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In the very early stages of planning our wedding, I was all about chandeliers. I liked the contrast of something so formal in a natural setting. While our wedding isn’t as formal as a black-tie affair, it’s not a backyard barbecue either. I thought a chandelier would be unexpected and really set the tone for our guests; besides, how could you not love the thought of pictures under this?
Image via Landlocked Bride
There was one small problem, though: rental companies offering chandeliers were few and far between in Tampa, and the ones I found wouldn’t deliver to our venue without a sizable fee. Maybe I could find one on Craigslist for less, but where would I store it? How would I get it to the farm? It’d take several people to hang it, and even then I didn’t know if the preexisting hooks would hold something well over 50 pounds. Needless to say, a chandelier was scrapped pretty quickly. When I met with our florist I told her our dilemma, and she suggested an arch or pomanders.
Photo by Corey Conroy Photography
Photo by Becky Johnson Studios
Pomanders really aren’t our cup of tea, so we included an arch in our quote just to play it safe. But the longer I thought about it the more uncertain I became. We fell in love with the simplicity of our ceremony site, and an arch would be too much.
Then I stumbled across the following photos:
Image via 100 Layer Cake (cropped by me) / Photo by W. Scott Chester Photography
Image via 100 Layer Cake / Photo by W. Scott Chester Photography
Image via Green Wedding Shoes / Photo by Love Ala / Event Styling by Dandelion and Grey
Image via Ruffled / Photo by Katherine O’Brien
Image via Icanhascheezburger
I think ribbons were just the thing we were looking for. They’ll give a nice pop of color and add a little bit of whimsy. Additionally, they could be used at our reception as a backdrop for our sweetheart table or as a fun background for pictures. I bought plenty of ribbon from Michaels, but now I’m stuck.
How do I assemble this thing? I bought a spool of heavy-duty fishing line, which can be easily tied to the hooks, but I’m not sure that will be the best option for setup inside.
Hive, have any of you done this before? Care to offer up some suggestions?
SUCH a cute idea, love it!!! I think if you want to make something like the blue ribbon backdrop in your third-to-last pic, and be able to transport it and set it up easily, i’d get a long, 1 or 2inch wide piece of wood, cut to whatever length your space is, and just tie the ribbons on to it, or loop each length around the top and staple-gun it to the back of the wood. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!!
I too <3 ribbon and plan on a similar bunting for our ceremony and reception!! The thought of the streamers floating on the summer breeze makes me swoon.
We are going to try simple knots attached to a hemp line. Crossing fingers & toes that it works!
I agree with @ThePinkPeony: for how to assemble it. You could even get a large wooden dowel from Home Depot. And seriously, that cat looks exactly like my cat when I have my ribbon out!
The ribbons are adorable. I agree that ThePinkPeony’s method may be the simplest way to approach the situation.
So sad the chandeliers didn’t work out, because that would have looked amazing. Ribbon is super fum and whimsical, though!
Check out Mrs Brooch’s post:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2011/03/30/diy-ribbon-escort-card-display/
I’m not sure I would trust fishing line - no matter how strong it may be. Jute (or some type of natural rope) is what I would use! It would be easy enough to tie to the nearest tree, and would hang nicely! Hope that helps!
I don’t have any suggestions, I just want to say, oooh pretty ribbons! Great idea M!
We made curtains like that for DDs dorm room one year. Keep your ribbon wound on the roll or with a rubberband so you don’t step on the ribbons when moving it. Not sure on the best way to mount it, possibly a board and use a staple gun or an arbor with a spring shower rod in the middle. The correct legnth may be your biggest issue. Some of the ribbon rolls are not very long in the wider sizes.
I really like the look of the ribbons, hopefully you get some good tips on hanging them!
Ikea sells this:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60075295
We used it for some tulle-type fabric at a friend’s wedding and it held up really well. I think it depends on what the two ends are going to be on.
Good Luck!
Bias tape. The thickest, double-fold bias tape you can find and then machine sew the dickens out of the ends of the ribbons into the fold of the tape.
Hey Mac! What a great idea! I also saw something where they used PVC pipe & fabric. http://blog.amyatlas.com/2010/07/diy-vintage-ribbon-backdrop/ But it looks like you have a ton of other great suggestions here! 
Can’t wait to see the end result!
I’m obsessed with chandeliers, too! Try http://www.save-on-crafts.com. They are candle chandeliers, but they are gorgeous! Mine is only $33.00 and shipping all the way across the US was only around $10.
I have never done it. Good luck to you. You will do great!
You can actually sew the ribbons together side-by-side and hang them by the ends. You may want to use sturdier thread. You could also sew the ribbons to jute or twine. I’m sewing paper streamers with regular thread and hanging them throughout our outdoor/tented reception venue. Good luck! The ribbons will be beautiful!
oy, so not jealous of your project conundrum. I’m excited to see how you finish it off; gorgeous inspiration photos, too!
@Ashley1001: Jute (good jute) is expensive and is in shorter supply post-Japanese quake disaster. That’s why we are opting for the natural hemp. Its rustic, strong, eco-friendly, and cheap!!
I too loved the idea of the formal chandeliers hanging outside in a rustic setting, I purchased some of the chandeliers from the website below to hang from the trees behind us. They are a lot smaller than a real chandelier but they are battery operated so they won’t be a fire hazard.
I wouldn’t use fishing line, you’d never be able to tie it tight enough to two hooks to get a nice line along the top. I like the staple-the-ribbon-to-wood idea, or use a thicker rope. Just wrap the ribbon around the rope so there is an inch or two on one side, and the long length on the other, and tack the ribbon together just under the rope. Or knot it around, if you want that look.
Oooh, if it needs to be something you can tie off (ie, not wood) get some twill tape and sew the ribbons to it! Super fast with a sewing machine, and twill tape is nice and sturdy.
http://www.twilltape.com/servlet/the-Lightweight-Cotton-Tapes/Categories
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Mrs. Macarons, Tampa Age and Occupation: 26, Graphic Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Renaissance Man Engagement Date: September 12, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2011 Venue: Lange Farm About Me: I'm creative at heart and a graphic designer with an unhealthy obsession with type. I love roller coasters, spicy foods, and a good glass of Crianza. We’re planning a soft and lovely vintage-meets-modern wedding in a state that’s known for its beaches, glitz and glam. I have a ton of DIY projects and lots of little details I’m dying to share and can't wait to celebrate with our closest friends and family.
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