The wedding altar is one of the most personal and special parts of your wedding ceremony. Many religions place a spiritual significance on the altar as a sacred space where vows are exchanged. And certain religious ceremonies will impact the choice of altar – for example in a traditional Jewish ceremony, the vows are exchanged under the chuppah (canopy). Open on all sides, the chuppah symbolizes the home that the new couple will build together.

Here are 10 of our favorite, creative and clever outdoor wedding altar ideas:

Modern

If you have chosen an outdoor wedding venue in the Columbia River gorge, a modern, neatly constructed altar will strike an eye-catching contrast to the wild, lush beauty of the setting. Think wood or iron as the frame, finished with a drape of colorful cloth or set off with the adornment of flowers.

Rustic

If neatly cut lumber and sharp angles are not your style, build your altar out of non-uniform wood pieces, such as driftwood or smaller trunks and twigs bundled together. Compliment the theme with flowering vines or wildflowers .

Found Objects

An old crystal chandelier, clocks, books – many couples have moved beyond the flowers and cloth bunting of traditional altars and begun adorning (or building) their altars out of found objects with significance.

Say It with Words

One super creative idea is the inclusion of quotes or lyrics from a song with significance into the altar design– in its most effective and simple form, couples have had the words painted on to the two supporting halves of the altar.

Picture Perfect Frame

If your outdoor wedding venue features a particularly beautiful backdrop – consider building your altar in a way that frames the setting. This will also help ensure that photos of the ceremony come out looking extra breathtaking.

All in the Family

Attaching photos of loved ones to the altar is a way to honor the memory of family and friends who are absent or deceased. A playful twist on this has been to invite guests to bring photos of the couple or family with significance to attach to the altar before the ceremony.

Ring around the Rosy

Something we are seeing more of this season is the open altar design cialis indien. Couples will design a center setting for the ceremony with guests on either side or all around the altar.

Behind the Looking Glass

Another trend coming up fast on the heels of the found objects and reclaimed wood trends of previous seasons is the use of other reclaimed materials. Old windowpanes – especially tall, arched shaped panels – have become a very popular backdrop for wedding altars.

Doors Adored

Another emerging reclaimed material popping up in outdoor wedding venue altars are doors. Barn doors, front doors, interior doors and mismatched doors – these may be used intact or repurposed to fit the altar design.

Edible

Couples who might need a snack between I-dos may opt for some edible touches to their altar design – think fruit bearing vines or a backdrop of red hearts made from strawberries. When done right, these fun, tasty touches can be put out with the food or grazed on during cocktails so nothing goes to waste.

If the idea of a mountain backdrop or carpet of wildflowers sounds like the outdoor wedding venue of your dreams, consider a wedding in the Columbia River Gorge. Let Gorge-ous Weddings help you plan your gorge wedding. Located at the Wind Mountain Ranch in the Columbia Gorge, we have three ceremony sites to choose from and deluxe accommodations for you and your wedding party.