Create Wedding Garland Magic With Greenery

Greenery garlands are a beautiful, low-cost decoration for weddings. You can make them from almost any type of foliage, including eucalyptus, bay leaf, or oak leaf. To make a greenery garland, you'll need to gather your chosen greenery and cut it into similarly sized pieces. Then, assemble the greenery into small bundles, using floral wire or tape to attach the stems together. Next, combine the bundles by overlapping them and securing them together with wire or tape. Continue this process until you've reached your desired length, then finish by tucking in any exposed stems and adding any final touches. Finally, display your garland on a flat surface, such as a table or mantel, to create a stunning addition to your wedding décor.

Choosing your greenery: eucalyptus, bay leaf, or oak leaf are popular choices

When choosing the greenery for your wedding garlands, there are several options to consider. Eucalyptus, bay leaf, and oak leaf are all popular and versatile choices that can be used to create beautiful, natural decorations.

Eucalyptus is a popular choice for wedding garlands due to its fresh and fragrant foliage. It is readily available fresh or dried and can be purchased from local florists, wholesale floral shops, or online. When creating eucalyptus garlands, you can mix different varieties, such as seeded and silver dollar eucalyptus, to add texture and visual interest. This type of garland is ideal for rustic or natural-themed weddings.

Bay leaf garlands offer a symbolic choice for weddings, representing honour, wisdom, and strength. They can be used to create a classic and elegant look. Fresh bay leaf garlands can be challenging to source, but artificial options are readily available and offer a convenient alternative.

Oak leaf garlands provide a charming, woodland-inspired option for weddings. They are often crafted from paper or artificial materials, making them a lightweight and reusable choice. Oak leaf garlands can be used to decorate tables, create photo backdrops, or adorn staircases, adding a whimsical touch to your wedding décor.

When selecting your greenery, consider the overall theme and colour palette of your wedding, as well as the availability and freshness of the foliage. By mixing and matching different types of greenery, you can create unique and stunning garlands that will enhance the beauty of your special day.

Prepare your workspace: cut greenery into 8-inch pieces and separate into piles for easy assembly

To make a greenery garland for a wedding, you'll first need to prepare your workspace. Start by cutting all your greenery into 8-inch pieces. You can use a variety of greens, such as eucalyptus, bay leaf, or oak leaf. If you're in a city with a flower market, you may be able to order bulk greens there or even a pre-made garland from a wholesaler. Alternatively, you can order in bulk from places like Costco.

Once you have your greenery, separate the 8-inch pieces into piles for easy assembly. This will make it simpler to grab and arrange the pieces when you start creating your garland. Having everything organised ahead of time will make the process more efficient and enjoyable.

Now that your workspace is prepared, you can begin crafting your garland. Gather 3-5 stems in a bunch, using one stem of each type of greenery. For example, you can use one stem of eucalyptus, one stem of bay leaf, and one stem of oak leaf. Secure the bunches with wired twine and paddle wire, and continue layering and securing with wire until you've reached your desired length.

Gather your tools: floral wire, paddle wire, and wired twine

When making a greenery garland for a wedding, it's important to have the right tools for the job. Floral wire, paddle wire, and wired twine are essential for creating a sturdy and beautiful garland.

Floral wire is a thin, flexible wire that is easy to bend and manipulate. It is used to attach stems together and create the base structure of your garland. When selecting floral wire, opt for a thin gauge that can be easily bent and manipulated. This will make it easier to attach the stems and create a natural-looking garland.

Paddle wire is another essential tool. It is a type of wire with a flat, paddle-shaped head that makes it easier to bind stems together. The flat head provides a larger surface area for securing the stems, ensuring that your garland holds together securely. Again, look for a paddle wire with a thin gauge that can be easily bent and manipulated.

Wired twine is a combination of wire and twine, and it serves as the backbone of your garland. It provides strength and structure, allowing you to hang your garland with ease. The twine gives it a rustic, natural look, while the wire inside ensures that it is strong and durable.

When gathering your tools, it's important to consider the type of greenery you will be using. Some types of greenery, such as eucalyptus, bay leaf, or oak leaf, will have thicker stems that require a stronger wire. Cut your greenery into 8-inch pieces before assembling, as this will make it easier to work with.

By gathering these essential tools – floral wire, paddle wire, and wired twine – you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful greenery garlands for your wedding.

Assemble the first bunch: gather 3-5 stems, wrap ends with wired twine, then bind with paddle wire

To make greenery garlands for a wedding, you'll need to start by preparing your greenery and workspace. Cut all greenery into 8-inch pieces and separate them into piles for easy assembly.

Now, you can begin assembling the first bunch:

• Gather 3-5 stems in a bunch. You can use one stem of each kind of greenery. For example, you could use one stem each of silver dollar eucalyptus, seeded eucalyptus, lemon leaf (salal), and Italian ruscus.
• Wrap the ends of the greenery stems with wired twine, leaving extra length for hanging. Do not cut the twine—it will act as a spine for the garland.
• Bind the ends a second time with 26-gauge paddle wire, wrapping about 4-5 times or until secure. Do not cut the wire.

Once you have your first bunch assembled, you can continue layering greenery bunches and securing them with wire until your garland reaches the desired length.

Combine greenery bundles: overlap and attach bundles with wire/tape, covering stems as you go

To make a greenery garland for a wedding, you'll need to gather your chosen greenery and cut it into 8-inch pieces. You can use a variety of foliage, such as eucalyptus, bay leaf, or oak leaf. Once you have your greenery prepared, you can start assembling your garland.

Now, it's time to combine your greenery bundles. Overlap two bundles and attach them together using floral wire or green floral tape. Place the second bundle halfway down the first bundle, covering its wire and stems. Make sure you attach the bundles by wrapping both stems securely. Continue this process, adding new bundles and overlapping them with the previous ones until your garland is almost as long as you want it to be.

The key to a seamless garland is to ensure that each new bundle overlaps with the previous one sufficiently to cover the stems and any wire or tape. This technique will create a cohesive and natural-looking garland.

For a thicker garland, use larger bundles, and for a thinner garland, use longer, thinner bundles. You can test the length and thickness by placing a bundle or two on your surface before completing all of them.

Frequently asked questions