Creating Romantic Rose Petals For Your Wedding Day

Roses are a symbol of love, joy, and beauty, making rose petals the perfect accessory for your wedding. Whether you're looking to create a romantic atmosphere or add a pop of colour, making your own rose petals can be a fun and creative way to personalize your special day. From decorating your aisle to creating fragrant centrepieces, there are endless possibilities for incorporating rose petals into your wedding. In this article, we will explore different ways to make your own rose petals and how to use them to create a memorable and elegant celebration.

Using petals in wedding invites

Using petals in your wedding invites is a creative way to surprise your guests and set the tone for your wedding. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate petals into your wedding invites:

Petal-Infused Invitations

Add a few freeze-dried rose petals within each wedding invitation envelope. When guests open the envelope, they will be greeted by the delicate fragrance and beauty of the roses. This idea is a romantic gesture that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Wax Seals with Petals

For a whimsical touch, incorporate petals into your wax seals. Adorn your wedding invitations with wax seals that have dainty petals pressed into them. This embellishment will add a unique and elegant touch to your invites.

Interactive Envelopes

For a fun and interactive element, place petals inside the stationery envelopes. Your guests will be delighted to find their invitations brimming with fragrant floral goodness. This approach will create a sense of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming festivities.

Pressed Flowers on Cardstock

If you're feeling ambitious, try pressing flowers and embedding them into your invitations. Imprinting pressed flowers onto card stock will introduce your guests to the romantic and floral-filled theme of your wedding. This technique will surely leave a lasting impression.

Petal-Infused Vellum Envelopes

Enhance the presentation of your invitations by using vellum envelopes with cascading petal details. This elegant touch will add a whimsical and romantic feel to your wedding stationery.

Incorporating petals into your wedding invites is a unique way to engage your guests' senses and create a memorable first impression. These ideas are just a starting point, and you can get creative and experiment with different types of petals, fragrances, and presentation styles to match your wedding theme.

Creating a petal aisle

Choosing the Right Petals:

• Consider the colour: Select petals that complement your wedding palette. Preserved rose petals can be colour-enhanced, allowing you to choose almost any shade. If you prefer natural colours, you may be limited to reds, yellows, pinks, and whites. Keep in mind the significance of rose colours—for example, white symbolises innocence, while dark red signifies gratitude.
• Fresh or dried: Fresh petals add a sweet fragrance to your aisle, while dried petals are easier to store and can be purchased in advance.

Calculating the Amount:

To create a petal aisle, you will need approximately 2.5 litres of rose petals to cover 2 square metres of floor space. This amount will create a dense coverage of petals, ensuring a visually stunning path.

Designing the Aisle:

• Scattered petals: Create a whimsical look by scattering petals across the aisle. You can form a scattered path leading up to the altar or scatter petals along the sides of the aisle.
• Petal runners: Form a more defined path by arranging petals in a runner down the centre of the aisle. This creates a striking visual effect, especially if you use multiple colours.
• Edges and designs: Outline the aisle with petals to define the pathway. You can create shapes, designs, or even words using petals to add a unique touch.
• Flower girl: Have a flower girl sprinkle petals down the aisle as she walks, creating a meaningful entrance and a charming tradition.

Storage and Preparation:

• Store your rose petals at room temperature in a dark, dry room, away from moisture. Fresh petals should be kept away from direct sunlight and heat sources to retain their freshness.
• If using fresh petals, inspect them before use for any signs of mould or mildew. Discard any petals with discolouration or an unpleasant smell.
• For dried petals, open the specialised containers as late as possible before pouring the petals onto the aisle. This will ensure maximum freshness and minimise mess during setup.

Making a composite bouquet

A composite bouquet is a stunning choice for a bridal bouquet. It is created using a single rose as the base and then gluing layers of petals to make it look like one giant bloom. This type of bouquet is quite time-intensive and should ideally be created on the wedding day itself. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a composite bouquet:

Step 1: Preparing the Flowers

Start by selecting very fresh roses with hardy stems. Use your hands or a stem stripper to remove excess foliage, thorns, and any damaged or unattractive outer petals. Cut the stems at an angle about 2 inches from the bottom and place the flowers in a bucket of cool water until you are ready to use them. If you are working with roses that haven't fully bloomed yet, you can force them open by placing the stems in hot water for a couple of minutes, but be careful not to leave them in too long, or they may die.

Step 2: Assembling the Bouquet

Take one stem at a time and use your other hand to hold the flowers in place. Assemble four flowers at an even height in a square shape, which will form the center of the dome-shaped bouquet. Then, arrange the remaining flowers one by one around the center flowers to create the desired dome shape. It can be helpful to stand in front of a mirror during this process to better visualize the final shape.

Step 3: Securing the Bouquet

Use rubber bands or floral tape to bind the stems at two points: first, where they naturally join (about 3 to 4 inches below the flower heads), and then again toward the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches of excess stem. You can place the stems in water and wrap them later, or continue to the next step.

Step 4: Finish the Handle

Cut the stems to the desired length, which is typically about 7 to 8 inches long. Dry the stems with a paper towel, then cut a length of ribbon about three times the length of the stems. Tuck the end of the ribbon inside the top bind and start wrapping it in a spiral down the length of the stem. When you reach the bottom, wrap it back up the stem, and secure the cut end with a couple of pins. If desired, cut a separate length of ribbon and tie it into a bow just beneath the flower heads.

Step 5: Adding the Petals

Now it's time to transform your bouquet into a composite bouquet by adding the rose petals. Start with a single rose as your base and then carefully glue layers of petals to it, working your way outwards to create the appearance of a giant bloom. Make sure to mist the bouquet with flower sealant to help preserve it.

Step 6: Final Touches and Storage

To add a romantic touch, consider using an old-fashioned lace collar or a tulle collar to support the frame of the bouquet. You can also wash your hands and mist your fingers with Finishing Touch before handling the petals to prevent browning. Store the finished bouquet in the refrigerator until it is needed, as composite bouquets have a short lifespan since they don't draw water up through the stems.

Flower girl petals

There are many ways to incorporate flower girl petals into your wedding. Flower girls tossing rose petals down the aisle has been a long-lasting tradition, said to ward off evil spirits and grant fertility to the bride. You can buy rose petals wholesale or make your own using a specific type of rose.

For a romantic and whimsical touch, your flower girl can make a meaningful entrance by tossing a trail of rose petals as she walks down the aisle. You can also have your flower girl scatter petals in advance to create a petal-strewn aisle for you to walk on later.

If you're looking for a unique and charming touch, freeze-dried rose petals are a great option. They can elevate the ambiance and create lasting memories. You can even include a few freeze-dried petals within each wedding invitation envelope for your guests to discover when they open them.

For a simple yet elegant DIY option, consider making your own pressed rose petals. You can use these to create a tray that will be perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Petal centrepieces

Rose petals are a versatile and elegant way to enhance your wedding theme. They can be used to create a romantic and luxurious atmosphere, whether your style is classic, rustic, or modern. Here are some ideas for petal centrepieces that will make your wedding reception tables look divine:

• Floating petals: Create captivating centrepieces by floating freeze-dried rose petals in water-filled vases or bowls. Top with floating candles for a romantic touch.
• Table runner: Scatter rose petals down the centre of each table instead of using traditional table runners. This subtle touch will infuse your reception with a fragrant and ethereal ambiance.
• Petal-infused favours: Add a small sachet of freeze-dried rose petals to your wedding favours. Guests can take home a piece of your special day and enjoy the scent of roses long after the wedding.
• Simple and elegant: Simply buy some inexpensive rose petals and sprinkle them generously along your tables or in the centre if you have round tables. Dot tea lights or candles in glass jars throughout the petals for maximum romance.
• Petal-adorned cake table: Enhance your cake table by scattering rose petals around the base of the cake or on the dessert table. This simple touch will elevate the presentation and tie the floral theme together.

Frequently asked questions