Once you have a venue booked, it’s time to start imagining what you want your ceremony to look like and feel like. The altar that you will get married in front of is central to your ceremony. It is the backdrop for your vows, your ring exchange, and your first kiss. Of course you want it to look perfect! One way to make it look just right is to balance it with the surrounding environment. Not sure how to do that? Here are some ways.

One way to balance your altar with the surrounding area is to play up color combinations. For example, if you’re getting married in a place with pale sand in the foreground and muted blue mountains in the distance, weave flowers or fabric into your alter that match the muted tones. The altar doesn’t need to contain the exact colors of your setting, but it will help if it’s in the same color palette — especially if the ‘form’ of your altar (like the wood and flowers above) don’t match the setting. In the desert wedding scene above, there are no flowers in the scenery, but the altar looks visually pleasing because of the colors.

2. Use Natural Elements

Many boho brides choose to use plenty of natural elements in the decor. The altar is no exception. Even if your altar is man-made, you can decorate it with natural elements like greenery, flowers, vines, shells, or feathers. This will automatically make it appear more balanced with the surroundings.

3. Same Width as Aisle

Create a proportional look by making the altar the same width as your aisle. No, you don’t need to pull out the measuring tape to make it exact, down to the centimeter. You can eyeball it!

4. Look at the Landscape

Once you know where your wedding ceremony is going to take place, as well as the date for your wedding, start planning what you want your altar to look like. Visit the site where you’ll say your vows, and step back to consider the setting as a whole. What colors do you see? What shapes? Squint your eyes to blur your vision, and see what pops out at you. Then, imagine an altar that will fit in with the landscape. In the picture above, the pampas grass compliments the natural grasses and brown and tan branches that form a natural background for the happy couple.

5. Take a Practice Photo

Not sure if your idea for an altar is going to work? Once you have it set up, take a practice photograph to see if it looks good. You know how it’s easier to judge an outfit once you look at a photo of yourself wearing it? The same will be true for your altar. Once you see it in a picture, you can fine-tune it with another vase of flowers here… another tall white candle there.

Your altar is going to be in some of your most precious wedding photos. It’s central to your ceremony, so it’s worth spending time on making it just right! Use the ideas above to help you have an altar that is beautiful and fits in with the setting just right. Have you been day dreaming about a picture-perfect altar? Tell us in the comments section, below!

A luxury hotel can easily host all your guests and take care of a lot of the details for you. The Ritz Carlton is one of most popular luxury hotels in the United States, offering opulence and extraordinary service from their wedding specialists. You can incorporate natural details on your tables, in your floral design, and how you accessorize you and your bridesmaids. In many areas you can find a luxury hotel that has beautiful gardens on the grounds, or a nearby park to have your ceremony at.

Luxury wedding invites play a significant role in setting the tone for your special day. They are the first glimpse your guests will have into the style and theme of your wedding. Opting for luxurious wedding invitations can add an extra touch of elegance and sophistication to your event. From intricately designed paper with embossed details to elegant calligraphy and personalized monograms, there are countless ways to make your invitations stand out. Consider including special touches like wax seals, silk ribbons, or even custom illustrations that reflect your love story. Remember, your wedding invitations are not just pieces of paper; they are keepsakes that will be cherished for years to come.

Photo by KT Merry

Of course, if you choose to travel for your venue, it opens up the world to you in terms of choice. You could choose to marry at a luxury hotel near your honeymoon destination, whether it is near home or overseas. Budget may determine some of the aspects of your wedding but don’t let this hold you back from marrying in your dream venue.

Wadley Farms

Castles are some of our favorite luxury venues because they offer the lavish feel of another era. They can be found all over Europe, but those in Ireland or Scotland seem to be most popular for a fairytale wedding. The weather may not be choice, but the elegant interiors of the castles should more than make up for it. There are also a few castle sin the United States believe it or not! And for luxury venues with outstanding landscapes (think vineyards, and five star mountain resorts), there are hundreds of places all over the United States. Aspen and Lake Placid come to mind. They can fill you with awe and add that extra special something to your wedding photography. For more ideas on the best of luxurious wedding venues, look online, or find venues at Dreamwedding.

You don’t have to choose just one venue. You could choose a small country garden to marry in, and then move your party to a big fancy reception venue in town. Alternatively, if your state allows, you can marry on an exclusive beach or a celebrity owned lake before taking to a luxury restaurant or hotel for your reception. If you have particular landscape shots in mind for your photography, don’t hesitate to hop in the back of a wedding car for an hour or so to complete your album before heading on to the reception.

Photo by The Story Telling Experience

One of the fun things about a luxury wedding, is that there are often many attractions in the area so that out-of-town guests can make a long weekend or week-long vacation out of the trip. Whichever venue you pick, it needs to be right for both of you, with or without your guests. And in many cases, resorts will send you off with a gift certificate to come back for a free weekend stay on your anniversary.

You can choose from their Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, or Sunset Brilliance packages. This is an excerpt from the description of the Desert Dreams Grand Canyon Wedding Package:

“Keep an eye out for the desert wildlife and prepare yourself for a breathtaking flight into the Grand Canyon, where you will descend 3,500 feet below the rim to an exclusive landing spot where your ceremony will take place. Your ceremony, incredible photo and video opportunities, upgraded hors d’oeuvres, wedding cake and a champagne toast are part of the wedding festivities. While flying back through the Grand Canyon, you will observe the stunning red rock formations of the Bowl of Fire and Wild Pinto Wash.”

In other words, Maverick, with a little help from Mother Nature, provides nothing short of an amazing wedding day experience. And with their wedding planners, you can sit back and enjoy the ride! They offer an in house wedding coordinator to help plan and assist you along the way (live chat option, email and call). Want a special something for your wedding? Their wedding coordinator is on it.

In all of their platinum destination, landing and ceremony packages you get a private aircraft and landing site, a minister, photographer (100 photos on CD and DVD of ceremony), limousine transportation, 6 rose bouquet, boutonniere, wedding cake, champagne, hors d’oeuvres and beverages. They also have gold and silver packages to accommodate a variety of budgets and needs.

Maverick’s unique wedding ceremonies don’t fall into the ordinary. Their breathtaking helicopter wedding packages are meant to be uniquely you. Never envisioned yourself in a white dress? Wear a red one! Or whichever color suits you.

Maverick has also recently added a proposal package to their great list of products. Imagine popping the big question among some of the most beautiful rock formations, with miles and miles of gorgeous view surrounding you!

Whichever package you choose you can be sure that you’ll be treated to some of the most beautiful scenery in the western Unites States and that you’ll be in good hands. Maverick Grand Canyon Tours offers the highest level of safety and service in the industry and has over 18 years’ experience of making dreams come true!

This post brought to you by Maverick Helicopters. The content and opinions expressed are that of Sweet Violet Bride. 

Arboretum
This might not be the first place that comes to mind, but there are several around the country that are happy to host weddings. An arboretum, by the way, is essentially a collection of trees but more commonly these days is also a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partially for scientific study. Check out the navy + pink arboretum wedding we featured last year.

Jerry Yoon Photographers

Garden
Romantic, beautiful, classic. Similar to arboretums, if you enjoy botanical beauty and a classy yet natural atmosphere then a garden wedding is an elegant and timeless choice. So many botanic gardens now offer wedding packages. Of course there are all sorts of gardens out there … probably just as many as there are personalities who designed them. Some may have greenhouses that you can use for photos, or even your reception, while others you might have to bring in a tent. See the many garden weddings we’ve featured here.

Sarah Tew Photography

Backyard
If you or someone in your family has a large and beautifully kept backyard then why not! You won’t have to pay a venue rental fee! Backyard weddings have the advantage of being a little more relaxed (fun lawn games!), and can have added meaning if it’s a special place to you. We’ve featured many backyard weddings here on Sweet Violet Bride.

Pepper Nix Photography

Barn / Farm
The barn wedding is becoming a rustic chic classic and for good reason. There’s no place for a party quite like a barn lit with pretty lights, and the stars in the sky above. Whether you opt for a classic New England barn site or a one with rugged western charm your wedding is sure to be at least one thing: fun. Most consider barns for their reception venue, though this couple actually got married in one! More and more barns across the country are now available to rent out for weddings and events, for example you can find a variety of barns and ranches in Rancho Cucamonga. You can check out several barn weddings we’ve featured here.

Ember Photography

Vineyard
There is something so romantic about vineyards. Plus, if you love wine there’s really no better place to cheers to your new life together. You might even be able to get wine specially bottled with custom labels for you and your guests. Most vineyards have a natural style but are more elegant instead of whimsical if you know what I mean. You could add to this category any type of orchard also. See our featured vineyard weddings here.

Evan Chung Photography

Lakeside
Often times a venue will combine more than one of these categories, like this lakeside forest wedding. But lakesides, whether they’re near a forest or not are a tranquil place with a watery view that may be less crowded than a beach on the ocean (unless of course you have access to a private beach). Also, you don’t have to live near coastline to find this type of venue and you can enter or exit your ceremony by canoe or kayak, which is just plain cool!

Ampersand Wedding Photography

Forest / Woodland
Perhaps one of my favorites in theory, though this type of venue can be harder to orchestrate than others due to the fact that there may not be any structures nearby. Typically a woodland ceremony takes place at the edge of the woods or just inside the forest where there is a reception venue (lodge, house, or pavilion) within walking distance or a short drive away, though you can also set up tables among the trees! There is no doubt that a woodland wedding is undeniably enchanting. When done right you and your guests should feel transported to a magical world of woodland whimsy. See some of the woodland weddings we’ve featured here.

Brilliant Imagery

Mountain / Wilderness Lodge
If you and your partner have a spectacular sense of adventure and spending time in the outdoors is something core to your relationship then a mountain wedding is right up your alley, er trail. Ski resorts or wilderness lodges often have the space to comfortably host a wedding and the proximity to mountain views. You don’t need to bring much ceremony decor into a location like this. See the many different mountain weddings we’ve featured here.

Modern Romance Productions

I hope you enjoyed this post and got some ideas for where to have your outdoor wedding. If you’ve been married in the outdoors let us know where you tied the knot in the comments below!

Take a deep breath and imagine exchanging your wedding vows with the warm sand beneath your feet, the aqua ocean beside you, palm trees rustling in the breeze. Sound like your ideal day? Now also picture not having to worry about any of the onsite planning – that’s what Caribbean and Latin America Marriott and JW Resorts will do. They take care of all the hard stuff so you can focus on enjoying paradise.

The hardest part will probably be choosing the perfect location! Whether you’re looking for a destination wedding that is easygoing and rustic, or chic and luxurious, Marriott Resorts has an option for every style. Keep in mind that when you are planning a destination wedding, you aren’t just considering the wedding day, but also the days (and possibly weeks) that your guests may choose to take to extend your celebration into a vacation. Some of your family and friends may want to take side trips to explore the sites, or you might have a group that just wants to soak in the sun and views from the resort. Whatever the case Caribbean and Latin America Marriott and JW Resorts has an option for you. They have so many fantastic choices it can be hard to decide though! Here’s a little infographic Matrimony Quiz to help you make your choice:

Have it narrowed down? Now that you’ve chosen your dream destination, you can start visualizing what your wedding day will look like. What kind of culture are you interested in? What kind of vibe do you want to have on your big day? What colors make you the happiest? I’ve created some inspiration boards to get you started! Here are just a few of the ways I would envision a Caribbean or Latin America Marriott and JW Resorts wedding could look like:

Menu: Jonathan Connolly / Yellow Bridesmaids: Captured Photography by Jenny / Yellow Cocktails: Katherine Stinnett / Lanterns: James Christianson / Protea + Palms: Destination Wedding Mag / Yellow Orchid Bouquet: Anna Kim Photography / Yellow Chairs: Two Foxes Photography

Pink Wedding Dress: Jonathan Canlas Photography / Stationery: via Style Me Pretty / Sunset Cake: Pinterest /  Teal Vases: via Wedding Chicks / Pink Cocktails: Ashley Kelemen / Fuchsia Bridesmaid Dresses: Goddess by Nature Collection / Hot Pink Peony Bouquet: Jessica Bosse Photography

Seaglass Chandelier: Luvocracy / Bride: KT Merry / Seaglass Bottles: A Beach Cottage / Seaglass chips: Tides Treasures / Door: Pinterest / Bridesmaids: J. Crew / Seaglass escort cards: Tec Petaja, Pearl & Godiva

1. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

With iris and azaleas in the spring, flowering magnolia in the summer, and chrysanthemums and liquid amber tress in the fall, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a year-round natural oasis for lovebirds planning their nuptials. Located on the campus of CSU Long Beach, the 1.3 acre plot offers a lush green landscape, arched wooden bridges, serene waterfalls, and an impressive koi pond. As educational and cultural as it is beautiful, the garden is a space for international learning, philanthropy, and meditation when not being used for weddings.

2. The Arboretum

The Los Angeles Arboretum is a picturesque botanical garden and historical site that is home to plant collections from all over the world. From rose gardens, fountains, and tropical waterfalls to gazebos, lakes, and quaint cottages, the 127 acre site is filled with an inspiring array of backdrops for both ceremony and reception. Many beautiful species of wildlife have nestled into the natural oasis as their home. This is where they filmed parts of Jurassic Park and the movie Bridesmaids!

3. Descanso Gardens

Soft elegance and classic charm combine to create the enchanting floral world that is Descanso Gardens. The botanical landscape boasts a variety of stunning amenities, including a rosarium, tea house, lilac garden, bird sanctuary, and xeriscape; not to mention the Descansco Gardens Enchanted Railroad, an eighth scale replica of a diesel trail that takes visitors around the garden. The Boddy House, Rose Pavilion, Magnolia Lawn, and Van de Kamp Hall are just some of the charming locations from which couples can choose to tie the knot.

4. Kyoto Japanese Gardens

The second Japanese garden to make it on the list is the Kyoto of Doubletree Hilton. The true magic of this luscious paradise is its ability to make guests feel they are miles away from the city all while in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Complete with ponds, waterfalls, botanicals, and a two-story garden, Kyoto offers a balanced venue for the nature-loving bride with an urban flair.

5. Exposition Rose Garden

No secret gardens in Los Angeles discussion would be complete without the Exposition Rose Garden. Literally known as “one of the city’s best kept secrets,” the historic 7-acre sunken garden was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. With gazebos, marble statues, over 100 varieties of roses, and two notable neighbors –Natural History Museum and California Science Center – the garden presents couples a variety of stunning options.

6. Elysian Park’s Rock Garden

Founded in 1886, Elysian Park is Los Angeles’ first park and second largest in the city at 600 acres. One of the most beautiful features of the park is the LA Police Academy’s Rock Garden. Beautiful boulders, tall pine trees and an alluring waterfall make this rock heaven a sparkling alternative to floral gardens.

7. Huntington Botanical Gardens

The Huntington Botanical Gardens is a garden venue in its own category of natural splendor. More than 14,000 different varieties of plants are showcased in over a dozen principal gardens, including the Shakespeare, Herb, Jungle, Subtropical, and Desert gardens. The historic, elegant estate gardens offer a truly romantic setting to exchange vows.

8. (Notable Mention) Hartley Botanica

For the LA bride ready to make the trip, close by neighboring city Somis, CA offers us Hartley Botanica. Originally dreamt up by Richard and Kate Hartley for their daughter’s wedding, the ethereal garden features hand-paved walkways, waterfalls, vine-covered archways, and a lotus tea garden. Seemingly straight out of the pages of a fairy tale book, the professionally landscaped grounds were specifically designed for garden weddings. I truly believe Los Angeles is a landmark of natural beauty in its own right. What are some of your favorite garden venues in Los Angeles?

This Guest Post is by Hovik Harutyunyan of Modern LA Weddings

1) 1zoom  2) Jerry Yoon Photographers  3) Descanso Gardens  4) Officiant Guy  5) Exposition Rose Garden  6) Big Orange Landmarks  7) Take Sunset  8) Hartley Botanica