How to make a bamboo wedding arbor?

[snaylor]

I would like to know how to make a wedding bamboo arbor for a beach wedding.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi snaylor,
Were you thinking of a simple 4 post design with horizontal cross pieces?
There is also a 3 post triangular version.

With these designs the main consideration is to hold up the cross pieces and keeping the arbor steady.
The simplest method is to drill a hole in the uprights just below where you want the horizontal cross pieces attached, (masking tape can be wrapped around the bamboo where the hole is to be drilled to prevent the hole edges from fraying).
Then one can initially secure the framework with wire for a tight connection and later wrap it with decorative cord or ribbon.

Another method is to drill a hole in both the horizontal and vertical poles where you want them to connect, of sufficient size to insert a (1/4"+) wooden dowel. Make the dowels about an inch longer that the diameter of the two pieces.
Then fit the pieces together and lash around the connection with decorative cord.
Usually the connection will be covered with some floral decoration.

Additionally one can add other decorative curved pieces of bamboo to the structure, depending on what resources are available or how elaborate you want the arbor to be.

Let us know if you had something else in mind or have any questions.
Of course we'd love to see pics of the wedding arbor that you come up with!

Cheers,
Mark