Creating A Wedding Arch With Silk Flower Swags

Creating a silk flower swag for your wedding arch is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your special day. It may seem daunting at first, but with a little patience and creativity, you can achieve your dream aesthetic. The basic steps include choosing a theme and colour palette, assembling your materials, and carefully arranging your flowers and greenery to form a beautiful swag that will be the perfect backdrop for your ceremony.

Pick your theme

Picking your theme is the most important step when creating a silk flower swag for your wedding arch. The flowers you choose will create a completely different vibe, so it's crucial to select colours and styles that complement your wedding's overall theme and aesthetic.

For example, the flower choices for a forest or natural-themed wedding would differ significantly from a traditional white wedding. If you're having a beach wedding, you might want to use flowers native to that environment, such as incorporating eucalyptus with roses and hydrangeas. You could also include beach-inspired elements like pebbles, shells, and starfish for a natural, coastal look.

In addition to the types of flowers, you should also consider the style you want to achieve. Do you prefer a messy, natural look, or something more traditional and modern?

When selecting your flowers, keep in mind that certain flowers, like roses, may need to be de-thorned to protect the foam and prevent injuries. Additionally, consider using a combination of fresh and artificial flowers to create a long-lasting arrangement that won't wither or cause allergies.

Start with your greens

Now that you've picked your theme, it's time to start crafting your silk flower swag. Every piece of floral swag needs greens—they're the framework for your design. These usually come in the form of leaves, but can also be various flowers that are predominantly green. Think ferns.

Get your greens ready by cutting them to different lengths—this will make your swag look more natural. A good rule of thumb is to keep the greens relatively long on the sides and shorten them at the top and bottom. Angle the greens forward as you work your way to the middle of the foam and be sure to add different shades and types of green for a more varied look.

When placing your greens in the oasis tub, it's important to visualise your desired shape. If you're going for a diamond shape, for example, start by creating the top and bottom boundaries and the sides. Then, add your greens to the foam block from the top, sides, and all angles, alternating the point of entry to create a grid pattern that will help hold everything in place. You can secure the greens with wire stems or glue.

If you're using a chicken wire/foam base, wrap the chicken wire around the foam block first and cut it to size. Then, secure the chicken wire together with twine. You can also use chicken wire to help secure your greens and flowers in place.

Add the flowers

Now it's time to add your flowers! This will depend on the type of flowers you've chosen, but you'll want to make sure they're wired and taped if they don't have long stems. If you're using roses, remember to de-thorn them first. You don't want to ruin your foam or risk hurting yourself!

Add your filler flowers into your oasis, imitating the angles of the greenery. These will be the centrepiece of your swag. Make sure to shorten the flowers in the centre to create that desired enclosed look.

If you're using sunflowers as your main flower, add 2-3 stems in the centre of your swag, and layer the rest of your flowers around them. You can also add hints of other flowers, like ivory roses in varying sizes, and fillers such as daisies and white baby's breath for variety and depth.

If you're using wood flowers, paint them first and let them dry. Then, dab a little hot glue on the back and add an 18-gauge floral wire stem. Add your largest flowers first, keeping them mostly in the middle but with some space around them for smaller blooms to fill in.

Add your medium-sized flowers next, again keeping them mainly in the centre but with some around the edges. Finally, add your smallest flowers, scattering them throughout the swag.

Complete your design

Now for the fun part! It's time to complete your design. This is where you get to be creative and experiment with different colours and designs to see what works best with your chosen flowers and aesthetic.

Remember, this may take a few tries to perfect, but it's worth it to get that professional look. You want everything to be just right for your big day.

If you're happy with your design, it's time to add some sealant to ensure your creation stands the test of time. You can also add some glitter or ribbons at this stage, or anything else that you think will make it perfect for you and your wedding.

Finally, you'll need to attach your floral swag to your arch. These pieces usually work best in the corners of wedding arches, so bear that in mind when deciding on placement.

Finishing touches

Now for the finishing touches! Sealant is essential to ensure your floral swag lasts. You can also add glitter or ribbons to make it perfect for your big day. Floral swag works best in the corners of wedding arches, so keep that in mind when attaching it.

If you're happy with your design, it's time to think about how you'll display it. If you're planning to hang it on a wall, command strip hooks or nails will do the trick. For a decorative arch at an event, zip ties can be used to secure it around a wooden or metal post.

• Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different shapes and forms, such as symmetrical or asymmetrical designs. You can choose a style that fits the theme of your wedding.
• Opt for high-quality, durable floral swag that will last throughout your celebration. This is especially important if you plan to repurpose the arch for your reception.
• Ensure your floral swag complements the look and feel of your venue to create a cohesive and elegant atmosphere.
• Consider using flowers that are in season, as they will be more vibrant and long-lasting. They will also blend in seamlessly with the scenery for better photographs.

Frequently asked questions