Build a fabric covered Wedding Chuppah!

Need a wedding chuppah? Love the way they look? Not loving what they cost? Then this project is for you! Below you will find a step by step tutorial showing you how to create an incredible fabric draped wedding chuppah.

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Pros: Can be completely customized to your taste and style. And you can save some money if your purchase your supplies wisely! Cons: The sewing portion of this project can be difficult. And the entire project is time consuming and can put you over budget unless you are careful with your supplies.

Step 1: You will need (16) pieces of 1 ¼ inch diameter PVC cut to identical lengths (ultimately, ours were each cut to 43” long), (4) 3-way connectors, (4) cinder blocks, (8) 1 ¼ connectors, lots of Plaster-of-Paris, a small mixing bucket and a stick to mix plaster with, plastic food wrap, easy to remove tape, fabric, fuzzy craft wire, safety pins, scissors, a measuring tape, a marker and a sewing machine. NOTE: There are tons of ways to modify this design to make it simpler.

Step 2: Make sure that your 16 pieces of PVC are cut to equal lengths of your choice. NOTE: We chose to ultimately cut ours to a length of 42 inches each, NOT 48 as shown. This with the connectors created a length of 84 inches on each leg. You can choose not to include the connectors and simply have one long piece. Always keep transportation in mind!

Step 3: Begin preparing the feet of the structure by cutting and wrapping one side of the cinder blocks with plastic wrap.

Step 4: Secure the plastic wrap with tape. Do this for all four cinder blocks.

Step 5: Place one of the pieces of PVC in the center of the cinder block, and then find a way to stabilize it. A chair works ideal, as everyone owns one and you can position it however needed. Although not pictured, it is helpful to wrap the bottom of the PVC beam as well so the plaster does not cling too tightly to the beam when you are trying to remove it.

Step 6: Following the directions on the Plaster of Paris container, quickly pour the mix into the cinder block. Tip: Plaster will dry quicker then you think. Try to pour while it still has a liquid consistency.

Step 7: Your cinder block “feet” should look like this.

Step 8: Create a chuppah cover that will fit all of the top beams inside a sleeve. A sewing machine will prove invaluable here. Tip: Use a material that has some stretch to it! This will help hide any flaws.

Step 9: Carefully measure when creating your cover. It’s always easier to trim excess fabric then it is to add fabric on. You should have enough fabric to create the sleeves on the sides.

B>Step 10: Begin testing your chuppah frame by assembling it. Place one beam inside the cinder block foot and add a connector to the top, as shown.

Step 11: Connect a second beam to the connector. Press firmly. You may even wish to secure the connection further with a mallet.

Step 12: Repeat until all of the “legs” are assembled.

Step 13: Take a three way connector and begin assembling the upper beams.

Step 14: Your frame should look like this. Do a wiggle test to make sure that everything is secure before removing the upper frame.

Step 15: Begin feeding your chuppah cover over all four upper beams.

Step 16: Reconnect your three way connectors. Your cover should look like some variation of this.

Step 17: Take the material you intend to drape the rest of the wedding chuppah with and begin measuring from the ground to the first front corner. Let about 2 feet drag on the ground. Tip: Chiffon works nice, but is expensive. Fabric liner, however, has the same airy look at a fraction of the cost.

Step 18: Secure the first measured length of fabric with a fuzzy craft wire.

Step 19: Twist the wire around the corner of the beam you want to cover first.

Step 20: Gently drape the material across the front of the wedding chuppah, pulling and tweaking until you have a satisfying swag. Proceed to secure the fabric to the second corner. Use pins to cover any gaps between the “ceiling” of the chuppah and the swag of fabric.

Step 21: Pull a little bit of the material over the corner until the PVC connector is hidden. Secure with pins to ensure that it stays hidden throughout the ceremony.

Step 22: You should have something like this. Proceed to measure and disguise the back legs with fabric as well.

Step 23: Your wedding chuppah is complete! Make sure that if you are having an outdoor event,you do a trial run. Also, rebar beams and Gaffer’s tape can be used under the fabric to help secure from mild wind. And a few safety pins on the “back” of each fabric leg will help to keep the fabric from gaping open.

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