Creating Wedding Petal Confetti: A Step-By-Step Guide

The confetti toss is a memorable part of any wedding celebration. Natural petal confetti is environmentally friendly, and it looks pretty. You can buy it online or from a florist, or you can make your own. To make your own, you'll need to pick petals from fresh flowers in full bloom. Then, dry the petals by placing them on a tray in a warm, dry place, or in the oven at a low temperature. Once they're dry, you can store them in a sealed container until your wedding day. You can also make cute confetti cones using paper and tape, which is a fun DIY activity to do with your family or bridesmaids.

Pick petals from fresh, fragrant blooms

Picking petals from fresh, fragrant blooms is the first step in making your own wedding petal confetti. This is a fun and easy DIY project that will add a whimsical touch to your wedding celebration. You can choose from a variety of flowers to create your own unique blend of colours and scents.

When selecting flowers, opt for those that are in full bloom to ensure that the petals are at their most vibrant and fragrant. Avoid petals that are turning brown on the edges, as these will become very brown when dried. Roses, delphiniums, hydrangeas, lavender, mums, dahlias, carnations, and ranunculus are all excellent choices for petal confetti. If you're feeling creative, you can even mix and match petals from different flowers to create a unique blend.

Once you've chosen your flowers, it's time to start picking the petals. This process can be a fun activity to do with your family, bridesmaids, or friends. It's best to pull all the petals off at the flower head in one go, where they attach to the stem, as removing them petal by petal can be quite time-consuming.

As you pick the petals, place them in a bowl or on a large plate or tray lined with kitchen roll or paper towel. Make sure the petals are spread out and not overcrowded or overlapping too much, as they need air circulation to dry effectively. You can also place the petals directly into individual paper cones or small bags if you plan to transport them or give them to your guests in these containers.

When you've finished picking petals and have them arranged on your tray, find a warm and dry place to store them, such as an airing cupboard. Leave them to air dry until they are completely dehydrated. Depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment, this process can take a few days to a week. Check on the petals regularly to ensure they are drying properly and haven't become mouldy.

Once your petals are dry, you can gently mix and toss them together to create a beautiful, fragrant confetti blend. Store your dried petals in a sealed container in a cool, dark place until your wedding day. This will ensure they stay fresh and colourful.

Dry petals in the sun, oven, microwave or airing cupboard

Drying petals for wedding confetti is a simple process that can be done in several ways. The first step is to pick the petals off the flower stems. If you are using small flowers like daisies, you can pop them in whole. It is important to note that you should only use petals that are not turning brown on the edges as these will become very brown when dried.

Drying Petals in the Sun

If your flowers are already a little tired and some petals are falling, you can opt for sun-drying. Place the petals on a dish or tray and leave them on a sunny windowsill. This method is useful if you have limited time and can be done the day before your wedding. However, be careful not to overcrowd the tray, as this can turn into compost-making if it gets too hot or humid.

Drying Petals in the Oven

For this method, line a baking tray with baking paper and spread out the petals. Place them in an oven preheated to 95 degrees Celsius for about 10 minutes until they are dry and crispy. This method requires at least a week's notice.

Drying Petals in the Microwave

Place a piece of paper towel on a microwave-safe plate and spread out the petals in a single layer. Cover them with another piece of paper towel and microwave on high until they are no longer damp. The timing will depend on your microwave; experiment with 30-second increments to find the perfect drying time.

Drying Petals in an Airing Cupboard

Lay a piece of kitchen roll or paper towel on a large plate or tray and spread out the petals, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Then, place the tray in a warm and dry place, such as an airing cupboard, until the petals are completely dried out.

Once your petals are dry, you can store them in a sealed container in a cool, dry place until your wedding day. Dried petals can last for up to a year when stored properly.

Store dried petals in a sealed container

Once your petals are dried, it's time to store them in a sealed container. This is an important step to ensure that your petals stay dry and crisp until your wedding day.

Use a container that has an airtight seal to keep moisture and air out. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids or plastic containers with secure lids are good options. Make sure the container is clean and completely dry before adding the petals.

When placing the petals in the container, avoid overcrowding. Leave some space between the petals to allow for air circulation. You can line the container with tissue paper or cloth to help absorb any excess moisture.

Store the sealed container in a cool, dry, and dark place. A cupboard or pantry is ideal. Avoid exposing the petals to direct sunlight or heat sources, as this can affect their colour and texture.

Keep the container in an easily accessible place so that you can monitor the condition of the petals. Check on them periodically to ensure they remain dry and crisp. If you notice any signs of moisture, take out the petals and dry them again using your preferred method.

By storing your dried petals properly, you'll have beautiful, eco-friendly confetti ready for your wedding celebration.

Make cones from paper, doilies or scrapbook paper

Making paper, doily, or scrapbook confetti cones is a fun and simple DIY activity to undertake with your family or bridesmaids. It will also help save a few costs! Here is a step-by-step guide:

Paper cones:

• Using thick brown paper, cut the paper into square shapes in your desired size.
• Roll the paper on an angle, keeping a nice sharp tip at the bottom.
• When you are approaching the end of the paper, secure the cone with a piece of tape on the underside so that it is hidden.
• Finish the base off with a little extra hidden tape if you want a very tidy, finished look.

Doily cones:

• Doilies require no cutting! Simply roll the doily on an angle, keeping a nice sharp tip at the bottom.
• When you are approaching the end of the doily, secure the cone with a piece of tape on the underside so that it is hidden.
• Finish the base off with a little extra hidden tape if you want a very tidy, finished look.

Scrapbook paper cones:

• Assemble the craft materials: printable scrapbook paper, scissors, ruler, pencil, double-sided tape, crepe paper, floral tape, and hot glue.
• Print the printable scrapbook paper onto a piece of white A4 card stock.
• Measure the centre of the paper width and the paper height and mark them with dots.
• Join the dots to draw a diamond shape on the back of the paper.
• Cut out the diamond shape.
• Roll the paper along the widest side to form a cone and secure with double-sided tape.
• Hot-glue a piece of ribbon to either side of the cone to create handles for hanging the cones.

Fill cones with petals and toss

Now for the fun part! It's time to fill your cones with petals and get ready for the big toss. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for that magical moment:

Step 1: Choose Your Petals

Select the petals you want to use for the confetti. You can use a single type of flower or mix different types of petals together to create a colourful and fragrant blend. Roses, delphiniums, hydrangeas, lavender, ranunculus, and dahlias are all excellent choices for petal confetti. Just be mindful of any guests with pet allergies, and keep pets away from the petals, as some flowers can be toxic to animals.

Step 2: Prepare the Petals

Make sure your petals are dry and crisp. If you've just picked the flowers, carefully remove the petals from the stems. You can sun-dry the petals on a tray, or use an oven or microwave to speed up the process. Just be cautious of the heat settings to avoid burning them. Dried petals are ideal for confetti as they are lighter and won't wilt, ensuring they look perfect in those wedding photos!

Step 3: Fill the Cones

Take your beautifully crafted cones and start filling them with the petals. You can do this ahead of time and store the cones in a cool, dry place, or fill them just before the ceremony to ensure maximum freshness. Either way, make sure the cones are securely closed at the bottom so that the petals don't fall out.

Step 4: Get Ready to Toss

Place the filled cones in a designated area, ready for your guests to pick up and shower you with love (and petals!). You can also ask your bridesmaids or family members to help distribute the cones and build the excitement.

Step 5: The Big Toss!

As you walk back down the aisle as a married couple, your guests will shower you with the petal confetti. This moment is truly iconic and will make for some stunning photos. Enjoy this magical moment and savour the beauty of the petals raining down on you.

Remember to collect the petals after the ceremony if you're making your own confetti. You can even ask your guests to help, providing small bags for them to fill with petals as a fun keepsake of the day.

Frequently asked questions