10+ Unique—and Gorgeous—Wedding Aisle Ideas
Get inspired by these memorable wedding walkways, from runway-inspired aisles to ceremonies that are all about the view.
One of the most important aspects of the wedding day is, undoubtedly, the wedding ceremony. It's traditionally where your guests are first greeted, likely where they'll first see you as a bride, and it's the reason why everyone is gathered—to witness you reciting your vows, and making a commitment to one another. It's also where you'll have your first kiss and make your recessional as newlyweds. With all that in mind, the framework and design of this space is paramount, and sets the tone of the entire event. Your wedding aisle should reflect the vibe of you as a couple—and tie in the design elements of your wedding day. This is a space that sets the tone; it ushers guests into the mood of your event. With the help of your wedding planner and/or wedding designer and floral team, we suggest you think outside the box when it comes to the aisle. After all, this special spot will also be highly photographed.
Your aisle can be as minimal or elaborate as you wish, so consider your guest count, location, and environment before making any final design decisions. For a more romantic setup, opt for fresh flowers and foliage. When going for a more modern feel, keep your aisle bare and lean on your natural surroundings. From walkways inspired by runway shows to intimate affairs that don't skimp on high design, these are some of the most beautiful wedding aisles from around the world to inspire your wedding planning as we head into 2021 (and 2022).
Not-So-Basic Beach
When it comes to a beach wedding, don't overdo the decor. It's hard to predict how breezy it will be by the shore, and you chose to wed on the beach for a reason—to enjoy the view. Instead, complement your surroundings in ways that feel undeniably natural to the space, yet still feel unexpected.
Consider low-lying and demur grasses that feel like they could be native to the sand, and choose a path that's less predictable and winding like the flow of the ocean waves rather than walking in a straight line. Case in point: this super-chic yet understated ceremony setup.
Pictured: Design by Joy Proctor.
To Infinity & Beyond
An aisle looks like it goes on for days when it has a direct correlation with the other arrangements and archways in the space, from the entry of the church to your wedding arch or altar setup. That continuity guides guests' eyes throughout the space, and exudes abundance without feeling frivolous. This look transforms your ceremony space by drawing the eye from one moment to the next. Trust us: There's nothing more romantic than a far-as-the-eye-can-see aisle, especially when it's lined with gestural blooms and wispy grasses.
Pictured: Devon Windsor and Johnny Barbara's wedding in St. Barths. Planning by Mindy Weiss; Floral design by Bows & Arrows.
Runway Show Inspiration
This wedding aisle and ceremonial chuppah in Capri was inspired by the bride's love of fashion—and a stunning runway show. “Most aisles are straight, but [Jung Lee of] Fête NY created an organic pathway delineated with thousands of pale pink carnations, inspired by a photo of Tory Burch’s Fall 2018 fashion show,” said the bride. Situated (seemingly) on the edge of the Earth, this ceremony was studded with thousands of flowers, allowing guests to feel as though they'd walked through a field to reach the couple's epic ceremony site.
Get the look by seeking inspiration from your favorite fashion shows when designing your aisle, whether it's Jacquemus' romantic catwalks in the lavender fields or wheat fields of the South of France, or Oscar de la Renta's epic showcase in the New York Public Library.
Pictured: Jamie Bernfield and Seth Birkan's wedding in Capri. Planning by Jung Lee of Fête NY.
Make a Statement
The ceremony is the centerpiece of your wedding day—treat it as such. When your wedding includes a mix of all your family's cultures, like this celebration of Quaker, Jewish, African-American, and leftist Humanist cultures, religions, and traditions—embrace it all. Seat your guests in the round to create a seamless connection between each and every one of your beloved guests, even those that may not have known each other prior.
For Avriel Epps-Darling and Erin Darling's Malibu wedding, the couple's florist, Whit Hazen, created a floral installation spelling out ‘No Wall, No Cages’ at the entrance of the ceremony site, using their ceremony to mark values and messages important to them. That, along with added pops of color via bougainvillea, birds of paradise, cacti, and palms spoke to the couple's true loves: each other and their core values.
Pictured: Planning by Rebecca Cohn; Florals by Whit Hazen.
In Technicolor
Don't be afraid of bold color or oversized blooms when outfitting your aisle. Be it tight and modern or gestural and romantic, you can't go wrong with strong doses of color, particularly when wedding outdoors. This rainbow-toned, ombré aisle and arch combo was a fun yet welcome complement to the view this couple wed in front of—and a contrast to the romantic dinner reception and late-night dancing they hosted in an ornate villa afterwards.
Pictured: Kristen and Zack's wedding in Lake Como. Planning by Rachel Birthistle of the The Lake Como Wedding Planner.
Magic From Above
Rather than focus attention only on the arch, the path, or the view—surprise and delight guests from all angles. An overhead installation makes even a vast, outdoor space feel that much more intimate, and frames the couple as they recite their vows, as well as the setting.
Rather than just dangling blooms, give some thought to the shape, scale, and movement of what's soaring overhead. Here, strings of orchids double as fluttering butterflies when they're presented in the sky—but floating marigolds or carnations could offer a different yet equally dreamy effect. Trust us: This look is over-the-top yet effortless—in all the right ways.
Pictured: Planning by Michelle Rago Destinations, Design by Rishi Patel of HMR Designs.
Embrace Your Natural Surroundings
When opting for a historical setting—a la the ancient Croatian ruins pictured here—embrace your surroundings, and leave the rest to speak for itself. If you want to mix things up, build off environmental elements like the space's natural arches and facades, that will keep your guests' gazes up and on you, rather than focusing on ground-level embellishments. Approaches like this stand to make any space look that much taller, and, as a result, infinitely more regal.
Pictured: Planning by Marcy Blum; Floral design by Thierry Boutemy.
Mirror, Mirror...
When DJ Tiesto wed Annika Backes in Antelope Canyon, they wanted a dreamy, yet contemporary feel for their ceremony that suited both the setting and their style. Using rectangularly-shaped mirrors, pampas grass, and soft-toned roses in the open expanses of Amangiri, this aisle merged the modern with the organic, and reflected the natural setting back into the aisle. While incorporating mirrors and reflection was an otherworldly way to interpret this setting in particular, this concept could suit landscapes of all types—from mountain ranges to beaches, to vineyards, gardens, and more.
Pictured: Planning by Colin Cowie.
Amped Up at Home
Despite a global pandemic, Elaine Welteroth wed musician Jonathan Singletary on their Brooklyn stoop with the help of friends, family, and an amazing team. Using a vibrant floral installation on their home's stoop stemming from the sidewalk, this look is proof that you don't have to have a grand venue to create a show-stopping aisle.
For those not venturing too far from home, consider bringing high-design to your doorstep, and having your very own walkway double as your ceremony marker.
Pictured: Planning by JZ Events; Floral design by Lewis Miller Design.
The Wow Factor
Give your guests something to talk about—before you even make your grand entrance as a bride. A wedding aisle built over water enhanced with budding trees and candlelight is groundbreaking, show-stopping, yet subtle in all the right ways. This design wows in its construction and use of natural surroundings, rather than in floral installations.
If bold, over-the-top floral isn't for you, punctuate your aisle with towering trees. Keep in mind that the trick here is to choose design elements that look as though they were in the space from the start.
Pictured: Planning Lelian Chew of The Wedding Atelier.
Traditional Venue Inspo
Take inspiration from a traditional venue, like a church, and bring it elsewhere. Elements as simple as pointed arches or riffs on stained glass give structure to the wedding aisle and mimic a classic house of worship in a way that feels contemporary and unique—without being entirely unconventional.
Keep in mind that wooden fixtures and fall foliage made for a chic autumnal affair in this particular setting, but it's important to consider yours. Wrought iron gateways would suit in Italy, while steel or mirrored versions would suit in an industrial space in the city.
Pictured: Planning by Easton Events; Design by Mindy Rice Design.
All About the Landscape
Skip florals if they're not your style—especially if you find yourself in an open-air or woodland setting where a scenic view of your surroundings is much more impressive than an over-the-top installation.
Choose flowers, plants, and grasses local to the location for a look that still feels fresh. Reconsider your ceremony set-up to boot: this event, which seated guests in a spiral shape, blended in with the natural, rolling hills of the landscape in fresh, innovative ways that still felt seamless in the setting.
Pictured: Planning by Soiree Telluride; Design by David Beahm.
Heather Hall is a weddings, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor. Her career in weddings began at The Knot, where she worked as a bridal fashion editor. She then worked as a PR Manager at Amsale, a bridal design house, before starting her own events and digital marketing business. She has been featured on Today.com, MSN.com, Yahoo.com, Racked.com, Huffington Post, Verily Magazine, and Style Me Pretty. Heather loves music, travel, and practicing yoga. In her spare time she's typically researching the next fun workout class to try, or finding a new concert to attend. Her latest goal: become a DJ.
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