Wedding Arch Dimensions: Planning The Perfect Archway

Wedding arches are a beautiful addition to any ceremony, adding a personal touch and creating a touching focal point for the happy couple's vows. They can be easily customised to fit the venue and the couple's vision, with endless possibilities for decorations and creative flair. Whether you're looking for a simple and elegant design or something more extravagant and unique, building your own wedding arch is a rewarding project that will surely impress your guests.

Choosing the right materials

When it comes to choosing the right materials for your wedding arch, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, think about the overall style or theme you want to achieve. Are you going for a rustic, elegant, or whimsical look? This will help guide your choice of materials. Here are some common materials used for wedding arches and some tips on how to choose the right ones for your special day.

• Wood: Wood is a popular choice for wedding arches, especially for outdoor or rustic-themed weddings. When selecting wood, consider the type of wood that fits your budget and style. Pressure-treated wood is a good option for outdoor arches as it resists rot and insects. Common types of wood used include cedar, which is naturally bug and rot-resistant, and Douglas fir, which is usually the most affordable option. If you're looking for something more unique, consider using recycled doors, wooden pallets, or old ladders to create your arch.
• Metal: Metal arches are a great choice for a modern or industrial-style wedding. Metal arches can be made from piping, metal shelves, or metal frames. They can be painted or decorated to match your wedding colours and theme.
• Fabric: Fabric is essential for adding texture, colour, and personality to your wedding arch. When choosing fabric, consider lightweight options such as chiffon, organza, or tulle for a soft and flowing look. Sheer fabrics like tulle or voile can create a romantic canopy effect. Experiment with layering different fabrics and textures such as lace, satin, or velvet. Don't be afraid to mix and match—combine solid colours with patterns or florals to add depth and visual interest.
• Flowers: Floral arches are a popular choice for weddings as they create a romantic and high-impact backdrop. When selecting flowers, consider your colour palette, style, and season. Choose flowers that are in season to ensure availability and avoid higher costs. Opt for hardy flowers like snapdragons, lisianthus, or zinnias if your wedding is outdoors during the summer. Attach flowers directly to the arch or use floral fabric with patterns or appliqué fabric flowers.
• Greenery: Greenery is a budget-friendly alternative to flowers and can add a touch of nature to your wedding arch. Consider using pampas grass, which has become increasingly popular, or opt for foliage-based garlands and strings of lights for a whimsical look.
• Decorations: Enhance your wedding arch with decorations such as ribbons, beads, lights, or dangling ornaments. These extra touches will make your arch more personalised and memorable.

Remember to choose materials that reflect your style and theme, and don't be afraid to get creative! With careful planning and selection of materials, you can create a stunning wedding arch that will be the focal point of your ceremony.

Planning the shape

That being said, it's always worth trying to create something unique. Yes, it may be a little more challenging to create a hexagonal arch, but it'll look stunning at your wedding.

The shape of an arch is one of its main features and something that can really set yours apart from the rest. Rectangular structures, which allow both symmetrical and asymmetrical accents to take shape, are the most popular. Other up-and-coming shapes to consider are cathedral styles and geometric ones.

If you're looking to build a more challenging shape, such as a hexagon, you'll need to carefully plan out your cuts. For a hexagon, you'll need to cut six posts of equal length, with the same angle at the end of each. You'll also need to cut six shorter pieces to attach to the tops and bottoms of your posts, creating the hexagonal shape.

Another unique shape to consider is a diamond. This geometric iteration is ideal for modern nuptials and can be engulfed in garlands of greenery for a botanical flair.

Remember to always measure twice, cut once!

Decorations

The fun part about building a wedding arch is that you can decorate it however you like! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Fabric: Drape fabric over the arch, playing around with different colours and textures to match the theme of your wedding. You can also experiment with how you drape the fabric—try gently twirling the fabric up and around each leg, or suspending sheer, flowing fabric from the top of the arch.
• Flowers: Attach flowers and other decorative materials with a hot glue gun or a staple gun, spreading them evenly across the arch. You can coordinate the flowers with the season or theme of the wedding, or opt for eye-catching florals or wispy pampas grass.
• Chiffon drape: For a sense of romance, add a chiffon drape with floral accents arranged asymmetrically.
• Greenery: Adorn the arch with vibrant-hued greenery, such as garlands of foliage, eucalyptus, or Italian ruscus.
• Fairy lights and candles: Infuse the arch with a romantic glow by adding string lights and glowing votive candles.
• Balloons: Create a classic wedding arch by tying balloons to the structure. You can alternate the colours to match your wedding theme.
• Pictures: For a creative touch, hang polaroid pictures from the arch.
• Signage: Include a wedding sign, either fabricated from wood, plastic, or metal, or customised in neon lights. Ensure that the sign is hung high enough so that it isn't blocked from view during the ceremony.
• Ribbons: Tie ribbons to the arch, or use them to hang decorative elements such as dream catchers.
• Mesh: For a modern twist, incorporate mesh into the arch decorations.

Remember to coordinate your arch decorations with the rest of your wedding décor and theme, and ensure that any fabrics, flowers, or ribbons you use complement each other.

Size and scale

The size of your wedding arch is an important consideration. You want to ensure it is the right size for the couple and officiant, and that it will fit in the venue, both in terms of height and width.

If you are building your own arch, it is important to plan and measure carefully. Measure the venue and consider the height of the ceiling, as well as the height of the couple and officiant. You don't want the arch to be so tall that it blocks the view of the couple, but it should be tall enough that it doesn't cut off their heads in photos. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a height of 7-8 feet.

The width of the arch is also important. Some arches are just wide enough to frame the couple, while others are wider to accommodate group photos. If you are having a small, intimate wedding, you don't want the arch to be too wide and overwhelm the space. On the other hand, if you have a large venue with high ceilings, a narrow arch may look out of place.

When building your own arch, it is also important to consider transportation. Make sure the arch can fit in your vehicle and that it is easy to transport, especially if you are having a destination wedding.

Prefabricated arches are a good option if you are not confident in your DIY skills. These arches are designed to be easy to assemble and transport, and they often come with instructions. You can find prefabricated arches at home and garden stores, and they typically range in price from $100 to $250.

Whether you build your own arch or purchase a prefabricated one, make sure to decorate it with fabric, flowers, and other accessories to tie in with the theme of your wedding.

Transporting the arch

Transporting a DIY wedding arch can be a challenging task, but with careful planning and the right tools, it can be done efficiently. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for transporting your wedding arch:

Disassembling the Arch:

Before transporting the arch, it is recommended to disassemble it into smaller parts. Mark the pieces and corresponding connection points to ensure proper reassembly. This will make it more manageable and easier to fit in your vehicle.

Vehicle Selection:

The type of vehicle you choose will depend on the size and number of pieces of your arch. If you have a small car, you may need to disassemble the arch completely. For larger arches, consider renting a cargo van, pickup truck, or a larger moving truck. A cargo van is ideal for transporting fragile decorations and attire, while a pickup truck can accommodate larger items.

Securing the Arch:

When loading the arch into your vehicle, use tie-downs and rub rails to secure the pieces and prevent them from shifting during transport. If you have fragile decorations, such as flower arrangements, keep them upright and consider using moving supplies like a glass pack kit or cushion foam for added protection.

Transporting Other Items:

Don't forget that you may also need to transport other wedding essentials, such as tables, chairs, and decorations. A pickup truck or cargo van can be useful for transporting food, beverages, and cakes. For attire, a cargo van provides an enclosed space to protect garments from dirt and weather conditions.

Reassembling the Arch:

Once you arrive at your destination, carefully unload the arch pieces and reassemble them according to your markings. If you have pre-drilled holes, use a hand screwdriver to secure the pieces together. It is recommended to transport the arch in its disassembled form to avoid any last-minute assembly issues.

Additional Considerations:

If you are transporting the arch over a long distance, consider the weather conditions and protect the arch pieces accordingly. Additionally, if you are transporting other DIY wedding decorations, create an inventory list and pack them safely to avoid damage during transport.

Frequently asked questions