You want your wedding to look picture-perfect. But if you’re looking to set the scene on a budget, look no further than the wedding arch.

These dreamy structures can be decorated to reflect your wedding’s aesthetic. And they ultimately will become the backdrop to some of the most important wedding photos!

Let’s look at a step-by-step guide on how to decorate a wedding arch with fabric, along with decoration ideas, FAQs, and more.

How to Decorate a Wedding Arch with Fabric in 5 Steps

Fabric is a great addition to any wedding arch. Not only is it versatile, but the right fabric will add texture, depth, and visual interest to the altar.

And while they look complicated, wedding arches are rather straightforward to assemble. Here are five easy steps you can take to decorate a wedding arch with fabric.

1. Gather Your Supplies

Your first step will be to choose the right fabric for your arch. Think about what vibe you are going for. This will help guide you to the fabric of your dreams.

Here are some of the most popular wedding arch fabric choices:

Chiffon: This luxurious fabric is lightweight and drapes nicely. Plus it’s sheer enough for LEDs to shine through for a stunning look.
Organza: This material is stiff enough to cover cumbersome frames while still retaining an elegant appearance. It creases easily, so handle it with care!
Tulle: The most affordable on the list, bunches of tulle look incredibly romantic with florals and foliage.
Velvet: Thick, soft, and perfectly drapable, a velvet backdrop is perfect for any cold-weather bride or one who loves a touch of drama!

Once you’ve chosen your fabric, decide on your accessories. Many brides choose natural touches that match their wedding bouquets. Lights, ribbons, and wedding signs are also popular choices.

2. Drape Your Fabric

Now that you have everything you need, You can begin draping the fabric over the wedding arch.

If you want an elegant effect, use lots of fabric with plenty of overlapping folds. For a modern look, use less fabric with a focus on creating clean lines. Finally, you can go for a minimalist approach and use fabric sparingly or even as an accent.

Once you’ve placed your fabric, take a step back and see if there are any areas that need adjusting. You’ll want to get every detail just right!

3. Add Floral Foam to Your Arch

The trick to a stunning wedding arch with fabric is to use floral foam as anchors for your accessories.

Attach the foam to key areas using well-hidden cable ties or clamps. Not only will the foam keep your flowers in place, but you can also wet it so the floral accents don’t wilt halfway through the ceremony.

Once it’s secured, you can insert stems into the floral foam, paying close attention to close unsightly gaps. Wire mesh will help you evenly space the flowers.

4. Add Greenery and Pops of Color

Vines, leaves, and other greenery are great accents for your wedding arch. They can add height to your arch and offer an organic contrast to your fabric of choice.

Pops of color from ribbons, lights, and unique accents will add interest and tailor the wedding arch to the happy couple.

5. Add Floor Decor

The trick to the perfect wedding arch is to think outside the arch! Consider laying additional fabric and accents around the base of the arch.

LED candles, lanterns, thrifted vintage end tables, or trailing fabric will look fantastic in your wedding photos!

8 Unique Ways to Decorate a Wedding Arch with Fabric

Opt for Simple Elegance

Keep the focus on the happy couple by opting for simple fabric with a minimalistic drape. Notice how the two-tone, asymmetrical drape will frame the bride and groom’s first kiss just right!

2. Focus on Flowers with Fabric Accents

Notice how a little bit of sheet fabric in a dramatic color adds interest and elegance against the spray of flowers. The round arch offers a unique alternative for couples who like to make a statement.

3. Go for a DuoChrome Look

Use two colors in the same type of fabric to create these beautiful arching drapes along the top of your wedding arch. Anchor your floral accents to the corners to let your fabric shine!

4. Make a Statement with Bold Colors

Weddings don’t have to be all about pastels. Make a bold statement with strong, saturated colors.

This rounded arch with a wire background is the perfect base for these strong colors. Use string lights to add even more power to this one-of-a-kind style.

5. Create a Curtain Effect

A simple, curtained drape is perfect for a rustic wedding. This wedding arch is anchored by a vintage whiskey barrel, making it unique and memorable.

This is an easy way to DIY a wedding arch because you can thrift curtains for a truly unique look for pennies on the dollar!

6. Use Unique Asymmetry

a wooden stick wedding arch with blue and white fabric and flowers. — Asymmetrical blue and white wedding arch fabric Via Laser Cut Wraps.

Asymmetrical draping is a great way to shine the spotlight on the bride and groom while adding drama and elegance.

Add interesting accessories to the floor area of your wedding arch to ensure your photos are full of fun details.

7. Use Velvet to Make a Big Statement

a wooden arch with orange velvet fabric draping. — Orange velvet wedding arch fabric draping outdoors Via TheaJamesBridal on Etsy.

Velvet may be a heavy fabric, but it drapes beautifully. The velvet holds the drapes and folds beautifully, meaning you won’t have to readjust for photos.

Fall brides will look simply elegant against this burnt-orange color scheme.

8. Add Color with Whimsical Color Combos

Whimsical color combos and accessories will make your wedding arch truly yours.

This style combines the curtained approach with elegant drapes, which creates a bohemian effect for brides who like to march to the beat of their own drum.

Add vintage rugs for even more visual interest (and to protect your shoes!)

Tips for Assembling Fabric on Your Wedding Arch

Creating a gorgeous wedding arch with fabric is a great way to express your creativity and put a unique stamp on your special day.

You can hire a vendor to create your wedding arch, but DIYing a wedding arch allows you to reign in the budget and make memories with your loved ones

Here are some tips for decorating your wedding arch.

Don’t forget the fastenings: To keep everything in place, you’ll need clear zip ties, floral foam, wire mesh, and clamps. Bring scissors, wire cutters, and pliers to ensure there are no sharp points that could snag your dress.
Consider the ceremony location: Season isn’t the only important factor when choosing fabric for your wedding arch. Outdoor weddings need fabrics that can stand up to the elements and humidity, while indoor ceremonies offer more flexibility since you don’t have to worry about the weather.
Thrift vintage fabrics for a unique look: If you’re looking to save money, hit up your local thrift stores to find vintage fabrics, like tablecloths, curtains, and other textiles. You can layer them for a one-of-a-kind wedding arch.
Add lights and candles: Weave lights through the fabric for a subtle, but elegant glow. LEDs don’t give off heat and are often battery-powered. You can use the remote to operate them and even customize the color to match your wedding scheme. Electric candles or safely-placed tealights add instant romance for minimal cost.

When you’re done dressing up your wedding arch, add the same glamour and elegance by decorating your metal folding chairs for your guests.

FAQs

Sheer voile on an extra-wide roll offers an elegant, airy drape for your wedding arch. Not only is it affordable, but the extra-wide measurements will allow you to create a stunning, full fabric drape across your wedding arch.
If your arch is 7ft x 5ft, you’ll need 6.5 yards of fabric. Larger arches measuring 8ft x 8ft require upwards of 10.5 yards of fabric for the perfect drape.
Choose a bold fabric color to drape on your wedding arch. Accessories, like wedding signs, ribbons, and floral accents, are another way to add splashes of color to your wedding arch.

At the end of the day, your wedding design is all about your vision. So dress up your wedding arch with any fabric of any color and add any accents you enjoy. If a wedding arch isn’t fitting your vision after all, look into decorating a gazebo for your special day.

How to Decorate a Wedding Arch With Fabric and Draping