Although many couples have said “I do” at Esperanza Ranch, no two weddings have looked exactly the same. How can that be? Each couple has the chance to choose their own focal point to situate behind the bride and groom, and each couple has the chance to decorate that focal point in whatever way they see fit.
As you think about what you want your focal point to be for your wedding, it can be fun to think about all of the different styles of wedding arches that you can use to frame your vows. Although not all couples choose to use a wedding arch, it can be a nice starting point for your vision of what your wedding backdrop will be. So without further ado, here are 5 great ideas for wedding arches to get you started deciding what style of wedding you would like.
Oh, and we threw in one bonus idea for your barn wedding that just inspired us.
Luminaries
This is one of our absolute favorite crafty wedding ideas. Luminaries are traditional lanterns from the American southwest that people use to decorate their houses during the holidays.
However, they can also be a lovely way to personalize your wedding venue. Crafty couples can print photos onto the paper bags of people who are not able to be there on their special day. This is a great way for a couple to bring family members into their ceremony even if they aren’t there in person.
Creative Arch Ideas
You can build your wedding arch out of pretty much anything. Many wedding venues (including ours) will provide couples with an arch if they do not bring their own. You can think of the arch as the frame to all of your wedding photos.
Ladders
One simple idea that evokes the rustic ambiance of a barn wedding is the ladder arch. It is incredibly easy to build a ladder arch out of three vintage wooden ladders, and it makes a beautiful canvas for you to hand with gauzy fabric, flowers, or branches.
If you want to lean into a vintage aesthetic, this is a fantastic choice. Another ladder idea is using a wooden stepladder to display flowers, candles, or a guestbook as the guests come into the wedding.
Vintage screen
If you love the vintage idea, but fancy a bit more of an elegant wedding, a vintage screen can be an awesome wedding backdrop. These screens are often built with removable fabric panels, and you can always remove these panels and replace them with fabric that matches your wedding colors.
If you have a screen, but you don’t want it to be such a centerpiece, a screen can be a great place to display a seating chart or pin-up photos.
Laser-cut backdrop
If you want your backdrop to be incredibly personalized, there are craftspeople who will laser-cut a backdrop from paper or fabric for you. This couple chose their wedding date and initials for the backdrop design, but the world is really your oyster when it comes to choosing the design.
If you have the backdrop cut from fabric, you can always bring it home and hang it in your bedroom to enjoy for years to come.
Candles
If you want to have a nighttime wedding, choosing candles as a way to accentuate the alter can be a lovely choice. Just make sure that they are not too close to the bride’s or bridesmaids’ dresses.
Artificial candles are another great option for couples who want their wedding lit by a warm light.
Outside the barn
The doorway of a barn can be a beautiful centerpiece for a wedding. Many couples choose to say their vows outside of a building in the natural archway of a door before ushering their guests inside for a reception.
Wherever you choose to say “I do” and whatever backdrop is best for you as a couple, Esperanza Ranch is ready to support you in that decision and help you make that day as special as possible.