DIY Your Way to This Stunning Paper Peony Bouquet

Updated on 6/14/2016 at 7:15 AM

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Be it a garden party or a wedding, there's no wrong occasion for a gorgeous bouquet of vibrant peonies — especially when that bouquet will last and last for years to come. How, you may be asking yourself, is this possible? Because the bouquet is made of crepe paper! We teamed up with online retailer Paper Mart and Appetite Paper blogger Rachael to bring you this stunning DIY paper bouquet tutorial. "The delicate layers may be intimidating, but paper flowers are actually quite simple," says Rachael. "Remember those skills you mastered in grade school? Safely using scissors, attempting to paint, fringing paper — it all translates into breathtaking paper blooms that even you can't believe you made!" Keep reading for all the DIY instructions.

Gather Supplies

For this DIY, you're going to need crepe paper, floral wire, floral tape, scissors, a glue gun, and glue sticks. And it never hurts to invest in a great paper flower guide like The Coral Charm Peony ($8) from Appetite Paper.

The Coral Charm Peony

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Create the Pieces

"We use simple techniques like cutting, painting, fringing, and folding crepe paper to create the stamen, petals, and buds," explains Rachael. "To save time, fold crepe paper to cut out several pieces at once!"

Assemble the Flowers

"Assemble the pieces using hot glue and watch your paper come to life" exclaims Rachael, who recommends working in stages. "Attach your stamens, move on to the petals, and then the stems." For big bouquets with more than 25 flowers, she recommends you turn it into a party. "Grab some friends, wine, and turn on some Netflix."

Arrange the Stems

When it's time to bring the flowers together in a bouquet, Rachael recommends you secure the wire stems together with a rubber band and then trim them to your preferred length.

Add Preserved Greenery

For a truly dazzling look and pleasant smell, Rachael likes to add preserved greenery within and around the bouquet. "Secure the loose stems with a rubber band and trim," she explains. "My go-to greenery is a variety of eucalyptus. It smells incredible, feels incredible, and moves like the real thing."

Enjoy Indefinitely

From here on out, your bouquet is completely low-maintenance. There's no wilting or watering to worry about! "You can create paper flowers weeks before your wedding, and they will still be rocking it for your big day. Simply store in a cool, dry place and away from the sun to preserve that beautiful color!" says Rachael.