Themes are a common way to tie the look of your wedding together to ensure a polished look, where everything fits together. However, a bride who wants her wedding to express the personality of the couple could hardly be satisfied with common seasonal themes that tell guests nothing about the couple.
old hollywood theme
The Old Hollywood theme is perfect for any bride who wants to feel like a glamorous celebrity one day. No puffy cupcake dresses for this bride; instead, the look is all about elegant and flattering dresses. The perfect setting for an Old Hollywood theme would be an old-fashioned movie theater, a vintage-style hotel, an old-fashioned formal restaurant, or the easiest-to-find option of a gorgeous ballroom. Everything must ooze glamor and timeless elegance. Decorate with elegant displays of calla lilies and roses. Send invitations or save the dates in the style of movie tickets. As long as you don’t forget the swing band or a lounge jazz singer, you’re good to go!
rustic theme
The rustic theme gives a lot to work as a couple. This could take place in a picturesque barnyard, a charming vineyard, a classic log cabin, or even a cornfield. Turn on twinkling lights around you and let Mother Nature be your guide. Earth tones are abundant and the gifts of nature are the main decorations. Fill vases with vibrant fruit and surround candle holders with asparagus or cinnamon to decorate the reception. For dinner, serve comfort food, including a dessert that incorporates local fruit. Small pumpkins can serve as placeholders for guests, or can even be written on to identify menu items.
Nautical
Perfect for a yacht or beach club wedding, the Nautical theme is for the couple who loves the water. Colors can include classic navy and white, stretchy navy and yellow, or even an aqua with red. Bring dinner to the theme too: Serve coastal classics like mini lobster rolls as an appetizer, with clam chowder on the menu.
Dinner table decorations can include twine-tied napkins and even small glass buckets or vases filled with multi-colored shells. Mini lanterns can light up paths for guests or simply be used as table decorations. Send guests home with gifts of candy-filled miniature beach buckets and leave them a basket of flip-flops to change out of their formal wear—just leave the sand out!
storybook
Wait a second, didn’t we say unique wedding themes? Okay, yes. Instead of going for the traditional fairy tale wedding, theme the wedding around your favorite novel. Alice in Wonderland fans may choose to have a garden reception, complete with an upside-down cake and flower decorations or candles inside mismatched teacups. Other table decorations could include gold clocks or rabbit statues. Brave brides can even have their guests circle around their table during meal breaks for a truly festive feel.
Wizard of Oz fans could opt for a yellow brick aisle at the ceremony before retiring to a reception in a ballroom with green lighting and gold tablecloths. If available, red poppies can decorate both the ceremony site and the reception site. Sugar or clay poppies can decorate a tall cake under a rainbow backdrop. Of course, the bride must wear her own ruby red slippers.
A couple who loves Broadway or The Phantom of the Opera can throw a real masquerade. To start the ceremony off on the right foot, ask your officiant to wear the traditional Phantom cape and mask. Decorate a glamorous ballroom with tall focal points of red roses and run a fog machine before your grand entrance to the reception for a mystical feel. Guests can receive decorative masks to wear during the reception as they dance to music played by an organ under a large chandelier.
carnival theme
Evoke the feeling of pure fun with your wedding! Turn any outdoor wedding into a carnival with multi-colored balloon decorations and booths featuring carnival games like ring toss or duck pond and desserts of mini caramel apples, cotton candy and even donuts served with gourmet sauce. Camp out in reception or consider renting from the local state fairgrounds. Typical fair food can be included on the dinner menu with miniature hot dogs, decadent pizza and barbecue grill options. If you don’t want a traditional dinner, consider renting real carnival cars that serve food.
With so many theme options available, take some time to decide which one suits your ideal wedding. When choosing a theme, think about what aspects are important to you and your partner, and how you want to convey them to guests. Take your first steps together as a married couple while showing friends and family how you view your relationship and what is important to you.