Creating A Wedding Circle Arch: A Step-By-Step Guide

Circular wedding arches are a popular choice for brides and grooms, but they can be expensive. There are many ways to make your own, from using hula hoops, copper piping, PVC pipe, or wood. You can decorate your arch with flowers, greenery, fabric, or macrame. If you're handy with tools and enjoy DIY, making your own wedding arch can be a fun and budget-friendly option.

Using wood and PVC pipe

Making a wedding circle arch with wood and PVC pipe is a great DIY project. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful and stable arch for your special day.

Planning and Materials:

Before you begin, it's important to plan the size of your arch. For an arch that two people can stand under, aim for a width of 8 feet. The height should also accommodate the height of the couple and the officiant. A height of around 7-8 feet is a good starting point.

For materials, you will need:

• Wood (at least 1in x 2ft x 2ft, but longer pieces may be needed for taller arches)
• PVC pipes: one 3/4in x 10ft pipe, two 3/4in x 2ft pipes, and additional pipes for the base and arch structure.
• PVC connectors: four elbows and two tees.
• Spray paint (optional)
• Sand
• Large flowerpots or other sturdy bases
• Decorations of your choice

Step 1: Creating the Bending Jig

Start by marking the centre point on one edge of your wood. Measure and mark the radius of your desired circle across the board. This line represents the centre of the pole. Mark about 1/2 inch on either side of this line as well. Now, evenly space and hammer nails along the inner line. You can also hammer two nails on the outside line at one end of the board.

Step 2: Bending the PVC Pipe

Use duct tape to seal one end of the 10ft pole. Fill the pole with sand to prevent creasing and help achieve a smooth curve. Tape the other end shut. Put one end of the pole into the starting point of the jig (where the two nails are). Using a heat gun, heat a 1-foot section of the pipe evenly until it softens. This may take some time, so be patient!

Once softened, carefully bend the pipe along the inside curve of the nails. Ensure the pole can touch the next nail without pressure. Hammer in a nail on the outside curve to hold it in place. Keep the pipe flush with the board at all times to avoid warping. Repeat the process of heating, bending, and nailing until you reach the end of the board.

Step 3: Forming the Circle

Once you've reached the end of the board, you'll need to shift the pole through the jig to heat the next section. Continue this process until you've bent the entire pole. For the best results, re-centre the pole on the jig, heat it up one final time, and let it cool in the jig for a few hours or overnight.

Step 4: Creating the Base

Cut the 2ft poles into the required lengths for your base. Attach elbow connectors to the ends of these sections. Use tee connectors to join the pieces and form a rectangle. You can adjust the angle of the tees to fit your arch.

Step 5: Assembling the Arch

Connect the arch to the base via the tee connectors. Decorate the arch as desired. You can paint it, wrap it with tulle or garlands, or attach balloons. Get creative and make it your own!

Additional Tips:

• Ensure your arch is stable, especially if using it outdoors. Consider using weights or anchoring it to the ground or a sturdy structure.
• If using fabric draping, consider spray painting the PVC pipe to match the fabric and create a seamless look.
• Practice good workshop safety, including proper ventilation when painting and wearing protective gear when using power tools.
• Always measure twice and cut once to avoid mistakes.

With these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a stunning wedding circle arch using wood and PVC pipe. Enjoy crafting this beautiful backdrop for your special day!

Buying a pre-made arch

If you're looking to buy a pre-made arch, there are many options available to you. Etsy, for example, has over 1,000 results for "circle wedding arch". The prices vary, with some on sale, but they tend to range from $50 to $200. You can also find pre-made arches on eBay, with prices as low as $30.30.

Walmart offers a 6.6ft wedding arch circle balloon arch stand frame in white for $42.99. They also have a 6.8ft option for $52.99.

If you're looking for a metal arch, Efavormart offers a 6.5ft gold metal floral balloon garland hoop, round backdrop frame, and circle wedding arch for $43.33.

When buying a pre-made arch, it's important to consider factors such as size, material, ease of assembly and disassembly, and whether it needs to be weighted down or not. Additionally, if you're looking for a circle arch specifically, you might also want to search for "moongates", as they are sometimes called.

It's also worth noting that you can find local vendors on sites like Etsy and eBay, which may be helpful if you're looking to save on shipping costs or need something last-minute.

Using hula hoops

Materials:

First, you will need to gather your materials. For this project, you will need:

• Hula hoops (gold or painted to match your wedding theme)
• Flowers, greenery, balloons, tulle swags, monogram letters, garlands, or other decorations of your choice
• Floral wire or string
• Hot glue or floral adhesive
• Chicken wire or florist netting (optional)
• Water tubes (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Hula Hoops:

Start by opening up your hula hoops and removing any beads or connectors. Cut the hula hoops to the desired size and shape. You may need to trim the hoops to create the perfect arch height. If you are using multiple hoops, connect them securely.

Step 2: Add Stability and Structure:

For added stability, you can attach the hula hoop arch to a freestanding structure, suspend it from the ceiling, or mount it on a wall or pillar. If you wish to have a freestanding arch, you can insert the ends of the hula hoop into pool noodles or another sturdy base.

Step 3: Add Greenery and Flowers:

To add greenery and flowers to your arch, first, wrap a piece of floral foam with wire mesh and secure it to the hula hoop with cable ties. You can use chicken wire or florist netting for a tighter weave, if desired. Then, cut your greenery garlands into smaller sections and insert them into the floral foam, concentrating on the sides and leaving space for flowers in the middle. Use shorter pieces towards the outside and longer pieces in the centre to add depth.

Step 4: Embellish with Flowers:

Now, it's time to add the flowers! Start by inserting your largest flowers as focal points, and then surrounding them with smaller flowers in varying colours. Create multiple flower clusters and vary the placement and angles to achieve a natural, flowing look. Continue until most of the arch is filled, but save your smallest flowers for last.

Step 5: Final Touches:

Add leaf branches and small flowers to accentuate the focal points and enhance the overall look. Finish by tidying the drapes, gathering them into neat fabric pools.

Step 6: Floor Decor (Optional):

To complete the look, you can create extra floral arrangements to place beneath the arch. Use floral foam, greenery, and flowers to create beautiful floor decor. Interspace the floral arrangements with candles and candle holders for a romantic touch.

Your hula hoop wedding arch is now complete! Feel free to customise and decorate it to match your wedding theme and colours. Enjoy creating this unique and memorable backdrop for your special day!

Using copper piping

Planning and Materials:

Before you begin, sketch out your plan and measurements for the arch. For a simple arch, you'll need the following materials:

• Copper piping (length and diameter depending on your design)
• Pipe cutter
• Epoxy adhesive or metal glue
• Fittings (elbows, tees, etc.)
• Sandpaper
• Flux
• Blow torch
• Protective gear
• Cotton rope
• Tent stakes

Cutting and Assembling:

• Mark the required lengths on your copper pipes. You'll need pipes of different lengths for the sides, top, and base of the arch.
• Use a pipe cutter to cut the pipes to size. Tighten the clamp, place the flat side on the floor, and rotate the pipe while applying pressure to create a groove. Tighten the clamp again and repeat until you cut all the way through.
• Assemble the side pieces on the floor. Attach the fittings and pipes together using epoxy or metal glue. For example, attach a 1-1/2" piece to a three-way tee, and then add another three-way tee. Repeat for the other side and connect them with a 2' pipe.
• Create three squares or a "ladder" structure by attaching additional pipes and fittings.
• For the base, solder the pipes and fittings together. Sand the pipes where they meet the fittings, apply flux, and use a blow torch to heat the joints until you see silver solder.
• Leave the base to cool, then solder on elbow joints to create the sides of the base.
• Attach two long pipes to the sides of the base to form the legs of the arch.
• For the top of the arch, solder elbow joints to the remaining long pipe. This piece will be removable for easy transportation.

Final Touches:

• Clean the copper pipes with ketchup or metal polish to remove any residue or tarnish.
• Assemble the arch by fitting the pieces together. Insert the top piece into the elbow joints and secure it in place.
• Secure the arch to the ground by tying cotton rope around the legs and tent stakes, then hammering the stakes into the ground.
• Decorate the arch with flowers, greenery, or any other desired embellishments.

Your copper piping wedding circle arch is now complete and ready for its big debut!

Using PVC piping

To make a sturdy and stable arch, you can use 1-inch or 1.5-inch PVC piping, with some additional materials for support. You will need to cut the piping into the desired lengths, and you can do this with a handsaw or a pipe cutter. To create a circular arch, you will need to heat and bend the PVC piping. This can be done with a hairdryer or a heat gun, and it is important to go slowly to avoid creasing or kinking the pipe. You can also fill the pipe with sand to help it keep its shape.

To assemble the arch, you will need PVC connectors, such as elbows and tees. You can create a basic structure with four vertical poles and a crossbeam, or you can get creative and design your own frame. For added stability, consider using a piece of wood down the centre of the cross pipe, or placing the legs of the arch in buckets of wet cement or sand.

Once your arch is assembled, you can decorate it as you wish. You can spray paint it, or use fabric, flowers, balloons, or garlands to create the desired look.

Frequently asked questions