Creating Wedding Wraps: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Wedding wraps can be used to hold together a bouquet or as a shawl or scarf for the bride or bridesmaids. This paragraph will focus on how to make a bouquet wrap.

To make a bouquet wrap, you will need to choose the material you want to use. You can use something sentimental, such as a piece of a wedding dress, or something new, such as twine, leather, or ribbon. If you are using a wedding dress, cut out the frilly lace portion and glue it to a styrofoam ball, covering the whole ball. You can then add flowers made from rolled-up fabric and secure them with glue. If you are using something else, such as twine, simply wrap it around the stems of the bouquet and secure it.

Using wedding dress material

Using the material from a wedding dress is a great way to create a sentimental and unique wedding wrap. Here are some ideas and methods to achieve this:

Bridal Bouquet Wrap

Creating a bridal bouquet wrap is a popular choice for repurposing wedding dress material. This involves cutting a long piece of fabric from the dress, ideally from the hem, and using it to wrap around the stems of the bridal bouquet. The fabric can be left as is or embellished with items such as vintage jewellery. This method is detailed by BridalVenus, who also suggest creating fabric flowers from the dress material and incorporating them into the bouquet. Martha Stewart also recommends asking for an extra swatch of fabric during a fitting to use for a bouquet wrap.

Wedding Handkerchief

A wedding handkerchief is another option for repurposing wedding dress material. This can be used by the bride or guests to wipe away happy tears. The Garter Girl suggests using smooth and soft sections of the dress, avoiding any beads or buttons which may be uncomfortable. The handkerchief can be further personalised with embroidery.

Bridal Purse or Clutch

A bridal purse or clutch can be made from wedding dress material, providing a unique accessory for the big day. The Garter Girl recommends using a dress with plenty of material, such as those from the 1980s, to ensure enough fabric is available. The purse can be made entirely from the dress material or simply embellished with details from the dress.

Bridal Robe

For those with a lot of material to work with, a bridal robe can be created from a wedding dress. The Garter Girl suggests this idea for those with large amounts of satin, pearls, and lace available. The robe provides a unique and comfortable way to get ready on the morning of the wedding, with the potential to become a cherished keepsake.

Bridal Veil

The Garter Girl also suggests transforming a wedding dress into a bridal veil. This works particularly well if the dress has a lot of lace, which can be cut off and repurposed. This idea provides a special way to incorporate a piece of the mother or grandmother's dress into the bridal outfit.

Other Ideas

• Bridal sneakers: Using the lace and details from a wedding dress, you can embellish a pair of plain white sneakers to create comfortable and unique bridal shoes.
• Bridal bomber jacket: For a truly bold statement, a wedding dress can be transformed into a bridal bomber jacket, providing a stylish and memorable outfit for the wedding or other occasions.
• Ring bearer pillow: A small amount of wedding dress material can be used to create a ring bearer pillow, adding a sentimental touch to the ceremony.
• Tulle skirt: For those with tulle or netting in their wedding dress, this can be transformed into a tulle skirt for the bride or flower girls to wear.
• Garters: The Garter Girl specialises in creating custom garters using wedding dress material, providing a unique and sentimental accessory for the big day.
• Patches: A piece of wedding dress material can be sewn or pinned onto the inside of the bridal gown, providing a discreet way to incorporate a sentimental item.
• Other accessories: Wedding dress material can also be used to create items such as bridal shorts, bridal jackets, and even custom bridal sneakers.

Adding a personal touch

Choose Meaningful Materials

Select materials from your wedding dress to create your bouquet wrap. Consider using lace, satin, tulle, or even decorative buttons to add texture and visual interest. This is a creative way to incorporate a treasured garment into your wedding day and give your bouquet a sentimental touch.

Incorporate Special Details

Add some sparkle to your bouquet by including new tulle or vintage jewellery. You can also leave the edges of the satin unsealed for a vintage, worn look that adds a touch of personality. If you have an heirloom brooch, use it to accent your bouquet and create a keepsake that you can cherish long after the wedding.

Match Your Wedding Style

Let your wedding style inspire your bouquet wrap choice. For a rustic wedding, opt for twine and leather. If you're having a romantic garden wedding, a trailing ribbon accent will beautifully complement your floral arrangement. You can also match your bouquet wrap to other décor elements, such as a macramé ceremony backdrop or your wedding dress fabric.

Honour Loved Ones

Find creative ways to honour late loved ones in your bouquet wrap. For example, you could attach a small photo of them to a trailing wrap, keeping them close to your heart as you walk down the aisle. Alternatively, use a strip of lace from your grandmother's wedding dress for a wrap that serves as your "something old."

Experiment with Flowers

Get creative with the flowers in your bouquet. You can make rolled flowers from tulle, satin, or lace by tying a knot at one end, twisting and rolling the fabric, and securing it with hot glue. Play around with different sizes and shapes to add visual appeal and texture to your bouquet.

Finalising the bouquet

Now that you have created your flowers from fabric, it's time to assemble your bouquet. This is where your vision comes to life, so take your time to arrange the flowers in a way that is balanced and visually appealing.

Start by covering the styrofoam ball with pieces of the dress. You can cut out the frilly lace portion of the dress and glue it to the ball with hot glue. This creates a beautiful and intricate base for your bouquet. If you want to add some extra sparkle, consider incorporating new tulle or even some vintage jewellery. For a more vintage, worn look, you can leave the edges of the satin unsealed.

Once your base is ready, it's time to arrange the flowers. Play around with different placements until you find an arrangement that you're happy with. Remember to consider the balance and overall look of the bouquet. When you're satisfied with the arrangement, secure the flowers to the base using hot glue.

If you want to add a personal touch or a sentimental element to your bouquet, consider adding an heirloom brooch. Not only will this accent the bouquet, but it can also be a keepsake that you treasure long after the wedding.

Lastly, if you want to add some extra texture or a decorative touch, feel free to use other materials such as burlap, ribbons, or lace to wrap the stems of your flowers.

Choosing a wrap for your bouquet

Consider your wedding theme and style

If you're planning a rustic wedding in the countryside, you might want to opt for twine and leather as your bouquet wrap. For a romantic garden wedding, a trailing ribbon accent will beautifully complement your floral arrangement. You can also match your bouquet wrap to another piece of décor, such as your ceremony backdrop or wedding dress.

Choose the right material

The material you choose for your bouquet wrap can add texture and interest to your arrangement. Ribbons, whether classic white or colourful, are always a popular choice. You can also opt for macramé, leather, or even twine for a more rustic look. If you want to add some sparkle, consider incorporating rhinestones, vintage jewellery, or a family brooch.

Personalise your bouquet

Your bouquet wrap is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding day look. Consider using an extra swatch of fabric from your wedding dress or a strip of lace from your grandmother's wedding dress as your bouquet wrap. You can also attach a small photo of a late loved one to a trailing bouquet wrap, keeping them close to your heart as you walk down the aisle.

Enhance your flowers

The right bouquet wrap can enhance the colours and beauty of your chosen flowers. If you want to make a particular flower the focal point, tie the arrangement with a silk ribbon that matches its hue. A ribbed piece of cloth or a strip of lace can add texture and interest to your bouquet.

Keep it simple

If you don't want to take attention away from your stunning floral arrangement, opt for a simple wrap that won't overpower the flowers. A small loop of ribbon or a plain white ribbon wrap will elegantly hold your bouquet together without being too flashy.

Wrapping a wedding gift

Glitter Cardstock Flags

If you struggle with traditional wrapping paper, this is the method for you. Cut out mini flags from glitter cardstock in 2-3 colours. The width of each flag should be about 1 inch, and you can vary the lengths to add some dimension. Punch a hole at the top of each flag, string them onto twine, and wrap them around your gift box so that the flags lay on top. Tie the remaining string to the back of the box.

Flowers and Craft Paper

Weddings and flowers are a perfect match, and this idea is a lovely way to elevate plain craft paper. You can use fresh, dried, or artificial flowers, or even foliage. Wrap your gift in plain kraft paper and draw a vase, jar, or other vessel on the front with a thin black marker or Sharpie. Cut the flowers to the size of the box, holding them on top of the drawn vase so they appear to be sitting in it, and trim as needed. Tape the flowers to the present with clear tape.

Circle the Date

This method is deceptively simple but unique and commemorative. Purchase a large paper calendar that is at least 12x12 inches in size, which will give you 12 sheets of wrapping paper for future gifts. Tear out the calendar page containing the wedding date and wrap your gift so that the date is visible at the top. Add a ribbon to the gift box and circle the wedding date with a marker or Sharpie. You can also add a sweet note on top.

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