Crafting Wedding Swag: A Step-By-Step Guide To Making Yours

Wedding swag is a great way to add a personal touch to your big day and save some money. Floral decorations are a common feature at weddings, and a floral arch is a popular choice. You can make your own wedding arch flower swag with a few simple steps. First, pick your theme and choose your flowers and colours. You can use fresh or artificial flowers, and you will also need an oasis cage, flower adhesive, florist wire, and stem adhesive. Start by adding greenery, such as leaves or ferns, then add your chosen flowers. Finish with a flower sealant and any extra decorations, such as glitter or ribbons. You can also add fabric draping to your arch for a romantic touch.

Pick your theme

Picking a theme for your wedding swag is an incredibly important step, so take your time with it. The flowers you choose will create a completely different vibe, so it's important to select colours and styles that match your overall theme and aesthetic.

For example, a forest or natural-themed wedding would have a very different selection of flowers to a traditional white wedding. If you're going for a forest or natural theme, you might want to use flowers and greenery that are native to the area. You could also incorporate other natural elements, like pebbles, shells, and starfish, to create a cohesive look.

If you're having a beach wedding, you could use flowers that are native to the beach and include other coastal elements in your design. On the other hand, if you're going for a more traditional or modern wedding, you might want to stick to classic flowers like roses and orchids in a colour scheme that matches your theme.

Remember, your floral swag should complement the look and feel of your venue and fit in with the season. By selecting flowers that are in season, you'll get the most beautiful blooms, and they'll last longer, too.

Start with greens

Every piece of floral swag needs greens. This usually comes in the form of leaves, but can also be various flowers that are predominantly green. Think ferns, for example.

You should start with these green pieces as they form the framework for your design. Make sure to place them in your oasis tub at different lengths to create a natural look. We recommend shortening the greens at the top and bottom, keeping them relatively long on the sides. Angle the greens forward as you work your way to the middle of the foam. You should also add greens to the centre, but make sure they are shorter in length. Remember, your middle stems should be pointing forward. To create a varied look, add different shades and types of green.

If you are using roses, make sure you de-thorn them. If you don't, you risk ruining the foam, and you could hurt yourself.

You can also add eucalyptus to your floral swag. This greenery works well at a beach wedding, for example, where you can also incorporate pebbles, shells, and starfish into the design for a natural and coastal look.

Add flowers

Add the flowers

Now, it's time to place your filler flowers into your oasis. These will follow the angles of the greenery and be the centrepiece of your swag. Make sure to shorten the flowers in the centre to create that desired enclosed look. If your flowers don't have long stems, you'll need to tape and wire them in place. If you're using roses, remember to de-thorn them to avoid ruining the foam and injuring yourself.

Add your chosen flowers at different angles and to different depths to create a natural, varied look. You can also add sprigs of dried baby's breath for added texture and to spread your colour palette throughout the piece.

If you're using artificial flowers, you can add hot glue to the back of the flowers and add an 18-gauge floral wire stem to secure them in place.

Add your larger flowers first, keeping them mostly in the middle but avoiding a bullseye effect. Then, add your medium-sized flowers, sprinkling them towards the outer areas. Finally, add your smallest flowers, placing many of them at the edges of your shape, but scattering some throughout the centre and the entire swag.

Complete your design

Now for the fun part! It's time to put your design skills to the test and complete your floral swag. This part may take a few tries to get right, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it perfect the first time. Remember, you want your wedding decorations to be flawless.

Play around with different colours and designs to see what works best with your chosen flowers and aesthetic. Try out a few different arrangements and step back to admire your handiwork from a distance. This will help you see the overall effect and make any necessary adjustments.

If you're happy with how your floral swag looks, it's time to secure your flowers in place with sealant. This will ensure your creation stands the test of time and doesn't fall apart during your big day. You can also add some extra touches, like glitter or ribbons, to make it even more special.

Finally, attach your floral swag to your wedding arch. These decorations typically work best in the corners of the arch, adding a touch of elegance to the ceremony. And there you have it! You've created a beautiful floral arch swag that will wow your guests and save you money.

Finishing touches

Now that you've crafted your floral swag, it's time to add some final flourishes to make it truly special. Here are some ideas for those perfect finishing touches:

• Sealant: Apply a finishing touch flower sealant to preserve your floral swag and ensure it stays fresh-looking for your big day.
• Glitter: Add a touch of sparkle to your swag with glitter. This is a great way to incorporate your wedding colours or add a subtle shine.
• Ribbons: Delicate ribbons can enhance the beauty of your floral swag. Choose colours that complement your flowers and theme.
• Personalised Details: Make your swag unique by adding personalised elements such as initials, a monogram, or a meaningful charm.
• Lights: If your wedding is in the evening or has a magical theme, consider adding fairy lights or small LED lights to your swag.
• Extra Greenery: For a fuller look, add extra greenery, such as small leaves or sprigs of baby's breath, to fill any gaps and create a lush appearance.

Remember, these finishing touches are all about customising your floral swag to match your vision. So, be creative, and don't be afraid to experiment until you achieve the perfect result!

Frequently asked questions