This post was originally published on DIY Network’s blog Made + Remade in October 2013.
I love a holiday table with rustic and organic appeal, so when I made the decision to incorporate pine runners as a tablescape accent for my winter wedding, it was like all of the stars aligning. It was the perfect complement to my rustic wedding centerpieces. Best of all, it was something I was able to create myself with nothing more than floral wire and lush pine branches.
Whether you’re drumming up ideas for your own wedding, or looking for a creative and memorable holiday table arrangement, consider browsing through the project archives, or bookmark this one for future inspiration.
Step 1
I played my resourceful card and trimmed low-hanging pine branches from my then to-be in-laws trees. If you’re not lucky enough to have access to trees that you can trim for yourself, consider asking Christmas tree vendors if they have scrap branches that have either snapped off or were trimmed off during pruning. My most favorite branches were pulled from Western white pine and sugar pine trees — the needles on both varieties are soft and full-bodied, measuring 2-4″ in length!
Step 2
Lay out your branches. My table garland was being designed for an 15-foot span, but no matter your design, it helps to work on a long, open surface whether it be your kitchen island, floor or even back deck if it isn’t covered in snow.
Step 3
Organize the branches, overlaying them so that the needles overlap upwards, and begin to cinch them together using floral wire. This is a good opportunity to layer different types of branches. (I was working with both long and short needles, and mixing the two made the arrangement lush.)
Step 4
Continue wrapping the wire tightly to hold the branches together as a long strand. Keep on building onto the end to make your pine runner as long as you desire!
Step 5
Stage your table. Accent it with items like white glass vases, berries and plenty of seasonal candles to make your event a memorable one.
2 Comments
Hi! When you made this beautiful runner, was there a problem with pine pitch? Also, how far in advance of an event could it be done?’
Hi Terri, We didn’t really have any issues with sap that I recall. This was made several days in advance of our wedding; like a good pine wreath, I think you can assume that it would last a few weeks without dropping needles.