::Disclaimer!  Only the eleventh photo in this post is from an event that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated.  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

Whether you call it an altar, a chuppah, or “that thing we’re standing under to get married,” there are all different types of arbors, arches, trees, and gazebos that can be used for your ceremony.  An altar can be anything you want - from simple to elaborate - and is a great way to add decoration to your ceremony site.

There are some ceremony sites that are so beautiful that they really need no decoration.  This beautiful gazebo-like structure below, covered in greens and flowers, is a perfect example:

Other times, the site for your wedding will already have something installed, such as a permanent chuppah, gazebo or arch, which you can decorate any way that suits you:

Decorations and flowers by Tapestry Flowers:

Christin Khan Photography:

One tradition I love from Jewish weddings is the idea of people as Chuppah Holders.  The chuppah represents the couple’s home and is open on all sides as a sign that the couple’s home will always be open to their friends and loved ones.  The “home” lacks furniture to show that the most important part of the home is not the furnishings in it, but the people.  At sites where there is not already an existing chuppah, or it is not feasible to install a chuppah (Lindsay and Sam’s wedding would have been a perfect place to have chuppah holders, since theirs kept blowing over thanks to the winds off of the Chesapeake Bay!), chuppah holders carry in the chuppah and hold it during the ceremony.  It’s a nice way to add honor attendants to your wedding party, especially if you have friends of the opposite gender and don’t want male bridesmaids or female groomswomen.  This image from the blog A Practical Wedding is a gorgeous example of chuppah holders:

Of course, you don’t need to have a chuppah or an altar at all.  You can get married in front of a beautiful fireplace:

Under a stately old tree:

Jasmine Star:

Under a patio umbrella like our very own Laura did (Linda Wallace Photography):

Or even decorate the side and entrance of the house, like this couple did (I kind of love this one, photographed by Huy’s Photography, just because I think it’s sort of ingenious):

Beaches are great places to have altars with beautiful draped fabric:

Studio This Is:

Karen Tran Florals:

Vision Photographs:

But, of course, urban backdrops are great too!  Blue Bouquet Flowers:

These two shots show not only how beautiful the altar is from the guests point of view, but also, how amazing it looked from underneath:

And a few more, just because I found so many gorgeous photos!

Wendy Hithe Photo:

Dia Rao Photography:

Love Life Images:

Are you getting married under an altar/chuppah/arch/tree/other?