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

A floral arch is a beautiful addition to a wedding ceremony, providing a stunning backdrop for the happy couple to exchange their vows. Creating a DIY flower arch is a budget-friendly way to add a unique and personal touch to your special day. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making your own floral arch, from choosing the right materials to assembling and decorating the arch. We will also offer tips and tricks to ensure your arch is sturdy, visually appealing, and complements your wedding theme.

Prepare the mechanics: Wear gloves and cover the arch with chicken wire, securing it with zip ties

When preparing the mechanics for your flower arch, it is important to wear gloves to protect your hands. Chicken wire is sharp and can cause injury if handled without protection. Begin by wrapping the chicken wire around the arch, ensuring that it is fully covered. This creates a grid for your stems to stay in place. Secure the chicken wire to the arch with zip ties. Make sure there are no sharp edges of wire protruding. You can purchase chicken wire and zip ties from Amazon, which tend to come in large quantities, so you will likely have some leftover for future projects.

Once the arch is covered in chicken wire, you can start adding the greenery. This will help to cover the mechanics of the zip ties and wire.

Cover mechanics with foliage: Use large leafy greens like ficus or smilax to conceal the mechanics

When creating a flower arch for a wedding, it's important to pay attention to the mechanics of the structure and use foliage to conceal them. This is where large leafy greens like ficus or smilax come into play.

Ficus, also known as fig leaves, can be cut into smaller pieces and used as a base layer for your flower arch. With its large, shiny, dark green leaves, ficus adds a refined and elegant touch to your arrangement. You will need around six ficus stems for a 24" long arch piece.

Smilax, on the other hand, is a troublesome weed that can be difficult to control. However, it is often used in floral installations due to its ability to easily cover large areas with its massive vines. A single box of Smilax typically contains 10 large stems, and it can cost anywhere from $150 to $300 wholesale.

When using these large leafy greens, it's important to cut them into smaller pieces and create a base layer for your arch. You can also add additional pieces to give your arch shape and movement. Remember to vary the height and angle of each stem to create visual interest.

By using these tips and tricks, you can effectively cover the mechanics of your flower arch and create a beautiful, natural-looking structure for your wedding ceremony.

Add flowers: Insert flowers into the gaps, creating an asymmetrical design with different flower types and colours

Now it's time to add the flowers to your arch. This is when your unique style and vision can really shine through. Grab your flower box sets and begin inserting flowers into the gaps, creating an asymmetrical design with different flower types and colours. You can either create clusters of the same flower types or spread each flower type evenly throughout the arch. The same goes for flowers of different colours. It's up to you!

Be careful not to make the two sides of your arch too symmetrical. Each side should complement the other without looking identical. Don't be afraid to play with different positions for your flowers. You can adjust the stems to face your flowers at different angles.

If you're using real flowers, it's a good idea to have some backup flowers just in case. This will give you more time for other projects on the day, and less stress about how it should look.

If you're using artificial flowers, you can paint them beforehand to ensure that the piece looks natural and has a good flow. Make sure you have a variety of sizes in each of the colours. Once the wood flowers are dry, dab a little hot glue on the back and add in your floral wire stem.

Your arch is almost complete! Once you've arranged all the flowers and greenery to your liking, it's time to add the finishing touches.

Add finishing touches: Insert the longest branches near the base, and add ribbons or bows

Your wedding arch is almost complete! Now it's time to add the final touches to your floral masterpiece. Here are some detailed instructions to help you finish your arch with style:

Insert the Longest Branches Near the Base:

• Once you're happy with the arrangement of flowers and greenery, it's time to add those longest branches you've been saving. Place them near the base of your arch, ensuring they complement rather than overwhelm the overall design.
• The longest branches of greenery will help create a sense of depth and balance to your arch. Insert them at a slight angle, giving the illusion of natural growth from the base.

Add Ribbons or Bows:

• To complete the look, you can tie ribbons or bows that match the colour scheme of your flowers. This is a great way to add a whimsical and romantic touch to your arch.
• Feel free to get creative with the ribbons or bows. You can use a single, long ribbon draped elegantly across the arch or multiple ribbons tied in bows at various points. You can also mix and match colours to create a vibrant, festive feel.
• If you prefer a more subtle approach, opt for neutral-coloured ribbons or those that match your wedding theme. You can even use ribbons with delicate patterns or textures to add a touch of sophistication.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to designing your wedding arch. Let your creativity and unique style guide you as you add these finishing touches. The most important thing is that your arch reflects your vision and makes your special day even more memorable.

Enjoy your beautiful DIY floral arch, and don't forget to capture lots of photos in front of it!

Clean up: Lay a tarp underneath to make cleaning up stray stems and foliage easier

Laying a tarp underneath your work area is a simple yet effective way to make cleaning up stray stems and foliage easier when creating a flower arch for a wedding. This way, you can simply roll up the tarp and sweep up any remaining bits and pieces. This will save you time and effort, so you can focus on bringing your floral vision to life.

It is also a good idea to keep a bin or bag nearby to dispose of any waste while you work. This will help you maintain a tidy workspace and make the overall clean-up process faster and more efficient.

Additionally, consider wearing gloves while creating your flower arch, especially when working with chicken wire, to protect your hands from scratches and sharp edges. This will make it more comfortable to handle the various materials and make the clean-up process safer and more straightforward.

By taking these precautions, you can ensure that the clean-up process is well-managed and that your workspace remains safe and organised throughout the creation of your wedding flower arch.

Frequently asked questions