DIY Butterfly Installation (Wedding Decor)

Are you having a dreamy, ethereal style wedding? If so why not WOW your guests with this simple yet gorgeous butterfly display???

Imagine it hanging over your wedding cake, or better yet your receiving line! This project costs less than 20 dollars to create, and making it would make a wonderful bridal shower activity! Let's get started!

Step 1: You Will Need

• Several shades of card-stock paper (whatever color you choose)
• Black marker
• Fishing Line
• Shimmery eye shadow
• Spray paint in whatever color your ceiling is
• Hot glue gun and sticks
• Ceiling eye hooks
* Varying sizes butterfly template

Step 2: Decide on Your Size and Shape

First, figure out how large and what shape you want your swarm to be.

Then draw out a basic blue print.

I chose 300 butterflies, and a crescent shape.

My swarm is 8 feet by 3 feet, but tapered to one foot on each end.

Once you know how large you want your swarm to be, you can start making butterflies.

Step 3: Print and Cut Out Your Butterflies

Start making your butterflies.

You can purchase pre-made ones, but that can get costly, and it’s hard to find varying sizes.

Print your butterflies on several shades of whatever color paper you choose.

The different shades will bring realism and dimension to the piece.

Cut them out, and sort them by size and color to keep things organized.

Step 4: Embellish Your Butterflies

Once you have your butterflies printed and cut out, put the finishing touches on them by adding black outlines and filling in the bodies. You can use black markers, or felt tipped pens.

Then add a little shimmer to several of the butterflies using a cheap shimmery eye-shadow.

Step 5: Stringing Up Your Butterflies

When your butterflies are finished, begin stringing them on lines of clear fishing line.

Using a large needle, sting the butterflies through their middle, one by one.

Use a dab of hot glue to secure each one. Make long and short strands, depending on how you want your swarm to look.

I chose shorter strands for the outside edges, and longer strands for the middle. Be sure to leave enough fishing line on the top of the strand to hang and tie at your desired length.

(Set a few single butterflies aside to use free standing)

Step 6: Ceiling Structure

When your strands are finished, make your ceiling structure using your blue print.

Start by spray painting your eye-hooks whatever the ceiling color is, so they blend in with the ceiling. Then space the eye hooks apart as desired, and tie a strand of fishing line from one end to the other.

NOTE

Make sure you can hang decor from your venue. Although most wedding venues will allow you to hang things from the ceiling, some do not.

Step 7:

Repeat this process until you have your ceiling structure in place.

Then start hanging your strands of butterflies.

The black lines represent the fishing line on the structure, and the white lines represent the fishing line on the strands.

The great thing about this decor, is that the fishing line practically disappears, giving a magical look.

Step 8: Decorate With Extra Butterflies

once you’ve hung all your strands, add some dimension to the swarm by placing free standing butterflies on the walls surrounding your swarm, and even throughout the room. Maybe even in the hair, or on the dress of the bride!