Franklin Dean
Wedding arbors provide a gorgeous centerpiece for outdoor weddings, giving couples a unifying frame for their ceremony and photos. To make a floral arrangement for a wedding arbor, you will need an arbor structure, flowers, greenery, floral foam, zip ties, and wire. The first step is to create a base for your flowers by soaking floral foam and threading zip ties through the plastic cage of the floral foam. Next, attach the floral foam to the arbor structure. Then, add greenery to the floral foam, starting with longer stems on the perimeter and filling in with broad leaves. After that, add linear blooms like snapdragons, followed by focal flowers like roses. Continue adding flowers until the arrangement looks full and remember to step back occasionally to assess the arrangement. Finally, add the longest branches near the base and include ribbons or bows if desired.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft minimum |
| Width | 5-8 ft |
| Floral foam cage size | One large for the upper arrangement, one medium for the lower/middle arrangement |
| Greenery | Magnolia leaves, evergreen boughs, ivy, Salal/Lemon Leaf, Gunni Eucalyptus, Italian Ruscus |
| Flowers | Roses, Carnations, Snap Dragons, Rice Flower |
| Other materials | Floral wire, zip ties, floral foam |
What You'll Learn
- Select a range of flowers and greenery to create depth and variety
- Choose an arbor structure, either by building, purchasing or renting one
- Prepare the base with flower mud and wire mesh
- Cover the arch with greenery, inserting leaves at a 30-45 degree angle
- Add flowers to the gaps, creating asymmetry and playing with different positions
Select a range of flowers and greenery to create depth and variety
When creating a floral arrangement for a wedding arbor, selecting the right flowers and greenery is essential to achieving depth and variety. Here are some tips to help you choose and arrange them to create a stunning display:
Firstly, consider the size of your wedding arbor. If you have a sizable arbor, opt for greenery that can cover a large area without appearing too cluttered. Magnolia leaves and evergreen boughs are excellent choices for larger structures. On the other hand, if you're working with a smaller trellis, go for delicate options like ivy, which will provide a more understated backdrop for your flowers.
The next step is to create a base with your chosen greenery. Start with longer stems, such as Italian Ruscus, placed around the perimeter of your floral cage or arch. Then, fill in the gaps with broader leaves like Salal and textured options such as Gunni Eucalyptus. This creates a lush foundation for your flowers, adding depth and a natural feel to the arrangement.
Now, it's time to add the flowers. Begin with linear blooms like Snap Dragons, using their long stems to create height and shape. Then, introduce focal flowers, such as roses, ensuring you use varying stem lengths to enhance the sense of depth. Distribute these focal flowers along the foam or within the greenery, creating a balanced yet varied look.
Continue building your arrangement by layering in other flower varieties. Play with different colours, shapes, and textures to create a unique and captivating display. Step back occasionally to view your arrangement from a distance and spot any gaps or areas that need adjusting.
Finally, don't forget to add the finishing touches. You can use the largest and longest branches of greenery to add drama and a sense of fullness to the base of your arrangement. Then, fill in any remaining gaps with flowers, ensuring that the two sides of the arbor complement each other without being identical.
By carefully selecting and arranging your flowers and greenery, you can create a breathtaking wedding arbor that captures the aesthetic of your ceremony and reflects your unique style.
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Choose an arbor structure, either by building, purchasing or renting one
Choosing the right arbor structure is an important step in creating a beautiful wedding backdrop. There are several options to consider when selecting an arbor, including building, purchasing, or renting one.
Building an arbor structure is a great option for those who are crafty and handy. It allows for a personalised and unique design that can be tailored to the specific dimensions and style of the wedding. This option may also be more cost-effective and eco-friendly, as the materials can be reused or repurposed after the event. When building an arbor, it is important to consider the overall look, climate, and durability of the structure.
Purchasing an arbor is another option for couples who want a unique and elegant addition to their wedding ceremony. Wooden arbors, for example, offer a rustic charm that complements outdoor weddings, especially those held in gardens or natural settings. Metal arbors, on the other hand, provide a modern and clean look, and are ideal for outdoor weddings in windy locations due to their strength and durability.
Renting an arbor is a convenient and cost-effective choice, especially for couples who don't want the hassle of building or purchasing one. Many cities offer wedding rental companies that provide arbor structures at affordable prices. This option allows couples to select an arbor that suits their style and theme without the long-term commitment.
When choosing an arbor structure, it is important to consider the size, weight, and existing structures at the wedding venue. The arbor should complement the wedding style and serve as a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony and photographs. Additionally, the weight of the arbor should be considered for transportation and stability purposes, especially in windy conditions.
Overall, building, purchasing, or renting an arbor structure provides a natural frame for the wedding couple, creating a focal point for their special day.
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Prepare the base with flower mud and wire mesh
To prepare the base with flower mud and wire mesh for your wedding arbor, you'll need to follow these steps:
First, create a base for your flower arch by piling at least seven pieces of flower mud on the bottom of one side of your arch. This will give weight to the base, helping the arch stand upright and remain steady. It's recommended to soak the flower mud in water beforehand to keep it fresh for longer.
Next, wrap the flower mud with wire mesh and secure it with zip ties. Make sure to use pliers to safely cut the wire mesh and zip ties, and be cautious of any sharp edges of wire protruding. You can also use gloves to protect your hands. The base of your arch should be thicker than the top, giving it a natural, tapered look and greater stability.
Repeat this process on the other side of your arch, again piling flower mud to create a base and securing it with wire mesh and zip ties. Continue until you've covered the entire arch pillar. Don't worry if there are lumps and bumps at this stage, as you'll cover them with greenery and flowers later.
Now you have a steady base to work with and can begin decorating your wedding arbor!
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Cover the arch with greenery, inserting leaves at a 30-45 degree angle
Once you've created the base of your wedding arch with flower mud, wire mesh, and zip ties, it's time to start adding the greenery. Cover the arch pillar with flower mud and then evenly insert your green leaves at a 30 to 45-degree angle to create the illusion that the greenery is growing from the base of the arch. Start from the bottom and work your way up, making the greenery fuller at the bottom to create a sense of depth.
Use multiple types of greenery to bring depth and variety to your arch. You can use a combination of long stems, broad leaves, and textured leaves to create a blended, cohesive look. For example, you could start with longer stems of greenery like Italian Ruscus on the perimeter of the arch, and then fill in with broad-leafed Salal and textural Gunni Eucalyptus.
As you work, step back occasionally to get a better look at the arrangement and identify any gaps or areas that need improvement. Don't insert the largest and longest branches of greenery yet—these will be added as a finishing touch later on.
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Add flowers to the gaps, creating asymmetry and playing with different positions
Now it's time to add the flowers to your wedding arbor! Grab your flower box sets and begin inserting the blooms into the gaps, one by one. You can either create clusters of the same flower types or spread each flower type evenly throughout the arch. The same goes for flowers of different colours. The design is entirely up to you and your unique vision.
Be careful not to make the two sides of your arch too symmetrical. Each side should complement the other without looking identical. Don't be afraid to play with different positions for your flowers. You can adjust the stems to face your flowers at various angles. Keep in mind that you want to avoid making the sides too symmetrical, so feel free to get creative and experiment with different placements.
If you're using a small trellis, delicate flowers and greenery will be more appropriate. You can use flowers such as ivy, baby's breath, or wisteria to add a delicate touch to your arbor. Remember to cut the boughs accordingly so that the ends of the greenery cascade naturally off the front and sides of the arch.
If you're working with a larger structure, opt for greenery that will cover a lot of space without looking cluttered. Magnolia leaves and evergreen boughs are excellent choices for this. You can also use floral foam to add height and create more shapes and layers with your arrangement. Secure the flowers and greenery together with floral wire, ensuring everything is thoroughly attached.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you need to build, purchase, or rent an arbor structure. Then, you need to decorate it with flowers and greenery. You can start by adding a base layer of greenery, such as Italian Ruscus, followed by flowers like roses. Finally, add longer branches of greenery to create a sense of depth.
The types of flowers you use will depend on the size of your arbor. If you have a large arbor, you should use flowers that will cover a lot of space, such as magnolia leaves or evergreen boughs. For smaller arbors, delicate flowers like ivy are more suitable.
You can use a variety of greenery, such as Salal/Lemon Leaf, Gunni Eucalyptus, and Italian Ruscus. These types of greenery can help to elongate your arrangement and reduce the number of flowers needed.
You can use floral wire to attach flowers to the arbor. First, create a symmetrical spray of greenery slightly larger than the arbor's measurements. Then, wire the greenery together and attach flowers on top, facing outwards.
You should try to create different layers and shapes with your arrangement. Make sure to step back and look at the arrangement from a distance to identify any gaps or areas that need improvement. You can also add artificial flowers like baby's breath or wisteria to give it a fuller look.
