Create Beautiful Petal Cone Wedding Decorations

Petal cones are a fun and simple DIY project for weddings. They are used to hold petals or confetti for guests to toss at the newlyweds as they walk back down the aisle, creating a beautiful mess and a celebratory atmosphere. Making petal cones at home can be a cost-saving activity that can be done with family or friends. This guide will cover the steps and materials needed to create petal cones for a wedding.

Drying petals for confetti

Choosing the Right Flowers:

• Opt for flowers in full bloom. Avoid petals that are turning brown on the edges as they will become very brown when dried.
• Roses are a popular choice for confetti due to their colour and abundance. However, feel free to experiment with other flowers such as daisies, buttercups, sunflowers, delphiniums, hydrangeas, or even herbs like sage and basil.

Removing Petals:

• Gently remove the petals from the stems. You can also use small flowers like daisies whole.
• It's best to do this when the petals are fresh and just about to fall off, as this will ensure they are not too moist.

Drying Methods:

There are several methods you can use to dry the petals:

• Air-drying: Place the petals on a baking tray lined with tissue or kitchen roll. Put them in a warm, dry place, such as an airing cupboard, and leave them for a few days until they are completely dry.
• Oven-drying: Preheat your oven to 95 degrees Celsius. Spread the petals in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Place in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until dry and crispy.
• Microwave-drying: Place the petals in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels, adding another paper towel on top. Heat on high for about 30-second intervals until the petals are dry. The timing may vary depending on your microwave's wattage.
• Upside-down drying: Gather your flowers into small bunches and secure them with elastic bands. Peg the flowers upside down on a curtain rail or in an airing cupboard, ensuring good air circulation. This method takes at least a week and carries a risk of mould.
• Using an Aga: Place the petals in a single layer on a baking tray lined with grease-proof paper and put them in the bottom, warming oven until dry. The time required will depend on the temperature of your oven.
• Dehydrator: If you have a dehydrator, follow the instructions for flower petals or regularly check on them to ensure they don't overdry.

Storing the Dried Petals:

• Once the petals are dry, store them in sealed containers or plastic bags. Keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place until your wedding day.
• Dried petals can last for up to a year when stored properly.

Choosing paper for the cones

When it comes to choosing paper for your wedding petal cones, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to choose a paper that is thick and sturdy enough to hold its shape and withstand some gentle handling. You don't want your cones to tear or fall apart when they're being filled or tossed!

Brown paper, white card, and pale pink cobweb paper are all mentioned as good options for the outer cone. These types of paper are readily available at craft stores and are easy to work with. When using white card, consider gluing a decorative paper, such as cobweb paper, on top to add a pretty border to your cones.

If you want to get creative, you could use pages from a book that holds a special meaning for you and your partner, as a unique and personal touch. Just make sure the paper is thick enough to hold its shape and consider using a thin layer of glue to secure the cone shut, as tape might not stick well to printed pages.

For an elegant and romantic look, you could opt for white lace paper doilies. These are readily available online and create a beautiful, delicate effect. The bonus is that they come pre-cut and don't require any additional cutting or shaping.

Finally, for a fun and colourful option, consider using printable scrapbook paper. You can find a variety of designs and colours that will match your wedding theme. This type of paper is easy to work with and can be printed onto A4 card stock for added durability.

Assembling the cones

To assemble the petal cones, you can use paper, card, or doilies. If you're using paper, cut it into squares. If you're using card, cut it into a diamond shape. Then, roll the paper or card into a cone shape, securing it with glue or double-sided tape. You can also use pre-made doilies and roll them into cones, securing them with tape. Finish the cones with a small piece of tape on the inside for a neat finish.

For paper cones, you can use a variety of papers, such as book pages, brown paper, or scrapbook paper. For card cones, you can use white card and glue a piece of cobweb paper on top to add a decorative border. If you want to hang the cones, you can glue a piece of ribbon to either side to create handles.

Once you've assembled the cones, fill them with petals, leaves, or confetti. Rose petals are a popular choice as they stay unwilted for days. You can also make your own flower confetti by cutting petal shapes from crepe paper and securing them with floral tape.

Filling the cones

If you want to add a romantic touch to your wedding, you can fill the cones with dried petals from the flowers your partner has given you. Roses work best as they come in a variety of colours and stay unwilted for days. You can also use a combination of rose and carnation petals. If you're not sold on the idea of flower petals, you can fill the cones with large multicolour confetti, eucalyptus leaves, foil stars, or anything else that fits your wedding theme.

Once you have your petals or other fillings, simply spoon them into the cones. Place the filled cones in a box and store them in a cool place until your ceremony. You can have a friend or family member hand them out to guests during the signing of the registry. Then, when the happy couple walks back down the aisle, guests can toss the petals in the air in celebration.

Decorating the cones

Paper and Card

Using paper or card is a simple and effective way to decorate your cones. You can choose from a range of colours to match your wedding palette. For a rustic look, try kraft paper or brown paper. White card is a classic choice for a more elegant or minimalist wedding. For a romantic, vintage feel, use sheet music or book pages. If your wedding has a Harry Potter theme, you could use pages from the novels, as one creative bride did.

Lace and Doilies

Lace paper doilies are a pretty and delicate option for decorating your cones. They add a touch of elegance and are perfect for a vintage-style or outdoor wedding. You can find ready-made lace paper cones online, or make your own by gluing or taping doilies to card or paper.

Ribbon and Twine

Ribbon or twine can be used to decorate the outside of your cones, or to create hanging loops. You could use a colour that matches your wedding palette, or go for a natural look with twine.

Flowers and Greenery

Flowers and greenery are a beautiful way to decorate your cones, especially if you want to echo the floral arrangements at your wedding. Try gluing a single flower or bud to the front of each cone. You could also use floral tape to create small rosebuds out of crepe paper, as suggested by HGTV.

Confetti and Eucalyptus Leaves

If you're not using fresh petals, you could fill your cones with colourful confetti, eucalyptus leaves, or foil stars. Confetti comes in a variety of colours and shapes, so you can find something to match your theme.

Personalised Stickers

Personalised stickers are a great way to add a special touch to your cones. You could include your initials, wedding date, or a cute message. These can be stuck to the outside of the cones, or used to seal them shut.

Remember, decorating your petal cones is a fun DIY activity that you can do with your family or bridal party. Get creative and choose decorations that reflect your unique style!

Frequently asked questions