Creating A Beautiful Outdoor Wedding Altar

Creating a wedding altar outdoors is a great way to make use of the natural environment and enhance your wedding backdrop. Whether you're working with a jaw-dropping natural setting or a blank canvas, there are endless ways to personalise your altar. From floral arches to vintage doors, the options are limitless. You can go all out with a large floral arch or scatter flowers and greenery for a more minimalist approach. For a whimsical touch, consider a circular arch or oversized floral hoop adorned with fresh flowers, greenery, pampas grass, ribbons, and macrame. If you're looking for something unique, try using dream catchers, origami, or vintage mirrors and photo frames as part of your altar decor. For a rustic vibe, incorporate vintage tables and chairs, or simple wooden ladders and planks. And don't forget the power of lighting – fairy lights and candles can add a touch of magic and romance to your outdoor ceremony.

Using natural elements like bamboo and flowers

To make a bamboo wedding arch, you will need 8 to 10 bamboo canes of varying heights, depending on your preference. You can also use bamboo river cane or curly willow branches. Ensure the canes are taller than you and your partner. Dig holes in the ground, insert the canes, and make sure they are secure and of equal distance apart to create a square shape. You can also pour some cement to make the structure solid. Tie the remaining canes at the top, forming a square, and hold each end with rope. If you want to get creative, you can cut some notches and form some grooves for a more finished look.

Once the structure is secure, you can decorate it with flowers and fabric or chiffon. Drape the fabric around the poles and canopy top, and add flowers or flower garlands. You can also hang flower bunches or flower-covered dream catchers from the arch. If you want to add more natural elements, you can include starfish, shell garlands, and palm branches.

If you want to incorporate candles, consider using flameless candles to avoid any fire hazards, especially if your wedding is on the beach or surrounded by tall grass. You can also use fairy lights to add a magical element to your arch, especially if your ceremony is in the evening.

Another idea is to create a floral wall behind the arch. This can be done by attaching flowers to a mesh wire or floral netting. You can also use baby's breath for a dreamy, romantic look.

If you want to include other natural elements, you can add pampas grass, which has a neutral colour and adds a whimsical touch. You can also use tree branches, especially if you are going for a rustic theme. Dried flowers or dried flower arrangements are another option that adds a unique, vintage feel.

Remember to choose flowers and colours that match your wedding theme and complement the surrounding environment. You can go with a minimalist look, scattering flowers and greenery, or go all out with a large floral arch.

Vintage doors as a ceremony arch

Vintage doors can be a fantastic way to create a simple yet stunning wedding arch, adding a rustic or vintage charm to your wedding decor. Here are some ideas and instructions for creating a beautiful and unique ceremony arch using vintage doors:

Finding the Perfect Doors

Start by seeking out the perfect doors for your wedding arch. You can hunt for old doors at thrift stores, antique shops, or even online marketplaces. Consider the style and theme of your wedding when choosing the doors. You can go for sturdy, original, or recycled doors. If you're feeling creative, you can also paint the doors to match your wedding colours or theme.

Building the Arch

Once you've found your doors, it's time to build the arch. You can attach the doors together at the top with hinges, or use a wooden frame to create a stable structure. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even hang the doors from a sturdy tree branch or beam. Ensure that the structure is stable and secure, especially if you're having an outdoor wedding.

Decorating the Arch

Now comes the fun part – decorating the arch! You can adorn the vintage doors with flowers, wreaths, or draped fabric. For a rustic look, consider using eucalyptus, lavender, or other dried flowers. You can also add a hanging chandelier or string lights for a touch of elegance. If you want to incorporate more personal elements, consider decorating the arch with items that reflect your wedding theme or your story as a couple.

Adding the Final Touches

To complete the look, you can place the arch in front of a scenic backdrop, such as a waterfront view or a lush garden. If your wedding is indoors, you can position the arch in front of a stone wall or a draped fabric backdrop. Don't forget to add some personal touches, such as a sign with your names or a meaningful quote.

By following these steps and adding your unique touches, you'll have a beautiful vintage door ceremony arch that will create a lasting impression on your special day.

Origami as table decor or hanging from trees

Origami is a beautiful way to add a unique, creative, and whimsical touch to your wedding decor. Whether you're looking for something hanging from trees or table decor, origami is a wonderful way to showcase your theme and add a pop of colour.

For table decor, origami place card holders are a fun and interactive way to guide your guests to their seats. You could also create origami flowers or floral lotuses as centrepieces, adding a unique twist to your table settings. For a travel-themed wedding, origami airplanes can be a whimsical addition, or for a music-themed wedding, origami music notes or sheet music decorations are a fun way to bring your theme to life.

Hanging origami from trees is a wonderful way to showcase your creativity and add a playful element to your outdoor wedding. Origami cranes, hung with string, can be placed in trees to create a whimsical display. For a beach wedding, a beach-themed origami garland can be a fun addition, or for a forest wedding, hanging origami birds in the trees can add a magical touch. Origami fortune cookies can be a unique and interactive way to involve your guests, hung at eye level from tree branches.

Origami is a versatile and imaginative way to decorate your wedding, adding a personal and creative twist to your special day.

Terrariums of fresh flowers or succulents

Finding the Right Table

Begin by finding a table that matches the theme and colour scheme of your wedding. A vintage table, for example, can add a rustic charm to your altar, especially when adorned with flowers and other decorations.

Terrarium Types and Displays

You can create eye-catching displays by placing terrariums of fresh flowers or succulents on your chosen table. For a quirky theme, you can personalise the terrariums with trinkets and other elements. Hang them at varying heights from nearby trees or a simple arch, or place them on an altar. You can also use metal hoops to hold terrariums, or suspend them from a post at different heights.

Terrarium Contents

The contents of your terrariums are where you can get creative. For a rustic or bohemian theme, consider using dream catchers, which symbolise the dreams of a long and happy life for the couple. You can also incorporate fairy lights, especially for a twilight or evening ceremony, to add a magical element.

For a natural, earthy feel, use vintage pottery and native flowers, or opt for a pastel colour palette with tonal varieties of succulents. Succulents are a great choice for summer events as they can withstand high temperatures. You can also pair them with ferns, candles, or pampas grass for added texture and interest.

For a bold statement, consider using cacti, which fall under the succulent family, in place of a greenery runner. Use a mix of heights, varieties, and colours for a dynamic display. Alternatively, showcase a single succulent in a tiny, clear vessel for a subtle yet cohesive look.

DIY Options

Terrariums are also a great option for those looking to get creative and make their own centrepieces. You can use preserved flowers, which give a warm, homemade feel, or live succulent terrariums, which are cheaper and easier to build than closed terrariums.

Vintage mirrors and photo frames

Mix and Match Styles, Colours, and Sizes

Include Photos of the Happy Couple

Adding photos of yourselves as a couple is an excellent way to make your altar even more special and personalised. You can include engagement photos, pictures from when you first met, or even childhood photos. This idea is a wonderful way to showcase your journey as a couple and add a touch of nostalgia to your wedding décor.

Create a Backdrop with Mirrors and Frames

Combine with Flowers and Greenery

Flowers and greenery can be added to your vintage mirrors and photo frames to create a romantic and whimsical look. You can place flower arrangements or succulents on top of mirrors or inside frames. This combination of natural elements and vintage décor will result in a stunning and elegant altar design.

Use Mirrors and Frames as Table Décor

Frequently asked questions