Wedding Arch With White Hydrangeas

Designing with Hydrangeas

As a floral designer, I have to say the hydrangea flower is my personal favorite. Whether using several to form a bridal bouquet, or arranging them for a table centerpiece, you can be sure they will make a dramatic statement to any setting. You can find them in several colors, however white is what I have used to make this hydrangea wedding arch. The hydrangea flower is eye catching because of it’s size that spans 7 or 8 inches wide, and it's beautiful fullness; If you look real close into the flower it’s like looking at hundreds of small, blooming bouquets. It’s quite a robust flower yet has a light, fresh look about it, as though it fell from heaven. After designing this arch I was surprised at how photogenic it was. I wish I could take a picture as well as this arch does!

In floral arranging, I have used all differed colors of hydrangea’s, but I have grown particular to white.The best part about using white is you can always pop an accent color into it to change the whole color scheme. This can be done very easily without having to use a lot of flowers.

Why A Wedding Arch?

The wedding arch is an important element to your wedding ceremony. If you are getting married outside, or on the beach, you may want to consider a lightweight, pre-decorated wedding arch that’s easy to carry. A beautifully decorated arch will not only set the mood for your wedding ceremony, but add visual interest in pictures. Photographers like using wedding arches as a back drop when capturing different angles of the bride and groom during the ceremony. Afterwards, it’s a great setting for family group shots.

 The Heavenly Hydrangea Arch

1-Pre-Lite Arch (All Occasion Arch) Purchased at Michael's
2-Spools of wide white Ribbon (Celebrate It) Purchased at Michael’s
1-Package of White Tulle 30 yds. ( found in wedding section at Michael’s
18-white hydrangea flower stems, (found in the spring collection stems at Michael's)
1-large bush of ivy with long vines on it(greenery section in Michael's)
2-stems with cascading pearls on them found at Michael's.
1- Package of white pipe cleaners, (purchased at Michael's.
All the items to make this arch can be found at Michaels Arts & Crafts
If you sign up on line with Michaels they will send you coupons that you can use on the materials to make this arch.








Directions:

1. Build your arch using the directions included in the box. Lights come with this arch on a net that clip on. It is not necessary to put the lights on if you don’t need them. The Arch comes with metal stakes to put into the ground to keep it more secure, however, if you are working inside your home, you may want to stabilize it some other way; I propped mine up against the wall. Given the height of the arch, a ladder will be required to reach the top parts.

2. The next step is the ribbon. start from the bottom on the left side and wrap the ribbon around the arch. The first spool of ribbon should take you to the middle of the top of the arch, then start with the second bolt and start where you left off until you reach the bottom of the right side.

3. Take the tulle and drape it down several feet, and then come up with the tulle, as if it were the train of a bridal dress. then attach it to the cross pole on the side of the arch about half way up the arch, underneath the satin white ribbon,  Without cutting the tulle repeat that process at least 3 times. Make sure your tulle is as  long as what's shown in my picture:
                                                         

(step 3 cont.) After you’ve done one side, you can cut from the main spool of tulle. Then you can repeat that process on the other side of the arch. (Remember to reserve about a 10ft piece that you will put at the top of the Arch. This will represent the Bridal veil.)

4.  Slip one hydrangea under the ribbon (the stem will be hidden under the ribbon). Make the flower part show in the front, and tie it down with a white pipe cleaner. Repeat that going all the way around, starting at about half way up the arch.  There should be 5 on one side and 5 on the other side, and then 4 at the crown of the arch at the top.

5.  Take the ivy bush, and cut off the long hanging vines, (I will use them in step 7). Attach the main part of the ivy bush to the top of the arch using again the pipe cleaner twist ties.  Then, weave 4 hydrangea stems through it so they're facing the front, and tie them down with pipe cleaners.

6.  Combine the pieces that you cut from the ivy together so that it looks like one big piece of ivy. Attach it to the left, front side of the arch twisting it around the hydrangeas, going all the way around the top until reaching the right side of the arch. Then, twist it around the flowers and tie them down with pipe cleaners.

7.  All that's left are the 2 pearl stems. The stems will resemble a fountain spilling over the top of the arch. These stems look like pearls on a fishing line, and gives a look of rain.

8.  Lay the last 4 remaining hydrandeas on the ground in front of the arch on the tulle.

9.  Lastly, You can take the remaining tulle, drape it over the top, and tie it down in the center.