How to Use Ribbon in Floral Design

When designing floral corsages, boutonnières, head garlands and centerpieces for weddings, the size and type of ribbon is very important. The thing to remember when using ribbon in floral design is that the ribbon is secondary to the flowers and shouldn't be too large or gaudy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Use Ribbon in Wearable Designs

1. Choose ribbon that isn't too large for the floral design. Designs like corsages and head garlands work best with ribbon that is no bigger than a half inch.
2. Pick ribbon in complementary or matching colors. Ribbon color should match or complement the color of the flowers. Peach and white, green and yellow, red and black, blue and silver, and pink and white are all good color combinations for corsages and garlands.
3. Create bows and ribbon streamers using ribbons made from a material that won't look too gaudy in the floral design. Even with a small width of ribbon, materials like velvet, metallic or large lace can overpower the simplicity of the floral design. Satin, all lace, neutral colored velvet, and silk are good ribbon fabric choices.
4. Make bows that enhance a wearable floral design by not creating a bow wider than the design. Corsage bows should lie nestled under the flowers, and boutonnière bows should be small accents pinned to the stem.
5. Use ribbon on a head garland by creating streamers or a layered bow that hangs down the back. Streamers simply tie to the back of the head garland and flow behind the bride, bridesmaids or flower girl. A layered bow, a bow that consists of two or three different sized and colored bows layered on top of each other, attaches to the back of a head garland with or without bow tails streaming down.

Use Ribbon for Centerpieces

6. Decide what size ribbon you need for a wedding centerpiece based on the size of the floral design. A two to three inch bow is appropriate for a ribbon that wraps around a bowl or vase, while thinner ribbon is necessary for small centerpieces such as votive holders.
7. Pick ribbon color based on the colors of the bridal party and make sure the flowers won't clash with the ribbon.
8. Utilize ribbon within the floral design by tying small ribbons to tall flower stems. You can also shred a metallic or satin ribbon into fine threads, form it into a ball using glue to hold it, and disperse it through a floral design for a snowball effect.

Tips & Warnings

• If you struggle making bows, try using wired ribbon since it shapes easily and holds form well.

Who Can Help:

• Find Decorators & Designers Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.