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By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Photos by Thyme Lane Photography
Looking for wedding arches is a fun part of wedding planning. But, there are so many ideas around and how do you find one that firstly fits your budget and secondly is personal and unique to you?
No need to fret as I am here to share incredible wedding arch ideas that are sure to light up your imagination. As well as share how to make yours shine no matter your style or budget.
In this article, I am going to share with you over 40 arch ideas as well as some top tips on creating your very own arch on a budget!
If you just can’t choose between draping and flowers, have both!
Photo: Jessica Bevan Photography via Montague Farm Wedding Concept Planning Styling & Props: The Fantastical Events Company
Wedding arches can be customised to suit any wedding theme, including rustic affairs.
Photo: Louise Barry via Venue Bowers Mill Wedding Décor: Emily K Weddings
More is more when it comes to flowers, add to the top of your arch and at the base for full effect.
Photo: Georgia Rachael via Norfolk Beach Wedding Florist: Floral Sistas Decor: The Little Lending Company
Cut out wooden curve shapes, paint and add flowers for unique arches as your wedding backdrop.
Photo: Holly Rose Weddings via Magenta Pink Wedding Florist Enchanted Floristry
Planning a bohemian wedding? Then you’ve just got to have a macrame hanging in your archway.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography via Hall Farm Events Wedding Wooden Arch: Idea Tree Designs
Adorn an entrance with dramatic summer wedding flowers for bright colour.
Photo: Rachael Connerton Photography via Floral Wedding Florist: Sophie’s Flower Company
Take a metal arch in an unusual shape such as this diamond creation. Before accessorising with flowers and candles for a show-stopping wedding altar.
Photo: The Light Painters via Cockliffe Country House Wedding Décor/Hire: Fine & Dandy
Circle arches have been hugely popular at weddings thanks to their whimsical feel and unique shape.
Photo: Chloe Lee Photography via Bright Camp Festival Wedding Florist: The Country Garden Flower Company
How gorgeous is this colourful mandap decorated in bright yellow and pink blooms?
Photo: Ellie Gillard via Indian Lithuanian Wedding Styling Flowers Decor Hire: Starry Eyed Weddings
A red rose arch is going to be a more costly option, but goodness me, isn’t it luxe and lovely?
Photo: Brandon and Serena Photography via Red Rose Wedding Ideas Florals: Simply Elegant by Emma
Enhance an outdoor wedding with an arch bursting with colourful flowers and greenery.
Photo: Emma Lawson via Glen Dye Wedding Florist: Hays Flowers
Combine fresh florals with dried flowers for a textural treat!
Photo: Sam Sparks Photo via White Skye Fields Wedding Florist: Dittany Entwined Floral Design
Arches don’t have to be over-complicated. Keep it simple with a wedding arch frame and add pretty flowers. Don’t forget to take your arch from ceremony to reception to really make the most of it too!
Photo: Peter Reynolds Photography via Kent Coast Wedding Florist: Orchard Blooms
Foliage is a great way to create a cheaper wedding arch rather than using fresh flowers. Pile on foraged mixed greenery and add a few select blooms for a natural style.
Photo: Emily & Steve Photography via Countryside Barn Wedding Flowers: Early Hours
Add sweet fairy lights to your arch for a twinling atmospheric touch.
Photo: Three Flowers Photography via Red Greenery Wedding Florist & Styling: Starry Eyed Weddings
Pick a round metal frame and add flowers to accent the backdrop to your ceremony.
Photo: Love and Life Studio via Lakeside Wild Berry Farm Wedding Florals: Tythe Flowers
Take inspiration from the season and use autumn flowers in abundance.
Photo: The Light Painters via DIY Autumn Wedding Florist: Vanilla Orchid Flowers
Use copper as a unique arch frame idea. Add touches to soften it and make it shine.
Photo: Maddie Farris Photography via Low Hall The Lakes Wedding Florist: Floral Boutique Cockermouth
Does it get any better than sunflowers at a wedding? Bright, joyful and oh-so beautiful!
Photo: Lily Sawyer Photography via Athelington Hall Wedding Florist: Blooming Blooms
Balloons are so versatile. You could create a hoop balloon arch or make pillars with a statement banner behind them.
Photo: Katherine Ashdown Photography via Barnston Lodge Wedding Balloons: Eden Floral Design
If your ceremony is on the beach, go for a tropical boho theme for your backdrop. Use wood, rugs and dried palms for extra pizzaz.
Photo: Rebecca Carpenter Photography via Boho Beach Elopement Props & Styling: Roka Bella Rose Weddings
Take a square wedding arch, add simple flowers and a modern neon sign for a touch of personality.
Photo: Stevie Jay Photography via 92 Burton Road Wedding Décor: The Word Is Love
A dab hand at crafting? Create cute dreamcatchers before combining together into a dreamy ceremony arch.
Photo: Siobhan Stewart Photography via Greenhouse Wedding Ideas Venue Styling: Pretty Rustic Events
Wedding arches can be cheap. Make your own copper arch with pipe, pick up inexpensive fabric and add foliage from the garden. The result is understated and beautiful.
Photo: Kerry Diamond Photography via Boho Greenery Barn Wedding
Buy a wooden pergola or make your own with vintage wedding ladders.
Photo: Ceranna Photography via Barra Castle Wedding
Archways can be made simply with wood in a triangle shape. Or you could add some fun paint effects to jazz them up too.
Photo: Indigo and Violet Photography via Autumn Festival Wedding Ideas Stylist & Props: The Two Hummingbirds
Head to your local salvage yard and look for some beautifully rustic old doors you could utilise.
Photo: Si Creative Photography via White Sparrow Barn Wedding Rentals & Decor: Love Birds Vintage
You really can’t go wrong with a gold wedding moongate. So pretty and unique.
Photo: Amy Lou Photography via York Minster Wedding
Wedding arches made from wood always look rustic and suit outdoor weddings to a t.
Photo: Amy Cutliffe Photography via Sage Green Wedding Ideas Arch Furniture & Rugs: Bay Wedding Props
This couple used bespoke furniture to create their arch of dreams.
Photo: Victoria Somerset-How Photography via Hadsham Farm Wedding
Use plenty of drapes, fabric, curtains or even bedding to create romantic folds and colours to add style to your day.
Photo: Emily + Katy Photography via Creative Village Hall Wedding Decor: Curious Magpie Event Styling
Streamers are super hot right now, so what better idea for your backdrop?
Photo: Lex Fleming Photo via Disco Wedding Ideas Streamer Backdrop: Streamadelica
Swap plain fabric for sequins to add a touch of glam.
Photo: Gina Fernandes Photography via 1920s Wedding Ideas Ceremony Frame: Under Pressure Eventz
Get creative and create a bespoke piece of art for your wedding that you can keep and love forever.
Photo: Kitty Wheeler Shaw via Northease Manor Wedding Arch: Lo and Behold Bespoke
For a white wedding flower arch, choose budget-friendly gypsophila.
Photo: LJ Horton Photography via Scotland Barn Wedding Florist: Lorna’s Flowers
If flowers aren’t enough add pinwheels, crepe paper and a neon sign to be super bold.
Photo: Teddy Pig Photography via Yoghurt Rooms Wedding Florist: Arabella Floral
Think about how you can be more sustainable by creating dual-purpose wedding decorations. This wedding arch can be used later as a photo booth backdrop too.
Photo: Captured by Katrina via Cotswold Marquee Wedding Florist: Flowers by Charlotte Elizabeth
Take some beautiful branches and tie them together with rope for a naked tipi-style frame.
Photo: Roshni Photography via Boho Wedding Ideas Styling, Planning & Coordination: The Hullabaloo Collective
Paper decor added to an arch is so cute and fun.
Photo: Amy Lou Photography via Wylam Brewery Wedding Florist & Stylist: Muscari Events
Willow is the perfect natural material to make your own arch with.
Image by Lily Sawyer Photography via Crawfest Family Festival Wedding
Pampas grass can make a real impact with its fluffy fronds, plus you can keep them displaying in your home post-wedding.
Photo: Couple Cups Photography via Hawaii Wedding Florist: Flower Me Pretty
Some churches have arches you could decorate with flowers, either indoors or outside. Church wedding flowers can be oh-so-beautiful but check with your church what’s possible before planning.
Photo: Matt Horan Photography via Willow Marsh Farm Wedding Florist: Number Twenty Seven
Artificial flower arches could be made or hired in.
Photo: Sophie Cass via Century Club Wedding Neon Sign: Custom Neon
If you are wanting to DIY your own wedding archway, here are some top tips and what you’ll need to create your own.
Once you have your frame idea, put pen to paper and design it out. You’ll need to decide on your arch location, before measuring it. Be sure to have your arch wider and taller than you as a couple so it frames you beautifully as you stand beside it.
Then you are going to want to source materials. Many materials can be picked up for free, bought second hand or cheaply on the high street.
It’s also important to have your arch made safe. So it needs to be very sturdy without the risk of toppling over. You need a secure base or fixings to secure it in place. It’s best to liaise with your venue on how to do this or if you can do so first.
Don’t forget you need space to store a wedding arch. This is possibly the largest item you’ll need storage for, so do consider this before getting to work.
So, there you have it. All the beautiful wedding arches you'll ever need to inspire your own arch design. Happy planning!
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