Creative altar spaces

lullafly — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:32:24 +0000

I’m a sucker for pretty installation art pieces, and what better place for such a compositional experience than the very space where you say your wedding vows. This is the space that everyone’s undivided attention will turn to during the ceremony, and I love it when a bride takes it to the next level. I understand how some brides may not want to detract from themselves as they recite their vows, but as long as there aren’t spinning rockets and flashing lights attached to the altar, then the space can be used to enhance the experience by framing the couple. And hey, if you’re a nervous bride and you want to be out of the spotlight so you can fumble through your vows (oh how I hope this won’t be me) then maybe the spinning rockets aren’t a bad idea…

Simply put, creative and colorful ceremony spaces rock my world.

image via Green Wedding Shoes / photo by Ashley Rose Photography

Some of you may have seen this arch made by the bride using paper flowers and pinwheels. I would have loved to be there to see this.

image via Ruffled / photo by Katherine O’Brien

This bride’s brother made an entire wedding stage from upcycled fence boards for her wedding. Don’t you just want to dive into that photo and prance across the stage? I certainly do!

But don’t get me wrong, there are some very pretty altar spaces that take a more minimalistic approach. Even a simple banner or garland adds a delicately romantic touch to the space.

image via Ruffled / photo by Jamie Delaine

I just keep going back to the color, though!

image via Offbeat Bride / photo by xatomicbettiex

image via Style Me Pretty / design by Bash, Please / photo by Raya Carlisle

I’ve talked about my love for suspended things, so it’s no wonder that I love the colorful hanging tissue poms at the altar like in this last photo. We won’t be having tissue poms lining the aisle, but we will most definitely have them hanging from the trellis at our park. Now if only I could transplant a great tree to hang multiple window panes and buntings from…

The exception to altar decor is, of course, if your ceremony location is so amazingly beautiful it speaks for itself. Like this intimate wedding on the bluffs.

image via Once Wed / photo by Allyson Magda

If you can go cliff-diving or step into a waterfall from the altar, you probably don’t need to add anything else except for your gorgeous self. The same goes for locations with epic architecture.

image via Style Me Pretty / photo by Hudson Photography

Oh who am I kidding, every place could use some bunting! Yes, I may be biased.

image via Elizabeth Anne Designs / photo by Our Labor of Love

What are your plans for the altar space? Are you going for simple and delicate or bold and colorful?

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Creative altar spaces