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DIY Ideas: How to Make Your Own Wedding Altar
I love how a wedding altar can instantly set the mood of your wedding ceremony, you may remember our 12 alternative altars that we featured last year, it was full of creative and original ways to create and dress a wedding altar. Handmade altars are unique and personal, however I was unsure of how easy they would be. If you have decided to be a DIY bride this might be one task you are unsure of tackling but let me tell you, this altar was super easy, super quick (it took just over an hour!), super cheap and super versatile (you can decorate, however you want, to fit in with whatever your theme). Making your own wedding altar could not be any easier.
Please excuse the state of my garden in these images, it is in the process of being tidied up :/
You will need:
♥ 10 Bamboo canes (but 11 would have been ideal just so we could hang things from the front) Make sure the canes are a little taller that you and partner.
♥ String
♥ Material of your choice and colour (the same length as you bamboo canes)
♥ Flowers of your choice and colours
Step 1: Insert 4 bamboo canes into the ground making sure they are secure and of equal distance apart to create a square shape. I haven’t given lengths because the size completely depends on what size you would like the altar to be and the height you require. Generally it needs to wide enough and tall enough for 3 of you to be stood under.
Step 2: Once you are happy that the canes are positioned at the correct height and width, take another bamboo cane and attach each end to the canes in the ground, using the string. This is to create the sides of the altar and will make it more secure.
Step 3: Continue securing the bamboo canes with string, to each side of the altar leaving the front free.
Step 4: Secure more canes in the same way along the middle of each side, again this will make the structure more secure.
Step 5: Cut your material into thin strips.
Step 6: Loosely secure the material around the outside of the altar.
Step 7: Add as little or as much material as you would like. We also loosely draped some material on the front of our altar to frame it.
Step 8: Bunch your flowers together and secure with the string.
Step 9: Secure the bunches around the midsection of the altar with string.
Step 10: Secure bunches where ever else you may want them. We have used flowers and material but remember you can add whatever decor you fancy.
Step 11: We also added a mat to our altar to jazz it up a bit.
And there you have it, a quick, easy and extremely versatile altar.
Remember we would love to hear from you if you made your own altar for you wedding.
Much Bespoke Love
Why a DIY Wedding Altar is a Lovely Idea!
So like we said, why settle for a run-of-the-mill altar when you can create something as memorable as your Aunt Mildred’s dance moves? so here’s why we think a DIY wedding alter is a great idea:
1. “Personalization: Because Cookie-Cutter Is for Cookies”
Picture this: You and your partner, standing under a handcrafted archway adorned with fairy lights, succulents, and a sign that says, “Love is our jam.” Why? Because store-bought altars lack pizzazz. They’re like the plain bagel of wedding decor—reliable but not exactly Instagram-worthy. So, grab your glue gun, channel your inner Picasso, and let’s turn that plywood into a masterpiece. Bonus points if your altar doubles as a snack bar. Nothing says “forever” like exchanging vows while nibbling on cheese cubes.
2. “Cost-Effective Altars: Where ‘Budget’ Meets ‘Boujee’”
Why spend a fortune on a rented altar when you can DIY it for the price of a latte and a dream? Raid your grandma’s attic, find that dusty old ladder, and voilà! Instant rustic charm. Add some lace, twine, and a strategically placed fern (because ferns are the duct tape of the plant world), and you’ve got yourself a budget-friendly altar that screams, “We’re fiscally responsible and fabulous.”
3. “Emotional Connection: When Plywood Becomes Poetry”
Sure, you could rent an altar made by a stranger named Gary, who probably thinks “Pinterest” is a type of cheese. But where’s the emotional investment? With a DIY altar, you’ll shed tears, sweat, and maybe a little glitter. Imagine your partner’s face when they see the altar you crafted—the same face they make when you accidentally snore like a chainsaw. It’s love, folks. Pure, sawdust-covered love.
4. “Flexibility: Altars That Go Where the Wind Blows (Literally)”
DIY altars adapt like chameleons at a color-changing convention. Beach wedding? Grab some driftwood and seashells. Forest ceremony? Hang tiny lanterns from tree branches and pretend you’re in a fairy tale. Urban rooftop? Well, that’s easy—just balance your altar on a stack of pizza boxes. The point is, your altar should fit your vibe, whether it’s boho, minimalist, or “accidentally stumbled into a vintage shop.”
5. “Symbolism: Because Roses Are Red, Vows Are Nerdy”
Symbols matter. Incorporate meaningful elements into your altar. Maybe a tiny bookshelf to represent your shared love of reading (and binge-watching Netflix subtitles). Or a miniature globe to signify your wanderlust (and your inability to fold a map correctly). And don’t forget the obligatory heart-shaped succulent—it’s like Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Grow together, but also water me occasionally.”
6. “Crafting Together: Glue Guns and Group Hugs”
Assemble your bridal party, your nosy neighbor, and that squirrel who hangs out by your window (because why not?). Crafting your altar becomes a bonding experience. You’ll laugh, you’ll accidentally hot-glue your fingers together, and you’ll emerge with a masterpiece that screams, “We did this together, and now we’re unstoppable!” Plus, your guests will appreciate the effort. They’ll whisper, “Wow, their love is stronger than Gorilla Glue.”
Conclusion
So there you have it, lovebirds. DIY wedding altars: where creativity meets commitment, and where plywood dreams come true. Now go forth, armed with glue sticks and determination, and create an altar that’ll make even the pigeons shed a tear. Happy crafting, and may your love story be as epic as that time you accidentally superglued your hand to the table. Cheers!
Hi! I really like the look of this DIY altar. Wondering where you came by the bamboo poles? I wouldn’t know where to start to look!
Hi Libby!!
You should be able to find them at any garden centre or DIY store 🙂
Happy DIY’ing
xxxx