What is the best fabric for a
In a hurry and need something right away? Check our top recommendations below.
6 Fabrics for Wedding Arches
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Have you heard of tobacco cloth? No, it’s not made from actual tobacco! The name actually comes from the fact that it was used to shade tobacco plants. One Reddit user suggested using it for wedding arches, saying:
Depending on the aesthetic you’re going for, there is something called tobacco cloth that has a nice, natural flow and drape and is super cheap on sites like Amazon. Our wedding is outdoors and casual/rustic so it works for us. If you’re going for a formal look it would be out of place. I got some in a nice, natural, linen/oat color for like $1/yard. It’s lightweight but not sheer, kind of like a slightly heavier weight cheese cloth.
Tobacco cloth is actually a super popular choice for weddings, especially because of its gorgeous white canvas look – something which is versatile and matches any kind of occasion.
Benefits
- Lightweight and thin, so it’s a good pick for portable wedding arches
- Fantastic vintage look
Drawback
- Looks a bit old-fashioned if you’re going for a more modern vibe.
- Not the easiest material to find in bulk
- What is Tobacco Cloth? Tobacco cloth is a light, airy, loosely woven cotton fabric that folds and drapes beautifully..
- Perfect for rustic wedding décor and homestyle window treatments.
- Sold as a 60 yd cut. 60 yards = 180 feet. Width is 36 inches. 100% cotton tobacco cloth. Tobacco cloth is flammable and not suited for children's sleepwear.
2. Tulle Fabric
Another option, suggested by a Reddit user is Tulle. While this is predominately used for more crafty projects, it can look absolutely gorgeous incorporated into a
This is a much more crafty kind of fabric to use. With this, you can get a lot more creative, and use this fabric to create an aesthetic that you always dreamed of.
Benefits
- Known for being easy to use and work with. This means you can make flowers and other designs with this.
- A very ethereal feel to it, perfect for a beach wedding!
Drawbacks
- It is extremely delicate and can rip or tear quite easily.
- So light that it can blow around (or away) on a windy day at an outdoor wedding.
- Lightweight & Durable Mesh Tulle Spool: Soft Polyester netting tulle, 6 inch x 100 yards (300ft).
- Great Value & Widely Apply: White tulle is perfect DIY choice for tutu skirts, pew bows, chair sashes, table skirts, gifts wrapping, craft projects, ceiling or other home decorations.
- Multipurpose Use Tulle Fabric: Great decorations for wedding, bridal showers, baby shower, ceremony, graduation, Christmas, Valentine's day, Easter, new year, party or for everyday entertaining.
3. Sheer Curtain Drapes
Here’s one that may surprise you! One of our favorite recommendations for brides on a budget came from u/jesstrail, who said:
I went with the curtains! They’re almost 9ft long each and come in packs of two for $5. Bargain and a half!
In particular, sheer white curtains work great and can be added to a great design. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box – if you think it fits your wedding aesthetic, it likely will. A benefit to DIYing your own
Benefits:
- Super affordable, you can find them for as little as a $1 a panel at dollar stores!
- Sheer and lightweight
Drawbacks
- Pre-cut, so you have to work with panels versus cutting exactly what you need.
- So light, they could blow up or away in the wind.
- Lightweight & Durable Mesh Tulle Spool: Soft Polyester netting tulle, 6 inch x 100 yards (300ft).
- Great Value & Widely Apply: White tulle is perfect DIY choice for tutu skirts, pew bows, chair sashes, table skirts, gifts wrapping, craft projects, ceiling or other home decorations.
- Multipurpose Use Tulle Fabric: Great decorations for wedding, bridal showers, baby shower, ceremony, graduation, Christmas, Valentine's day, Easter, new year, party or for everyday entertaining.
4. Chiffon Fabric for Wedding Arches
Of course, we have to mention the obvious – chiffon. This is, arguably, the most popular choice of fabric, especially for weddings. It’s lightweight, romantic, and looks great. However, ordering chiffon and knowing exactly how much you need can be a task in itself. Don’t worry, one Reddit user asked this question themselves.
The responses are really helpful, so I recommend checking them out if you’re considering using chiffon. We’ll highlight a couple here, though, to show you some of the pros and cons mentioned.
Benefits
- It drapes really well
- Also holds dye really well. That’s great for those who want to really customize their wedding arches.
- Easy to find in tons of colors and sizes.
Drawbacks
- It can be quite difficult to work
- Frays super easily.
Reddit user lynaevm has some great advice on choosing the right chiffon. They say,
I would pay attention to the fiber content of the fabric. Silk chiffon is fancier than you need it to be. Polyester chiffon is pretty standard — its what many bridesmaids dresses and blouses are made of. It will probably be 45″ wide, which is enough but won’t be lush. 60″ wide would be better.
Another user recommended cutting the fabric with pinking shears to reduce fraying.
- Extra Long：Each order Includes 2 panels. Each panel is approx. 27 inches wide by 216 inches long. Long enough for any size of arch to create eye catching party decorations.
- Material: 100% semi-sheer chiffon. Semi-sheer backdrop drapes are airy and light-weighted.
- Nice Stitching：All edges are finished with nice stitching. They are white and light pink color. Best choice for a white & pink theme party.
5. Organza Material for Arches
Like chiffon, organza is another popular choice! According to the dictionary, it’s “a thin, stiff, transparent fabric made of silk or a synthetic yarn.”
So, which better: organza or chiffon? Let’s look at organza’s pros and cons to find out.
Benefits
- Synthetic organza is fairly affordable.
- Frays less than chiffon
- Very light and airy
- Retains its shape well
Drawbacks
- Tends to wrinkle
- Very sheer
- While it frays less, it’s considered a “flimsy” material.
According to Reddit user starfish-georgia:
Organza does fray less than chiffon, but it also has a lot more body to it. Chiffon will look really flat, whereas organza will retain a little more shape. Both could be really beautiful and achieve a pretty similar look to what you’re looking for.
- Dimension: Approximately 28 Yard Length / 11" Width
- Material: Sheer premium organza
- Color: As shown on picture. The color may be a little different from the picture display due to the light and the screen setting difference.
6. Satin Fabric
Satin is known for it’s romantic feel – it’s a luxury kind of fabric, and will definitely be a showstopper. The smooth, shiny fabric is traditionally made from silk, but there are synthetic versions as well. Let’s look at the pros and cons.
Benefits
- Obviously, the appearance is obviously one of the biggest pros. It has such an impact of the aesthetic of your
wedding arch . - Durable, so could be perfect for outdoor weddings.
- Heavier than other
wedding arch fabrics, again making it a good pick for backyard ceremonies. - Comes in a TON of colors!
Drawbacks
- It is quite hard to work with.
- While durable, it can fray.
- Pricier than other options.
If you want to get crafty and cut it up in certain ways, that can be risky. Just like with the drapes, it is easier to use this to throw over the arches.
- - [ SOLD by INDIVIDUAL PIECES ] - L: 5 Yards (180" Inches), W: 60" Inches // Each quantity comes in separate piece. Ex: If you choose 5 Yards with Quantity of 2, you will receive 2 separate 5 Yard pieces. //
- - [ MATERIAL ] - 100% Polyester
- - [ ADVANTAGES of SATIN FABRIC ] - Luxury feel and aesthetic, Floaty drape, Versatile, Smooth and Lustrous Surface
While these are our picks for the best fabric for a
If you want a good summary of the more common fabrics, I really like this article by Fiber2Apparel.com, as it gives you a quick list followed by a long guide with visuals of each one.
So, if you’re not really feeling the “sheer and wispy” vibe of the popular options, get creative! Just remember that your arch needs to be able to actually support the material. So, if you’re going with a super light and portable arch, you may not want to drape heavy velvet or denim over it!
Where to Buy Fabric for a Wedding Arch
As you may have noticed throughout this post, we recommended Amazon as our top retailer for affordable but quality fabric. I like them because you can easily see what others thought of the material and even get it shipped free. Of course, they’re not the only option. Let’s look at a few others.
Etsy
Etsy is another fantastic option, but you have to do a bit more work to find exactly what you need. When you do find the perfect fit for your arch, I recommend buying it asap. I actually had a couple of Etsy recommendations for you originally, but they sold out before I could even finish writing this. So, be aware of that possibility.
Specialty fabric stores online
As far as online options go, Fabric.com is a great choice, as you can shop by color, material, and even by purpose. OnlineFabricStore is another neat shop with a massive selection and fairly affordable prices overall. They ship to numerous different countries, too. So, if you’re not a US reader, they could be the perfect option for you.
Brick and Mortar retailers
You can also shop at fabric stores in person. Stores like Joann’s, Michaels, and even Walmart are good places to start. Even if you ultimately decide to buy online, I recommend stopping in one of these stores anyway. That way, you can see and feel different materials up-close to make sure you’re choosing the right one.
Other Alternatives to Using Drapes in Your Wedding Arch
While using drapes in a wedding arch is a traditional choice for weddings, there are plenty of couples who go for other options. You can pick up some of these ideas for your big day too:
1- A floral arch
If you have the budget, you can fill an arch with fresh flowers. This is a timeless option that you can easily fit into your wedding theme.
2- Macrame arch
If you’re having a beach or boho-themed wedding, you can use a macrame arch instead of drapes. This can give your wedding a unique and textured look. To add dimension and color, you can throw in some flowers or greenery.
3- Doors
Another alternative to a traditional arch is a pair of rustic/vintage doors. This not only makes your wedding venue unique, it also adds a romantic and whimsical feel to it.
4- Hanging installations
You can also opt to have chandeliers, dreamcatchers, or lanterns hang around the area where you’ll be saying your vows to create a magical ambiance.
5- Tree background
If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you can say your vows in front of a massive tree. It not only adds a dreamy and romantic feel to your wedding, it will also be a wonderful memory to recall whenever you pass by the area.
There you go! I hope our handy guide helped you choose the perfect fabric for your
So, what is the best fabric for a
I’m a freelance journalist/writer/content marketer with BA Hons in Journalism.
