How to Make a Topiary Centerpiece for Your Wedding
Decorate the tables at your reception with topiaries decorated in a natural theme. The base of your topiary can be just about anything you like. Traditionally, decorative topiaries have a base of a painted or decorated terracotta pot or some other decorative wide-mouthed pot. When selecting the base of your topiary, keep in mind the balance of the final piece. The base should be sturdy and as close in size to the upper ball area as possible. Your central pole should be three times as long as the height of the base.
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Things You'll Need
- Base container (pot, vase, or other sturdy vessel)
- Plaster of paris
- Sturdy stick or dowel rod
- Styrofoam ball
- Glue (hot glue and white glue)
- Birdseed or dried flowers in colors to match your theme
- Spray fixative
- Moss sheets
- Wire-edged ribbon
Instructions
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1
Paint the base of your topiary. Depending on the theme of your wedding, you may opt to spray paint the topiary bases in metallic gold, or silver or in a coordinating theme color. Paint the inside as well as the outside of the pot, as the inner rim will be visible in the final design.
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2
Seal any drain holes in the pot.
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3
Prepare the plaster of paris as directed on package instructions. Pour the plaster of paris into your pot and immediately set the pole or stick into the center of the pot. Hold the pole in place by placing a book on either side of the pole to support it while the plaster of paris dries.
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4
Prepare the Styrofoam ball by adding a hole at least 2 inches deep that will allow you to insert the ball onto the pole once it is decorated.
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5
Roll your topiary ball in white glue and then in birdseed or crushed dried flowers. Allow the ball to dry fully, then spray a fixative on the ball to ensure your decorations remain on your topiaries.
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6
Coat the top of the pole with hot glue and immediately push the prepared hole in the Styrofoam ball over the stick.
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7
Use hot glue and sheet moss to cover the plaster of paris in the pot.
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8
Cut the ribbon 1 yard long. Tie the ribbon around the pole, and center it horizontally on the pole. Once the bow has been tied, adjust the bow by manipulating the wired ribbon in the shape you desire. Allow the ends of the ribbon to flow freely to the top of the base of your topiary. Trim any excess.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of birdseed, cover the ball in sheet moss adhered with hot glue or white glue. Make several mini dried flower nosegays and attach to the ball in a random pattern. You can even group your nosegays at the top of the ball, and let the dried flowers gently hang down
On the day of the reception, have your assistant place sheet moss in the center of each linen covered table. Place a topiary on top and add a few votive candles around the topiary.
