A wedding is not decided ribbon by ribbon. You set the palette first, then the materials, then the widths. Ribbon comes last, once everything else is settled. The most common mistake is ordering the invitations before touching the satin.
Invitations
An invitation is tied in 10 mm or 15 mm. Below that, the knot disappears on thick paper; above it, the knot crushes the typography. Count 30 to 35 cm of ribbon per invitation, depending on the size of the knot.
One hundred invitations need about 35 metres. Satin 15 mm ivory (ref. 80239, 11.90 € per 100 m) is the safe choice. Satin 15 mm old rose (ref. 80262) and satin 15 mm gold (ref. 80257) play the accent, on one line of the stationery only. A 100 m roll covers around two hundred and eighty pieces: it is the better buy if you are unsure about quantities.
The table
Satin 25 mm and satin 40 mm are table widths. A napkin takes 1.20 m of ribbon: one flat knot, two tails, nothing more. One hundred napkins means 120 metres, so two 100 m rolls of satin 25 mm (ref. 80161, 16.60 € per roll).
A table runner is made of 300 mm jute (ref. 250151, 4.60 € for 5 m) or 40 mm satin sand (ref. 80173, 23.80 € per 100 m). It is cut to the length of the table, no hem. On a 2.50 m table, count 3 m of jute so the ends can fall over the edge.
The bouquet
The bride's bouquet is bound in 40 mm sisal (ref. 4020, 2.90 € for 25 m) or wide organza (ref. L8, 69 mm, 5.40 € for 25 m). Count one metre for the turn around the bouquet and the fall of the tails. 5 mm raffia (ref. BR0007, 9.80 € for 200 m) binds the stems before the finishing ribbon, or works alone for a country bouquet.
The workshop rule: the width of the bouquet ribbon follows the bouquet, never the dress. A 20 cm bouquet carries 40 mm; a 30 cm bouquet carries 69 mm.
The arch and the ceremony
69 mm organza (ref. L8) is the material for arches: light, moving, and it does not weigh on the wood. Eight to ten metres drape a simple arch, more if the ribbon spirals. 300 mm jute can double the organza on a rustic arch, but never on a flowered one.
Costing before ordering
For a wedding of one hundred guests, with invitations, napkins, one bouquet and a simple arch, count around 55 € of ribbon: one 100 m roll of satin 15 mm ivory (11.90 €), two rolls of satin 25 mm (33.20 €), one roll of 40 mm sisal (2.90 €), 10 m of 69 mm organza (about 2.20 €) and 3 m of 300 mm jute (2.80 €), which is a little over 0.50 € per guest.
Order the sample box at 6.90 € before you commit to the palette. The amount is deducted from your first order. Then order the rolls two to three weeks before the day, not six months before: satin marks when it waits.
