32 Wedding Arch Ideas for a Memorable Day

A beautiful wedding arch helps set the stage for a heartfelt and memorable day. An arch laced with vibrant greenery and showy flowers creates a beautiful backdrop for you and your special someone to exchange your vows and declare your lifelong love. Wedding arches can come in all shapes, sizes and styles! Think aged wood and lush foliage or soft florals paired with unconventional geometric shapes.

To help you get started on decorating a wedding arch of your own, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite wedding arches and pointed out important focal points to inform your design. Take a look at these wedding arch ideas and get inspired for your special day!

How to Decorate a Wedding Arch

Wedding arches commonly begin as a basic wooden frame and are eventually decorated with flowers and greenery. Wedding arch decorations can also include more classic choices like fabric and trendy picks like shells and bamboo. Wedding planners and florists most likely know how to decorate a wedding arch with flowers, but we have a few tips for you in case you’re creating it yourself or are interested in learning more about how wedding arches are created.

Flowers

This goes without saying, but it’s always easier to match the flowers in your bouquet with the flowers in your arch. If you are DIYing your arch (or any part of your wedding décor with flowers), make sure you keep your selected flowers in water for at least 24 hours prior to your big day. This will ensure that your florals are nice and hydrated.

You ideally want to pick flowers that do well out of water like proteas and carnations. Roses are popular choices, but are a little more sensitive to a lack of water. If you’re using fresh flowers, it’s best to add your flowers to the arch right before the ceremony so your flowers can look their best. If you want some help getting started, take a look at our DIY flower wall guide for a few handy tips.

Greenery

The same greenery used in floral bouquets is also used to decorate wedding arches. If you’re covering a lot of surface area with greenery, you want to choose more lush foliage like eucalyptus and fern leaves. For a delicate look, you should choose more lightweight greenery like ivy. Dusty miller leaves are a great choice for winter weddings due to their muted color.

Fabric

Classic wedding arches incorporate different types of fabric to cover and accent the arch’s shape. Popular material choices include organza, chiffon and tulle. These specific fabrics are all made from silk, but differ slightly in look and texture. Organza is thinner and more transparent, whereas chiffon is more opaque. Tulle poofs out a bit more and adds soft volume.

Additional Accents

Some couples choose to go one step further by adding additional accents and backdrops to their wedding arch designs. Beach and tropical-themed weddings incorporate shells into the arch. A wedding with more modern decor can incorporate metal accents and hanging geometric ornaments from the frame. Let your creativity guide you when choosing décor for your arch and the rest of your wedding!

Shapes

Incorporating different shapes beyond the traditional wooden frame is a rising wedding decor trend. Some resourceful couples create wedding arches out of the architectural features of their venue. For example, older buildings usually have beautiful archways that couples can use as-is or with a few added floral and green touches.

More modern couples opt for geometric-inspired arches that resemble a variety of shapes like hexagons, triangles and diamonds.

Modern Wedding Arch Ideas

Wedding arches have evolved from plain wedding arbors to unique works of art. By mixing subtle elements of modern décor with classic pieces, you can create a fresh new twist to the timeless wedding arch. Creative wedding arch decorations are the key to adding a classy, modern twist.

Classic Wedding Arch Ideas

Sometimes simple and clean is the best way to go for a sophisticated ceremony. Classic wedding arches perfectly pair with a couple who wants to let their love take center stage. If you want to go this route, try incorporating delicate fabric into your arch along with pastel colors.

Rustic Wedding Arch Ideas

A rustic wedding arch is perfect for the couple who love natural décor. Natural wood and lush greenery are a must for creating a beautiful rustic-themed arch. Look for natural and weathered elements to use for your décor. For a more creative approach, upcycle vintage or farmhouse furniture to craft a one-of-a-kind frame for your special day.

Wedding arches are lovely pieces of décor that you can easily personalize to match the theme of your wedding. If you’re a DIY bride and want to continue making beautiful décor, take a look at our balloon arch tutorial so you can have a beautiful arch to grace your reception and accent your head table! A DIY flower chandelier is another perfect project if you’re opting for a simple arch and want an additional piece of décor to wow your guests. It’s also great for accenting a buffet table or hanging over a sweetheart table.