Round, Square, Or Curved: Which Type of Wedding Ceremony Arch Is Right For You?

The arch is the focal point of the ceremony and for many, the most important decor element in a wedding. All eyes will be concentrated on this structure standing at the end of the aisleway where it frames the couple as they exchange vows. In both indoor and outdoor settings, it anchors a space while establishing the aesthetic tone for florals and decor. Symbolically, the archway represents a couple’s future home as they start their new life together.

Scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration, you’ll quickly notice that ceremony arches come in various shapes and sizes. Going back through the Real BB Weddings archives, we narrowed it down to the three most popular shapes: round, square, and curved. Because each design is uniquely beautiful from the next and requires different structural materials to make, deciding which type of archway is right for your wedding ceremony can be difficult. To help make the selection process easier, we are breaking down everything you need to know about round, square, and curved archways.

The Round Ceremony Arch
The round arch is distinguished by its inverted U-shape and compared to square and curved structures, it is higher and thinner from side-to-side. Because it requires slightly more height area than other backdrops, the round arch is a favorite for outdoor ceremonies where the sky is the limit, literally. Many indoor spaces do not have high enough ceilings to accommodate, and if they do, the arch looks forced and disproportionate to the room’s fixed dimensions.

If you are leaning towards a classically romantic wedding style, this is an ideal option to define your ceremony space. Graceful lines and balanced proportions provide the perfect frame to cover with a rich mix of tailored flowers and greenery. Just as the secret-garden impression looks picture-perfect in flourishing gardens and chateaux estates, the arch’s lush florals soften brick walls and cement floors typical city rooftop environments.

The Square Ceremony Arch
Used in arches, chuppahs, and mandaps, the square-shaped backdrop has been the favorite among our couples over the years. It presents beautifully in both indoor and outdoor settings ranging from industrial loft spaces to vast countryside estates. Versatile and offering endless creative possibilities, the square arch is often made using a combination of fabricated and natural materials. Below are highlighted examples from our ceremony portfolio.

Depending on how the square structure is decorated, parts of the frame can be left exposed to underscore your wedding decor theme and style. A custom-made copper arch featuring asymmetrical arrangements of moody purple and red blooms and greenery puts an artistic spin on romantic elegance. A design composed of bundled birch poles embellished with an asymmetrical display of cream, blush, and pale peach florals and greenery radiates organic charm. A wooden post backdrop adorned with creamy white and ivory flowers evokes an air of whimsical allure in a chic rooftop venue overlooking New York City. A chuppah made of Lucite trimmed with cascading roses and an overhead arrangement of crisp white blooms encapsulates contemporary sophistication. Are you wondering if you can cover a square ceremony structure with an allover floral display? Absolutely! Just check out our last design showcasing an abundant chuppah inspired by summer’s last bloom.

The Curved Ceremony Arch
If you love the whimsical and organic look, the curved ceremony arch may be the best choice for you. Natural elements and materials are used to produce the structure’s subtle bend, which in turn, creates a frame filled with dimension and movement. Whether you are getting married surrounded by a verdant woodland or in a lavish hotel ballroom, the curved arch can be styled to accentuate any venue while expressing your desired wedding style. Check out our designs below for inspiration.

Like the square, sections of the frame can be left uncovered to emphasize your wedding aesthetic. Romance and drama unite in a backdrop featuring arcing sandblasted manzanita branches decorated with white Phalaenopsis orchids and roses. Bursting with voluminous texture, a jaw-dropping archway composed of petal-rich blooms and rich greenery contrasts against the NYC skyline to stunning effect. An archway of classic white roses and greenery looks prim, polished, and ready for a ceremony set in the heart of Manhattan. A backdrop made of twisted branches adorned with ferns and forest greenery trimmed with asymmetrical arrangements of effervescent blooms illustrates the scene for a fairytale embrace. Channeling winter’s still beauty is a ceremony ‘tree’ made of curving white birch branches extending from gorgeous cluster arrangements.

Round, square, or curved: which type of arch will be at the center of your dream wedding ceremony? If you are still shopping around for inspiration, visit the designs page on our website. And stay tuned for our upcoming post that will highlight alternative ceremony arch ideas.