Creating Paper Wedding Flowers: A Step-By-Step Guide

Paper flowers are a fun, affordable, and whimsical way to add a unique touch to your wedding. They can be made to match any style and colour palette and are long-lasting mementos that your bridesmaids and flower girls can carry during the ceremony and enjoy long after the wedding. With just some paper, scissors, glue, floral wire, and floral tape, you can create beautiful paper flower bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and even decorate your wedding venue with paper flower garlands and wreaths. Whether you're looking for a fun DIY project or want to add a personal touch to your special day, making paper wedding flowers is a great option.

Choosing paper and colours

Choosing the right paper and colours is an important step in making paper wedding flowers. The type of paper you use will impact the overall look and feel of your flowers, so it's worth considering the different options available to you. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you choose the best paper and colours for your paper wedding flowers:

Type of Paper

The type of paper you choose will depend on the effect you want to create. Here are some popular options:

• Cardstock: This type of paper is thicker and sturdier than regular printer paper, making it a good choice for paper flowers. It holds its shape well and comes in a variety of colours.
• Crepe Paper: This type of paper is thin and flexible, making it ideal for creating delicate petals and leaves. It can be easily cut, shaped, and curled to form realistic-looking flowers.
• Tissue Paper: Tissue paper is thin and lightweight, making it suitable for creating soft and fluffy flowers. It can be easily cut and shaped but may require careful handling to avoid tearing.

Colour Choices

When choosing the colours for your paper wedding flowers, consider the following:

• Theme and Colour Scheme: Choose colours that complement your wedding theme and colour scheme. This could include matching the flowers to the bridesmaids' dresses, the groomsmen's ties, or the overall decor.
• Variety: Select a variety of colours to create a vibrant and diverse bouquet. You can choose shades from the same colour family or opt for contrasting colours for a bold statement.
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, choose colours that you love and that reflect your personality. Whether you prefer soft pastels, vibrant hues, or a mix of both, your paper flowers should represent your unique style.
• Significance: Consider the symbolic meaning of different colours. For example, red represents love and passion, while white symbolises purity and innocence. Incorporating colours that hold special meaning for you can add a deeper layer of significance to your paper flowers.

Remember to have fun with the process and feel free to experiment with different types of paper and colour combinations. By choosing the right paper and colours, you can create paper wedding flowers that are not only beautiful but also reflect your personal style and theme of your special day.

Cutting petals

Cutting the petals is a crucial step in making paper flowers. Here is a detailed guide:

Cutting the Petals:

The first step in creating paper flowers is deciding on the colour scheme. For a wedding bouquet, you can choose colours that match the wedding theme or the bridesmaids' dresses. You will need firm paper that can hold its shape; A4-sized sheets of paper in the desired colours should be used, ensuring that the paper is not too flimsy or too cardboard-like.

Next, create a flower petal template by drawing 14 flower petals on a sheet of paper, with 2 petals of each size, resulting in 7 different-sized petals, each slightly bigger than the previous one. You can adapt the petal shape from an online template, but ensure the petals are delicate and not too big. The number of petals can vary, but an odd number like 5, as suggested by Lucy Cobern, adds a nice arrangement. If you want bigger or smaller flowers, adjust the petal sizes accordingly, and adding more petals will create a fuller flower.

Once you are happy with your template, copy it onto the coloured A4-sized sheets of paper. You can cut the petals by hand with scissors, or use a cutting machine like Silhouette or Cricut. Speed up the process by cutting through several layers of cardstock at once.

After cutting, the petals need to be curled for a more natural flower shape. One method is to use a piece of foam and the back of a wooden spoon. Press the end of the spoon hard around the edges of the petals to curl them. The harder you press (without breaking the paper), the more they will curl.

Finally, pierce a hole in the centre of each petal so that you can attach them together. You can use beads or brads (small wire nails with curved heads) to secure the petals, and then glue them in place, starting with the smallest petals and working your way up. Overlap the petals slightly as you go to create a full and luscious flower.

Curling petals

Curling your paper flower petals will help bring your flowers to life, transforming them from flat paper cut-outs to 3D blooms. There are several tools and techniques you can use to achieve the perfect curl for your petals.

Tools for Curling Petals

You can use dedicated paper curling tools, or household items, to curl your paper flower petals. Here are some options:

• Paper flower curling tool: This is a dedicated tool for curling paper flower petals.
• Bone folder tool: This tool is typically used for creasing in origami, but it can also be used to curl paper petals. Simply scrape the edge of the tool against the petal.
• Fondant shaping tools: These ball pens are meant to be used with a foam pad or resin mold.
• Resin mold: These are half-dome molds that can help create cupped curls in your petals.
• Foam pad: You can use a mouse pad or styrofoam sheets for this purpose.
• Scissors: You can use the edge of a pair of scissors to curl your petals, but be careful not to tear the paper.
• Credit card or gift card: These can be useful if you don't want to invest in dedicated tools yet.

Techniques for Curling Petals

• Using a bone folder tool: Hold the base of the petal with one hand and scrape the edge of the bone folder tool against the petal with the other hand. For softer curls, use a transfer paper scraper instead, as it allows for a smoother glide and less tension on the petal.
• Using fondant and a resin mold: Position the petal in a dome mold that is slightly bigger than the petal. Use the larger ball stylus to push the petal into the mold in a circular motion. For more angular curls, finish by using the smaller ball stylus.
• Using a wood dowel: This technique is particularly effective for curling petals at angles.
• Using a paper craft scraper tool: This tool is useful for creating crisp curves on petals and leaves.
• Using a quilling tool: Quilling tools are perfect for rolling rosette flowers.
• Using a pencil or pen: Roll the petal around a pencil or pen to create curls. For sharper, more angular curls, use the handle of the pen or pencil.

Attaching petals

Single-Petal Method:

This method involves attaching each petal individually to the stamen with floral tape. Here are the steps:

• Cut the desired number of petals and leaves from crepe paper.
• Shape the petals to cup inward slightly. For tulips, roll three petals at the widest point to curve them strongly inward.
• Pleat the base of each petal and pinch the folds in place.
• Attach the petals to the stamen, starting with the heavily cupped petals, and overlap them slightly.
• Continue adding petals, wrapping floral tape around the base of each petal as you go.
• Once all petals are attached, wrap the tape around the stamen a few more times and then down the stem to anchor the petals and attach any leaves.

Continuous-Petal Method:

This method uses a strip of paper with a fringe of petals that is attached to the stamen, and the petals are shaped afterward. Here are the steps:

• Cut the stamen, petal strips, and leaves from crepe paper.
• Firmly wrap the strip of petals around the stamen or itself and secure it with floral tape. You may need to cut the strip into shorter lengths and attach it in stages to prevent slipping.
• Attach any leaves and then shape the petals.

To create paper roses, follow these steps:

• Cup the petals just below the middle and curl the upper edge outward.
• Pleat the base of each petal and pinch the folds in place.
• Attach the petals to the stamen, starting with the smaller petals, positioning them lower and tightly curled around.
• Overlap the petals slightly and raise each subsequent ring of petals slightly higher.
• Secure the petals with floral tape, wrapping it around the stamen and down the stem.

To create paper peonies, follow these steps:

• Shape the petals to cup inward slightly.
• Pleat the base of each petal and pinch the folds in place.
• Attach the petals to the stamen, starting with the innermost petals, positioning them low with midpoints at the stamen's head.
• Raise each subsequent ring of petals slightly higher.
• Curl the tips of the petals inward.
• Secure the petals with floral tape.

Other Tips:

• To cup a petal, pinch it between your thumbs and forefingers, with thumbs near the center and fingers at the edges. Gently pull your thumbs outward to stretch the crepe paper and form a concave shape.
• To curl a petal, roll it around a pencil or your finger.
• To pleat the base of a petal, pinch the sides together and press the folds in place.
• To attach petals to the stamen, stretch the floral tape slightly and wrap it a few times around the stamen and stem.

Adding a stem

Now that you've crafted the petals and the flower head, it's time to add a stem to your paper flowers. This will allow you to display your creations in a vase or create a bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide to adding a stem:

Materials:

• Florist wires (18-gauge wire is recommended)
• Floral wrap/florist's tape
• Leaf base or an extra petal layer
• Hot glue gun or craft glue
• Scissors

Steps:

• Prepare the wires: Cut the florist wires to your desired length. For a bouquet, 12 inches is a good starting point, while 6 inches works well for a boutonnière. You can use a single wire, but using two or more wires will make the stem sturdier.
• Create a knot: At one end of the wires, bend and twist the wires to create a small knot or a loop. This will help anchor the flower head.
• Prepare the leaf base: Take your leaf base or extra petal layer and fold it to create a three-pointed sepal shape. You can also cut a small triangular flap that will be glued to secure the shape.
• Thread the wires: Thread the wires through the centre hole of the leaf base so that the knotted end rests in the little pocket. Ensure the knot doesn't come over the top of this pocket.
• Secure the flower head: Apply glue to the sepal shape, especially the first half-inch of each leaf. Attach the flower head to the glued area, pressing down in the centre to secure it in place.
• Wrap the stem: Cut a length of floral wrap/florist's tape and start wrapping it around the wires from the top. Wrap multiple times at the top to create a smooth transition between the flower head and the stem. Hold the tape taut and press the layers down as you wrap.
• Add leaves (optional): If you want to add leaves to your stem, simply place them at the desired point and wrap the floral tape around them to secure them in place. You can add as many leaves as you like.
• Finish the stem: Continue wrapping the stem until you reach the bottom. Then, wrap back up slightly to secure the end, pressing hard to stick the tape down. You can add a dab of glue if needed.
• Shape the leaves: Use your fingers to gently curve and shape the leaves to make them look more natural.

Now your paper flower has a stem and is ready to be displayed or added to a bouquet! Repeat these steps for each flower, and soon you'll have a beautiful paper flower arrangement.

Frequently asked questions