Crafting Wedding Bell Wands: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding bell wands are a fun and safe alternative to throwing rice or confetti at weddings, and they make great souvenirs, too. They are easy to make and can be customised to match your wedding colours or theme. You will need thin wooden dowels, which you can spray paint or stain, and some ribbon. You can also add bells and eye hooks, and perhaps some glue to secure the ribbons.

Choosing the right wooden dowels

When choosing the right wooden dowels for your wedding bell wands, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to decide on the length and width of your dowels. For wedding bell wands, it is recommended to use thin, wooden dowels that are around 12 to 14 inches (30.48 to 35.56 centimeters) long and ¼-inch (0.64 centimeters) wide. This will serve as the perfect base for your wand.

You can either buy long dowels and cut them down to size yourself, or you can purchase pre-cut dowels that are already the desired length. Pre-cut dowels usually come in packs and can be found at craft stores or online. If you're cutting the dowels yourself, a miter saw is a great tool to use, but you can also ask someone at the hardware store to cut them for you.

Another thing to consider is whether you want to leave your dowels blank or add some colour to them. You can spray paint them with a neutral colour like white, silver, or gold, or you can stain them with a natural stain like vinegar and coffee or a homemade stain made from vinegar, steel wool, tea, and coffee grounds. If you choose to stain your dowels, make sure to let them dry completely before adding any ribbons or decorations.

Lastly, don't forget to make a hole at the top of each dowel to twist in the eye screws. You can use a thumbtack or a small drill with a tiny drill bit to create the hole. The thinner the eye screws, the easier they will be to twist into the dowels.

With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to choosing the right wooden dowels for your wedding bell wands!

Spray painting or staining the dowels

Preparation

Before you start, gather your materials and work in a well-ventilated area. Place newspapers or a drop cloth on your work surface to protect it from paint or stain. Collect the wooden dowels you will be using and ensure they are cut to the desired length. You can use thin, wooden dowels that are around 12 to 14 inches (30.48 to 35.56 centimetres) long and ¼-inch (0.64 centimetres) wide.

Spray Painting

If you choose to spray paint your dowels, select a paint colour that complements your wedding theme. Neutral colours such as white, silver, or gold are popular choices. Hold the can of spray paint about 10 inches away from the dowels and spray in long, even strokes. Allow the paint to dry completely before handling the dowels or moving on to the next step.

Staining

For a more natural look, you can stain the dowels using a mixture of vinegar and coffee. This will give the dowels a richer, more rustic colour. Prepare a vinegar/steel wool/tea stain mixture by following online tutorials. Completely submerge the dowels in the stain mixture and let them soak for several hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even coverage. Remove the dowels from the mixture, rinse them with water, and allow them to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

Tips

• When spray painting, use short, controlled bursts of paint to avoid drips and runs.
• If you want a darker colour when staining, let the dowels soak in the mixture for a longer period of time.
• You can also add ground-up coffee to the stain mixture to help darken the colour.
• Always work in a well-ventilated area when using paints or stains.

Choosing and cutting the ribbon

Firstly, decide on the colours of your ribbon. It is recommended to choose something that matches your wedding colours or theme. You can opt for a combination of satin and sheer ribbons, or play around with different widths and textures to create a unique look.

When it comes to the length of the ribbon, cut them to be around 36 to 40 inches (91.44 to 101.6 centimeters) long. This will give you enough length to work with and create a full wand. You will need two pieces of ribbon for each wand, preferably in different colours. If you want to include more ribbons, around 4 to 5 pieces per wand will create a nice, full effect.

Before cutting the ribbons, decide on the length you want them to hang down from the wand. Cut the ribbons so that they are twice as long as you want them to be, ensuring equal lengths on both sides of the knot.

Once you have cut the ribbons to the desired length, it's time to start assembling the wands. Stack the ribbons together, find the centre, and tie them securely around the tip of the wooden dowel. Make sure to leave a small gap of around 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) from the tip of the dowel. You can treat the ribbons as a single ribbon when tying them together.

If you want to secure the ribbons further, consider adding a drop of glue to the dowel before wrapping the ribbons around it. This will prevent the ribbons from sliding down the dowel.

After tying the ribbons, you can follow the remaining steps to complete your wedding bell wands. These steps include attaching the bells, adding any additional decorations, and finalising the overall look.

By carefully choosing and cutting the ribbons, you can create elegant and personalised wedding bell wands that will add a special touch to your wedding ceremony and reception.

Attaching the ribbons to the dowels

Firstly, you will need to cut your ribbons to the desired length. For a fuller wand, you will need around 4 to 5 pieces of ribbon per wand, with each piece being around 24 inches long. You can experiment with different widths and textures, such as satin and sheer ribbons, to create a unique look.

Once you have cut your ribbons, you can start attaching them to the dowels. Start by finding the centre of each ribbon and tying them together. Then, stack the ribbons and tie them around the dowel, about 2 inches from the top. Make sure there are equal lengths of ribbon on both sides of the knot. You can treat the ribbons as a single ribbon at this point.

To secure the ribbons and prevent them from sliding down the dowel, consider adding a drop of glue to the dowel before wrapping the ribbons around it.

Now it's time to attach the bells. Cut a short piece of gold or silver twine, about 6 inches long, and feed one end through the top loop of the bell. You can use jingle bells or standard, trumpet-shaped bells, depending on your preference. Place the twine right behind the dowel, making sure it rests over the ribbon. Wrap both ends of the twine to the front of the dowel and tie them in a secure double knot over the ribbon's knot.

Finally, tie the ribbons once more, this time using a square knot. To create a square knot, simply reverse the order in which you cross the ribbon strands. For example, if you crossed right-over-left the first time, cross left-over-right this time.

And that's it! You have successfully attached the ribbons and bells to your wedding bell wand. Repeat these steps for each wand you are creating.

Adding bells and other decorations

You can also add ribbons to your wedding bell wands. Choose two different colours of ribbon that match your wedding colours, and cut them to be twice as long as you want them to hang down. Stack the ribbons, find the centre, and tie them around the dowel, leaving equal lengths on either side of the knot. You can add a drop of glue to the dowel first to keep the ribbons in place. Then, tie the ribbons again with a square knot. Play around with different widths and textures of ribbon, such as satin and sheer, thick and thin combinations.

You can also add other decorations to your wedding bell wands, such as lace, satin ribbons, or crystal accents. Get creative and choose decorations that reflect your personality and style!

Frequently asked questions