DIY arch?

@Mrs.KatieK posted their diy arch in her pro-bam earlier today!

We bought some birch sticks when they were on sale. The plan is to stick the ends in cement and cover that area with flowers and I think crates.

@dreaming where did you buy them if you dont mind me asking?

Hi Melody. I took a look at your wedding details and saw you are getting married on a beach. Might I suggest a ground covering of petals or shells instead of an arch?

Reasons :

- transporting an arch to and from any venue can be daunting. Truck? Trailer? If the arch can be assembled on site, you'll need tools; what if something breaks/needs repair?

- who is given the responsibility of being in charge of the arch and everything that goes along with it? Do they want that responsibility?

- an arch, especially for outdoor ceremonies and sunlight, can cast shadows on the couple resulting in a not so great photo or photography being taken from one angle only to avoid those shadows. This situation happens much more often than not.

Not to be poopy head but I do want to let you know some of the things that I've seen/experienced with DIY arches and dealing with arches as a photographer.

@kathleen Im actually not. I'll be getting married in a town named after the beach. But im getting married on the innercoastal on cement.

That would make leveling it out much easier!!!!

My dad built ours.

I had the same problem. I wish I had a solution, but we decided just to rent a pretty mantel to stand in front of instead.

@Dena ooooooh so pretty!

@kathleen Im thinking it might be the guys only job for the day besides bringing the booze to the venue haha

Dena that is beautiful !!

@LittleDemon, thanks!

OP, Kathleen is right, something large is usually going to require some assembly/disassembly. Is your reception in the same place? Do you get time to break down the next day?

My mom bought them at Michael's when she had a 50% off coupon. I honestly don't know how much they were though.

DIY PVC pipe draped and decorated may surprise you

@tanika would that be durable enough?

PVC pipes are very strong and incredibly light. I made a Newborn posing cloth backdrop from it and the entire assembled piece can be lifted and carried. Home Depot even made 12 cuts for me for free! If you are cutting them yourself a regular pipe cutter works great. Make sure to use the pvc joints and glue the pieces together. Gluing can be day of if done early enough.

Make sure to make "legs" that can be supported with weights. Instead of support legs, something even easier would be to get two 5gallon buckets, fill them with quick dry concrete and put the side supports in that. Cover the buckets with matching fabric/netting. Pvc pipe can easily be spray painted. Make sure to pre assemble, mark, and then take apart if assembling on site.

That baby won't be going anywhere if anchored in cement buckets!

@kathleen hmm do you think using like windowsill planter buckets instead and making it more of a 4 posted arch would work? I really like that idea bc i could easily make it in 2 shorter sections that could go in my car.

If using concrete ... totally. Carefull of how long a distance your fabric and pole are draped on top going across. It could sag in the middle. If so, add a middle support vertical bar or use a larger diameter pole or very light weight fabric.

I am thinking tulle but I would want to add some florals as well. I suppose you could add a metal dowell to the inside to add some reinforcing as well.

This is from pintrest

But this is what I'm doing for mine