12 Fun + Creative Wedding Ceremony Backdrops

I remember searching high and low for a creative wedding ceremony backdrop but a) didn’t have a giant budget for an over-the-top floral altar and b) lacked any DIY skills whatsoever. However, I realized after I toured my wedding venue that I didn’t have to do something crazy in our ceremony location. By picking the side of the room that had a cool architectural feature (an art deco door) and asking the venue to rearrange a couple of their paintings, all we needed at the end of the day were two pedestals with floral arrangements. $180 later we were done.

So, before you go looking for a wedding ceremony backdrop, the first thing you should do is tour your venue and the rooms available for your ceremony and see what you have to work with. Are there any cool windows or doors? Or do they have a unique piece of art that could be moved or that you could say your vows in front of? Once you’ve exhausted your venue options, THEN you can start thinking about what alternatives you have.

ceremony altar
Our minimal ceremony altar in the background

Just keep in mind that you do not have to spend a lot of money on a wedding ceremony backdrop. Yes, you are saying your vows in front of it and all eyes will be on you. But, you will be there for 30 minutes and people will be more focused on the bride and groom. If you have the budget for a gorgeous floral backdrop, by all means do it. But if not, there are a lots of fun and creative wedding ceremony backdrops you can use that will not break the bank.

Below are a few ideas for a wedding ceremony backdrop that I’ve found and love. Most of these are projects you can buy supplies for online, or that you can easily buy at shops like Target, Etsy, Amazon, and Party City. Underneath each photo is a link to where you can get the supplies you need to make these backdrops.

wedding altar ideas

You could go the live route and use real tree branches, or you can buy these removable wall decals. Click here to see more fun wall decals you can use at your ceremony.

wedding altar ideas
Photo by Studio Castillero via Green Wedding Shoes

Your best bet would be to go to a local flea market and see what you can find. Or you can scour Etsy for some good deals, however shipping could get pricy. When you do find them, get a Chalk Marker made for glass and write your love story on them…perhaps telling the story of how you met or your favorite moments from your relationship.

wedding altar ideas
Photo via Purl Bee

Click here to read more about where to find embroidery hoops 

wedding altar ideas
Photo by Stephen Michael Photo via Brides

Check out this tutorial for DIY garden lanterns, or you can buy them and use them in your backyard after the wedding

wedding altar ideas
Photo by Fresh in Love via 100 Layer Cake

 Buy streamers online or at a local Party City

wedding altar ideas

 Find string lights at Target or any other major discount retailer

wedding altar ideas

wedding altar ideas
Photo by Milk Photography via Style Me Pretty

Ikea Alvine Spets Lace Curtains, $9.99/pair

wedding altar ideas
Photo by One Love Photo via Green Wedding Shoes

Learn how to make a DIY Heart Wreath or you can find a ton of heart wreaths on Etsy

wedding altar ideas

Tape round or square tissue paper to the wall in various colors 

wedding altar ideas
Photo by Tammy Horton Photography via Style Me Pretty

Drawing paper roll, $36 

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  1. says: Emilie

    I really love the second image with leaves on a white wall. At the first glance, they almost look like wallpaper. Sometimes you really don’t need that much to create a magical shot.