Creating Floral Wedding Arches: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding arches are a popular way to add a decorative touch to your ceremony and can be customised to reflect your unique style and the mood of your special day. They can be constructed from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and flowers, and can be decorated with an array of colourful blooms and greenery. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to create a stunning floral wedding arch, including tips on choosing the right flowers and assembling the arch. We will also explore different types of wedding arches and their cultural and religious significance, as well as offer inspiration for creating a show-stopping display that will wow your guests.

Choosing the right flowers and foliage

Wedding arches are a stunning structure to frame the moment you and your partner become newlyweds. Choosing the right flowers and foliage for your arch is essential to capture the aesthetic of your ceremony and reflect your unique style. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect blooms and greenery:

Consider Your Colour Palette:

The flowers and foliage you choose should complement your wedding colour palette. Select colours that match your theme, whether it's a specific shade or a combination of hues. For example, if you're having a springtime wedding, you might opt for a muted rainbow of pastel flowers to evoke the essence of the season. Alternatively, you could choose a single colour and create a stunning, cohesive display.

Mix and Match:

Feel free to mix and match different types of flowers and foliage to create depth and variety. Combine large blooms with smaller, more delicate flowers to create a balanced look. You can also play with different positions and angles for your flowers to create an asymmetrical, natural look.

Think About Scale:

When selecting flowers and foliage, consider the size of your arch. Larger arches will require more flowers and greenery to achieve a full and lush look. Ensure you have enough materials to cover the entire structure, especially if you want a dense and overflowing design.

Choose Flowers with a Special Meaning:

Your wedding arch can be a great way to incorporate flowers with symbolic meanings. For example, roses traditionally symbolise love and passion, while peonies represent happiness and prosperity. Choose flowers that hold a special significance for you and your partner to make your arch even more meaningful.

Opt for Long-Lasting Flowers:

Select flowers that are known for their longevity. Look for blooms that will stay fresh and vibrant throughout your ceremony and reception. This is especially important if your wedding is outdoors or in a warm climate. Preserved or artificial flowers can be a great alternative if you want a more durable option.

Don't Forget the Foliage:

Greenery is just as important as the flowers themselves. Foliage adds texture and depth to your arch, creating a natural and organic look. Choose a variety of leafy greens, such as eucalyptus, ficus, or asparagus fern, to provide a beautiful base for your flowers.

By following these tips and choosing the right flowers and foliage, you can create a breathtaking wedding arch that will serve as a stunning backdrop for your ceremony and create lasting memories.

Preparing the arch frame

Firstly, decide on the size and shape of your arch. Consider the size of your venue and the overall theme of your wedding. Arches can range from simple, slim-frame structures to larger, extravagant pieces. If you're working with a smaller space or prefer a minimalist look, opt for a slim-frame arch. For a statement piece that serves as a focal point, go for a larger arch with a curved or diamond shape.

Next, gather the materials for your arch frame. You can use different types of wood, such as birch branches, willow branches, or natural wood. Alternatively, you can use metal arches, which are often used for chuppahs. If you're feeling creative, you can even make a arch base from chicken wire and foam, which provides a flexible form to work with.

Now, it's time to assemble the arch. If you're using wood or metal, you can source pre-made arch kits or build your own with the help of a handy family member or friend. For a wooden arch, gather branches of similar thickness and height, and bind them together at the top, forming a gentle curve. Secure the branches with twine or wire, ensuring a stable structure. For a metal arch, you may need to assemble the pieces and join them with connectors or hinges.

If you're using chicken wire and foam, start by wrapping the chicken wire around your foam block. This will serve as the base for your arch. Cut the chicken wire to size, ensuring it covers all sides of the foam. Then, use twine or wire to secure the chicken wire in place, creating a sturdy form.

Once your arch frame is assembled, you can start thinking about adding the flowers and greenery. But before you do that, consider the placement of your arch and any necessary adjustments. Ensure the arch is stable and secure, especially if it will be placed outdoors or in a windy location. You may need to weigh down the base or attach it to a sturdy surface.

With these steps, you'll have a solid and beautiful arch frame ready for the addition of flowers and foliage. Remember to choose flowers and colours that reflect your unique style and the overall theme of your wedding.

Building a base with chicken wire

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials, including chicken wire, wire cutters or clippers, gloves, and zip ties. You may also need floral tape, depending on the type of arch you are creating.

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Chicken Wire

Start by measuring the amount of chicken wire you will need to cover your arch. You may want to wrap it around the arch to get an idea of the length and width required. Once you have measured, use your wire cutters to carefully cut the chicken wire to size. Be sure to wear gloves during this process to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the wire.

Step 3: Secure the Chicken Wire

Now it's time to attach the chicken wire to your arch. If you are using a solid arch structure, you can use zip ties to securely fasten the chicken wire in place. For a more invisible look, you can use floral tape to secure the chicken wire. This method is ideal if you want the flowers to appear as if they are growing directly from the arch.

Step 4: Create a Grid

Once the chicken wire is in place, you can create a grid pattern by wrapping the wire around the arch. This step will provide support for your flower stems and help you achieve the desired look. Make sure the grid is tight and secure, as it will need to hold the weight of the flowers.

Step 5: Add Extra Support (Optional)

If you're concerned about the stability of your arch, you can add additional support by creating a base with flower mud or floral foam. This will provide a sturdy foundation for your arch and ensure it can withstand any wind or accidental bumps. Simply secure the flower mud or floral foam to the bottom of your arch before wrapping it with chicken wire.

And that's it! You've now created a strong and reusable base for your wedding arch flowers. Remember to handle the chicken wire with care and make sure all sharp edges are covered before adding any flowers or greenery. With this base, you'll be able to create a beautiful and long-lasting floral display for your special day.

Adding greenery and filler

Now that the main body of your arch is ready, it’s time to start decorating! We’ll start by covering the floral mud with greenery. Insert your green leaves into the flower mud at a 30 to 45-degree angle, creating the illusion that your greenery is growing from the arch’s base. Start from the bottom of your arch and work your way up, making your greenery fuller at the bottom to create a sense of depth. Use multiple types of greenery to bring depth and variety to your arch, blending them together for a cohesive look. Don’t insert the largest and longest branches of greenery yet, as we’ll use those as a finishing touch later.

Use any leftover leaves to conceal exposed floral mud or wire, concentrating on the base of the arch where the greenery should be the fullest. It’s alright if there are still visible gaps once you’ve used all your greenery, as we’ll use flowers to fill these in later.

If you’re using chicken wire and foam blocks, cut your chosen greenery into smaller pieces and add them directly into the chicken wire foam block. You can use a big leafy green like ficus for the base layer, and then add in some variation with different types of greenery for interest. For example, you could use seeded eucalyptus for its darker leaves and pops of dark pink seeds.

These arch swag pieces take a lot of greenery and filler, so don’t be afraid to keep adding until everything has solid coverage.

Inserting flowers and making adjustments

Now that you have prepared your arch, it is time to decorate it with flowers. If you are using a flower mud base, insert your flowers into any gaps left by the greenery. If you are using a foam base, you will need to pierce the flower stems into the foam, so be sure to leave some uncovered. Start with your largest flowers, placing them in the middle but leaving space for smaller blooms to fill in. Then, add medium-sized flowers around the centre, sprinkling some towards the outer areas. Finally, add your smallest flowers, placing many towards the edges.

Once you have added all your flowers, take a step back and look at your arch from a distance. Check that the two sides complement each other without being too symmetrical. Play around with the positions and angles of your flowers. You can also add the longest branches of greenery near the base of your arch to finish it off.

If you want to add any extra decorations, such as ribbons or bows, do so now. You can also tie flowers or greenery to the arch with zip ties if you prefer. Remember, there is no wrong way to decorate your wedding arch, so feel free to get creative and make adjustments until you are happy with the result.

Frequently asked questions