Creating Tissue Pomander Balls For Your Wedding

Tissue pomander balls are a beautiful and wallet-friendly DIY decoration for your wedding. They can be made with tissue paper, crepe paper, or even old magazines, and hung over your cake, on the backs of chairs, or over the dance floor. You can also use fresh or artificial flowers for a more natural look. Pomanders are traditionally carried by flower girls and bridesmaids, but a bride may also carry one as a modern replacement for a bouquet.

Choosing the right flowers

When choosing the right flowers for your wedding tissue pomander balls, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide whether you want to use fresh flowers or artificial flowers. Fresh flowers will bring a natural, organic feel to your wedding decor, but they may not last as long as artificial flowers. Artificial flowers, on the other hand, can be more durable and cost-effective, and you can find high-quality silk flowers that look very realistic. If you're on a tight budget, you could even make your own tissue paper flowers, which are affordable and add a unique, handmade touch to your wedding.

If you decide to go with fresh flowers, consider the variety and colour of flowers that will best suit your wedding theme and colour palette. You'll also want to choose flowers that are in season to ensure they're at their most vibrant and affordable. For example, if you're having a spring wedding, you might choose pastel-coloured flowers like peonies or lilacs. For a summer wedding, sunflowers or bright roses could be a bold and cheerful choice.

When selecting artificial flowers, you have even more options to choose from, as you're not limited by seasonality. You can find a wide range of silk flowers in various colours and styles, from classic roses to modern peony bouquets. Consider the size of the flowers as well; smaller flowers will give your pomander balls a delicate look, while larger blooms will make a bolder statement.

Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of flowers to create unique and eye-catching pomander balls. You can also add in some greenery, like eucalyptus or ivy, for a more natural, organic feel. Remember to consider the size of your pomander balls and choose flowers that will fit well and create a full, lush look.

Lastly, if you're making tissue paper flowers, you can get creative with the colours and styles to match your wedding theme. Tissue paper flowers are a fun and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your wedding decor, and they can be made in any colour or pattern you desire. Whether you choose fresh flowers, artificial flowers, or tissue paper creations, your pomander balls are sure to be a beautiful addition to your special day.

Preparing the styrofoam ball

To prepare the styrofoam ball, start by deciding on the size of your pomander balls. If you want smaller pomanders, opt for a styrofoam ball that is around tennis ball-sized, or about 3-4 inches in diameter. For larger pomanders, choose a styrofoam ball that is grapefruit-sized or larger. Keep in mind that the size of the ball will impact the number of flowers or tissue paper pieces needed to cover it.

Once you have selected the appropriate size styrofoam ball, you will need to create a hanging mechanism. This can be done by inserting a wire hook or floral U-pin into the top of the ball, sealing it with hot glue, and then attaching a ribbon, burlap, twine, or another material of your choice. This will allow you to hang your pomander balls after they are completed.

If you are using artificial flowers, separate them from their bunches and cut the stems to the appropriate length, typically around 1/4" to 1/2" in length. If you are using fresh flowers, make sure to condition them at least 24 hours in advance by removing any plastic wrapping, stripping the stems of foliage, cutting the stems at an angle, and placing them in fresh, cold water.

Now, you are ready to begin attaching the flowers or tissue paper to the styrofoam ball. If using flowers, start from the top and work your way down, gluing or pinning each stem securely into the ball. For tissue paper, you can create tissue paper flowers by cutting the tissue paper into strips, folding it in half, and then rolling it up, securing it with hot glue as you go. You can also cut the tissue paper into squares, stack them, and then pin them to the ball, ruffling the paper to create dimension. Continue adding flowers or tissue paper until the entire styrofoam ball is covered, making sure to fill in any gaps.

Cutting and gluing the tissue paper

To make tissue paper pomander balls, you will need tissue paper, a hot glue gun, glue sticks, a styrofoam ball, scissors, and a ruler. You can also use floral wire or a paper clip, and ribbon if you want to hang your pomander balls.

First, cut your tissue paper into strips. The width of the strips can vary—some suggest 1-2 inches, while others suggest 5 inches. You will need to cut enough strips to make several layers of tissue paper, usually 4 or 8 layers.

Next, stack the tissue paper strips and fold them in half. Then, start rolling up the tissue paper from one end, securing it with hot glue as you go. Keep twisting and rolling the tissue paper, continuing to secure it with hot glue, until it forms a rosette shape.

Now it's time to glue the rosettes to your styrofoam ball. Apply hot glue to the back of each rosette and press it onto the ball. Cover the entire ball with rosettes until it looks fabulous!

If you want to hang your pomander balls, you can insert a hook or a ribbon into the top of the styrofoam ball and secure it with hot glue. Then, simply hang your pomander balls from the ceiling, a door knob, the ends of pews or aisles, or anywhere else you'd like!

Attaching the tissue paper to the ball

Now that you have your tissue paper rosettes, it's time to attach them to your ball. If you're using a Styrofoam ball, you can use hot glue to secure the rosettes. Start by applying a small amount of hot glue to the back of each rosette and then press it firmly onto the ball. Hold it in place for a few seconds to allow the glue to set. Continue this process until the entire ball is covered in rosettes.

Alternatively, you can use straightened paper clips to attach the rosettes. First, make a small hole in the centre of each rosette. Then, insert one end of the paper clip through the hole and bend it back to secure the rosette to the ball. You can also add a small amount of hot glue to the paper clip for extra security.

If you opted to make a paper ball by wadding up magazine pages and securing them with tape, you can simply glue the rosettes all over the ball. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the ball for a cohesive look.

Once you've attached all the rosettes, feel free to go back and fill in any gaps or add extra rosettes to create a fuller, more dimensional look. You can also fluff and adjust the rosettes to give your pomander ball a more organic and natural appearance.

Finishing touches and hanging

Now that you've crafted your beautiful tissue pomander balls, it's time to add the finishing touches and decide on the hanging options. Here are some ideas and instructions to help you complete your project:

Finishing Touches:

• Fluffing and Adjusting: After attaching all the tissue paper flowers or rosettes, take a step back and examine your work. If there are any lopsided areas or gaps, gently fluff and adjust the tissue paper to create a more uniform and full appearance.
• Ribbon Embellishment: Consider adding a ribbon to enhance the visual appeal of your pomander balls. Choose a colour that complements your tissue paper choice, and tie a bow or create a hanging loop at the top.
• Mixing Materials: For added texture and interest, combine tissue paper with other materials such as fresh or artificial flowers. This can give your pomander balls a more natural and elegant look.
• Experiment with Colours: Don't be afraid to play with different colours of tissue paper. Using varying shades of the same colour can add depth and dimension to your pomander balls, making them appear more realistic.

Hanging Options:

• Ribbon Hanging: One of the most popular ways to hang pomander balls is by using ribbons. Simply attach a ribbon to the top of your pomander ball, creating a loop, and hang it from a hook or a desired location.
• Wire Hooks: You can insert wire hooks into the tops of the pomander balls and seal them with hot glue. This provides a sturdy hanging option and allows you to use ribbons, burlap, twine, or any other hanging material of your choice.
• Floral U Pins: Push a floral U pin through the top of the styrofoam ball, remove it, and then secure it again with hot glue. Leave a small gap between the pin and the ball to attach a ribbon or wire for hanging.
• Paper Clips: Unwind a large paper clip, fold it in half, and slip it over the centre of your folded tissue paper. Twist the ends to secure it, and then tie a ribbon to it for hanging.

Remember, the length of your hanging material will depend on how you plan to use your pomander balls. Shorter lengths are ideal for those carried by individuals, while longer lengths are perfect for pew decorations or hanging over dance floors.

Frequently asked questions