Choose fabric that complements your wedding theme.
When decorating for a wedding, there is no space that can't be utilized. Using fabric to decorate ceilings adds a magical sense of romance to weddings. Enlist the help of friends and someone who is comfortable on a ladder to hang the fabric of your choice. The end result is fairy tale decor that sets the mood for two people starting their journey together.
Instructions
1. Mark the walls near the ceiling with a piece of chalk every 56 inches, keeping in mind that most bolts of fabric come in widths of 44 inches and you want to allow 6 inches of space between each length of material. Measure from the markings to the middle of the ceiling to estimate how much fabric you will need. Add 3 feet to each measurement to allow for a canopy effect and for a bow in the center.
2. Purchase fabric that matches the color scheme of the wedding or opt for sheer or white material. Organza, tulle and gossamer are lightweight and easy to work with. Heavier, more expensive choices include satin and silk.
3. Purchase dowel rods measuring 3/4 inch thick by 48 inches long, one rod for each strand of fabric. Cut 2 inches off of one end of each rod. Cut strips of fabric measuring 46 inches long by 1 3/4 inches wide, one strip for each rod. To turn each strip into a dowel "sleeve," fold the fabric, wrong-side-out, and sew a small seam down one side with a sewing machine. Hand stitch one of the ends closed and use the dowel rod to push the closed end all the way through until the fabric is right-side-out. Hand stitch the other end closed over the rod.
4. Get permission from the rental hall manager to hang the dowel rods from the ceiling at the edge of the wall. Screw eye hooks into the ceiling above each dowel rod, 40 inches apart. Screw eye hooks into the dowel rods at the same width. Loop each end of 6-inch chains through each matching hook in the ceiling and dowel rods. (You may be responsible for patching any visible holes made by the screws.)
5. Staple strands of clear Christmas lights to the center of the ceiling. Run each strand to the inner edge of the dowel rods and down the wall. Place a multi-outlet strip, attached to an extension cord, at the bottom of the wall directly beneath each dowel rod. Plug the lights into them along sections of the wall that don't already have outlets.
6. Lay all of the fabric sections on the floor beneath the ceiling from which it will be hanging. Tie the ends together to form a bow. Carefully flip the fabric upside down on the floor so the bow is facing downward. Attach the bow to the ceiling with a staple gun. (The staples will hardly be noticeable from the floor level.) Fold the fabric over the dowel rods. Create a draped effect by allowing each piece of fabric to droop about 12 inches. Allow about 6 inches of the material to hang from the dowel rod.
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