How to Build a Gazebo for a Wedding

The great outdoors provides a spectacular backdrop for any wedding. A gazebo will not only add to nature's beauty but also showcase the bride and groom during the ceremony. Whether you're using your parents' gorgeously landscaped backyard or have rented a beautiful park space for the day (and need a portable gazebo), you can easily purchase a gazebo kit or round up a few friends and make one from scratch in a couple of days.

Instructions

Design your wedding gazebo. Take note of the space in which you have to place the gazebo at the ceremony location. Also, decide whether you want the bride, groom and officiant to be the only ones standing on the gazebo, or if you want the bridal party to fit as well (depending on the number of people in the bridal party). Keep at least one-third of one side open (no railing).

Cut the wood to measurements specified in your design. You can do this yourself or have a hardware store help you with it when you purchase the wood.

Measure off the area where you're placing the gazebo and use landscape marking tape to indicate the outline of the gazebo base. Clear the space of plants and rocks and level it off by removing or adding dirt.

Dig 30-inch holes where each of the posts (usually 6 to 8, depending on the design) will go using a post hole auger. Position the posts in the holes, making sure they sit at the same height and are level. Secure the posts with pre-mixed concrete. Brace the posts as necessary to make sure they stay in position while the concrete dries over the next 24 hours. Take a day off from this task and work on other wedding plans.

Install the gazebo deck when the concrete securing the posts is dry. Create the frame of the deck by using decking screws to connect the planks to the outside of the posts, checking to make sure the planks are level as you go. For the deck base, work from the center to the outside, installing the center deck post first and then screw the joists to the inside of the frame planks. Be certain that the joists are level as you work.

Use cross supports between the joists on the deck frame for added stability. Follow this with the installation of the deck floor, starting at the center and working your way out in a circular pattern.

Determine where the steps will go. The steps and the opening of the gazebo should face where the guests will sit to watch the ceremony. Build a wooden frame for the base of the stairs. It should extend about 2 inches past the length and width of the staircase. It also needs to be at least 4 inches thick to support the bottom step accurately.

Measure the distance between posts that are parallel to each other (straight across from one another on the gazebo frame). Roof rafters should be half this distance in length.

Add cap plates to the top of the gazebo posts. Form a truss by nailing opposite rafters to the center of the roof hub. Get a little help from friends or family and position the truss in place, fasten it to the cap plates on the top of the frame posts with nails. Install the remaining rafters. Use fascia board for the outside of the roof by nailing it to the exposed side of the rafters.

Install the railing on the back portion of the gazebo for an additional elegant touch. Paint or stain the gazebo according to the bride's preferences for the ceremony colors and theme. Attach roof shingles if desired. Attach the stairs. Decorate with wedding frills. Then sing the wedding march as a tribute to your accomplishment.

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