DIY Wedding Arch?

[Vikki]

Has anyone made their own arch?

 

What was your inspiration and how did you accomplish it?

 

 

I dislike the included arch option at my resort and am considering trying to come up with something on my own. There is an upgraded option I like but it's an extra $300 and if I can make and transport something for less I would like to try.

 

 

The hideous green thing on the left is the standard arch and the one on the right is an upgrade option that I like. (Even though it's not technically an arch)

 

This what I'm considering:

 

1. Find 6 long bamboo shoots and cut them down into packable lengths to box and fly down.

2. Bring tulle in my wedding colors to lightly wrap around.

3. Purchase two basic bridesmaid bouquets at the resort for the flowers.

 

I need advice on:

 

1. How to assemble the cut-down pieces of bamboo.

2. Stability for wind.

 

Depending on the cost of the bamboo and what it will take to assemble it I think I can make and transport this for way under $300.

 

ANY advice, input, ideas, ect would be wonderful!

 

Thanks in advance.

[Sheeoni]

I am surprised nobody has posted here with any suggestions... so I did a quick search on Google and came up with this youtube video on how to tie them into a tripod structure.

 

YouTube - How to Lash a Bamboo Tripod

 

As far as the bamboo goes, maybe you can find a vendor there that sells lengthy pieces of bamboo instead of trying to transport them with you. If needed, maybe you could get a courier to bring them to the hotel for you if you can't pick them up because of time constraints? As far as securing them so they don't knock over, maybe weight applied to the center of the structure, where the flowers are.. potted flowers? Flowers in a bucket of water suspended from the string holding the bamboo together?

 

How to make a bamboo wedding arbor? - Bamboo Forums

This thread briefly talks about construction (VERY brief)

 

Bamboo Arts and Craft Network

The root of the above post, you can probably troll forums until you find something truly useful (I hope!)

 

Key words I used to search were bamboo wedding trellis tripod arbor and any combination of those words.

 

My other suggestion is that perhaps there is another location on the island that rents them for much cheaper? I'm sure to make one will cost less than $300, but the hassle itself may not be worth your time.

 

At any rate, hope this helps a little, and best of luck ^^

[marny61]

I am hoping folks will post their diy arches - I agree the green one is hideous.

[Vikki]

I haven't checked this lately but I actually found 6, 6 foot bamboo poles, they're thick and when tied as a tri-pod heavy enough to stand against some mild wind. We bought an extra set of them to practice ideas for cutting them down and were able to find a solution!!

 

We're cutting them in to 2 foot sections and using small lengths of PVC pipe sized to fit tightly where we've cut the bamboo. All we'll have to do is fit them together using the pvc lengths to hold them together.

 

Total Cost: $85 - 105

6 Bamboo poles $20. (Found them on sale at cost plus world market)

PVC $15

Tulle $25

Luggage fee (I'm guessing between $25 and $50 to check the extra box).

 

I'll post a picture when I get home tonight.

[cruisebride0410]

So you just checked the box with the bamboo poles in it? I was wondering how you would go about transporting something like that.

[Vikki]

I forgot to update this until I posted in the planning thread today.

 

I hope this is helpful!

 

I found lots of great ideas for assembling a bamboo tripod/arch/ect but the transportation was the biggest issue. Most of these projects were more permanent assemblies or required whole bamboo poles.

 

Brandon and I ended up using 6 bamboo poles, 6 foot each.

 

We cut them down into approximately 2 foot sections, marking each cut with a unique tape pattern so we could easily tell which sections fit together. We'll remove the tape and tag the insides with something not visible.

 

To put them back together so they were steady we bought pvc pipe that fit into the bamboo, cut it into 6 inch sections and used duct tape to make the ends big enough for a snug fit when put together.

 

The total weight of the project is less than 10 pounds, including the organza we're using to decorate them. All the pieces will fit inside of a carry on (although we're going to put it in our checked bags).

 

Here are a couple pictures. I was surprised at how sturdy they ended up being. I thought it would be hard to keep them straight and not wobbling but with the duct tape on the ends of the pvc it allows each connection to fit tightly enough to keep it from falling apart. To tie them at the top we're going to use some hemp cord. I think I'll tie them a little lower than these pictures show but you can get the idea.

 

 

 

[CarlyChristine]

Looks awesome Vikki! Very creative and a great idea!

[purpleshells]

melia las dunas has a horrible arch too....im thinking of either not having one or wrapping it with organza...donno how much i would need and would it recover the ugliness enough?lol

 

the horrible arch; http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/...3894b98019.jpg

[loua4]

Hi. I have the same question as cruisebride0410. How are you getting them to your destination?

[vdaybride]

Great job and you saved some money..win, win!!