Switched from foam to chicken wire for big installs after a wedding arch collapsed in July

I used to build all my large pieces with floral foam because it was easy, but a 7-foot arch fell apart during a setup for a wedding at the Grove Park last summer. Now I wire everything onto chicken wire frames, which takes longer but holds up way better in heat. Has anyone else made this switch and found a faster way to secure stems without foam?

3 comments

3 Comments

alice2691mo ago

Totally get what you mean about the foam turning to mush. I used to swear by it for speed. Had a big outdoor memorial piece wilt and slump over last August. Just a sad, soggy mess. Now it's all chicken wire and zip ties for anything bigger than a table vase. Takes me twice as long but nothing has fallen since.

rileyb611mo ago

That sounds like a nightmare scenario, having an arch go down right before a wedding. I can only imagine the stress. Switching to chicken wire makes total sense for the heat and weight. I still use some foam for smaller centerpieces, but for anything tall or outside, it's just not worth the risk anymore. The extra time wiring things in feels like a good trade for peace of mind.

rubys801mo ago

Watched my friend's whole centerpiece collapse at a summer luncheon. The wet foam just turned to mush in the heat. Flowers and water went everywhere, right onto the guest of honor's lap. She had to scramble to redo everything with vases from her kitchen. Total mess, and the chicken wire switch happened the next day.