Spring Floral Wedding Arch

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Rose/Hydrangea garland, approx. 5' 3" long, three for 7'Hx 4' 6"W arch

Floral stems:

• Hydrangea bush - blue (5), taupe (4)
• Ranunculus bush - white (6)6
• Rose bush - peach - (6)
• Rose, Ranunculus, Hydrangea bush - Blue/Peach/Mixed (6)
• Rose, Hydrangea - Peach (8)
• Rose, Hydrangea, Peach Pick - (4 with greenery)

Greenery Stems:

• Eucalyptus (6)
• Farm Eucalyptus (6 long stems)
• Fiscus Leaves Bush (6 long stems)
• Dusty Miller Bush (4)
• Eucalyptus Fern Pick (15)
• Thistle Bush - Blue (3)
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Floral wire with cutter (1)
• Naturally wired floral wire - 40' (1) (hangers)
• Hot glue gun & hot glue
• Floral tape
• Felt - green - 2" strips x 15'
• Large flat surface

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut one 2' length off one garland. This will be used as the separate spray at the bottom of one leg of the arch. Wire together remaining garlands at the loop ends. Cut long garland to 13' long. Alternate method: cut into three lengths, 1'6" (top of side of arch above 2' spray), 4'6" (top of arch) and 7' (full side of arch). Shorter sections may be beneficial if moving the arrangement to another location. Keep the sections of garland next to one another while adding stems.
2. Attach the longest stems of greenery and the largest flowers first. Lay the flower stems in a random pattern of clusters and individual flowers over all the garland. Lay the longest greenery spraying away from the garland as far as possible. Bend the lowest 2" of stems and insert into the garland center. Add a small dot of hot glue around the entrance hole to further secure. Some flowers may remain in the bundle as purchased and some may be cut to individual stems. If attaching a thick stem to the garland, it may be necessary to bend the thick section of stem to lay on top of the garland. Add a spiral of wire to attach and a bead of hot glue to hold the stem to the garland. Remove any small original stems on the garland that are in the way of attaching the larger stems.
3. Continue to add all flower stems in a random pattern of clusters and individual stems. Vary the heights of the flowers. Bend the flower heads to face out from the garland. Leave small stems with flowers and a few longer stem flowers to fill in at the end.
4. Add other greenery to fill in between the flowers. Vary the density of the greenery. Bend the flowers and greenery stems to intertwine. Use short strips of wire spiraled around stems to attach stems together and to hold them in place. This will help to keep the floral from flipping toward the back of the garland. Cover the wires with spirals of floral tape.
5. Add additional stems of greenery or remaining floral to elongate draped sections. Heavier gauge wire may be used to extend the width of the sprays of floral. Wire or twist together stems that are close to one another to help hold the shape of the arrangement. Check over the arrangement to ensure that all stems are attached.
6. Flip over the arrangement. Remove any leaves or greenery that lays over the garland. Wire together any intersecting stems that may help keep the arrangement stabilized. Start at one end of the garland and lay beads of hot glue on the back of the garland, 5" sections at a time. Press the 2" felt centered over the garland. Press down the sides of the felt. Cut into the felt on the sides, where stems protrude, so the felt will lay flat against the garland. Hot glue the sides of felt to the garland.
7. Cut 12, 2' lengths of Naturally Wired wire for the hangers. Place each 2' length under the garland, pull around onto the back of the garland and twist tie tight. The ends may be twist tied to an arch. Place one hanger close to the top and one hanger close to the bottom of the 2' spray. Place 5 hangers equally spaced from the top to the bottom of the full side, one should be placed at the top corner. Place 4 hangers along the top (5 including the one from the full side) one should be placed at the top corner. One more hanger should be placed close to the bottom of the short side.
8. Flip the arrangement face up.
9. After the arrangement is attached to the arch fluff the stems for maximum fullness.

JOANN HACKS:

• Step back from the construction often to see the color layout and shape of the arch. Adjustments may be made prior to wiring stems together.