Creating Vintage Book Page Wedding Bouquets: A Step-By-Step Guide

Vintage book page bouquets are a beautiful decorative item with vintage flair. They are a creative and simple way to make DIY vintage paper flowers. The process involves tearing out pages from an old book and cutting out small rectangles or circles to form the petals. These petals are then glued together to form the shape of a flower. The centre of the flower can be decorated with a bead. This is an easy and fun craft that can add a touch of elegance to any room or be used for gift-wrapping.

Choosing the right book

• Theme and Colour Scheme: Choose a book that complements your wedding theme and colour palette. Consider the colour of the book's pages, as well as the cover design and spine. Opt for neutral shades of cream, ivory, or beige for a classic, elegant look. Alternatively, add a pop of colour by choosing a book with pages in shades of blue, green, or pink.
• Type of Book: Select a book with thin, delicate pages that are easy to cut and shape. Old books with fragile, yellowing pages can be a good option, but be cautious as they may be more delicate to work with. If you're concerned about the durability of the pages, consider printing book page prints on regular paper, which will be sturdier and easier to work with.
• Sentimental Value: Using a book with sentimental value can make your bouquet even more special. Consider choosing a book that holds personal significance, such as a favourite novel from your childhood, a book that reflects your interests, or even a vintage dictionary with meaningful words.
• Size and Condition: Opt for a book that is slightly larger than the desired size of your bouquet. This will give you ample pages to work with and allow for any mistakes or practice attempts. Ensure the book is in good condition, with intact pages that are not too brittle or damaged.
• Font and Text: Pay attention to the font and text on the pages. Choose a book with a font size and style that is easy to read and aesthetically pleasing. Consider the language of the text as well, especially if you want to incorporate specific words or phrases in your bouquet.

Take your time in selecting the right book, as it will form the foundation of your beautiful, unique wedding bouquet.

Cutting out petals

To make a wedding bouquet with vintage book pages, you'll need to cut out a number of small rectangles from the pages of the book. These will become the flower petals. You can cut the rectangles in a variety of different sizes, as rose petals are smaller toward the centre and larger toward the edges of a blossom. For reference, you can decide on a set height for all petals and vary the widths. One side of each rectangle will need to be rounded at the top edge.

If you want to be precise when drawing these rectangles, you might want to use a protractor or a couple of lids to trace. Otherwise, you can eyeball it.

For a simpler approach, you can cut out circles of varying sizes from the book pages, with the larger circles forming the bases of the flowers and the smaller circles forming the petals.

If you're using a cutting machine, you can print out book pages on both sides of text-weight white paper and use your machine to cut out the petals.

Shaping petals

Shaping the petals is a simple process but can be a little difficult to explain in words. First, take one of the petals and pinch the bottom edge along the centre line. Then, fold over the edges of the curved arc at the top of the petal in the opposite direction. Do not make hard folds. Instead, simply curl the petal over softly. Repeat this process for all the petals. When you are done, they should look like small cones.

Assembling the bouquet

Now that you have your petals ready, it's time to assemble your bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare your materials

• Gather your artificial flower stems or an alternative base for your flowers.
• Have your hot glue gun ready with enough glue sticks.
• Prepare your work area by laying out all the petals you've cut and shaped.

Step 2: Attach the petals to the stem

• Take one of the smaller petals and attach it to the top of the stem using hot glue.
• Pinch the bottom edge of the petal together around the stem, and let the top, curved edge stand up in the middle.

Step 3: Build the first layer of petals

• Continue attaching smaller petals around the stem, working your way outwards.
• Artfully arrange the petals so that they curve upwards and create a natural-looking flower shape.

Step 4: Add the second layer

• Once you've used up all your smaller petals, move on to the slightly larger ones.
• Before attaching the second layer, trim the tips of these petals so they don't fully overlap the first layer.
• Attach the larger petals in between the gaps of the first layer, staggering them to create a fuller look.

Step 5: Finish with a centrepiece

• When you're happy with the amount of petals, finish off the flower by gluing a bead in the centre.
• You can use any type of bead, and choose a colour and size that complements your paper petals.

Step 6: Repeat for each flower

• Repeat these steps to create as many flowers as you need for your bouquet.
• Remember to vary the sizes of petals and the number of layers to create visual interest and a more natural look.

Step 7: Arrange the bouquet

• Once you have enough flowers, it's time to arrange them into a beautiful bouquet.
• Place the flowers in a vase, pot, or another vessel of your choice.
• You can add real or fake fillers around the paper flowers to complete the look.

Your vintage book page bouquet is now ready to be displayed or gifted! This unique and everlasting bouquet is sure to impress and will be a conversation starter wherever it's placed.

Displaying the bouquet

Now that you've crafted your vintage book page bouquet, it's time to showcase it! Here are some ideas for displaying your beautiful creation:

• Vases and Pots: One of the simplest ways to display your bouquet is by placing it in a vase or pot. This classic approach will elegantly complement your paper flowers. You can choose a vase that matches your wedding colour palette or opt for a clear vase to showcase the book pages.
• Table Centrepieces: Your bouquet can serve as a stunning centrepiece for your wedding tables. Place it in the middle of each table, perhaps with some additional decorations like candles or fairy lights, to create a romantic and whimsical atmosphere.
• Ceremony Backdrop: If you're looking for a unique backdrop for your wedding ceremony, consider using your bouquet as part of it. You can hang the paper flowers or arrange them on an arch or backdrop frame. This will create a beautiful and memorable setting for your vows.
• Bouquet Wrapping: If you want to display your bouquet in a more traditional way, consider wrapping the stems with ribbon or twine. You can choose a colour or material that matches your wedding theme. This will also make it easier for you or your bridal party to hold and carry the bouquet.
• Gifts and Favours: These paper flowers can also be used as decorative gifts or wedding favours. Attach a personal note or a thank-you message to each bouquet, and your guests will have a lasting reminder of your special day.

Remember, your vintage book page bouquet is a unique and handcrafted creation, so feel free to get creative with your display! You can mix and match different display ideas or come up with something entirely your own. The possibilities are endless!

Frequently asked questions