Create A Wedding Garland With Greenery: A Step-By-Step Guide

Greenery garlands are a beautiful addition to any wedding, and can be used to decorate tables, doorways, or anywhere else that could use a pop of colour. They are also surprisingly easy to make yourself, and can be very cost-effective. You can use a variety of greens, such as eucalyptus, laurel, or magnolia, and add in fresh flowers for a pop of colour. To make a greenery garland, first cut your greenery into different-sized stems and sort them into groups. Then, create bundles of stems and attach them together with wire or floral tape, overlapping the bundles to cover the wire and stems. Continue this process until you reach your desired length, then finish by wrapping the wire around the stems and tucking in any loose ends.

Choosing your greenery

Choosing the right greenery is essential for creating a beautiful garland for your wedding. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you select the perfect foliage:

Variety of Greenery

When creating a greenery garland, it's best to use a variety of different types of foliage to add texture and visual interest. You can mix and match different types of greens, such as salal, ruscus, eucalyptus, plumosus, laurel, magnolia, and more. Combining several varieties will give your garland a lush and vibrant look.

Fresh vs. Dried Greenery

If you want your garland to last for a while, consider using fresh greenery that dries well. This way, you can enjoy it beyond your wedding day. Some types of greenery that dry nicely include silver dollar eucalyptus, seeded eucalyptus, baby eucalyptus, boxwood, lemon leaves, myrtle, and ruscus. Dried or faux garlands can also be enhanced by inserting sprigs of live greenery to make them look fuller and more vibrant.

Colour and Theme

When choosing your greenery, consider the colour scheme and theme of your wedding. For example, if you're going for a rustic chic theme, a combination of different greens with some baby's breath or statice flowers might complement your decor. You can also add a pop of colour by incorporating flowers that dry well, such as roses, gomphrena, lavender, or celosia.

Availability and Cost

Some types of greenery may be more readily available or cost-effective depending on the season and your location. For example, eucalyptus is often mentioned as an affordable and versatile option for garlands. You can purchase greenery from your local florist, grocery store, or online suppliers.

Longevity

If you're creating your garland ahead of time, consider the longevity of the greenery. Fresh greenery can usually last for 2-5 days, but you can extend its life by misting it and keeping it in a cool environment. If you're making your garland the day before or on the day of your wedding, consider using evergreens such as pine, cedar, boxwood, magnolia, or spruce for a longer-lasting arrangement.

Remember to embrace the natural look of the greenery and don't worry too much about imperfections. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to choosing the perfect foliage for your wedding garland!

Preparing your greenery

The first step in making a greenery garland is to gather your greenery. You can purchase 2-3 varieties of greenery from your local florist or grocery store. Silver dollar eucalyptus, seeded eucalyptus, baby eucalyptus, boxwood, lemon leaves, myrtle, and ruscus are all great options that will dry nicely. If you want to add some colour, consider incorporating flowers such as roses, gomphrena, statice, baby's breath, lavender, and/or celosia.

Once you have your greenery, start sorting it by type and length. Cut off any bad leaves and create small bunches of 2-3 stems of various lengths and varieties. You can also cut the greenery to make 3 different-sized stems and sort them into groups of long, medium, and short lengths.

If you are using eucalyptus, cut all the greenery into 8-inch pieces and separate them into piles for easy assembly. You can also try integrating different types of greens such as salal, ruscus, or eucalyptus to create the ideal accent.

Gathering your tools

Before you start making your wedding greenery garland, you'll need to gather your tools and materials. Here's a list of what you'll need:

• Greenery: You can use a variety of greens such as eucalyptus, salal, ruscus, plumosus, laurel, magnolia, or other fresh greenery. You can purchase these from your local florist, grocery store, or online. It's a good idea to get 2-3 different varieties of greenery to add texture and visual interest to your garland.
• Floral Wire: You'll need a roll of floral wire to bind the stems of the greenery together.
• String/Twine: Get some sturdy string or twine that will serve as the backbone of your garland. Cut it to the desired length of your finished garland.
• Wire Cutters/Scissors: You'll need wire cutters or scissors to cut the floral wire and, if needed, to trim the greenery stems.
• Optional: Floral Tape: Green floral tape can be used instead of wire to bind the stems together for a more discreet finish.

Once you have all your materials, you can start preparing your workspace. Cut your greenery into stems of various lengths—long, medium, and short. Having different lengths will give your garland a more natural and whimsical look. Remove any bad leaves and sort the stems by type and length. Now you're ready to start assembling your greenery garland!

Assembling the garland

To assemble the garland, you will need greenery, string (preferably twine), scissors or wire cutters, and floral wire or green floral tape.

First, cut the greenery into 8-inch pieces or into long, medium, and short stems. Then, make small bunches of greenery, with each bunch containing 2-3 stems of varying lengths.

Next, lay out your string on a flat surface, cutting it to the desired length of the finished garland. If you want to hang the garland, tie loops at each end of the twine.

Now, it's time to attach the greenery bunches to the string. Take one bunch at a time and secure it to the string with wire, ensuring you do not cut the wire after each bunch. Place each new bunch halfway down the previous one, covering the stems and wrapping the wire around the stems and string as you work. Continue this process, switching the direction of the stems about 3/4 of the way through to create a nice finish at both ends of the garland.

Finally, when you've reached your desired length, wrap the wire a few extra times, cut it, and tuck in any loose pieces to hide the stems. You can adjust the thickness of your garland by using more or fewer stems in each bunch.

Displaying your garland

Now that you've crafted your beautiful greenery garland, it's time to display it! Here are some ideas and tips for showcasing your creation at your wedding:

Table Display

Greenery garlands make stunning table runners, adding a rustic or elegant charm to your wedding tables. Place the garland down the centre of a long table, or across a few tables to create a cohesive look. If you want to add a pop of colour, tuck in some fresh flowers that complement your wedding colour palette. You can also add in some candles or other small decorations among the garland to create a unique tablescape.

Mantel or Doorway Display

Hang your garland from a mantel or drape it above a doorway to create a beautiful backdrop. This is a great way to showcase your garland and make a statement. You can also intertwine some fairy lights within the garland to make it more eye-catching, especially for evening receptions.

Multi-Purpose Use

To get the most out of your garlands, consider using them for multiple purposes. For example, you can drape them over pews or chairs during the ceremony, and then repurpose them as table runners or backdrop decorations at the reception. This will not only save you money but also create a consistent theme throughout your wedding.

Freshness Tips

To ensure your garland stays fresh, it's best to make it the day before or on the day of your wedding. Keep it in a cool place and mist it with water to extend its lifespan. If you plan to keep the garland on display for an extended period, store some extra greenery in the refrigerator to replace any pieces that may start to wilt.

Your DIY greenery garland will undoubtedly add a special touch to your wedding décor. Whether displayed on tables, hung from mantels, or used in multiple ways, it will surely impress your guests and create lasting memories.

Frequently asked questions