3 Different Ceremony Design Ideas
Your ceremony is without a doubt one of the most special and important parts of your wedding day. Make sure it is memorable and beautiful for you and your guests by designing the ceremony with your love story in mind. Here are 3 design ideas to help you create a setup that works with your venue and personal wedding style.
Ceremony Design 1: Chuppah or Arch
CHUPPAH
A chuppah is a canopy design consisting of four staves typically draped with cloth. Originally derived from Jewish culture, the chuppah is a beautiful ceremony backdrop that represents the newfound home created by the bride and groom. A chuppah can be easily personalized from the size and material of the staves to the decorative accents of the structure.
ARCH
Another optional design is the arch. Once known as a stand-alone structure with a rounded top, the wedding arch has evolved over the years and now takes on many shapes and forms. The wedding industry has seen an influx of irregularly shaped arches such as circles, triangles, hexagons, and basically any shape you can think of!
Both the chuppah and the arch are timeless backdrops that are extremely versatile in terms of design. Dress it up with draping and florals, or keep it more subtle with just a bit of greenery or stemming from the bottom. Either way, the chuppah and the arch add a bold and beautiful statement piece to your altar.
Ceremony Design 2: Pedestal, Stand or Urn
If a large backdrop doesn’t work with your venue or style, opt for a pedestal, stand or urn instead. This minimalist ceremony design is a chic way to accentuate your altar without being too bold or overpowering.
Ceremony Design 3: Freestanding Arrangement
Lastly, but certainly not least is the freestanding arrangement. This modern ceremony design is a popular new trend that brides everywhere have been loving! A freestanding arrangement is essentially a floating floral arbor that beautifully frames the altar and serves as a unique alternative to the more common arch. It’s romantic, luxurious, and completely customizable to any wedding theme or color palette.
Don’t Forget About Aisle Décor & Seating!
AISLE DECOR
Greet your guests at the entrance of the ceremony with a custom sign. (Welcome sign, unplugged ceremony, pick a seat/not a side, etc.)
Accentuate the aisle by lining it with décor such as; floral arrangements, flower petals, greenery, candles/lanterns, etc.
Set out a program or favor on each seat for your guests.
Plan for a recessional petal toss after your first kiss!
SEATING
The standard ceremony setup is straight rows, but there are many ways to create a cohesive seating arrangement. The four most important things to keep in mind are; the ceremony space, the altar décor, the types of chairs (chiavari, ghost chairs, benches, mismatched chairs, etc.,) and the number of guests. A few examples:
Circle Seating
- Great for a circular ceremony space.
- Best used with minimal altar décor to avoid blocking anyone’s view.
- Accommodates a larger guest count.
Square Seating
- Best used in a square or rectangular space.
- Great for ceremonies with a chuppah or arch design.
- Can accommodate any size guest count.
Winding Aisle
- Great for small/narrow spaces.
- Can be used with any style backdrop.
- Best for small weddings to allow for a longer walk down the aisle.
Staggered Rows
- Best for a long/wide space.
- Great for weddings with a view.
- Can accommodate a small and large guest count.
Final Tip: Use the natural shape and landscape of your venue to help guide you in designing your ceremony.
