Calling all DIYers - Arches

I'm normally pro diy, however I'm also a realist. This sculpture is a piece of art. It's not something just slapped together by watching a video. It's going to require knowledge of physics as much as wood working. If your ffil is a carpenter, he may be able to pull it off. But you may want to have a backup plan.

I think that you might need a carpenter or woodworker to build this. If your FFIL is one then awesome! But I think this might be out of the scope of what a DIY-er can do.

While beautiful, this should be left to the pros. If you look at the wood grain in the bottom left (where it's most exposed), the wood grain is cut off going towards the center. This leads me to believe that this arch was cut from a single slab of wood from a truly massive tree.

If you have access to that kind of material for a cheaper price than renting, it would be almost as simple as: determining the thickness of the ring, cutting out the middle with a jigsaw (maybe), cutting off the bottom to replace with a flat piece so it will stand upright, sanding, staining, finishing with a high gloss lacquer and polishing.

If not, your FFIL (who I hope is a wood worker) will probably have to piece together a lot of straight pieces of wood and then cut it out.

Maybe consult a wood worker too just in case? I'm not one but from watching a ton of wood working videos on YouTube - so therefore I am an expert lol - that just seems like the logical way that it would be done.

FFIL isn't a woodworker, but luckily FHs grandfather is/was!

Try Pinterest? They often have some variations that can match enough to give you the look without the "pro" skill needed....

There are some better pics here

https://www.weddingchicks.com/blog/romanticly-sun-kissed-garden-wedding-ideas-in-texas-l-14593-l-11.html

I doubt the arch was cut from one slice of a tree. More likely it was made from sections of plywood with the inside edges kerfed and steamed to allow the curve.

The arch is on the grounds of Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, in San Antonio Texas. You could contact them by email and ask.