Creating A Wedding Floral Arch: A Step-By-Step Guide

A floral arch is a stunning centrepiece for a wedding ceremony, providing a beautiful backdrop for the happy couple to exchange their vows. Whether you're looking for a DIY project or planning to enlist the help of a florist, creating a floral arch involves several key steps. Firstly, you'll need to build or purchase an arch structure, which can be made from materials like wood or metal. Then, you'll cover the arch with chicken wire, which serves as a base for your flowers and greenery. The next step is to add the greenery, creating a lush foundation for your floral arrangements. Finally, you'll add the flowers, playing with different colours, sizes, and varieties to create a stunning display. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can design a breathtaking floral arch that will elevate your wedding décor and create lasting memories.

Prepare the arch's mechanics by wrapping chicken wire around it

To prepare the mechanics of your arch, you'll need to wrap chicken wire around it. This will create a grid that holds your stems in place. Start by wearing gloves—chicken wire can be sharp! Then, take your chicken wire and wrap it around both pieces of the arch, securing it with zip ties. Make sure the arch is fully covered. You can buy chicken wire and zip ties online or at a hardware store.

It's important to have sturdy mechanics for your arch, especially if you're using real flowers. Real flowers can be heavier than artificial ones, so a strong structure is key. If you're using an arch with two pieces, wrap each piece individually before joining them together. This will make it easier to transport and set up.

If you're using an alternative structure, like a wooden hexagonal arch, you can still use chicken wire as your base. First, create a form with floral foam bricks. Line them up and wrap them in chicken wire to hold them together. You can then attach this form to your arch with zip ties.

Once your arch mechanics are prepared, you can start adding your foliage and flowers. Chicken wire provides a great base for your stems to stay put, even in windy conditions. So, whether you're using real or artificial flowers, wrapping your arch with chicken wire is a great way to ensure your floral arch is both beautiful and secure.

Cover the mechanics with foliage

Covering the mechanics of your arch with foliage is an important step to create a seamless, natural look. This is your chance to be creative and bring your vision to life.

Firstly, you'll want to use a generous amount of foliage to cover the zip ties and chicken wire. This will ensure that the mechanics of the arch are completely hidden from view. For an 8-foot arch, you may need up to four bags of foliage, and for a 6-foot arch, around three bags. The type of foliage you choose is up to you, but it should be something that can easily wrap around the arch and cover any exposed areas.

Once you've selected your foliage, you can start to cover the arch. Begin at the bottom and work your way up, inserting the leaves at a 30 to 45-degree angle to create the illusion that the foliage is growing naturally from the base. As you work your way up the arch, use your best judgment to create a cohesive and blended look. If you're using multiple types of foliage, try to distribute them evenly for a consistent look.

Don't forget to pay extra attention to the base of the arch, where the foliage should be the fullest. This will help to conceal any exposed floral mud or wire. It's okay to leave a few small gaps, as these can be filled in with flowers later.

If you're using an arch with vases, you can arrange the stems and branches of foliage in the vases to conceal the mechanics. Be mindful of the stem lengths, and utilise the blooms in the lower vases to hide the bottoms of the vases above them. You can also arrange some of the botanicals downward to camouflage the vases below.

Add flowers to the arch

Now that the base of your arch is ready, it's time to add the flowers. You can use fresh flowers, but if you want the arch to last longer, you might want to opt for faux flowers. Sola wood flowers are a popular choice for DIY wedding arches. You can paint them with craft acrylic paint to create your desired colour palette.

Before adding the flowers, you might want to cover the mechanics of the arch with greenery. This will help to conceal the zip ties and chicken wire. You can use a variety of greenery, such as ficus or seeded eucalyptus, to create a full and natural look. If you're using a large arch, you'll need plenty of greenery to cover it. For example, for a 24" long arch, you'll need around 6 stems of ficus. Smilax is another good option for greenery, and it can easily wrap around the arch.

Once you're happy with the greenery, it's time to add the flowers. You can use different types and sizes of flowers to create a natural and varied look. Start by adding the largest flowers, placing them mostly in the middle but with some towards the edges to create a sense of openness. Then, add the medium-sized flowers, again, concentrating on the centre but sprinkling some towards the outer areas. Finally, add the smallest flowers, placing many of them at the edges but also scattering some throughout the entire arch. You can also add some dried baby's breath or other textured elements to bring the design together.

When adding the flowers, be careful not to make both sides of the arch too symmetrical. Each side should complement the other without being identical. Play around with different positions and angles for the flowers to create a unique and organic look.

Use glue to secure flowers and foliage

Using glue is a great way to secure flowers and foliage to your wedding arch. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and secure floral display:

Choose the Right Glue

Select a strong, fast-drying glue suitable for floral arrangements and the material of your arch. Hot glue is a popular choice for many DIY floral projects.

Prepare Your Flowers and Foliage

Before gluing, decide on the arrangement of your flowers and foliage. Cut the stems to the desired length, and ensure they are clean and dry. If you are using fresh flowers, remove any leaves that will be submerged in the glue to prevent rotting.

Apply Glue to the Stems

Coat the stems of your flowers and foliage with a generous amount of glue. You can use a glue gun or a suitable adhesive. Work with one stem at a time to prevent the glue from drying out.

Attach the Flowers and Foliage

Press and hold each stem onto the arch in your desired location until the glue sets. Start with the larger flowers and foliage to create a base, then fill in the gaps with smaller pieces. Avoid making the two sides of the arch too symmetrical; instead, aim for a complementary look.

Secure the Longest Branches Near the Base

Once you're happy with your arrangement, add the longest branches near the base of the arch. Ensure they are securely glued and avoid making them too symmetrical.

Finishing Touches

You can add ribbons or bows to complete your arch, choosing colours that match your flowers. Get creative and add any other decorations that fit your wedding theme and style.

Finish with ribbons or bows

Ribbons or bows are a great way to finish off your wedding arch. They can be used to add a pop of colour, texture, or a personal touch to your arch. When choosing ribbons, consider the overall theme of your wedding and try to incorporate it into your arch design. For example, if you are having a beach-themed wedding, you could use ribbons in shades of blue and green to evoke the ocean and foliage.

If you want to create a formal look, use ribbons that match the colour of your flowers. This will create a sophisticated and cohesive aesthetic. You can also play around with different types and widths of ribbons to add texture and depth to your arch. Layering ribbons of different colours and textures, such as satin or grosgrain, can also create a beautiful effect.

Ribbons can be tied in bows or draped around the arch. If you want to create a sense of movement and fluidity, try draping the ribbons in a way that complements the shape of your arch. You can also use ribbons to add accents such as bows or streamers. Bows can be placed symmetrically or asymmetrically, depending on your preference and the overall look you are trying to achieve.

Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different types of ribbons and ways of tying them. You can also incorporate other elements, such as flowers or branches, into your ribbon design. The possibilities are endless, so have fun and let your imagination run wild!

Frequently asked questions