Artificial Garlands

How to Choose an Artificial Garland

Five decisions, in the order garland-buyers make them.

1. How long a run are you dressing?

   Measure the actual rail, table or beam, then buy 110-120% of that number — garlands hang with gentle scallops rather than straight as a ruler, and the slack is what hides the joints between pieces. The working math: a standard 8 ft. head table takes one 9 ft. run; a stair rail takes roughly its measured length plus 3-4 ft. for the swag drop at the bottom; an arch beam wrap takes 1.5× the beam length. Every listing here states its measured length per piece so the arithmetic happens before checkout.

2. Why do some garlands look thinner than photos?

   Because somewhere in this category, photos show two garlands intertwined to look twice as thick — a habit this page exists to end. Here, every listing photo shows exactly one garland, shot solo and flat, and multi-garland listings show the exact count with each piece at its stated length. The other half of the story is fluffing: packed garlands arrive compact and need a few minutes of branch-bending to reach full silhouette — stated per listing, shown in the unboxing clip, not discovered at the venue.

3. Greenery, flowered, or both?

   Greenery runs are the coverage play — they carry the most visual weight per dollar and anchor stair rails, arch beams and long table runs. Flowered garlands are the statement play for head tables and mantels, where the piece is the centerpiece rather than the frame. The standard build for a full head table: one flowered run centered on a greenery base, which is cheaper and fuller than an all-flowered length. Each listing names its ratio — 'greenery base with blush clusters' means that exact split.

4. How do pieces join on a long run?

   Overlap, wire, and let the greenery do the hiding: lay the tail of one piece 8-10 in. over the head of the next, bind the wire spines with green floral wire, and fan the branches at the seam across each other so the joint disappears into foliage. Stair runs get the same treatment at each newel post, with a deeper swag between posts. Zip ties anchor the spine to rails and beams; every flowered listing notes whether its mounting ties are included — read the contents card, don't assume.

5. When should garlands arrive?

   Wedding orders deliver at least two weeks before the date, buffer built into checkout — garlands specifically benefit, because a dry-lay on the actual table or stair (even a rehearsal with tape marks on the floor) settles length, joint positions and swag depth before anyone is wearing a boutonniere. Garlands keep indefinitely, so early ordering costs nothing and the two-week window is when fluffing and any replacement actually fit the calendar.