Weddingbee boards

Particularly FH and I would love to see some ideas of the end-of-the aisle decor.

We're both happy without religion in our lives, and are being careful to think about the origins and culture before we blindly incorporate traditional wedding elements.

So...  arches and altars are "out" for us. What did you do?

@occhiblu   That's a good idea: a gate (or I'm thinking gate doors, maybe?) certainly isn't an arch, but it does give a beautiful classic focal point.

I'd love to see you pictures when they come in, if that's ok.

We are doing something similar to the pic below... We are having one feather vase on each side behind us lining the row like that tho

Just curious...what's the tradition behind the archway? We were going to use one of those too but if it's something overtly religious that I'm just unaware of, we may rethink that!

@occhiblu Wow, that's great!  Thanks for sharing, that's what I imagined... but better. It's beautiful: frames you two, but isn't arch-like at all.  

@vaness13181  The venue we're 95% sure of is definitely not so ornate.  It's a community rec centre overlooking a small spring fed glacier-blue lake.

The lake & outdoor area is beautiful, the indoor space has great "flow": two rooms, one long and narrow, the other square and wider, but shorter; with a kitchen/bar in between and all joined by a hallway and a large outdoor patio. There are fantastic windows overlooking the lake; but otherwise it's white-painted cinder block walls. So we'll definitely need some kind of decor and backdrop.

I would still love to see your photos when they come in though, thanks!

@natbug21   Awesome, those are statements indeed!  Feathers aren't my thing, but they'll be great for you.  Are you outdoors?

@Kant

Not any exact religious significance to the arch itself; except that it echoes the archtectural features of churches. Don't get me wrong, I love the architecture of cathedrals; but neither of us want anything reminiscent of "church" at our ceremony.

There's the chuppah and wedding arch non-religious meaning that get thrown around a lot: which is the home that the couple will build together. This is very nice, except we already have a home; and built much of it ourselves. When we get married I'll still be vacuuming up drywall dust from the hardwood floors.

Both chuppahs and mandaps also symbolize the presence of a deity overseeing the marriage - this is probably the point we're trying to avoid the most. 

Hope this help you decide.  As I'm seeing from this board, there are some great other options.

@CassidyR It's all what you make of it.  And what we make of it is that we don't want an arch, because of the possible (not overt) connotation. ^_~

@Ivorybuttons: Yes we are having the ceremony and reception outside :) This is our venue..

But yeah feathers are definitely not everyone's cup of tea... I don't really like feather centerpieces but when I saw that picture I thought it would look good as a backdrop for our ceremony.  I've also been thinking instead of the feathers using this red plant that you can see in the background...

I think it would look so pretty to have two of those, one on either side :)

@ritsi_bitsi:  I wish we could have a fireplace!   But our venue doesn't have one. The projector is a really interesting touch, particularly for an evening (it's-dark-outside) wedding.  Thanks!

@village_skeptic:  Those are gorgeous candle screens, and very economical. *and I agree, WalMart is a scourge on society.

@Crabbabs:  Love the barn!  I looked for renovated barns; but they're REALLY expensive since they're so popular right now.  Love the high ribbon/banners - that's different and I hadn't seen it before.

@natbug21: Jinkies, that's a gorgeous setting.  Doesn't need much ~  and those red plants I think are a little more understated than the feathers, I'd go for them instead.

@Ivorybuttons: haha ok I just might have to take your advice!