Creating Beautiful Rose Balls For Your Wedding Day

Making rose balls for a wedding is a fun and easy DIY project. You can use fresh or silk flowers, and the process is the same for both. Start by pulling the roses off the stems, leaving about a 1/4 on each. Then, use a toothpick to make a hole in a styrofoam ball for each rose bud you are attaching. Fill the hole with a dot of hot glue, place the rose in, and let it dry. Continue adding roses until the ball is filled. You can also insert a few leaves between the roses for added color. If you want to carry your rose ball, you can easily make a handle by using ribbons or jute.

Using silk flowers

Silk flowers are a great way to save money on wedding decor and can be made well in advance of the big day. Here's a step-by-step guide to making silk flower rose balls for your wedding.

Materials

You will need:

• Silk flowers of your choice (rose buds are recommended)
• Styrofoam balls (3" or larger)
• Ribbon (satin type, 1/2" - 1 1/2" wide)
• Pins (beading pins are a good option)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Chopstick or metal grilling skewer

Method

• Using wire cutters, cut the silk flowers, leaving about 1/4" of the stem attached to the flower head.
• With a chopstick or skewer, puncture a hole through the middle of the styrofoam ball.
• Cut a length of ribbon. It should be long enough to create a loop for hanging and to pass through the styrofoam ball. For example, if you want the ball to hang 12" below where it is hung, you will need a 36" length of ribbon.
• Fold the ribbon in half and push it through the styrofoam ball, either by folding the edges over the end of the chopstick or by tying a small knot at the end of the ribbon and using the skewer to push it through.
• Pull the ribbon through and knot it securely on the other side.
• Start attaching the silk flowers to the styrofoam ball. You can use hot glue or pins to secure the flowers. If using pins, push the pin through the centre of the flower, catching part of the plastic centre to ensure it remains attached to the ball.
• Continue adding flowers until the entire surface of the ball is covered. Make sure to place the flowers close together so that no styrofoam is visible.
• Once the ball is covered, you can add decorative accents such as glitter, rhinestones, or beads.
• If desired, attach a decorative bow by pinning it to the top or bottom of the pomander.

Tips

• If you want to add greenery or accent flowers, such as baby's breath, do so after you have attached all the roses to fill in any gaps.
• To save money, look for sales on silk flowers at craft stores or buy them online.
• Making silk flower pomanders is a time-consuming process, so be sure to give yourself enough time to complete them before the wedding.

Using fresh flowers

Making rose balls for a wedding using fresh flowers is a simple and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your special day. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating beautiful rose balls using fresh flowers:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

You will need the following supplies:

• Fresh flowers of your choice (such as roses, dahlias, or carnations)
• Floral foam sphere (oasis foam ball for fresh flowers)
• Greening pins
• Ribbon or jute for the handle (optional)
• Scissors

Step 2: Prepare the Flowers

Strip the leaves from the flower stems and trim them to a manageable length, about 3 cm. If you are using roses, you may want to remove the thorns as well.

Step 3: Prepare the Foam Sphere

If you are using a handle, create it before adding the flowers. Cut a piece of ribbon or jute to your desired length, fold it in half, and tie a knot. Bend a piece of wire around the ribbon and secure it with florist's tape. Push the wire through the center of the foam sphere and fold the ends into the ball.

Step 4: Soak the Foam Sphere

Soak the foam sphere in water for about 10 minutes. Remove it from the water and let it sit for a couple of hours to drain any excess water.

Step 5: Start Adding Flowers

Begin inserting the flower stems into the foam sphere, working from the center outwards. Try to place the flowers as close together as possible to create a full and compact ball. You can also add foliage or baby's breath for added texture and interest.

Step 6: Secure the Flowers

As you work, use greening pins to secure the flowers in place. This will ensure that they stay firmly attached to the foam sphere.

Step 7: Fill in Gaps

Continue adding flowers until the entire sphere is covered. Fill in any gaps or empty spaces with additional flowers or foliage.

Step 8: Finish and Display

Your fresh flower rose ball is now complete! You can use these as decorations, chair decor, hanging balls, or even as bouquets for the wedding party. Enjoy your beautiful and unique creation!

Making a handle

• Measure the desired length of the handle x 2 and add 3 inches for the knot.
• Cut your chosen ribbon or jute to this length.
• Tie the ribbon or jute into a loop with a double knot.
• Hold the loop in place with a greening pin.
• Hot glue another greening pin over the top of the first one.

Using different flowers

There are many flowers that can be used to make rose balls for a wedding. Here are some ideas and instructions for using different flowers:

Dahlias

Dahlias are a great alternative to roses, as they have a similar lush, romantic look. They come in a wide range of colours and sizes, so you can find the perfect match for your wedding theme. Dahlias are in season during the summer and fall, so they are perfect for weddings during these seasons. To make dahlia rose balls, follow the same instructions as for roses, making sure to pack the flowers tightly together for a full, round shape.

Carnations

Carnations are a budget-friendly option that can be used to create a similar look to roses. They are available in a variety of colours, including traditional reds, soft lavenders, and pastel pinks. Carnations are also available year-round, making them a convenient choice for weddings. To make carnation rose balls, follow the same instructions as for roses, using hot glue to attach the flowers to the Styrofoam ball.

Gardenias

Gardenias have a bright white colour and glossy evergreen leaves, making them a beautiful choice for summer weddings. They also have a pleasant scent, so they can be used in corsages and boutonnieres. To make gardenia rose balls, use a flower foam ball instead of Styrofoam and attach the flowers using greening pins instead of hot glue.

Tulips

Tulips are a versatile flower that comes in a variety of colours, including black, blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. They are a good choice for spring weddings and can be used to create a simple, elegant look. To make tulip rose balls, follow the same instructions as for other flowers, making sure to leave enough space between the flowers for a natural, airy look.

Baby's Breath

Baby's breath has become increasingly popular as a wedding flower, as it can be used to create dramatic installations. While it is naturally white, baby's breath can also be spray-painted to match your wedding colour palette. To make baby's breath rose balls, you may need to use a larger quantity of flowers, as the individual stems are quite small. Follow the same instructions as for other flowers, using hot glue or greening pins to attach the flowers to the ball.

Using different colours

Making rose balls for a wedding is a fun and creative task. You can use different colours of roses to create a beautiful and unique display. Here are some tips and instructions for using different colours:

Choosing the Right Roses

When creating rose balls with different colours, it is important to choose the right type of roses. You can use fresh or silk roses, depending on your preference. If you decide to use fresh roses, make sure they are in full bloom and have sturdy stems. For silk roses, choose high-quality flowers that look realistic and have a variety of colours.

Preparing the Roses

Before you start assembling the rose balls, you will need to prepare the roses. For fresh roses, remove the leaves and thorns from the stems. Cut the stems to a length of about 1/4". If you are using silk roses, you can simply pull the roses off the stems or use a wire cutter to remove them, leaving a small portion of the stem intact.

Creating the Rose Balls

To create a rose ball, you will need a Styrofoam ball or an Oasis foam ball for fresh flowers. You can choose the size of the ball depending on your desired effect. For each rose, use a toothpick to make a hole in the ball and then fill it with a dot of hot glue. Place the rose in the hole and let it dry. Continue adding roses until the ball is completely covered. You can alternate different colours of roses to create a unique pattern or gradient effect.

Adding Embellishments

To enhance the beauty of your rose balls, you can add some embellishments. For example, you can insert a few leaves between the roses for a touch of greenery. You can also add ribbons or jute to create a handle for the rose ball, making it easier to carry or hang.

Combining Different Colours

When using different colours of roses, you can create stunning combinations. Try using contrasting colours like red and green, pink and yellow, or purple and orange. You can also create a gradient effect by arranging the roses from light to dark or vice versa. For a more subtle look, use different shades of the same colour, such as light pink, hot pink, and burgundy.

Displaying the Rose Balls

Once you have created your rose balls, you can display them in various ways. You can use them as bouquets for the wedding party, hang them from the ceiling or backdrop, or place them in vases or bowls as centrepieces. You can also attach them to a larger structure, such as an arch or a trellis, for a more dramatic effect.

Frequently asked questions