Create Fluffy Pom Pom Decor For Your Wedding Day

Pom poms are a fun, colourful, and cost-effective way to decorate your wedding. They can be hung from the ceiling, draped over chairs, or used as centrepieces. You can make them yourself using tissue paper, ribbon or wire, and scissors, or buy them ready-made. This introduction will cover how to make your own pom poms, and how to use them to decorate your wedding venue.

Using tissue paper to make pom-poms

Tissue paper pom-poms are a great, inexpensive and easy DIY decoration for your wedding. They can be made in a variety of sizes and hung from the ceiling, used as table centrepieces, or even as gift toppers. You can also experiment with different colours and patterns of tissue paper to create unique, multicolour pom-poms.

Materials:

You will need the following materials:

• Tissue paper (8–12 sheets per pom-pom)
• Floral wire or thin craft wire
• Ribbon (optional)
• Scissors
• Ruler (optional)
• String (optional)
• Pliers (optional)

Step 1: Stack and Fold Tissue Paper

Start by stacking your tissue paper. You will need between 8 and 12 sheets of tissue paper for each pom-pom, depending on the desired fullness. If you want to create multicolour pom-poms, you can mix and match different shades or include sheets with cool patterns. Once your sheets are stacked, fold them accordion-style into 2-inch pleats. Press down gently to create a clean crease, being careful not to rip the tissue paper.

Step 2: Trim Edges of Tissue Paper (Optional)

This step is optional but allows for added creativity. You can trim the edges of the folded tissue paper into various designs. For example, scalloped edges can be created by rounding both ends of the folded stack, while spiky poufs can be achieved by cutting triangle points. Experiment with different shapes to customise your pom-poms.

Step 3: Attach Wire to Centre

Take a long piece of wire and carefully wrap it around the centre of the tissue paper stack. Twist the ends of the wire to secure the stack. If you plan to hang your pom-poms, leave enough excess wire to form a hanging loop. Shape the wire into a small circle and then twist the remaining wire around itself to secure the loop.

Step 4: Open the Tissue Paper Pom-Pom

The final step is to fan out the tissue paper to create full, fluffy pom-poms. Gently pull on each sheet of tissue paper, starting from the bottom and working your way up, to form a spherical shape. Ruffle and reposition the sheets carefully until you achieve the desired arrangement. If you plan to hang your pom-poms, attach a string or ribbon to the wire loop. To create a garland, string multiple pom-poms onto a long piece of string or wire.

Stacking and folding paper

To make wedding pom-pom decorations, you'll need to start by stacking and folding your paper. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, gather your materials. You'll need tissue paper, with around 8 to 12 sheets per pom-pom. You can use a single colour, or mix and match shades for a multicolour look. You'll also need some ribbon or floral wire, scissors, and optionally, a measuring tape or ruler.

Once you have your supplies, it's time to start stacking and folding. Begin by cutting your tissue paper in half along the shortest edge. For example, if you have tissue paper measuring 20 by 20 inches, cut through all layers to form two stacks of 10 by 20 inches.

For multicolour pom-poms, replace 1-2 sheets of tissue paper with an alternate colour on both the top and bottom layers. Ensure any patterned tissue paper faces right-side-out on both sides.

Next, you'll create accordion folds. Take the stacked tissue paper and make 1-inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold. Keep the folds nice and clean, and ensure that all layers of tissue paper have a crisp crease.

If you're making napkin rings, cut a rectangle through all layers of tissue paper after stacking and folding. For napkin rings, a finished rectangle of 10 by 5 inches is ideal, with 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.

After accordion folding, trim any excess tissue paper that might stick out unevenly. You can also round the corners of the tissue paper at this point, or cut triangle points at the end of the tissue paper accordion for a spiky pom-pom.

Now you're ready to secure the centre with floral wire or ribbon. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half and slip it over the centre of the folded tissue, then twist to secure. Alternatively, use ribbon and tie it around the centre. If you plan to hang your pom-poms, ensure the ribbon is long enough.

With the centre secured, you can now gently pull the layers of tissue paper apart, starting with the top layer and working your way down. Be careful, as tissue paper is delicate and can tear easily.

And that's it! You've successfully stacked and folded your paper to create beautiful wedding pom-pom decorations. Now, simply repeat the process to make as many pom-poms as you need for your special day!

Securing the centre with wire or ribbon

To secure the centre of your wedding pom-pom decorations, you can use either ribbon or floral wire.

First, fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half and slip it over the centre of the folded tissue paper. Twist the wire to secure it in place. If using ribbon, simply tie it around the middle of the folded tissue paper.

If you plan to hang your pom-poms, ensure that the ribbon is long enough. You can also tie a length of monofilament to the wire for hanging, or bend the wire into a loop to fit around a napkin and twist to secure.

For added security, you can also use a combination of ribbon and wire. Simply tie the ribbon around the centre of the folded tissue paper, then slip the wire over the centre and twist to secure.

Once the centre is secured, you can trim the ends of the tissue paper into rounded or pointy shapes. This will create a different effect on the pom-poms, so feel free to experiment with both styles.

Now that the centre is secured, you can move on to the next step of creating your wedding pom-pom decorations!

Pulling apart the layers

Now that you've gathered your supplies and cut your tissue paper to size, it's time to start crafting your pom-poms!

To begin, stack eight sheets of tissue paper, measuring 20-by-30 inches each, on top of each other. If you're creating multicoloured pom-poms, replace 1-2 sheets with your desired alternate colour on both the top and bottom layers. Ensure any patterned tissue paper faces outward on both sides.

Once you have your stack of tissue paper ready, it's time to start folding! Make 1 1/2-inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold. Continue folding back and forth until you have one long strip of tissue paper. This technique is similar to making a concertina or fan, as some might remember from their childhood!

After you've finished folding, use a piece of ribbon or floral wire to secure the centre of your pom-pom. If you plan to hang your creations, ensure the ribbon is long enough. At this stage, you can also trim the ends of your folded pom-pom into a curved or pointed shape for added visual appeal.

Now it's time for the fun part—gently pulling the layers apart! First, fan out the two ends of the tissue paper while keeping the centre secured. Then, carefully separate each sheet of tissue paper from the one underneath it. Be gentle to avoid tearing, but don't stress too much if a small tear occurs as it will be barely noticeable in the final product.

Keep fluffing and separating the layers until your pom-pom starts to resemble a sphere. You can create a fuller effect by pulling each layer of tissue paper up towards the centre ribbon on each side.

And there you have it! You've successfully crafted a wedding pom-pom decoration. Repeat these steps to create a whole bouquet of pom-poms in various colours and sizes to hang at your wedding venue.

Hanging the pom-poms

Firstly, decide on the placement of your pom-poms. Pom-poms can be hung in a variety of ways to create different effects. You can hang them individually or in groups, at varying heights, or clustered together to create a delightful bundle. They can be hung indoors from the ceiling, in marquees, or even outdoors from trees to bring an outdoor space to life.

When hanging your pom-poms, you can use fishing wire, twine, string, or ribbon. These materials will allow you to suspend the pom-poms while maintaining a delicate, whimsical appearance. If you plan to hang your pom-poms outdoors, ensure you use a material that can withstand the elements and won't easily break.

For a cohesive look, consider incorporating your colour scheme into your pom-poms. You can create a monochrome effect, a bold contrast with black-and-white, or a warm or cool colour palette. You can even experiment with ombre pom-poms or mix and match colours to create a vibrant, eclectic display.

To hang your pom-poms, tie your chosen material (ribbon, string, etc.) securely around the centre of the pom-pom, leaving enough length to hang it from your desired location. You can also create a loop with the material to hang from hooks or other fixtures. Ensure that your hanging material is strong enough to support the weight of the pom-pom and won't break easily.

Finally, adjust and fluff your pom-poms to achieve the desired shape and texture. Carefully separate each layer of tissue paper, pulling away from the centre one at a time, to create a full, spherical shape. For added texture, you can experiment with making a point at the end of the pom-pom layers instead of a rounded curve.

With these tips, you'll be able to create a stunning display of hanging pom-poms that will wow your wedding guests and elevate your décor.

Frequently asked questions