This groom changed the narrative. Of course, he wanted his bride to have her dream wedding, but he also had fun doing it.
What if you can create an experience from scratch? Piecing your wedding venue as you want and spending less.
The trending groom did this and had no regrets whatsoever. He has set a precedence for you, and this is the perfect article for you if you are thinking of creating a DIY arbor.
Don’t miss our Definitive Guide Of Wedding Arches (with Free PDF Printable)
Groom Said Renting a Wedding Arbor is “Stupid Expensive,” So He Made His Own (Here’s How!)
Renting a wedding arbor can cost upwards of $400, sometimes even more! However, this groom cut that cost down dramatically. The wood used for the arbor cost him just under $50, with the screws and other hardware adding on a few extra coins. Obviously, quite a dramatic decrease. Decorating will add a tiny bit more onto that overall price, but still doesn’t even come close to outright renting or buying one.
So, how can you make your own wedding arbor, and decorate it to suit your particular style? Let’s take a look.
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Gather the materials for your DIY wedding arbor
For this arbor, you will need to buy some strong sturdy wood. It’s recommended that you get around 20 pieces of 2″ x 2″ x 8′ lumber. By the way, 2 x 2 lumber really only measures 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″, so bear that in mind while searching for your materials. Another tip- while you can find wood on Amazon (which is super convenient when you can’t leave your house), your best bet is still your local hardware store.
Obviously, your arbor will have to be tall enough to comfortably allow people to walk underneath. Often, this can be people who are significantly over 6ft tall. The measurements I suggested will allow your arbor to peak at over 7ft, which is just perfect.
You’ll need a large selection of tools and equipment too. This includes (but is not limited to) an electric drill, a hand saw, and a carpenter’s square. If you don’t have this equipment, it can easily be bought or borrowed. They aren’t items that are uncommon in many homes. Remember, you have to make a base, too – one that is strong enough to hold the arbor up, and all the decorations you will choose to put on it.
We’ve gathered up a few recommended tools for you below, just in case you don’t have them on hand already.
DIY wedding arbor video tutorials
It’s quite a long process, but the Groom who posted about his wonderful creation actually said that it was a fun project.
First, you will need to have a budget. This will help you to have a money plan as you build your wedding arbor. It will help to ask about the costs of ready-made arbors. This way, you can have a lower budget.
Then you will need to list all you need to create your arbor. Here, you may seek help from event planners or other professionals.
Also, we live in a digital world where information is at your fingertips.
Watching tutorials and asking relevant questions before starting your arbor-building quest will be best.
There is something wonderful about creating your own wedding items. If you want the exact tutorial used by the groom, watch the video below.
Try to follow it step by step, and ensure that you give yourself enough time before your wedding.
You don’t have to have a wooden arbor, of course. Metal ones are just as popular and are still possible to create all by yourself. The following tutorial walks you through how to make a DIY Copper arbor.
Crafting together your own arbor may seem difficult, but I can assure you that it is a relatively easy project. Watch through the tutorials, make sure you’ve got all the tools and equipment and you’ll be able to do it.
When renting is so expensive, it’s absolutely worth spending the time and effort into making one of these.
Getting wood from a local store ensures you get the wood quality you want. You can also ask the storeowner questions about the wood you need. They will direct you in the best direction, and you will make fewer errors in construction.
If you are searching for a fun and bonding event for your groomsmen, this may serve the purpose. You can catch up and bond over the sounds of hammers and chisels as you piece together the arbor.
Prepare for accidents and emergencies. Just in case, it will be wise to keep a first aid box handy.
If you have handy family and friends, it’s possible to get most of the building equipment from them. This will cut the cost of hiring tools. And if not, you could hire from a local store.
Afterward, you can give it a friend or even sell it. In the Reddit post, a commenter explained that he bought his own arbor from Etsy, and later sold it. This is another much more cost-effective idea. Of course, you can also keep it to use in your own garden!
How to decorate your DIY wedding arbor
So, you have your own DIY arbor – but it’s looking a little bit…empty. Don’t worry, there are still creative and inexpensive ways to decorate your beautiful crafted arbor.
Flower bouquets
Of course, flowers are one of the more obvious choices for your big day. I always recommend you opt for faux flowers, like silk. They’re much easier to work with, look just as amazing, and come at a fraction of the cost.
People often say that flowers have meanings. Yet, most people go for flowers that fit their style and the day’s color.
When decorating your arbor, make flower selections with your bride. This way, you will select flowers you both love. Also, making bouquets and decorations can be tricky. So, you may need the expert eyes of a professional to know what goes where.
Don’t forget to add a realistic amount of greenery to colors, to create a gorgeous effect like this.
If you need any hints and tips on how to make beautiful flower bouquets and arrangements, this YouTube video is ultra-informative.
- 【Size】 The bouquet is 10.6inches high, 7.5 inches in diameter.
- 【Beautiful Wedding Bouquet】 These artificial flowers and plants are made of soft silk and Good-quality plastic, which will not wither or fade, and can always remain beautiful. Also, artificial flowers cost less, making them the best substitute for expensive fresh flowers.
- 【Special Design】 This bridal bouquet contains champagne roses, white hydrangeas, lavenders, gypsophila, rose leaves, frosty green eucalyptus leaves, ribbons and jute rope. These fake flowers and greeneries are all have simple shapes, bright colors and realistic appearance.
If you opted for a metal arbor, you can still add a touch of nature to them. How amazing does this look?
Carnation curtains
If your arbor is placed for all your guests to walk through, why not create a lovely little curtain? Not only does this make a truly wonderful photo opportunity, but your guests will love it.
Fabric
Lastly, you can throw, knot, and drape fabric all over your DIY arbor. Of course, you can pair this with a gorgeous flower arrangement – like the one below.
A piece of fabric over the arbor is a great game-changer. This gives grace and elegance to your DIY arbor.
You may have to select a tasteful fabric or even a simple choice. This is provided that it is a backdrop that makes the entire look of the event scene glamorous and sophisticated
There we have it. If you think renting a wedding arbor is “stupid expensive,” too, it’s totally possible to make your own and decorate it to your liking. This cuts so many costs but allows you to have a piece of wedding decor that you always dreamed of.
Whatever you choose to do, remember that you are to have fun at your wedding and the events surrounding it.
This way, you will have less stress when planning the perfect wedding and its accessories
Do you have any other favorite DIY wedding arbor ideas? What are your thoughts on renting one? Share below!
I’m a freelance journalist/writer/content marketer with BA Hons in Journalism.
Last update on 2025-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
