Step by step process of how to make a DIY grape vine wedding arch. In this how to, we made everything from scratch. We made the steel arch and pulled the grape vines from the forest. For more information on this project and other projects we are doing, please visit www.BrittanyandJustinWedding.blogspot.com

1. November 30th, 2013 Published by: Brittanyrio
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Step by step process of how to make a DIY grape vine
wedding arch. In this how to, we made everything from
scratch. We made the steel arch and pulled the grape
vines from the forest. For more information on this
project and other projects we are doing, please visit
www.BrittanyandJustinWedding.blogspot.com
How to Make a Grape Vine
Wedding Arch Part Three
On Sunday September 8, we finished assembling the metal
arch. In order to do this we had to insert the two sides of
the arch into the ground. We needed to make sure they were
exactly 4 ft. apart from one another and as close to square
as possible. We inserted the arch into the ground hitting the
stabilizers with a hammer. They work very well as long as your
not putting the arch into stone, if you try to hammer them into
stone they will bend. Originally we tried to put it together in
the driveway which did not work due to the stone. We put the
sides in the grass to assemble it so it worked out very well.
In order to keep the sides square we ended up using the wash
line prop rod to keep the one side straight up. We were on a
slight incline which caused the side to lean. Use anything you
can to keep the sides straight.
Next, we needed to tack on the top of the arch to sides to make
sure they are as close to square as possible when we weld it
together permanently. Tacking is just pulling the trigger of
the welding gun long enough to fuse the two pieces of metal
together. This is not where we fully welded the arch to the sides
due to safety and the type of welder we used. It is not good
for overhead welding which is what Justin was doing here. We
ended up backing the truck into the yard for the front side of
the arch and using a step stool to stand on the back side of the
arch for welding. I do not recommend doing this. You can fall
off of the truck or it also poses a fire hazard with the gas tank.
This step requires knowledge of welding.
We used cable ties to fasten the top of the arch to the sides
while he tacked the opposite side.
Justin was not displaying the best example for safety. In the
video below he did not have his welding jacket on because
I was wearing it. I was supposed to stand on the truck and
hold the arch on the sides. I was a sissy and was too scared.
Also never look at someone welding. My eyes were closed or
looking away the entire time he was welding. It can cause
welders flash to your eyes which can blind you!

2. November 30th, 2013 Published by: Brittanyrio
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After tacking both sides that were in place he took the zip ties
off and tacked the other side of the arch. He was then able
to pull the arch out of the ground and lay it flat to fully weld
the top of the arch. After this, he was able to weld the bottom
stabilizer bar on. The welds warped the metal a bit so this was
a necessary step.If your arch warps slightly it will not matter
much. We are covering ours completely with vines so it will not
be noticeable.
The next step is optional. We ground some of the welds down
that got lumpy as a result of the smaller welder. This just
makes a more finished look and will protect your hands from
snagging any of the lumps while wrapping the arch. This is
what we used the angle grinder for.
The last step in the metal working was to paint the arch. We
used brown paint and primer combined in a spray can. Make
sure you fully coat the metal or it will rust. Below I have two
images of the finished product.
I will be making another post about the vine wrapping part of
the arch. If you have any questions on the metal working or

3. November 30th, 2013 Published by: Brittanyrio
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welding part of the arch, feel free to post below and Justin will
try to answer them the best he can.
How to Make a Grape Vine
Wedding Arch Part Three
By Brittanyrio on September 16th, 2013
On Sunday September 8, we finished assembling the metal
arch. In order to do this we had to insert the two sides of
the arch into the ground. We needed to make sure they were
exactly 4 ft. apart from one another and as close to square
as possible. We inserted the arch into the ground hitting the
stabilizers with a hammer. They work very well as long as your
not putting the arch into stone, if you try to hammer them into
stone they will bend. Originally we tried to put it together in
the driveway which did not work due to the stone. We put the
sides in the grass to assemble it so it worked out very well.
In order to keep the sides square we ended up using the wash
line prop rod to keep the one side straight up. We were on a
slight incline which caused the side to lean. Use anything you
can to keep the sides straight.
Next, we needed to tack on the top of the arch to sides to make
sure they are as close to square as possible when we weld it
together permanently. Tacking is just pulling the trigger of
the welding gun long enough to fuse the two pieces of metal
together. This is not where we fully welded the arch to the sides
due to safety and the type of welder we used. It is not good
for overhead welding which is what Justin was doing here. We
ended up backing the truck into the yard for the front side of
the arch and using a step stool to stand on the back side of the
arch for welding. I do not recommend doing this. You can fall
off of the truck or it also poses a fire hazard with the gas tank.
This step requires knowledge of welding.
We used cable ties to fasten the top of the arch to the sides
while he tacked the opposite side.
Justin was not displaying the best example for safety. In the
video below he did not have his welding jacket on because
I was wearing it. I was supposed to stand on the truck and
hold the arch on the sides. I was a sissy and was too scared.
Also never look at someone welding. My eyes were closed or
looking away the entire time he was welding. It can cause
welders flash to your eyes which can blind you!
After tacking both sides that were in place he took the zip ties
off and tacked the other side of the arch. He was then able
to pull the arch out of the ground and lay it flat to fully weld
the top of the arch. After this, he was able to weld the bottom
stabilizer bar on. The welds warped the metal a bit so this was
a necessary step.If your arch warps slightly it will not matter
much. We are covering ours completely with vines so it will not
be noticeable.

4. November 30th, 2013 Published by: Brittanyrio
Created using Zinepal. Go online to create your own eBooks in PDF, ePub, Kindle and Mobipocket formats. 4
The next step is optional. We ground some of the welds down
that got lumpy as a result of the smaller welder. This just
makes a more finished look and will protect your hands from
snagging any of the lumps while wrapping the arch. This is
what we used the angle grinder for.
The last step in the metal working was to paint the arch. We
used brown paint and primer combined in a spray can. Make
sure you fully coat the metal or it will rust. Below I have two
images of the finished product.
I will be making another post about the vine wrapping part of
the arch. If you have any questions on the metal working or
welding part of the arch, feel free to post below and Justin will
try to answer them the best he can.