Creating Wedding Bath Bombs: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding bath bombs is a fun and easy project that can save you money. All you need are some simple ingredients and a mould to shape your bombs. You can customise your bath bombs with different colours, scents and decorations, such as dried flowers or rose petals. The process is simple: mix your dry ingredients, mix your wet ingredients, then slowly combine the two, mould and leave to dry.

Choosing and buying ingredients

Wedding bath bombs can be a fun DIY project and a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. Here's a guide to choosing and buying the ingredients you'll need:

Baking Soda:

Baking soda is an essential ingredient for creating the fizzing effect in bath bombs. Be sure to buy pure baking soda, not baking powder, as the two have different properties. You can easily find it in most grocery stores or online.

Citric Acid:

Citric acid is the key ingredient that reacts with baking soda to create the fun fizz. It's often used in homemade cordials and winemaking, and you can purchase it online or from larger pharmacies.

Epsom Salt:

Epsom salt adds a relaxing element to your bath bombs. It's known for its soothing properties, and you can typically find it in stores that sell bath and body products, or online.

Cornstarch:

Cornstarch acts as a binding agent, helping all the ingredients stick together. It's readily available in the baking aisle of most grocery stores.

Essential Oils:

Essential oils provide delightful scents and can offer various benefits, such as relaxation, improved focus, or renewed energy. Choose oils that match your desired effects and scents. You can find essential oils at health stores, pharmacies, or online.

Carrier Oils:

Carrier oils like almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil will help moisturize the skin. These can be purchased at health stores or pharmacies, and you may even find some options at your local grocery store.

Food Colouring:

Adding a few drops of liquid food colouring will give your bath bombs a fun and vibrant look. Be sure to choose liquid food colouring over gels, as gels can clump when mixed with the dry ingredients.

Moulds:

You'll need bath bomb moulds to shape your creations. Look for round metal moulds or fun shapes like stars, hearts, or circles. You can also get creative and use flexible items from around your home, such as yogurt pots, plastic packaging, or silicone ice cube trays.

Decorative Accents (Optional):

To add a special touch, consider including decorative accents like dried flower petals, orange peels, or rose petals. Just be sure to use food-grade flowers to avoid any potential pesticides.

Once you've gathered all your ingredients, you'll be ready to start creating your wedding bath bombs! Remember to have fun with the process and get creative with colours, scents, and decorations.

Mixing the dry ingredients

To make wedding bath bombs, you'll need to start by gathering your dry ingredients. These typically include baking soda, cornstarch, citric acid, and Epsom salts. You'll also need a large bowl and a whisk for mixing.

Once you have all your ingredients, it's time to start mixing! Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until everything is well incorporated. Make sure to break up any lumps that may form, especially in the cornstarch. You can also add a colouring pigment to your dry ingredients if you want to create a specific colour for your bath bombs. Add as much or as little as you like to achieve the desired shade.

It's important to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding any liquids. This helps ensure that the final product has an even consistency and colour. Take your time with this step, as it forms the foundation for the rest of the process.

If you're using a colouring pigment, it's a good idea to choose a colour that complements the scent you plan to use. For example, you could use purple for a stress-relief scent or blue for a sleep-inducing scent. You can also experiment with different colours and scents to create unique combinations.

Once your dry ingredients are fully mixed, you can move on to the next step of adding the wet ingredients. However, remember to add the liquids slowly to avoid activating the citric acid too early.

Mixing the wet ingredients

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, it's time to mix the wet ingredients. This is a crucial step in creating your wedding bath bombs, so make sure you follow these instructions carefully.

First, grab a jar, preferably made of glass. Measure and add the following wet ingredients:

• Essential oil of your choice (about 2-3 tablespoons)
• Almond oil or coconut oil (2.5 tablespoons)
• Water (1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons)
• Food colouring (a few drops)

Stir the ingredients together until they are well combined. If you are using coconut oil, you may need to melt it in the microwave or on the stovetop first so that it blends easily with the other ingredients.

Take your time with this step, as the wet ingredients can affect the final consistency of your bath bombs. If the mixture is too powdery or dry, you can always add a tiny bit more water. However, be careful not to add too much water, as this can ruin your mixture and cause it to fizz prematurely. You are aiming for a consistency similar to wet sand.

Once your wet ingredients are thoroughly combined, you can slowly add them to the dry ingredients, which you have already mixed in a separate bowl. Add the wet mixture a little at a time, whisking continuously as you pour. This ensures that the ingredients blend smoothly without activating the citric acid, which creates the fizzing effect.

If you see the mixture start to fizz or foam, you may be adding the wet ingredients too quickly. Simply slow down and continue whisking to achieve the desired consistency.

By carefully mixing the wet ingredients and then combining them with the dry ones, you will create a luxurious and fragrant wedding bath bomb mixture that is sure to impress!

Combining the mixtures

Now that you've gathered and separated your ingredients, it's time to combine them.

First, measure and whisk the dry ingredients in a large bowl. You can use a colouring pigment for your bath bombs. Since it's a dry pigment, include this in this step. Add as much or as little as you'd like to get your desired colour. Whisk the dry ingredients until they are fully combined and there are no clumps.

In a separate small bowl or jar, mix together the wet ingredients. If you are using coconut oil, melt it in the microwave or on the stovetop first so that it will easily combine with the other ingredients. This is also where you'll add the essential oils.

The next step is very important. You need to add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients very slowly, adding a few drops at a time while mixing. If you see the mixture fizz or foam, you may be adding the liquid too quickly. When all the oil is added, add a few tiny drops of water and whisk again. It will fizz when you add the water, so mix it in quickly. You're looking for the mixture to slightly clump together when pressed in your hand and keep its shape—it shouldn't be too wet.

If you find that adding the liquid slowly is difficult, you can use a spray bottle instead of pouring.

Shaping the bath bombs

For a classic round shape, you can use a round metal mould or a bath bomb mould. If you want to get creative, you can use different-shaped moulds like snowflakes, stars, or even a gingerbread man for a festive twist. Silicone moulds are a great option as they come in various fun shapes and sizes. You can also use a cupcake pan to achieve a different shape.

Once you have selected your mould, it's time to start filling it with the mixture. Pack the mixture tightly into the mould, pressing down slightly and smoothing out the top with a teaspoon or your finger. Make sure to fill each half of the mould until it's overflowing, then firmly press the halves together. If you're using a two-sided mould, slightly overfill each side and secure it with elastic bands while it dries.

If you want to add decorative accents like rose petals, dried flowers, or orange peels, drop them into the bottom of the mould before adding the mixture. This will create a beautiful and natural touch to your bath bombs.

After filling and pressing the mixture, let the mould sit for about a minute. Then, carefully remove the bath bomb from the mould by gently tapping and pulling it apart. Place the bath bomb on a tray or a covered surface to dry.

It's important to let the bath bombs dry completely before using or packaging them. The drying time can vary, but it's usually between 8 hours to overnight. This will ensure that they are fully hardened and less likely to crack or break.

Frequently asked questions