Creating A Wedding Sign Swag: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding swag is a popular decoration for weddings, often used to adorn archways, doors, and tables. It can be made from fresh or artificial flowers and greenery, and is a great way to add a personal touch to your big day. You can either make your own wedding swag or purchase pre-made options from sites like Etsy and Amazon. If you're crafty and want to save some money, making your own swag is a good option. It's important to choose flowers and colours that match your wedding theme and aesthetic. You'll also need some essential supplies like florist gauge wire, an oasis cage, and flower adhesive.

Picking a theme

For example, a forest or natural-themed wedding would have a completely different selection of flowers to a traditional white wedding. A natural theme might feature flowers in earthy tones, such as dusty rose, sage, eucalyptus, and blush, with lots of green foliage. Whereas a traditional white wedding might feature a white rose swag with greenery, or a swag made from white peonies, eucalyptus, and dahlias.

If you are having a beach wedding, you could opt for flowers that are native to the beach, and incorporate pebbles, shells, and starfish into the design. For a wedding with a rustic theme, sunflowers, peonies, and roses in warm colours like pink, blue, and champagne might be a good choice.

Remember, your wedding is an extension of you and your soon-to-be spouse. This is the time to showcase your unique styles, tastes, and personalities.

Choosing and arranging greens

Types of Greenery

When selecting greenery for your wedding sign swag, you have various options to choose from. Here are some popular choices:

• Ferns: Ferns offer a lush and green appearance with a variety of shapes and sizes. They add fullness and texture to your arrangement.
• Ivy: Ivy is a versatile choice, suitable for both formal and informal arrangements. Its cascading nature makes it ideal for hanging decorations.
• Palm Leaves: Large and dramatic, palm leaves are perfect for creating a tropical theme.
• Ruscus: With its deep green colour and leathery texture, ruscus is often used as filler in arrangements, adding interest and dimension.

Visual Impact

Adding greenery to your wedding sign swag is not just about aesthetics but also symbolism. Consider the following:

• Ivy: Represents fidelity and friendship.
• Evergreens: Symbolise eternal life and strength.

Greenery also enhances the visual appeal of your arrangement by:

• Adding Texture: Greenery fills empty spaces and creates a textured backdrop for your flowers, making their colours pop.
• Contrast: Matte leaves provide contrast to shiny blooms, while textured leaves elevate simple arrangements.

Arrangement Tips

When creating your wedding sign swag, keep these tips in mind:

• Size and Scale: Consider the overall size of your arrangement. Taller greenery draws the eye upward, while shorter plants create a sense of fullness and depth.
• Colour and Texture: Play with colour and texture to create visual interest. Matte leaves against shiny blooms or textured leaves in simple arrangements.
• Seasonality: Use seasonal greenery to add a touch of realism. Non-seasonal plants may look out of place.
• Backdrops and Arches: Greenery backdrops and arches are perfect for photos and elegant decorations. You can also incorporate a customised neon sign for a trendy touch.
• Table Centerpieces: Greenery is essential for centrepieces and bouquets, adding a natural touch to your tables.

Care Instructions

To ensure your greenery stays fresh and beautiful, follow these simple care tips:

• Hydration: Place your greenery in water as soon as you receive them. Keep the water clean and change it every 24 hours, especially when it looks cloudy.
• Foliage Care: Avoid letting the foliage touch the water to prevent bacteria growth.
• Trimming: Cut 1/4 inch off the stem bottoms before placing them in water to promote healthy growth and prevent drying out.

Adding flowers

Pick Your Flowers:

Decide on the types of flowers you want to use. Fresh or artificial flowers can be used, but if you're going for a natural, forest-themed wedding, opt for fresh flowers. On the other hand, artificial flowers are a great choice if you want something that will last and are perfect for a modern or timeless romance theme.

Prepare Your Flowers:

If you're using artificial flowers, you might need to assemble them. Some come with easy cable ties and metal clips, while others might require a bit more work. If you're using fresh flowers, make sure to cut the stems to the appropriate length and remove any thorns, especially from roses, to avoid any accidents.

Start with a Filler:

Begin by adding a filler flower or a large leafy green like ficus to your swag. This creates a base layer and helps define the shape of your arrangement. You can use florist gauge wire to secure the filler, and don't be afraid to add plenty, as these swags can hold a lot of greenery and flowers.

Add Interest with Variety:

Incorporate different types of flowers and greenery to create interest and texture. For example, seeded eucalyptus adds darker leaves and pops of colour, while metallics bring a trendy, modern touch. You can even spray paint some faux fillers in metallic shades to create your own unique accents.

Create a Focal Point:

When adding your flowers, try to create a natural flow and avoid concentrating them in one area. Add the largest blooms first, placing them mostly in the middle but also sprinkling them to the sides. Then, fill in the gaps with medium-sized flowers, and finally, add the smallest blooms to the edges and any remaining spaces.

Finish with Embellishments:

To complete your floral swag, consider adding embellishments like dried baby's breath for extra texture. You can also add glitter or ribbons to make it perfectly suited to your special day.

Attach Your Swag:

Finally, you'll need to attach your floral swag to the wedding sign. You can use zip ties, command strips, or nails, depending on the surface you're attaching it to.

Remember, it might take a few tries to perfect your floral swag, so don't be afraid to experiment and have fun creating a beautiful addition to your wedding décor.

Finalising the design

Pick a Theme

Decide on the overall theme and colour palette for your wedding swag sign. Choose flowers and colours that match your wedding theme and aesthetic. For example, if you're having a forest or natural-themed wedding, select flowers and greenery in earthy tones. In contrast, a traditional white wedding might call for a more classic flower choice such as roses or peonies.

Greens First

When creating your swag, start by adding the greenery first. This will form the framework for your design. Use different types of leaves and green flowers to add texture and variation. Place the greens at different lengths and angles in your oasis tub to create a natural, messy look. Shorten the greens at the top and bottom, keeping them longer on the sides. Angle the greens forward as you work your way to the middle.

Add the Flowers

Now, it's time to add your chosen flowers. These will be the focal point of your swag, so choose flowers that stand out. Place the flowers at different angles and heights to create a natural, organic look. For flowers with shorter stems, use tape and wire to secure them discreetly. If you're using roses, remember to remove the thorns to avoid damaging your foam and hurting yourself.

Perfect Your Design

Experiment with different flower placements and colours until you're happy with the overall design. Remember, this might take a few tries to get it just right!

Finishing Touches

Once you're happy with your flower arrangement, apply a flower sealant to ensure your swag lasts. You can also add some glitter or ribbons to give it that extra special touch. Finally, attach your floral swag to the corners of your wedding arch, and you're done!

Your floral swag is a wonderful way to add a personal and creative touch to your wedding. Enjoy the process of designing and crafting it, and don't be afraid to experiment!

Adding finishing touches

Adding the finishing touches to your wedding swag is a fun and important part of the process. This is where you can really let your creativity shine and work in your wedding theme.

• Sealant: Apply a finishing coat of flower sealant to ensure your swag stays fresh and beautiful.
• Glitter: Add a touch of sparkle with glitter for a magical, fairy-tale effect.
• Ribbons: Use ribbons to add colour, texture and movement to your swag. You can tie them in bows, drape them loosely or weave them through the flowers and foliage.
• Shells: For a beach or tropical-themed wedding, incorporate shells into your swag for a unique, natural look.
• Twine: If you're going for a rustic or bohemian theme, twine can be a great addition to your swag. Try wrapping it around the stems or using it to hang your swag.
• Lights: Fairy lights or small LED lights can add a whimsical and romantic touch to your swag. Wind them through the flowers or attach them discreetly to the back of your sign.
• Feathers: Feathers can add a soft, whimsical element to your swag. Try using them sparingly for a subtle effect, or go bold with a full, fluffy arrangement.
• Beads: Small beads can be used to add texture and colour to your swag. Try threading them onto thin wire and wrapping them around the stems, or gluing them directly onto the sign.

Remember, these are just a few ideas to get you started. The most important thing is to have fun and create something that reflects your unique style and personality.

Frequently asked questions