Wrap Star - A Gift Wrapping Tutorial

I've never been a bridesmaid...can you believe it? I blame it on the fact that I'm an only child, so I don't have any sisters or sisters-in-law that might have felt obligated to include me in their ugly-silk-dress-line-up. I'm also a real bitch, so people aren't lining up to have me be part of their day of love, I guess? However, what I lack in social graces, I more than make up for in gift wrapping, and I feel moderately to quite strongly that more than makes up for it. #amirightladies

So when it was time to ask my bridesmaids to help me get married, I figured I ought to pop the question the way I'd like it asked to me: wrapped in pink and gold tulle and tissue paper!

You won't hear me say this often, but while the outside is incredibly important, it's what's on the inside that really counts. Here's what I loaded up my "Be My Bridesmaid" box with:

Custom-made wedding ring cookies, dusted with edible glitter from Pastries by Randolph in Arlington.

And also the matching bridesmaids dress cookies, cus there was a minimum order. 

I can't even FATHOM a "Be My Bridesmaid" box devoid of a copy of the unrated Bridesmaids movie, starring one Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, featuring the most timeless lady-bonding song of all time, "Hold On," by THE Wilson Phillips, which we sang at the top of our lungs at my bridesmaid Laura's bachelorette last summer...so, ya know, that's in there:

I spotted this loud, fun nail polish with the great name and decided all my girlfriends should have it:

And, if you ask me, it would be irresponsible not to include a little of the ol' liquid courage (a prelude to the bachelorette party). I chose Sweet Tea Vodka since it's delicious and Goldschlager cus it has gold in it!!! I have the logic of a 6-year-old.

The final look before it gets all wrapped up:

I was tremendously pleased with the way the packages turned out and ended up emulating the same concept for some of my Christmas presents, so I thought this was as good a time as any to share the secrets of the wrapping.

You'll need:
- 1 box (I chose white since that's one of my colors)
- Tissue paper (I chose pink and gold, since ya know, those are more of my colors)
- Tulle netting (I chose pink, white, and a white with gold dots)
- tape
- scissors
- stuff to shove in the box
*I purchased the box, tissue paper, and tulles from The Container Store.


Step 1:
Start by trimming the tulle to about 4 times the length of your box (ultimately, you'll tie the ends together in a bow). Then, centering the strip of tulle, tape it to the box. Depending on the width of your tulle, you might need two strips to cover the whole box.

Step 2:
Layer your tissue papers on top of each other (if you're using multiple colors). I wanted the gold paper on top, so I laid that on the bottom and the pink on top (which will eventually be the inside of the package). Then, lay the layered tissue papers into the box, perpendicular to the tulle, lining up the edge of the box with the edge of the tissue paper.

Your tissue paper is probably hanging over one side of the box now, yes? No biggie, just fold the section hanging over the box to the edge of the box so it lays flat in the box, with only the top and bottom hanging over--you want that.

Since I used two colors of tissue paper, I tucked the folded gold paper under the folded pink paper, like so:

You're tissue paper should fit neatly into the box, with the tulle hanging over the opposite sides.

Step 3:
Now you can fill your box:

Then, fold over one edge of the tissue paper on top of the filling.

Repeat with the other side of the tissue paper, tucking under any extra paper:

Step 4:
Now, grab the ends of the tulle and tie them into a bow over the tissue paper:

Step 5:
Place the top of the box back on and use the other tulle to tie another bow around the whole box:

{It's like a present within a present!}

Fluff out the tulle to make the bow fun and pretty. Bestow upon the lucky recipient and soak up the gratitude.

My bridesmaids loved their boxes--at least, the told me they did. I mean, the cookies were awful, but they lied and told me they were delicious anyway. It's those lies-from-the-heart that made me want to choose them to be bridesmaids. And, as much as I don't mean to get sappy, because they're also amazing friends and wonderful people and I don't know why they have anything to do with me. I love you Ashlee, Laura, and Jenna!!!!!

How did you ask your bridesmaids to be in your wedding? How have you been asked to be a bridesmaid?? Did I do a good job? VALIDATE ME!!