My husband built a pergola for us to be married under made mostly of felled cedar from our land. Using several arch draping fabrics, cedar branches, and bouquets, the pergola was transformed into a glorious boho-inspired wedding pergola. Using the same fabric as the pergola, I made a variety of arches to be placed at random stations throughout the wedding.
Check out my Pinterest board for more inspiration for an ‘Enchanted Forest’ party vibe.
Supplies
- Arch frame
- Fabrics
- Artificial eucalyptus
- Hanging/lighting decorations
- Floral wire and snips
- Fresh floral bouquets (optional)
Instructions
- Assemble the arch frame.
- Wrap the fabrics around the frame, testing a variety of draping placements.
- Based on the desired fabric arrangement, take a strand of eucalyptus garland and identify placement across the arch.
- Remove fabrics. Wrap floral wire around the base, halfway point, and end of the garland to secure it.
- Drape fabrics once more.
- Wrap string lights, if using (I didn’t)
- If hanging additional decorations, measure a string that goes from the frame to halfway down the height of the arch. Tie a knot to the piece of the item that can hang, and then tie the other end to the frame. Adjust heights as you attach items to test different placements.
Detailed Instructions
Assemble the arch frame
Arch instructions vary, but ultimately can be easily assembled with a screwdriver. Bonus if you have a drill. Here are the frames I purchased:
8 Ft Tall Gold Triangle Metal Arch This was extremely cost effective compared to what’s available on the internet for a geometric gold arch. $145, Etsy
White Metal Wedding Stand Despite its faults, this was one of the best-looking decorations in the entire wedding. Cheap (buy it when wedding items are 50% off at HL).
White Metal Wedding Arch The most wobbly item in my wedding. After it was placed day of, I did not like the way it looked. Be careful when assembling to ensure all screws are tight.
Wrap the fabrics around the frame
Arch fabrics are great and can be reused in different ways to create a new look each time. If the items you are decorating are relatively close to the ground, you are better off with a 24′ fabric. Anything tall or big requires 30′ or longer for it to drape at least halfway down the arch pillars. I bought a variety of fabrics to provide variety in color and length and I recommend buying two of everything to optimize symmetry. My favorite was a three-piece set with mauve, dusty rose, and cream (currently unavailable at Amazon) that was more than enough to decorate a basic arch. My Pinterest board has tons of inspiration for this.
Attach the eucalyptus garland
Artificial eucalyptus garlands ensured the perfect base for the arches capable of withstanding heat and sunlight. Both preserved and artificial eucalyptus strands are attached using floral wire around the metal posts. I tried both types, liked the way both looked, and ultimately will use the artificial going forward to not worry about replacing the preserved eucalyptus if exposed to the sun.
Whether you use preserved or artificial, wrap floral wire around the strands to secure them to the arch. Wire wrapped in natural fibers allows for a rustic look when attaching heavy items. It’s handy to have several pre-cut at 6-12 inches (depending on the frame diameter) allowing you to focus on holding up the garland and other decorate grasses. Each arch requires 2-4 6′ strands for full coverage; but, arches can be accented with a single strand as well. Once secured, additional gold decorations can be slid under floral wire to provide additional texture and color.
Add additional decorations
Hanging decorations take your DIY arch to the next level and are easy to attach. Hanging lights are the most common because they look great, but lanterns work well too. Geometric shapes are fun, especially when combined with asymmetrical aspects to create a space of order and chaos.
Adding fresh florals
My florist made bouquets that were easily tied onto the frames of the arches for an additional pop of color and tie-in to the rest of the color scheme. After the wedding, they were easy to hang to dry for preservation.
