The Wedding Arch: Standing Tall And Proud

A wedding arch is a crucial element of the ceremony, serving as a beautiful backdrop for exchanging vows and rings. Creating a sturdy and stable arch that complements the wedding theme and venue is essential. There are several ways to make a wedding arch stand up, including using a cement foundation, pots, or logs as bases. The arch's stability can also be enhanced with wooden boards, sandbags, or by tethering it to a spot. DIY wedding arches can be customised with flowers, fabric, and other decorations to create a unique and memorable setting for the happy couple's special day.

Use a cement foundation

Using a cement foundation is one of the sturdiest DIY bases for a wedding arch. It is ideal for heavy arches or windy venues that could tip over the arch.

To make a cement foundation, you will need to start a few days before the wedding to allow the cement to dry completely. You will need a box, bucket, or pot, and some mixed cement. First, fill your chosen container with the mixed cement. Then, place a PVC pipe in the centre of the cement. The PVC pipe should be wide enough to accommodate the legs of your wedding arch. Once the cement has dried, test the fit for your arch stands. If you are happy with the fit, you can then conceal the cement with flowers, moss, or rocks to suit your wedding venue.

The main drawback of using a cement foundation is that it is challenging to reposition the arch as cement is heavy. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the positioning of your arch before setting the cement foundation.

Create a freestanding arch

Creating a freestanding arch for your wedding is a great DIY project that can save you money and ensure your arch is bespoke to your venue. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a freestanding wedding arch:

Step 1: Planning and Materials

Before you start building, it's important to plan the design of your arch. Research ideas and decide on the shape, size, materials, and decorations you want to use. The shape and size of your arch will depend on the venue and the height of the couple and officiant. For example, a circular arch may be difficult to construct, while an arbor-style arch is simpler.

For the materials, wood is a popular choice as it's easy to work with and can create a rustic boho style. You can use pine, which is affordable and available at most DIY stores, or branches from a birch tree for a cost-effective option. Other options include copper piping, which is lightweight and easy to bend, or PVC pipe, which is very affordable but needs to be covered as it looks cheap.

Step 2: Cutting the Wood

Once you've decided on the type of wood, cut the pieces to the desired length. For a simple arch, you'll need four pieces of 4x4 wooden posts cut to 80 inches for the legs. You'll also need two pieces of 2x4 wooden posts to create the top frame. Cut one of these into a 24-inch piece with straight angles, and cut the other into two pieces with opposing 45-degree angles, with shorter sides measuring 12 inches and 48 inches respectively.

Step 3: Sanding and Staining

Use an electric sander or sandpaper to smooth out any rough patches and remove any ink stamps, paint, or markings on the wood. Then, stain the wood to protect it and give it the desired colour. You can choose an environmentally friendly stain or opt for a colour that matches your wedding theme.

Step 4: Assembling the Top Frame

Take the front and back 48-inch top pieces and measure 2 inches from each end. Line up these pieces with the 24-inch side pieces to create a rectangular top frame. Pre-drill holes and secure the pieces together with screws.

Step 5: Attaching the Legs

Position the four-by-four posts (legs) in the corners of the top frame. Use scrap wood to prop up the posts and level them. Secure the posts to the frame with screws, being careful not to overlap with existing screws. You may need help to flip the frame over and attach the back legs.

Step 6: Adding Diagonal Supports

With the front of the arch facing up, position diagonal support pieces an inch from the top of the frame. Secure these to the legs and the top frame with screws.

Step 7: Transportation and Anchoring

If you need to transport the arch, mark the connection points and disassemble it into five pieces: the top frame, diagonal supports, and four legs. Reassemble the arch at the venue, and consider adding stakes to the bottom of the posts for stability, especially if it's windy or the ground is sloped.

Step 8: Decorating the Arch

Decorate your arch with fabric, flowers, or greenery. You can drape fabric and add floral arrangements to match your wedding theme. Wedding signs, particularly neon light signs, are also a popular choice. Just ensure any decorations are placed high enough so they don't block the view of the happy couple!

Creating a freestanding wedding arch is a fun project that can be tailored to your unique style. With some planning and the right materials, you can build a stunning arch that will serve as a beautiful backdrop for your special day.

Choose and cut wood

For this project, you will need four-by-four posts and two-by-four posts. Cut all the four-by-four posts to 80.”. If you don't have a large enough saw, you can get the hardware store to cut the posts for you.

For the four-by-fours, I chose green Doug fir posts as they were the most affordable option. You could also opt for cedar, which is a little more expensive but is naturally bug and rot-resistant, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use. If you're happy to spend a bit more, clear vertical-grain Doug fir is a stunning option, although it's not ideal for outdoor use.

The green lumber will be wet, so make sure you give the posts enough time to dry out before you start building. You'll also need to be aware of sap, which can be cut off or removed with a putty knife.

For the two-by-fours, cut:

• One long piece with opposing 45° angles, measuring the shorter side at 48”
• Another piece with opposing 45° angles, measuring the shorter side at 12”
• A 24” piece with straight angles

Take the long 48” pieces and measure in from the point of each end. Mark at two inches and cut at a straight angle. Remember to measure twice and cut once.

Assemble the top frame

Now it's time to assemble the top frame of your wedding arch!

Take the front and back 48" top pieces and, on the shorter sides, measure 2" from each end. Mark these points with a pencil. Now, line up the two 48" pieces and the 24" side pieces in a rectangle to create the top frame. The sides will fit on the inside of the pencil marks.

Pre-drill and secure with 4" decorative screws using a 5/17" nut-setter bit. If you don't have a nut-setter bit, you can use a wrench to screw it in by hand.

Position the four-by-four posts (which are now the legs) in the corners of the top frame. Using a scrap piece of two-by material, prop up the post at the opposite end so it's supported and level. Secure the post through the side piece with two 4" screws, being careful not to overlap with the screw already in place.

Attach the front legs first. This type of wood is heavy, and because the legs are only connected at one end, they're fairly delicate. Get the help of two or three people and flip the frame over. Use scrap pieces to give the front legs support while you attach the back legs—the screws may not be strong enough to hold all that weight in place.

Decorate with flowers, moss, or rocks

Flowers, moss, or rocks are a great way to conceal the base of your wedding arch and add a natural, decorative touch. If you've opted for a cement base, you can hide the cement with flowers, moss, or rocks, depending on what suits your venue. For a natural, rustic look, consider a log base, decorated with flowers, moss, or rocks. You could also use potted plants as a base, filling the pots with soil or stones to weigh them down and stabilise the arch.

Flowers are a popular choice for decorating wedding arches. You can use real or faux flowers, depending on your preference. If you want to keep things simple, use flowers as a subtle accent. You could accent the sides of the arch where you tie back fabric curtains, feature a bouquet in the corner of a square arch, or dot a greenery arch with scattered flowers.

For a bolder look, cover part of the arch with flowers. A squared arch looks gorgeous with arrangements secured along the top, while square and rounded arches suit an asymmetrical floral accent. A full circle arch is already a beautiful feature, but flowers can enhance the style—try weaving flowers around half of the circle to create an elegant and magical backdrop.

If you want to go all out, opt for a full flower arch. You can use a variety of flowers or keep it uniform with a single type. Try a hedge-style arch with flowers layered throughout the greenery, or flowers woven into a trellis arbor. For a whimsical, storybook feel, create a floral curtain with whimsical strands of flowers. You can make a dense floral curtain for a statement wall of blooms or keep it sparse for a hanging floral display.

Moss is another option for adding a natural, organic feel to your wedding arch. Mood moss, in particular, can be used to cover an arch for a simple yet striking effect.

Frequently asked questions