A Wedding Fireplace Altar: Create A Romantic Focal Point

A fireplace can be a beautiful focal point for your wedding ceremony, whether you're getting married in a cosy indoor setting or a rustic outdoor space. If your venue has a fireplace, it would be a shame not to put it to use. Even if your venue doesn't have one, you can create the illusion of a fireplace by adding candles inside a frame or renting a vintage mantel to decorate.

If you're wondering how to decorate a fireplace to match your style or theme, the good news is that you have a lot of options. You can go for a classic look with traditional flowers or opt for something more modern like a laser-cut backdrop. If you're having a winter wedding, consider using greenery and vintage frames in white, green, gold, or ivory to add a delicate charm. For a whimsical touch, try dried leaves and branches or pampas grass. To make a statement, use a colourful banner or bunting, or go for a more romantic vibe with candles and fairy lights.

The exact decorations you choose will depend on the specifics of the fireplace. Does it have a mantel? Is it flat or does it have a hearth that extends to the floor? Luckily, most fireplace wedding decor ideas can be modified to suit your needs. If you can't put candles on the mantel, fill the inside of the fireplace with them instead. If there isn't enough room for flower arrangements, bring in decorative stands or shelves to accent the fireplace.

So, whether you're dreaming of a simple and elegant ceremony or a whimsical and romantic celebration, a fireplace can be the perfect altar for your wedding.

Flowers, greenery, fabric, candles, and vintage frames

Flowers

Flowers are a popular way to decorate a fireplace for a wedding. You can use them to create a cascading effect, placing arrangements on both the mantel and hearth and joining them with a swooping garland of greenery. If you want to save money, you can use more greenery than flowers, or opt for faux flowers. You can also add a few single-stem flowers in bud vases for a simple accent. For a modern look, try white phalaenopsis orchids with dark greenery vines, or for a classic look, try an all-white arrangement of hydrangeas.

Greenery

Greenery is a great way to add a simple yet elegant touch to your fireplace décor. You can use oversized greenery garlands to adorn an elegant stone fireplace, or frame the fireplace with a greenery arch to highlight existing details. If your wedding is in the winter, you could use cedar branches to cover the fireplace.

Fabric

For an "Old World romance" vibe, drape sheer fabric around the edges of your mantel, adding candles and floral arrangements to complete the look.

Candles

Candles are a great way to add a romantic, elegant touch to your fireplace décor. You can use rows of candles in different heights and colours, or stick to traditional tall taper candles with gold candlesticks. For a unique look, try floating candles in glass vases, or surround a larger floral arrangement with long-stemmed candles.

Vintage Frames

Vintage picture frames can be used to create an Anthropologie-inspired vibe when combined with a floral-covered mantel. You can also use vintage-style frames of different sizes and shapes above the fireplace for an eclectic look.

Gold hoops, white flowers, and greenery

Gold Hoops

Gold hoops can be a beautiful addition to your wedding fireplace décor, providing a delicate and whimsical touch. You can source these from Etsy, where you will find a range of sizes and styles to choose from. Consider thin, delicate gold hoops to create an elegant, instant style. These can be hung above the fireplace, perhaps with white flowers and greenery woven through them.

White Flowers

White flowers can be a stunning choice for a wedding, symbolising purity, elegance and new beginnings. Consider an all-white arrangement of flowers such as hydrangeas, placed on the mantel or as part of a hanging floral hoop. White orchids are another modern and structural option, which can be paired with dark greenery vines for contrast. For a more rustic look, opt for white baby's breath, which can be arranged with vintage bottles or incorporated into a floral hoop.

Greenery

Greenery is an essential element to bring life and freshness to your wedding fireplace. For a simple yet effective look, opt for oversized greenery garlands draped over the mantel or intertwined with your gold hoops. Silver dollar eucalyptus or magnolia leaves can be a great choice for their large, eye-catching leaves. For a winter wedding, a birch branch arch can be a perfect addition, framing the fireplace beautifully.

Combining the Elements

When combining these three elements, consider an asymmetrical floral garland, with white flowers and greenery draped over the mantel, accented by gold hoops. You could also incorporate gold into your floral arrangements, with gold vases, votives, or candlesticks, adding a touch of luxury. For a whimsical, bohemian touch, opt for fringed or beaded gold hoops, perhaps with white flowers woven through.

Remember to adapt these ideas to suit the specific style of your fireplace. If your venue doesn't have a built-in fireplace, consider reaching out to a rental company to source a vintage mantel.

Honouring your roots with family photos

A fireplace at a wedding venue can be a charming focal point, and there are many ways to decorate it to match your style or theme. Honouring your roots with family photos is a wonderful way to bring a personal touch to your wedding. Here are some ideas to incorporate family photos into your fireplace decor:

• Vintage Family Photos: Display a collection of vintage family photos on the mantel or hanging above the fireplace. Mix in some vintage picture frames, perhaps in different sizes and shapes, to create an eclectic look. You could also include your parents' or grandparents' wedding photos, honouring their legacy on your special day.
• Modern Family Portraits: If you prefer a more contemporary style, opt for modern family portraits. Choose a few meaningful photos and display them in sleek, monochromatic frames. You can hang them above the fireplace or lean them against the mantel, creating a stylish and personal display.
• Photo Collages: Create photo collages or use a variety of photos with different shapes and sizes to form a unique arrangement. You can mix and match photos of different generations, creating a visual representation of your family's history. This idea can be especially impactful if you have a large fireplace or a prominent wall space above it.
• Framed Photos on the Mantel: If you want to keep things simple, elegant frames with family photos lined up along the mantel can be a beautiful way to honour your roots. Choose frames that complement your wedding colour palette or add a touch of gold or silver for a hint of glamour.
• Photo Display on the Hearth: If the fireplace has a hearth, you can use it as a unique display area for family photos. Place standing frames or even vintage photo holders on the hearth, creating a cosy and intimate feel. This idea is perfect for more casual or rustic-themed weddings.
• Hanging Photo Garlands: For a whimsical touch, create hanging photo garlands or string family photos with fairy lights. Drape them across the mantel or hang them from the ceiling above the fireplace. This idea adds a playful and festive element to your wedding decor while honouring your family.

Remember, when it comes to your wedding, there are no hard and fast rules. Feel free to get creative and adapt these ideas to match your unique style and vision. The most important thing is that you feel a connection to your roots and that your wedding reflects your personality.

Rustic decor with dried leaves and branches

A fireplace at a wedding venue can be decorated in many ways, and adding a rustic decor with dried leaves and branches is a perfect way to bring a natural, whimsical feel to your special day.

One way to achieve this look is by incorporating tree branches. They can be decorated with fairy lights, lanterns, or even wedding cakes. For a wedding with a rustic-chic or woodsy theme, consider hanging a bunting banner above the fireplace, adorned with apothecary bottles, candles, and tiny floral arrangements. For a more whimsical touch, add pampas grass, dried flowers, and greenery to your display.

If you're looking for a simple and budget-friendly option, dried leaves and branches can be used to create a beautiful, rustic tablescape. For example, scatter dried leaves and branches across a table, along with wooden slices, candles, and bud vases in various colours and styles. You can also incorporate baby's breath, a rustic wedding staple, by creating bouquets or flower crowns with this delicate flower.

For a unique take on the traditional wedding arch, consider constructing one out of oak branches, decorated with eucalyptus and fresh roses. This natural, rustic arch will create a charming and romantic backdrop for your wedding ceremony.

Another idea is to use dried leaves and branches to create a homespun escort card display. Write seating arrangements on containers filled with dried leaves, eucalyptus, and moss. This organic and textural display will add a rustic charm to your wedding decor.

So, whether you choose to decorate with tree branches, dried flowers, or a combination of both, you can create a beautiful, rustic atmosphere at your wedding venue, leaving you and your guests feeling warm and cozy.

Floral wedding fireplace and mantle decor

Flowers are a great way to decorate a fireplace at your wedding. Here are some ideas for floral wedding fireplace and mantle decor:

Flowers and Greenery

If your wedding venue has a fireplace, you can decorate it with flowers and greenery to match your style or theme. Cover the fireplace's mantel with heaps of greenery and florals that complement your wedding centrepieces and bridal bouquet. You can save money by using more greenery than flowers, and opting for faux flowers. If your fireplace is made of lighter stone or brick, this can be a perfect backdrop for colourful flowers and foliage, like coral charm peonies.

Asymmetrical Floral Garland

Add a cluster of greenery and white and pastel flowers on top of the mantel like a giant centerpiece. Leave the greenery hanging off to one side and add a gold-framed mirror to complete the look.

Dried Flowers and Grasses

Dried grasses and flowers (like pampas grass) are a popular choice for wedding decor. Add wooden lanterns, antlers, and evergreens to create a woodsy, forest-inspired aesthetic.

Hanging Floral Arrangements

Floral chandeliers, hoops, and other hanging wedding arrangements are great for filling out the space if your venue has high ceilings. Match the hanging arrangement to the decor around the fireplace for a cohesive look.

Minimalistic Arrangements

If you want a more toned-down look, opt for smaller arrangements in decorative vases. Surround them with garlands of greenery or fairy lights to make them stand out.

Oversized Flower Installations

If you love flowers, why not go for a garden-inspired wedding fireplace decor with tons of greenery, flowers, and tall taper candles?

Single-Stem Flowers

You don't have to go overboard with flowers. Single-stem flowers in bud vases can be a sweet and simple decorative accent.

Draped Flower Arrangements

Allow greenery vines and flowers to drape over the edge of the mantel for a romantic, wild look—just make sure the fireplace isn't lit!

Frequently asked questions