch the top six sheets of paper, then flip it over and scrunch the other six sheets.

Frequently asked questions