Anyone else ditching the alter/arch?

I don't plan to

I think it'll look great without an arch. We had one, but there wasn't much to look at behind us, so the arch made a focal point. My brother didn't have an arch because they had a gorgeous fountain behind them.

Those look like really large nice trees, could you just get married under one of them?

We're not having one, our ceremony is outside and our venue has a fountain we're getting married in front of and we think the arch would take away from it.

@AlmostMrsKing, well, we *could*. It's just if we turned the chairs around, the guests would be facing a subdivision/back of homes. Believe it or not, this house picture is in the middle of a bunch of homes. I'd rather the guests face the house instead. It's just prettier! LOL. This picture doesn't do it justice. They really need to update their website with better pictures. When I looked at this venue online originally, I HATED it. It wasn't until I saw it in person in April 2013 that I FELL in love with it!

We aren't having one, either. The only thing that sets us apart is the step up. I think the setting is beautiful enough! I'm adding small trees to either side, though.

You could maybe add decorated trees/candles, something, on the side of you both to give yourselves a framing of sorts?

@rusticbride- I don't think we will be doing a unity candle or sand either. Fh hasn't said anything about doing one so its really up to me lol but anyways I think with your venue, not having an arch/alter would be fine. The outside is beautiful.

I like the way it looks without one. I think it would be fine either way!

I used a chuppah, not because I felt our space needed anything, but because it is Jewish tradition.

We got married in an old mansion in one of the rooms. The room was a dark wood room with a small spiral staircase that came into the room from upstairs. We had no arch or alter. We set up chairs on either side with an aisle down the middle. We had no podium or anything..just walked down the aisle. Behind the officiant was a fireplace.

So nice to hear people who aren't having an arch. I'm having a super short beach ceremony and I just think the extra time to set one up is unnecessary.

Like Abby, we used a chuppah because it is a Jewish tradition. But I don't think that space needs one, and if you don't want one, you'll be fine without it.

I love everyone's input. I don't feel so alone! Sometimes they just aren't conducive to the venue. I feel like we'll just let the scenery do the talking

This is where my ceremony will be. We loved it because of the view, and we didn't want to block any of it with an arch so we're leaving it as is and just decorating the aisle with some flowers on the chairs. I don't think you necessarily need the arch if you like your background setting.