DIY Handmade Wooden Wedding Altar
A wooden alter can add an elegant, dramatic touch to any wedding. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and can be decorated to fit the theme of the wedding. Rented alters can be costly and limited in style and color. But handmade wedding alters can be constructed to fit the size and style specifications of the ceremony, and then painted or stained to fit the mood of the big event.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 4-inch-by-4-inch post bracket kits
- 4 concrete paving stones
- Marker
- Electric drill
- Concrete pilot bit
- Screwdriver bit
- Level
- Tape measure
- 4-foot-wide-by-2.5-foot deep lattice
- 2 8-foot-tall-by-2.5-foot wide pieces of lattice
- 24 2-inch wood screws
- Paint or stain
- Paintbrush
- 10 2-by-4 boards
- Table saw
- Safety goggles
- 4 3-inch wood screws
- 16 5-inch wood screws
Instructions
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Support Assembly
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1
Center a 4-inch-by-4-inch post bracket on a concrete paving stone. Mark the holes for drilling. Use an electric drill and concrete pilot bit to drill the holes about halfway down. Use the screws provided and an electric drill with a screwdriver bit, to attach the post bracket to the paving stone. Repeat this step for the remaining three paving stones and post brackets.
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2
Insert a 4-by-4 post into a post bracket, with an assistant's help. Press a level along the center of the post, and then adjust the post inside the bracket until the bubble is centered. Use an electric drill and the provided screws to secure the post -- screwing through the side holes of the post bracket and into the wood. Do not tighten the screws until all have been installed. Check the bubble to make sure the post is still level. Make adjustments, if necessary, and then tighten the screws. Repeat this step for the remaining posts.
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3
Stand all four posts upright. Arrange them into a 4-foot-wide-by-2.5-foot-deep rectangle. Use a tape measure to confirm measurements.
Lattice Alter
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4
Stand on a ladder, and place a 4-foot-wide-by-2.5-foot deep piece of lattice over the top of the four posts. Use 2-inch wood screws and an electric drill to secure the lattice to the top of the posts, creating the roof of the alter.
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5
Place an 8-foot-tall-by-2.5-foot wide piece of lattice against one side of the alter. Use 20 2-inch wood screws and an electric drill to secure the lattice to the posts, creating the wall. Screw the top and bottom in first, and evenly space the remaining screws. Repeat this process for the other side wall.
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6
Paint or stain the posts and lattice in the color of your choice.
Arbor-Style Alter
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7
Measure and cut two 2-by-4-inch boards to 6 feet in length. Use a table saw to make the cuts.
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8
Stand on a ladder and place a cut board over the top of two of the side posts, with the 4-inch side down. Center the board so there is 1 foot of overhang on each side. Use a 3-inch wood screw and electric drill to secure the board to each post. Position the screw so that it will drill down through the center of the post. Repeat this step for the remaining board and side posts.
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9
Measure and cut 8 2-by-4 boards to 4 1/2 feet in length. Use a table saw to make the cuts.
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10
Stand on a ladder and measure 1 1/4 feet in from the end of a crossbeam. Mark the measurement. Repeat the measurement for the second crossbeam, so the marks run parallel to each other.
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11
Measure 6 inches in from the first mark on both sides. Repeat this measurement until you have eight marks. The roof will consist of eight 2-by-4 boards spaced 6 inches apart, with the outside boards spaced 1 1/4 feet in from the ends of the crossbeams.
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12
Place a cut 2-by-4 over the first mark with the 2-inch side down. Center the board so there is a 1-foot overhang on each side of the crossbeams. Secure the board to the crossbeam using 5-inch wood screws and an electric drill. Position the screw so that it will drill down through the center of the crossbeam. Repeat this step for the remaining seven boards.
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13
Paint or stain the wood in the color of your choice.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Lattice comes in various precut panel sizes, or a hardware store can cut panels to your measurements.
If cutting lattice yourself, use a circular saw.
Have someone hold the ladder steady so you don’t fall.
Wear protective goggles while operating a table saw, to protect your eyes.
