Weddingbee boards

Our venue has this arch/arbor where the ceremonies take place.  It's a farily standard arch made out of bent trees/branches; it's covered in bark and grayish and not bad looking as far as rustic wooden arches go.  My fiance and I had planned on having it moved (and discussed this with the venue) because we are getting married on top of a mountain and didn't want anything big blocking the wonderful natural scenery. 

Unfortunately the arch seems to have sunk over the winter and the venue owner no longer thinks it will be possible to move it, and it seems the arch will be there for the ceremony.  Leaving it bare isn't a very thrilling option -- who wants to get married under, essentially, a dead tree?  The easiest option was to ask our florist to decorate it, and we sent her a picture.  She came back with a quote of $355 -- not including delivery and set-up -- for a green garland with no flowers.  This seems a ridiculous amount for greenery and a big sum to add to our floral budget with only month before the wedding. 

I like the idea of fabric, but it won't really work with the look we're going for -- sort of natural and rustic .... what else can we do?  I'm tempted to just order some flowers or greenery online or from another (cheaper) florist, but I feel a little strange about it ...

I think you should try to get to a Micheals or another craft/floral store and see what they have.  Usally those stores have great sales and you can print cupons on there website to bring in when you purchase.  

I have seen "fake" Green garland at Micheal's for aound $12 per long strand, but with a coupon or a sale you may even be able to get it for less.  I even saw some with flowers - that would be really pretty too.  I think you could get away with getting enough to cover the enite front of the arch.... since the back wont be seen.. or will it?

Otherwise here is some sites that have been helpful with floral ideas and stupplies:

www.save-on-crafts.com

www.crafta.com

www.afloral.com 

I don't know why I didn't think of silk garlands!  That really could work.  Most people will see it from fairly far away and not even realize that it's not real.

I was looking online at the Flower Exchange and they also have garlands for much cheaper than the florist wanted to charge, and about what silk flowers would cost, but I wasn't sure how well a fresh garland would keep.  Could we get one delivered the day before the wedding?

I agree with the tulle idea.  it is cheap and you can get it in your wedding colors.  Another Idea would be to tie ribbon off onto it so that it hangs in the arhway at various lengths.  We did this for my sisters wedding to dress up the archway that stood behind them and it was so pretty as the wind caught the ribbons and they fluttered up and around.