Creating A Wedding Arch: Diy Round Archway For Your Big Day

A round arch makes a beautiful backdrop for a wedding ceremony, and you can make one yourself with a few simple steps. You can use a range of materials, from PVC pipes to wood, and decorate it with flowers, balloons, or macrame. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a stunning circular arch that will serve as a beautiful focal point for your special day.

Materials needed for a 3.5-foot arch

A 3.5-foot arch is a perfect size for a wedding ceremony, adding elegance and charm to the decor. The materials needed for creating this arch depend on the chosen style and method of construction. Here is a detailed list of materials required for a stunning 3.5-foot wedding arch:

Wood, Metal, or Acrylic:

The primary structural component of your arch can be wooden, metallic, or acrylic. Wooden arches create a warm and natural ambiance, while metal arches exude elegance and sophistication. Acrylic is a good choice for a sleek and contemporary look, especially for modern weddings.

Floral Arrangements and Greenery:

Flowers and greenery are essential for a romantic and natural touch. You can opt for a lush greenery arch adorned with flowers or keep it minimalist with simple greenery, perfect for a modern and elegant look. The number of flowers and type of foliage will depend on the desired density and design of your arch.

Fabric and Ribbons:

Draping fabric and ribbons artistically around the arch enhance its beauty. Choose fabrics that complement your wedding color scheme to add a soft and ethereal touch. Chiffon, in particular, is a popular choice due to its elegance, affordability, and flowy nature.

Fairy Lights and Candles:

Incorporating fairy lights and candles adds a touch of magic and romance to your arch. The warm glow from the lights and the soft flicker of candles create a perfect ambiance for exchanging vows.

Personalized Touches:

Consider adding personalized elements such as signage with your initials or a customized message. These intimate touches reflect your unique style and love story, making the arch even more special.

Stabilizing Materials:

To ensure the arch's stability, you will need weights such as sandbags, bricks, concrete blocks, or metal weights. These materials provide a solid base and strengthen the structure, especially if you're constructing it outdoors.

Assembly Tools:

For assembling the arch, you will need tools such as nails, string, and a pencil to draw and cut out the circular shape. Additionally, consider using zip ties, floral wire, or pipe cleaners to secure any fabric or decorations to the arch.

With these materials and a bit of creativity, you can design a beautiful 3.5-foot arch that will serve as a captivating backdrop for your wedding ceremony.

Making the bending jig

Firstly, gather the necessary tools and materials, including an angle grinder, cutting disk, drill or drill press, magnetic welding square, tape measure, centre punch, pen scriber, clamps or vice grips, and various drill bits, taps, and bolts. The specific measurements and quantities of these materials can be found in online guides.

Next, focus on the preparation of the bushing and pivot set. This involves cutting a piece of stock steel to the required length, marking and cutting the tube, resizing holes, and polishing the rod or axle. Ensure you follow safety precautions during this step.

The third step is to create the bending unit. Utilise a flat bar and drill a hole, tapping the threads and mounting the roller die. The distance between the bolt's head and nut is crucial for the roller to rotate freely. You may need to adjust the number of threads based on the thickness of your base.

The fourth step is to work on the main unit. Cut and guide the tube, marking the centre line for the guides and punching centre points. Drill the holes, cut the pieces to size, and weld them into place.

The final steps involve adding a pivot base, creating a thickness adjuster using bolts and nuts, and, if desired, making an addition guide to double the range of bends.

It is important to note that creating a bending jig requires careful measurements and adjustments. Always refer to detailed guides and plans for specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

Bending the PVC pipe

First, use duct tape to close one end of the 10ft pole. Then, fill the pole with sand, tapping it on the ground to compact the sand as you go. The sand will help you achieve a smooth curve by preventing the pipe from folding or creasing. Once the pole is filled, tape it closed.

Next, you will need a bending jig. On your piece of wood, mark a centre point on one edge. Then, measure and mark out the radius of the circle (21 inches) across the whole board. This line represents the centre of the pole. As the inner diameter of the pole is 3/4 inches thick, you will also need to measure and mark about half an inch on either side of the line. Hammer nails along the inner line, spacing them evenly. The more nails, the smoother the curve. Also, hammer in two nails on the outside line at one end of the board.

Place one end of the pole into the start of the jig, where the two nails are. Using a heat gun, heat up a one-foot section of the PVC pipe, sweeping the gun back and forth to ensure even heating. Once the pipe is soft enough, bend a small section at a time along the inside curve of the nails. The pole should be able to touch the next nail on its own without any pressure. When it does, hammer in a nail on the outside curve to keep the pipe in place. Make sure to keep the pipe flush with the board at all times, or it will warp. Repeat the process of heating, bending, and hammering nails until you reach the end of the board.

Now, shift the pole through the jig by about one foot, so you can heat up the next section. Continue this process until you reach the end of the pole. To retain the shape and integrity of the pole, re-centre it on the jig and heat up as much of it as possible one final time. Then, leave it in the jig to cool for a few hours, ideally 24 hours. Once cool, empty out the sand.

Making the base of the arch

To make the base of the arch, you will need one 2-foot pole and another 2-foot pole. Cut the first 2-foot pole in half, so you have two 1-foot sections. Cut the other 2-foot pole into fourths, so you have four 6-inch sections. You will also need elbow connectors and tee connectors. Attach elbow connectors to both ends of the 1-foot sections. Then, use the tee connectors to join two 6-inch sections together. Connect all the pieces to form a rectangle. This will be the base of your arch.

The base should be sturdy and stable, especially if you plan to decorate the arch with heavy objects. You can weigh down the base with sandbags or attach it to the ground with stakes for added stability. If you're using the arch indoors or on a flat surface, you can also use double-sided tape or command strips to secure the base to the floor.

The size of the base will depend on the size of your arch. For a 3.5-foot arch, a base that is about 1 foot wide is suitable. If you're making a larger arch, you may need to adjust the measurements accordingly to ensure the base can support the arch.

Once you've assembled the base, you can connect it to the arch using the tee connectors. You may need to adjust the angle of the tees to get the arch to fit properly. With a secure base, you can now confidently decorate your arch without worrying about it toppling over.

Completing the arch

Now that you've bent the PVC pipe into a circle and created the base, it's time to put the arch together and add the finishing touches.

To start, connect the arch to the base using the tee connectors. You may need to adjust the angle of the tees slightly to get the arch to fit securely. This will form the basic structure of your wedding arch.

Once the arch and base are connected, it's time to spray paint the entire structure. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area, and follow the instructions on your chosen spray paint for the best results. It's usually a good idea to apply several light coats of paint rather than one heavy coat, waiting 10-15 minutes between coats. Leave the painted arch to dry overnight.

The final step is to decorate your arch! This is where you can get creative and make it your own. You can use balloons, flowers, garlands, macrame, or any other decorations that fit your wedding theme. For a floral arch, attach flowers or greenery by wrapping the stems with wire and securing them to the arch. You can also drape fabric or string lights for a more whimsical look.

Feel free to adapt the size and decorations to fit your specific needs. This arch can be a beautiful backdrop for your wedding ceremony or a romantic photo backdrop for you and your guests.

Frequently asked questions