Creating Beautiful Wedding Aisle Bows: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding aisle bows are a great way to add a pop of colour to your wedding ceremony and can be matched to your colour scheme or dream theme. You can make them using tulle, ribbon, and fresh flowers, or buy them pre-made. They are usually attached to pews or chairs, but can also be used to decorate stairways, arches, and more.

Tulle, ribbon and fresh flowers

Tulle is an inexpensive material that is available in a wide variety of colours, making it a great option for wedding aisle bows. To make wedding aisle bows with tulle, ribbon, and fresh flowers, you will need the following supplies:

• Tulle roll (approximately 6" wide)
• Large piece of cardboard
• Satin ribbon
• Fresh flowers of your choice
• Wire or glue (optional)
• Plastic pew clip or wire/pipe cleaner (optional)

First, decide on the size of your bow. For a 12-inch bow, mark 12 inches on your cardboard. Next, determine the length of the tail of your bow, which is the part that will hang down. Cut a piece of tulle twice the length of your desired tail.

Now, it's time to assemble the tulle bow:

• Place one end of the tulle roll along the side of your cardboard and pin the corners down.
• Gently stretch the tulle to the marked line, fold it back, and pin the corners again.
• Continue this process, creating "loops" on each side. You should have at least five loops on each side, and remember to remove and replace the pins as you go.
• Once you have an even number of loops, cut the tulle in a straight line matching the loops.
• Find the midpoint of the loops and tie your pre-cut tail piece in a knot around this centre, so the ends hang down.
• Remove the pins and gently fluff out the tulle to create a full bow.

Now, you can add the ribbon and fresh flowers:

• Cut the satin ribbon in half.
• Take one end of the ribbon and bend it back to create a loop. Pinch the centre and create a second, slightly larger loop.
• Continue twisting and creating loops, making each one a little bigger than the last.
• Once you have a flower-like shape, cut the tail and hold the bow tightly.
• Take the tulle end and create loops in the same way, making each loop slightly larger than the previous one.
• Add the fresh flowers to the centre of your bow, securing them with thin wire or a small amount of glue.
• If you wish to hang your bow, you can use a pew clip or attach a piece of wire or pipe cleaner to the back of the centre knot.

Remember, tulle is delicate and can be easily wrinkled or ripped, so transport your bows carefully by hanging them by their tails.

Using pew clips

Pew clips are a great way to attach bows, flowers, and other decorations to the ends of pews or chairs for a wedding ceremony. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use pew clips to create beautiful and secure wedding aisle bows:

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

First, you will need to purchase a set of pew clips. These are typically sold in packs of 12 and are made of heavy-duty plastic. They are designed to fit standard pews or chairs and can hold up to 10 pounds of weight. You can find them at craft stores or online. In addition to the clips, you will need your choice of decorations, such as bows, flowers, tulle, ribbon, or garland.

Step 2: Prepare Your Decorations

Before attaching your decorations to the pew clips, you will need to assemble and prepare them. This may involve creating bows out of ribbon, cutting tulle to the desired length, or arranging flowers into bouquets. If you are using fresh flowers, you may want to consider using floral water tubes to keep them hydrated. You can also add personal touches, such as rhinestone embellishments or coloured ribbon, to your decorations.

Step 3: Attach the Decorations to the Clips

Once your decorations are ready, it's time to attach them to the pew clips. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the type of decoration you are using. For bows and ribbon, you can use pipe cleaners, rubber bands, or floral wire to secure them to the hook or holes on the clips. For flowers, you can use the same methods or opt for hot glue to ensure they stay in place. If you are using tulle or garland, you can wrap it around the clip or tie it in place with twine or ribbon.

Step 4: Secure the Clips to the Pews or Chairs

Now that your decorations are attached to the clips, it's time to secure the clips to the desired surface. Gently expand the clip by stretching it open and slip it over the end of a pew or the back of a chair. Make sure the clip is tight enough so that it doesn't slide around or fall off. If you are using the clips on fabric-covered surfaces, be careful not to snag or damage the material.

Step 5: Adjust and Enjoy!

Take a step back and admire your handiwork! If needed, adjust the placement of the clips or the arrangement of the decorations. Your wedding aisle bows are now complete and ready to wow your guests as they take their seats.

Pull bows

• Start with a long piece of ribbon, preferably around 2 yards in length. You can use any type of ribbon, such as satin, organza or tulle, in the colour of your choice.
• Create a loop with the ribbon and then wrap the rest of the ribbon around this loop in a continuous circle.
• Decide on the length of the tails you want your bow to have. Add an extra 2 inches to this length and then fold the loop in half at the centre.
• Pinch the centre of the loop and secure it with a pipe cleaner or a twist tie. You can also use a small piece of ribbon to tie around the centre.
• Cut vertically through the centre of the bow's tail to create two separate tails.
• Using these tails, tie a standard knot around the centre of the folded ribbon to hide the pipe cleaner or twist tie.
• Fan out the loops of the bow to create the desired shape and fullness.
• If needed, trim the tails to the desired length.

You can also purchase ready-made pull bows that are specifically designed for wedding aisle decorations. These pull bows come in a variety of colours and usually include tulle tails for a more elegant look. They are easy to use and form perfect bows when the two ribbon strings are pulled. These pre-made pull bows can be attached to pews, chairs, or other decorations to create a cohesive look for your wedding ceremony.

Adding a pop of colour

For a subtle pop of colour, opt for pastel-coloured bows. Soft shades of lilac, baby blue, or peach are perfect for a spring or summer wedding. If you're having a rustic-themed wedding, consider using burlap and white tulle bows, or add a touch of glamour with gold or rose gold bows.

For a bolder look, choose bright and vibrant colours like fuchsia, royal blue, or emerald green. You can also mix and match colours to create a rainbow effect or choose a monochromatic colour scheme with different shades of the same colour.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box! You can use coloured pew bows to create a unique backdrop for your wedding cake table or photo booth, or even incorporate them into your bridal shower and engagement party decorations for a cohesive look.

Using wired satin organza ribbon

Wired satin organza ribbon is a great option for wedding aisle bows because it has structured edges that allow you to mould the bow into a dramatic size or shape. These bows are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your wedding decor. Here's a step-by-step guide to making wedding aisle bows using wired satin organza ribbon:

Step 1: Cut the Ribbon to the Desired Length

Before you begin creating your bow, you'll need to cut your wired satin organza ribbon to the desired length. For a standard-sized bow, you'll want to start with a piece of ribbon that is at least 2 yards long. However, if you're creating a larger bow, you may need a longer piece of ribbon. Keep in mind that it's always better to start with a longer piece of ribbon and trim it down later if needed.

Step 2: Create the Loop

Take your long piece of ribbon and create a loop at the centre. This loop will form the base of your bow. You can adjust the size of the loop depending on how full or dramatic you want your final bow to be. Remember that the longer the loop, the fuller the final bow will be.

Step 3: Determine Tail Length and Fold

Decide on the length of the tail you want your bow to have. The tail is the part of the ribbon that hangs down from the centre of the bow. Add 2 inches to that length to account for the knot you will be creating in the next step. Once you have determined the total length, fold your loop in half at the centre.

Step 4: Secure the Centre

Pinch the centre of your folded loop to create a neat centre point for your bow. Take a matching pipe cleaner and wrap it tightly around the centre of the folded loop. Twist and tighten the pipe cleaner, then trim off any excess length.

Step 5: Create the Tails

Cut vertically up the centre of your bow's tail to create two separate tails. The cut should almost reach the pipe cleaner, but be careful not to cut too close to it. These two tails will be used to create a standard knot that will cover the pipe cleaner and give your bow a neat finish.

Step 6: Tie the Knot and Fan Out the Loops

Using the two tails, tie a simple knot around the centre of your folded ribbon, covering the pipe cleaner. Once the knot is secure, carefully fan out the loops of your bow to achieve your desired shape and fullness. Adjust the loops until you're happy with the overall look of your bow.

Step 7: Trim the Tails (Optional)

If you're happy with the length of your tails, you can skip this step. However, if you'd like shorter tails or want to even them out, carefully trim the ends to your desired length. You can also cut the ends diagonally to create a classy pointed finish or perform a chevron cut for a unique touch.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful wedding aisle bow made with wired satin organza ribbon. Repeat these steps to create multiple bows and decorate your wedding aisle with elegance and style.

Frequently asked questions