Creating Wedding Rose Petal Cones: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding rose petal cones are a beautiful and romantic touch to any wedding ceremony. They are simple to make and require very few materials. You can use a combination of rose and carnation petals, or any other flower petals of your choice. If you're not sold on real petals, you can also fill the cones with large multicolour confetti, eucalyptus leaves, foil stars, or anything else that fits your wedding theme. The process of tossing confetti and petals makes the moment feel like a true celebration, and the petals strewn across the floor afterwards create a beautiful mess and make for fantastic photos.

Choosing your petals

Another option is to use fresh petals. You can ask your wedding florist to set aside any petals from the bouquets and arrangements they create for your big day. This is an excellent way to ensure that your petals coordinate seamlessly with the rest of your wedding flowers. Fresh petals are delicate, so it's best to use them soon after they've been plucked to avoid wilting.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own dried petals from flowers that are special to you. For example, you could dry the petals of flowers you received during your engagement or those that hold sentimental value. This adds a unique and personal touch to your wedding rose petal cones.

When selecting petals, consider the overall theme and colour scheme of your wedding. You might want to choose petals that complement your chosen colours or opt for a contrasting shade to make a bold statement. Additionally, think about the size of the petals; larger petals can create a dramatic effect, while smaller petals will give you more volume for tossing.

No matter which petals you choose, they will undoubtedly create a beautiful and memorable moment as you walk back down the aisle as a married couple.

Drying petals

Air-Drying

One of the easiest ways to dry rose petals is to air-dry them. Spread the petals on a clean, dry surface, such as a baking sheet or parchment paper, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching each other. Place them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, as this can cause the petals to fade or become discoloured. It can take several days for the petals to dry completely; they will be brittle to the touch when ready. Store them in an airtight container, away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Using Silica Gel

If you want to dry your rose petals more quickly, you can use silica gel. Place a layer of silica gel crystals in the bottom of an airtight container, then lay the rose petals on top, ensuring they do not touch each other. Cover the petals with another layer of silica gel (about one inch) and seal the container. Let the petals dry for 2-3 days, or until they are completely dry, before removing them from the silica gel and storing them in an airtight container.

Microwave Drying

Microwave drying is a quick and easy way to dry rose petals. Place a single layer of petals on a paper towel and cover them with another paper towel. Put the paper towel on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30 seconds. Repeat this process until the petals are dry and crisp. It is important to note that microwave drying can cause the petals to lose some of their colour and fragrance, so this method is best for decorative purposes.

Oven Drying

Oven drying is another fast method for drying rose petals. Preheat the oven to 180°F and place the petals on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave the petals in the oven for 2-4 hours, depending on their thickness, keeping a close eye on them to prevent burning. Once the petals are dry and crisp, remove them from the oven and let them cool before storing them in an airtight container.

Air Fryer

The air fryer is another option for drying rose petals. Set your air fryer to the dehydration setting and layer the petals on the tray, ensuring they do not touch and have enough room for air circulation. Start the air fryer and dry the petals for 10-15 minutes, checking on them occasionally to ensure they do not over-dry.

Selecting paper

Firstly, you'll want to decide on the thickness of the paper. A thicker paper will be sturdier and less likely to tear, but a thinner paper will give a more delicate, romantic look. For thicker paper, card stock is a good option, and for thinner paper, you could use something like cobweb paper or standard printing paper.

Next, you'll want to choose a colour. White is a classic option, but you could also choose a colour that matches your wedding theme. If you're feeling creative, you could even use two different colours, layering them together to create a border, like in the Polka Dot Wedding tutorial.

If you want to get really creative, you could use pages from a book that holds a special meaning for you, like in the DIY Darling blog post. This adds a unique, personal touch to your wedding and is a fun way to incorporate something you love into your decor.

Finally, you'll want to make sure you have enough paper. A good rule of thumb is to have one cone per guest, so if you're having 100 guests, you'll need 100 pieces of paper. It's always good to have a few extra, just in case!

Making the cones

First, take a sheet of white card and trim it to the dimensions of 20cm x 21cm. Repeat this process for the cobweb paper so you have a piece the same size. Using glue tape, attach the cobweb paper to the white card, leaving a 4.5cm overhang to create a 'border'. Next, roll the two layers up to form a cone and secure with glue tape along the side. Repeat this process for each cone.

Alternatively, you could cut your chosen paper into 5.5" x 5.5" squares. Lay the paper on a flat surface and heat up some hot glue. Fold one corner towards the middle, creating a point at the bottom, then wrap the opposite corner to meet it, overlapping slightly. Glue down the seam and hold for a few seconds to secure.

You can also add a ribbon to either side of the cone as a handle, or use twine to tie the cone shut.

Filling the cones

Drying the Rose Petals:

The first step is to dry the rose petals, which can be done in a few different ways. One method is to remove the petals from the flowers when they start to dry naturally. Spread them out on a paper towel and place another paper towel on top. Microwave them in 30-second intervals until they are completely dry. Store them in a sealed plastic bag in a dry, dark place. This process may take some time, but it is worth it to preserve the colour of the petals.

Choosing Your Rose Petals:

You can use a combination of different coloured rose petals to create a colourful and romantic effect. Hot pink, pale pink, and ivory rose petals are popular choices. You can also mix in other types of flower petals, such as carnations, or even use large multi-colour confetti, eucalyptus leaves, or foil stars to match your wedding theme.

When filling the cones, start by placing a large petal at the bottom of each cone, and then fill the rest with more crushed-up petals. This will make it easier for your guests to toss the petals. You don't want to overfill the cones, but you want enough petals so that they can be easily thrown. A small handful of petals in each cone should be sufficient.

Storing and Transporting the Cones:

Once the cones are filled, place them in a box and store them in a cool, dry place until your wedding day. Transporting them to your venue will be easier if they are tied shut with twine or ribbon.

Handing Out the Cones:

On your wedding day, have a trusted friend or family member hand out the cones to your guests during the signing of the registry. Instruct your guests to toss the petals when you and your partner walk back down the aisle, creating a beautiful and memorable moment.

Filling your own wedding rose petal cones can be a labour of love, but it will surely add a unique and personalised touch to your special day.

Frequently asked questions