Archway & Wedding Decorations

Create a focal point to your wedding with an arch just your style

By Debby Mayne

Photo by iStockphoto.com

A wedding arch can add a personal finishing touch to your ceremony site. It symbolizes your coming together as husband and wife. Decorate it to suit the theme of the wedding and the personalities of the bride and groom. It will be in full view of wedding guests and in pictures you'll keep for a lifetime.

Floral and Greenery Wedding Arches

Cover the entire arch with greenery or flowers for a breathtaking look. Use flowers of the season or geographical area. If this is an autumn wedding, use deep, rich golden and rust-colored flowers or leaves, keeping the color of the bridesmaids' dresses in mind. For spring, use pastel flowers that match the colors of the wedding. For winter, use bold, bright colors, such as bright reds and deep greens, with poinsettias for a festive touch. For summer, scatter bright florals against deep green leaves.

Beach Wedding Arches

If the wedding is on a beach or has a beach theme, loosely wrap white or pastel tulle around the arch. Attach polished shells or drizzle glitter glue to catch the light. Or overlap palm fronds on the sides or all the way around the arch. For a night beach wedding, string white lights to twinkle over the wedding couple as they take their vows. Take extra care with attaching the decorations to keep them in place when ocean breezes blow.

Balloon Wedding Arches

You can cover a pre-existing wedding arch with balloons for a festive yet ethereal feel. Since the balloons will be attached, you won't need helium, unless you want some of them hovering over the arch. Find pearly white, off-white or pastel balloons for the most elegant effect. To fill in any areas and prevent metal or wood from showing, weave matching tulle around the arch and tuck it between the balloons. To keep the balloon arch looking fresh, designate friends to fill and attach the balloons two hours before the ceremony.

Gothic Wedding Arches

For the wedding with a gothic flair, simple black arches can be the focal point for your vows. Leave the painted black metal or wooden arch unadorned, or add woodsy elements such as branches, moss or vines. To lighten the mood, suspend a mirrored or floral ball from the peak of the arch.