10 Steps To Making A Photo-Ready Aisle

The walk down the aisle is a special moment for a couple—and one of the most photographed parts of the entire wedding day.

With that in mind, you’ll want to create an aisle that will look amazing in the pictures that you’ll be looking at for a lifetime.

Whether your ceremony is inside or outdoors, here are some tips to make sure you’re walking down a photo-ready aisle.

Space It Out

You don’t want anyone walking down the aisle to feel crowded.

According to Holly Gray of Anything But Gray Events, the first step in creating your perfect aisle is to figure out how many people are going to be walking down together. “I always account for two feet per person,” she explains. “

That means if a bride and both of her parents are walking down the aisle together, the aisle needs to be at least six feet wide to accommodate them comfortably.”

Showcase Beautiful Blooms

Photo by: Victor Sizemore Photography

Stephanie Cole of Cole Drake Events suggests decorating with fresh florals down the aisle (petals, floral aisle runners, chair florals), as well as at the beginning of the area.

Couples can opt for a minimalist design with simple greenery and flowers in neutral tones, bring in a boho vibe with pampas grass lining the aisle, or go for full-on glamour with lush, colorful florals.

Bring The Light

Photo by: Elis Linares

Lighting can really set the tone for your event, especially if romantic is the desired vibe for the ceremony. Line the aisle with lanterns or small candles but stay away from live flames.

Although they look beautiful, the chance of it catching someone or something on fire and the damage that hot wax can do simply isn’t worth it. Instead, opt for LED candles, notes Gray.

Skip The Breakables

Photo by: Jacqueline Benét

The same goes for using decorative items made of glass—you don’t want to take the chance of it getting knocked over and dealing with shards of glass on the aisle or near the guest seating. If you want clear boxes or vases for flowers, opt for acrylic, which is shatterproof. 

Decorate The Chairs

Don’t forget about the guest chairs at your ceremony, which can be decorated to add some texture to the aisle. Some ideas for the chairs lining the aisle include draping fabric or greenery, tying a ribbon in your wedding colors, or hanging small flower baskets.

Be Smart With Spending

Photo by: Petula Pea Photography

A beautiful aisle doesn’t have to blow your wedding budget.

In fact, you can have gorgeous flowers on your aisle without breaking the bank. Simply use florals that can be repurposed for other areas of the wedding décor, such as the table centerpieces at the reception. Cole notes that altar arrangements (not a chuppah or arch) can easily be moved, as well as chair arrangements and front-of-the-aisle arrangements.

Create Aisle Runners

Couples don’t have to stick with the traditional white aisle runner.

Get creative and find other options that fit with your wedding’s theme. Some ideas can be lining the aisle with vintage rugs that match your color scheme (just make sure they are properly secured to the floor to avoid tripping), multi-colored petals or feathers strewn down the aisle, and a glitter aisle runner that will amp up the glam.  

Think Out Of The Box

Photo by: Jenna Lee

You don’t have to stick with the center aisle and seats on each side. Couples are now getting creative with their seating, including ceremonies in the round or even multiple aisles (one for the wedding party and one for the couple).

Keep It Clean

Photo by: Katherine Elizabeth Photography

Couples will want to keep the aisle pristine for the big moment.

Instead of roping off an aisle which can seem very formal or non-welcoming, Gray suggests to her clients that they ask a family member or close friend to act as an usher, welcoming guests to enter the ceremony seating along the sides as opposed to the aisle. “It adds a personal touch and allows you to bestow on a family member or close friend a title or chance to be helpful,” she says.

If you do want to block off the area, Cole recommends using a beautiful embellishment (like a ribbon) to keep guests off the aisle.

Focus On the Newlyweds

While you want the aisle to be beautiful, you don’t want so much décor that it takes away from the true stars of the show: the happy couple.

“Framing the ceremony space and drawing the eye towards the couple is imperative,” says Cole.

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