Creating Wedding Bouquet Charms: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding bouquet charms are a great way to add a personal touch to your bridal bouquet. They can be used to commemorate loved ones and include them in the celebration symbolically. Charms can be made in many different ways and can include photos, jewellery, fabric, or other mementos. This introduction will cover different ways to make your own wedding bouquet charms, including choosing the right materials, incorporating photos, and adding other sentimental items.

How to Make Wedding Bouquet Charms

Photo charms

Firstly, choose a photo that you would like to include in the charm. If you don't have a suitable photo, you can check social media profiles for inspiration. You can then edit the photo using one of the many free apps available. The next step is to print the photo. It's a good idea to print it on regular copy paper first to ensure you have the correct size. Once you're happy with the size, print it on photo paper.

Next, cut out the picture using a circle craft punch or by tracing a coin with a pen and cutting it out. The size will depend on the charm you are using. You can then glue the photo onto the centre of the pendant using a strong glue like E6000.

Once the glue is dry, you can fill the pendant with a product like Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to give it a glossy finish. You will likely get some air bubbles, which can be popped with a small flame. Allow the charms to dry for about 4 hours.

Finally, tie a ribbon around the charms and attach them to your wedding bouquet. These charms can also be placed on bracelets, necklaces, or keychains and given as gifts.

Using lockets

Adding a locket to your wedding bouquet is a great way to remember a loved one on your special day. Here are some ideas for creating a locket wedding bouquet charm:

Choosing a Locket

Lockets can be a beautiful and sentimental addition to your wedding bouquet. You can find lockets specifically designed for bouquet charms, or you can get creative and use a family heirloom or a special piece of jewellery. If you're looking for something simple, you can opt for a classic gold, rose gold, or silver locket. You can also add a special touch by choosing a locket with an engraved message, a loved one's photo, or even a pet's photo.

Adding Photos

When adding photos to your locket, consider using black-and-white or sepia-toned images for a timeless and elegant look. You can also resize and edit your photos to fit the locket perfectly. If you're using a family heirloom locket, make sure to handle it with care and consider getting it professionally cleaned before your wedding day.

Attaching the Locket

To attach the locket to your bouquet, you can use a variety of materials such as ribbons, pins, or chains. Ribbons can be a great way to add a pop of colour and can be easily tied or wrapped around your bouquet. Pins can also be a secure way to attach the locket, especially if you want it to be more discreet. If you plan on wearing the locket as a necklace after your wedding, consider using a detachable chain so you can easily transition it from your bouquet to your neck.

Adding Other Charms

You can also add other charms to your locket bouquet charm for a more personalised touch. Consider adding a small charm with your wedding date, your partner's initials, or even a small token that represents your relationship. You can find a variety of charms online or at craft stores.

Making it Meaningful

Remember that your locket bouquet charm is a special way to honour someone important to you. Whether it's a family member, friend, or pet, choose a locket and add details that truly represent them. You can also involve your family or bridal party in the process, making it a heartfelt part of your wedding preparations.

Charms with special dates

Wedding bouquet charms are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. Charms with special dates can be a beautiful way to commemorate important milestones or events. Here are some ideas and instructions to create your own:

Ideas for Special Date Charms:

• The date of your wedding: Commemorate the special day itself by engraving the date on a charm. It can be a lovely reminder of the joy and love shared on that day.
• Anniversary dates: Honour a special anniversary, such as the day you met, your first date, or the day you got engaged. It will add extra meaning to your wedding day and be a reminder of your unique love story.
• Significant milestones: Is there a date that holds a significant milestone in your life or the life of someone close to you? Perhaps it's a birthday, a graduation date, or the day you moved into your first home together. Charms can be a way to celebrate these milestones and the journey that has led you to your wedding day.
• Lucky dates: Do you have a lucky number or a date that holds special significance in your culture or family traditions? Incorporating this into your bouquet charm can bring an extra layer of meaning and good fortune to your nuptials.

Instructions for Creating Date Charms:

• Choose your charm base: Select a charm that suits your style and the overall theme of your wedding. It can be a simple pendant, a gemstone, or even a locket. You can find ready-made charms at craft stores or online.
• Customise your charm: Once you've selected your charm base, it's time to add the special date. You can engrave the date directly onto the charm or use a small charm stamp to imprint the numbers. If you're using a locket, you can write the date on a small piece of paper and insert it inside.
• Attach the charm to your bouquet: You can use wire, ribbon, or string to securely attach the charm to your bouquet. Consider matching the colour of the ribbon to your wedding colours or the flowers in your bouquet. You can also add additional charms or gemstones to enhance the overall look.
• Personalise with meaningful touches: Make your date charm even more unique by adding symbolic charms that represent your relationship or the person you're honouring. For example, if the date charm is for your late grandfather, you might add an anchor charm if he served in the Navy.
• Create a keepsake: After your wedding, you can transform your bouquet charm into a lasting keepsake. Consider turning it into a necklace, bracelet, or keyring that you can cherish forever. It will always remind you of your special day and the loved ones you honoured.

Wrap-arounds from old wedding dresses

Wrap-arounds made from old wedding dresses are a creative and meaningful way to add a personal touch to your bridal bouquet. Here are some steps and ideas to guide you through the process of creating these wrap-arounds:

Selecting the Fabric

The first step is to choose the fabric from the old wedding dress that you want to use for the wrap-around. Consider the sentimental value and visual appeal of the fabric. You can select a piece of fabric with intricate lace details, elegant embroidery, or a delicate texture that complements your bouquet.

Cutting and Preparing the Fabric

Once you've chosen the fabric, carefully cut a section of the dress that you want to use. Ensure that the piece is long enough to comfortably wrap around your bouquet's stem. If the fabric has been stored for a long time, consider cleaning and pressing it to refresh its appearance.

Creating the Wrap-Around

Now, you can start creating the wrap-around. Measure the circumference of your bouquet's stem and cut the fabric to size, allowing for a slight overlap. You can either create a seamless wrap by stitching the fabric together to form a tube or opt for a more rustic look by simply tying the fabric around the stems. If you choose to stitch the fabric, leave enough space to easily insert the bouquet.

Embellishments and Personalization

To enhance the wrap-around, consider adding embellishments such as small pearls, beads, or rhinestones. You can also attach a small locket with a photo of a loved one or a charm with a special date. This adds to the sentimental value of your bouquet.

Final Touches and Care

Finally, when wrapping the fabric around your bouquet, ensure a smooth and secure finish. You can use floral tape or a thin ribbon to hold the fabric in place. If you want to preserve the fabric before the wedding, consider treating it with a fabric protector to prevent stains or discolouration.

Using wrap-arounds from old wedding dresses is a unique way to incorporate family heirlooms and honour loved ones on your special day. It adds a touch of sentimentality and elegance to your bridal bouquet.

Using vintage charms

Adding vintage charms to your wedding bouquet is a beautiful way to incorporate family heirlooms and special mementos into your big day. Here are some ideas and instructions for creating your own vintage bouquet charms:

Vintage Jewellery Charms:

Add a touch of glamour to your bouquet by using vintage jewellery charms. You can use antique brooches, bracelets, or necklaces that hold sentimental value. For example, you could attach a bracelet given to you by your grandparents or a brooch passed down from your husband's family. These vintage jewellery pieces will not only add a unique touch to your bouquet but will also serve as a meaningful reminder of your loved ones as you walk down the aisle.

Vintage Lace Charms:

Incorporate "something old" into your bouquet by using vintage lace charms. You can create these charms by soldering a piece of lace from your mother's or grandmother's wedding dress onto a glass pendant. These charms can be further personalised by adding a photo or wording to the back. Vintage lace charms are a delicate and elegant way to carry a piece of family history with you as you walk down the aisle.

Vintage Photo Charms:

Another way to add a vintage touch to your bouquet is by creating photo charms using old photographs. You can scan and print photos of your loved ones, cut them into circles, and glue them onto pendant charms. Fill the charms with Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to give them a glossy finish and attach them to your bouquet with ribbons. Vintage photo charms are a heartwarming way to honour family members who may not be able to attend your wedding.

Vintage Initial Charms:

Add a personalised touch to your bouquet by incorporating vintage initial charms. You can find vintage-style alphabet charms and attach them to your bouquet with wire or ribbon. These charms are a simple yet meaningful way to represent your wedding theme and can also be used to identify different bouquets if you have multiple bridesmaids.

When creating your vintage bouquet charms, remember that there are no rules. You can mix and match different types of charms or even add multiple charms to your bouquet to pay tribute to several loved ones. These vintage charms will not only add a unique and sentimental touch to your wedding day but will also become cherished keepsakes for years to come.

Frequently asked questions