If you are sitting at home right now, wondering what on earth is happening in this topsy-turvy world, you are definitely not alone!
Even if, for lots of us, we need to take special care at the moment and keep our distance, it’s wonderful to get outside in our gardens or go for a walk in the fresh air to see all that nature has to offer. Thank goodness the days are getting longer, the birds are singing, trees are in bud and Spring is definitely on its way. I think we could all do with a little (or a lot!) of love and self-care at the moment in these difficult times. So with this in mind, I thought you might enjoy a lovely little wedding project to brighten up the long days ahead. So, grab a cuppa for a quick five minute read to see whether confetti-making might be something you might like to try...
Why make your own natural confetti?
There are lots of reasons why you might choose to make your own beautiful petal or leaf confetti for your special day. It’s environmentally friendly, completely natural and most importantly, incredibly pretty! Some options require a little more patience and time to make than others (particularly if you decide to grow your own flowers as opposed to buying from a florist or supermarket), but all will save you quite a bit of money against buying confetti online, and the real bonus is you will have created something personal and beautiful (that also smells amazing!) to share on your wedding day.
Floral Confetti
Making your own floral confetti really is so easy and now is the perfect time to plant your borders and pots with some beautiful flowers, or nurture what you already have growing. If you are not able to shop in person at the moment, do have a look at ordering online – Thompson & Morgan for example have some wonderful summer flowering collections (https://www.thompson-morgan.com/).
Roses, delphiniums, larkspur and hydrangeas make perfect confetti, but you really can have a go with anything you love from freesias to pansies and daisies! Delphinium petals are one of my absolute favourites; they look particularly beautiful in wedding photos because they are so weightless and seem to float in the air - simply stunning for that all-important confetti shot.
Just think about the colours you might like in your ‘confetti mix’ and plant accordingly. I have personally found that yellows and light pinks work really well, and lighter coloured delphiniums combined with blue/purple hydrangeas are gorgeous! Red roses are also beautiful, but do bear in mind they can stain clothes if they get a little damp.
You could also ask your friends and family to think about growing and saving their flowers for you. Confetti making is also a great way of making the most of any Mother’s Day, birthday or ‘just because’ bouquets!
How much confetti will I need?
As a guide 20 average size rose heads will provide you with approximately one litre of petal confetti. One litre provides about 10 handfuls or 10 average confetti cones. So for 60 guests you will need 6 litres and for 100 guests 10 litres. If you use smaller flowers such as delphiniums you will need more flowers to make the same quantity. When in doubt, I recommend you go for MORE! If you only have a few cones or handfuls, the wind can easily blow it away without it even falling on you and the best confetti photos are definitely the ones with lots of beautiful free-falling flowers.
How do I make it?
To make in a microwave:
1. Always choose fresh flowers in full bloom, and if cutting from the garden, make sure they are dry and free from morning dew and rain.
2. Discard any petals that are brown on the edges (these tend to go very brown when dried).
3. Pull the petals gently from each stem and place in a single layer on a piece of kitchen roll on a microwaveable plate. Be careful to leave a little space between each petal so they do not stick together when drying.
4. Cover the petals with a second piece of kitchen roll and place in the microwave.
5. Microwave for 30seconds a time, checking every 30 seconds until they feel dry to the touch. Usually in an 800watt microwave, it takes about 1minute 30seconds to make one batch.
To make in your oven:
1. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. As above, remove your petals from each stem and spread them out so they are not touching each other.
3. Cover with a second piece of greaseproof paper, then place in the bottom of a warm oven (100 degrees c) to dry.
4. Keep checking every few minutes to see how dry your petals are. The length of time will depend on how hot your oven is and the petals you have chosen.
To air-dry:
You can of course dry your flowers naturally if you prefer. To do this, simply lay your petals between two pieces of kitchen roll on a sunny windowsill and leave them until they are completely dry. This usually takes between 3-5days.
Once you have your dried petals, simply store in a cool, dry, airtight container and they will last for up to a year. Easy!
Leaf Confetti
Maybe you would prefer to sprinkle an alternative kind of eco-friendly confetti around? Leaf confetti can be absolutely beautiful! It’s not only environmentally friendly, if you pick the right leaves it will smell amazing! Another advantage is the cost. It’s totally free with the exception of any craft punches you choose to buy.
If you have children, it’s also a fantastic and easy way to involve them in crafting for your special day, whilst encouraging them to get outside in the fresh air with you. Time spent together is always super special - especially at the moment when everything can feel so overwhelming. Getting 'back to nature' can be a real tonic for your physical and mental well-being.
How do I make it?
1. Go for a fabulous fresh-air walk and collect a variety of leaves in different shades, colours and textures.
2. Dry your leaves using one of the methods above for flower petals.
3. Purchase mini-heart / star / flower-shaped hole punches from a craft store (you can find these easily online at The Range, or Hobbycraft for example).
4. Round up your wedding help squad and get ready for a hole punching party!
5. Store your leaf confetti in a cool, dry, airtight container until you need it. Mix it with floral confetti or use on its own.
That’s it! A lovely little project to focus on and truly one of the easiest and best penny-saving wedding DIY’s ever!
And don’t forget we have a beautiful confetti hamper for hire, complete with decorative paper cones, floral garlands, love & confetti signs – all ready to top up with your own personal confetti mix! The perfect combination 💕❤️! Pop on through to our stock page to see the hamper and lots of other beautiful wedding props and decorations.
Until next time Lovelies, please stay safe & well...
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