George Boyle
Wedding archways are a popular way to add a personal touch to your ceremony and reception. They can be used as a backdrop for exchanging vows, taking photos, or decorating the entrance to your venue. Archways can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal piping, clothing rails, and even recycled doors. Decorations can include flowers, ribbons, lights, pampas grass, balloons, and mesh. This DIY project can be budget-friendly and add a unique sense of style to your special day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Wood, flowers, pampas grass, chiffon drape, mesh, pipe shelves, balloons, metal piping, hula hoop, fairy lights, picture frame, polaroid pictures, mesh, diamond shapes, recycled doors, clothing rail, wooden beams, balloons, sheer material, pipe shelves, plants, old ladders, wooden palettes, macrame, fairy lights, light bulbs, vines, flowers, ribbons, bows, chicken wire, wire, gauzy linens, rugs, dried palm leaves, candles, string lights, dried flowers, birch wood, wildflowers, greenery, eucalyptus, olive branches, grapevines, peonies, garden roses, veronica, ferns, white blooms, driftwood, flower garlands, bougainvillea, fall foliage, ribbons |
| Shape | Triangle, hexagon, diamond, rectangular, semicircular, cathedral, geometric, round, asymmetrical, crescent, teepee, pergola, floating, Aztec-style, rectangular |
| Style | Rustic, boho, beach, natural, modern, contemporary, minimalist, elegant, whimsical, fairy-tale, eclectic, colourful, simple, wild, cottagecore, classic, chic, colourful, vintage, recycled, budget-friendly, luxurious, large |
| Decorations | Flowers, greenery, ribbons, bows, fairy lights, candles, string lights, gauzy linens, rugs, dried palm leaves, vines, flower garlands, balloons, polaroid pictures, mesh, diamond shapes, recycled doors, clothing rail, wooden beams, balloons, sheer material, pipe shelves, plants, old ladders, macrame, light bulbs |
What You'll Learn
Using flowers and greenery
Wedding archways are a beautiful way to frame the moment you and your partner become newlyweds. They can be decorated with flowers and greenery to create a stunning backdrop for exchanging vows. Here are some tips and ideas for creating a floral and greenery archway:
Planning and Materials
Before you begin, decide on the style and colour palette of your archway. Do you want a classic, rustic, or modern look? Will you use a combination of white and ivory flowers, or a burst of vibrant colours? You can match the flowers in your archway to your bridal bouquet or choose a completely different arrangement.
To create a DIY floral archway, you will need the following materials:
- A freestanding arch frame, which can be purchased from a garden centre or online.
- Buckets filled with stones or pebbles to stabilise the arch frame (optional).
- Floral foam garlands and blocks, pre-soaked in trays.
- Florist test tubes in varying sizes (optional).
- Wire mesh or chicken wire and zip ties.
- Flowers and foliage of your choice.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Assemble the arch frame in the desired location. Stabilise it by placing the back spokes in buckets filled with pebbles if needed. If assembling outdoors, you can spear the framework directly into the ground.
- Create the base by placing floral mud or floral foam blocks on either side of the arch's base, angling the central ones slightly inward.
- Wrap the base with wire mesh and secure it with zip ties, ensuring there are no sharp edges protruding. The base should be thicker than the top for a natural, tapered look and greater stability.
- Select large, leafy, heavy foliage branches to act as the foundation of your archway. Secure them directly to the framework with cable ties, using multiple ties to prevent slipping. If using foliage prone to drooping, place the ends into water-filled florist test tubes.
- Work evenly around the arch, ensuring good weight distribution for stability. Avoid attaching anything too heavy or bulky to the top of the frame.
- Add taller foliage to the floral foam blocks at the base, positioning them upward as if growing from the ground.
- Secure trailing pieces of foliage, such as ivy and ferns, at the top of the archway to unite the sides. Keep this light and airy to maintain stability.
- Continue building up the foliage until you achieve even coverage and most of the frame is hidden. Aim for a bushy and natural look, avoiding perfect symmetry.
- Step back and strategise the placement of your flowers. Focus on the front of the archway, which guests will see first. Cut up the floral foam garlands and attach individual pieces to the framework, concealing them within the foliage.
- Add the flowers in clusters, angling the stems upward and outward to mimic natural growth. Cut the stems at a sharp angle and push them firmly into the foam.
- Work methodically, considering colour and flower type. Step back occasionally to ensure you are happy with the overall design.
- Use small pieces of foliage or moss to conceal any exposed floral foam.
- Finally, add the tallest flowers to the floral foam blocks at the base for height and drama. Work in some shorter flowers in clusters around the base for a garden border effect.
Flower and Greenery Selection
When selecting flowers and greenery, consider their visual impact and longevity. Choose flowers that do well out of water, such as proteas and carnations. Roses are popular but more sensitive to a lack of water. If using fresh flowers, add them to the arch just before the ceremony.
For a delicate look, choose lightweight greenery like ivy. Dusty miller leaves are ideal for winter weddings due to their muted colour. If you want a lush, rustic look, opt for eucalyptus and fern leaves.
Feel free to mix and match different types of flowers and greenery to create a unique and personalised archway that reflects your style and the theme of your wedding.
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Choosing a unique shape
Wedding arches come in all shapes and sizes, and choosing a unique shape for your arch can really make your ceremony stand out. Here are some ideas to consider:
Triangle Arch
A triangle arch is a simple yet elegant choice that can add a modern touch to your wedding. This shape is easy to decorate and can be a great option if you're looking for something budget-friendly. You can decorate it with flowers, ribbons, lights, or any other material that fits your theme.
Hexagon Arch
If you want to step away from the traditional circular arch, a hexagon-shaped arch is a great alternative. It offers a unique look while still providing a stunning backdrop for your ceremony. Hexagon arches are also a popular choice for DIY projects, as they can be easily decorated to fit your wedding theme.
Circle Arch
A circle arch is a unique take on the traditional semicircular arch. It creates a beautiful pop of colour and can be especially striking against a neutral backdrop, such as a barn or rustic venue. Circle arches are often decorated with flowers or greenery, adding a romantic touch to your ceremony.
Diamond Arch
For a truly modern and contemporary look, consider a diamond-shaped arch. This geometric shape is ideal for modern nuptials and can be a real statement piece. Decorate it with garlands of greenery or flowers to add a touch of nature to your ceremony.
Multiple Arches
Instead of a single arch, you can create a grand entrance with multiple wooden arches. This unique setup can transform your ceremony space into a magical chapel-like setting. Crystal chandeliers and growing aisle arrangements can add a touch of opulence to this unique arch design.
Crescent Arch
If you're looking for something slightly less formal, a crescent-shaped arch is a beautiful option. This shape accommodates a larger bridal party and guest count, providing a spacious and elegant setting for your ceremony. Decorate it with flowers and greenery for a whimsical and romantic touch.
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Adding decorative elements
Flowers and Greenery
Flowers are a classic choice for wedding arch decorations. You can choose flowers that match your wedding colour palette or go for a more natural look with seasonal blooms. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own floral arrangements using flower boxes and greenery branch sets. Don't forget to add some greenery to create depth and variety!
Fabric and Ribbons
Fabric and ribbons can add a romantic and elegant touch to your wedding arch. Sheer fabrics, such as chiffon or gauze, can be draped over the arch to create a soft and whimsical effect. Ribbons can be tied to the arch, with colours that match your flowers or theme. For a more rustic look, you could use burlap ribbon.
Lights
Fairy lights or string lights can be wrapped around your wedding arch to create a magical and romantic atmosphere, especially if your celebration continues into the evening. For an extra special touch, you could use lights in your wedding colours or even lights shaped like your initials.
Balloons
Balloons are a fun and budget-friendly way to decorate your wedding arch. You can choose balloons in your wedding colours or go for a more eclectic mix of colours and sizes. If you're feeling extra creative, you could even make your own balloon arch!
Personalised Touches
Personalised decorations can make your wedding arch even more special. For example, you could use photos of the happy couple or polaroid pictures of your guests. Another idea is to incorporate items that reflect your hobbies or interests, such as lanterns or even a crocheted cloth.
Natural Elements
If you're having an outdoor wedding, you can use natural elements to decorate your arch. For a beach wedding, you could use pampas grass or driftwood. For a forest wedding, consider using exposed wood or branches to blend in with the natural surroundings.
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Opting for a simple design
Opting for a simple wedding arch is a great way to complement your wedding theme without stealing the show. Here are some ideas for creating a simple yet elegant arch for your special day:
Triangle Arch
A simple triangle-shaped arch is a great option that is easy to decorate and customise. You can add flowers, ribbons, lights, or any other decorations that fit your wedding theme. This type of arch is also easy to build yourself using wood or metal piping.
Rustic Arch
For a more rustic vibe, consider using recycled materials such as old doors, wooden beams, or even a basic clothing rail. You can paint and decorate these structures to match your wedding theme or leave them plain for a more natural look.
Sheer Material Drape
Another simple and elegant idea is to use sheer fabric to create a draped arch. This project is easy on the budget and can be customised with different colours and fabrics to match your style.
Natural Arch
If you're looking for a more natural and organic feel, consider using the scenery around you to create your arch. You can use trees, bushes, or hedges to create a beautiful, rustic arch that blends seamlessly with the environment.
Minimal Floral Arch
For a simple yet romantic look, opt for a minimal floral arch. Place a few expertly positioned blooms on a pared-down arch, or braid free-flowing foliage and white flowers together for a soft and elegant look.
Circle Arch
A circle arch is a great option if you're looking for something a little different from the traditional inverted U-shape. You can decorate it with flowers, garlands, or leave it plain for a more minimal look.
Remember, when creating a simple wedding arch, you can make it extraordinary by adding personal touches and decorations that reflect your style and theme.
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Using unexpected materials
Vintage Wrought-Iron Gate
Take a page from Abby Jiu Photography and use a vintage wrought-iron gate as your ceremony structure. Decorate it with an array of roses, snapdragons, and other flowers for a wildflower feel. This idea blends organic and slightly unkempt greenery with a romantic, vintage structure.
Picture Frame
Go thrifting with your partner to find a large picture frame that can be turned into a wedding arch. It will be a fun surprise for your guests and a unique way to frame your special moment. You can decorate the frame with flowers or leave it as is for a more minimalist look.
Recycled Doors
For a rustic vibe, consider creating a wedding arch from recycled doors. It's an inventive and creative way to add a personal touch to your ceremony. You can decorate the doors with flowers, draping, or leave them as-is for a more natural look.
Metal Piping or Hula Hoop
For a modern and sophisticated look, use metal piping to create a unique shape for your arch. You can paint it to match your wedding colour palette and decorate it with flowers or greenery. Alternatively, use a hula hoop and paint it to disguise its original form – a budget-friendly option that looks elegant and simple.
Triangle Arch
A triangle-shaped arch is a stunning and simple touch to any wedding. It is easy to decorate and can be customised to fit your theme. Add flowers, ribbons, lights, or any other materials that suit your style. This shape is a unique take on the traditional circular or semicircular arch.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to make your wedding arch unique and personalised. For a simple, chic rustic arbor, you could use seasonal flowers, fabrics and various builds. You could also use exposed wood, which coordinates perfectly with forest, rustic and bohemian weddings, especially outdoors. For a beach wedding, a simple design with white buds and greenery would complement the setting. If you want to make a statement, you could use a unique shape such as a hexagon or a diamond.
A wooden wedding arch provides a blank canvas for you to dress up as you please. You could use eye-catching florals, wispy pampas grass, or chiffon drapes with floral accents. For a bohemian wedding, you could add pampas grass, dried palm leaves, white anthurium and pink roses.
This depends on the colour palette and style of your wedding. Popular choices include roses, dahlias, anthuriums, snap dragons, peonies, garden roses, veronica, olive branches, eucalyptus, orchids, sweet peas, ranunculus, orchids, calla lilies, poppies and sunflowers.
This depends on the style of your wedding arch. For a floral arch, you will need flower boxes, greenery branch sets, wire mesh or chicken wire, and zip ties. For a simple arch, you could use a basic clothing rail and decorate it accordingly. For a wooden arch, you will need wooden beams or branches.
