I need a good decor idea for an inexpensive wedding altar but I am tired of the one arch themes.?

Answer 1

Well, you said you don't want an arch...but I bought a really cheap 'garden arch' at Big Lots for $5. I'm decorating it with really good quality silk flowers, and hiding Christmas lights in it. From far away noone can tell it's fake. If you are at a winery, maybe you could decorate an arch with (fake) vines and grapes.
You could also make a 'chuppah' (fabric bower), which although it is a Jewish tradition, I have seen them at non-Jewish weddings.
You could make tall topiaries to stand between, or dramatic flower arrangemets. Or rent trees decorated with lights to stand between. Or columns with draped fabric or tulle.

OR

I'm getting married in an apple orchard and also had difficulty determining a focal piece. We've decided to wrap a light gauzy material around a balloon arch (found in most bridal catalogs; commonly used behind the cake table). We'll have that behind us, a small pedestal table for our unity candles and an easel for our wedding wreath.

OR

Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows; strings of lights or lanterns in the trees; luminarias; torches; or farolitas.

An arch dripping with flowers also provides a wonderful backdrop for wedding photos. Coordinate the arch with raised planters sprouting matching flowers and you’ll add enchantment to an already magical setting. You can ask your florist to decorate the arch, or do it yourself. THere are a number of arches to choose from. After the ceremony, the arch can take an honored place in your garden as a reminder of your special day.

You may want to consider renting a trellis. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many florists rent these and will decorate them with your wedding colors.

Answer 2

How about a gauzy, dreamy-like bridal canopy??? Jewish wedding ceremonies have a bridal canopy but you could do this in a different way, by using organza and adding in your flowers or ribbon themes or whatever else you're including in your decorations already. You could even include little tiny twinkling (not flashing!) fairy lights... Email me with more details and I'll be more than happy to spin off a few ideas for you. It's been a while since I've decorated for a wedding and I kinda miss it.... I was the owner of Exc!amation Party Design for years...

Answer 3

I got some bamboo poles and our groomsmen made the arch out of those. It wasn't an actual "arch", i guess, but they stuck a handful of the poles into the ground about 5 feet apart adn then tied some across the top of the two bunches. Then we draped these tropical vines and guazy material across it stuck some flowers on the corners. It looked beautiful, and went well w/ out tropical themed outdoor wedding.