Choosing a wedding theme 3487 views

A themed wedding is not for everyone, but if you want to give your big day an air of fun, drama or personality, a well-chosen theme makes for a memorable marriage. Here are some suggestions for those couples who fancy something a little different.

Many brides-to-be are not keen on the idea of a themed wedding, and equate it with tackiness. The key is to remember that a theme can be as elaborate or as subtle as you like. Whether you want to go all-out with an Arabian Nights twist, or simply want to stick to a certain colour scheme, a theme can provide an ideal focus as you plan your wedding.

Top wedding themes – suggestions

Here are some popular wedding themes. Even if none of them grabs you, getting an idea of what you don’t want can be a useful exercise in itself.

Medieval wedding. Scroll-style invitations, a sumptuous banquet and a castle-shaped cake – this theme has the makings of a wedding to remember! Costumes should not be too difficult to come by if you want your guests to look the part.

Winter wonderland wedding. Twinkling fairy lights, a velvet-cloaked bride, and white blooms tied with silver ribbon – a winter wedding can have a drama and appeal all of its own.

Seaside-themed wedding. The sea holds a unique fascination for many people. Shells, sand and pebbles can all be used to good effect in table centres and other decorations, while sticks of personalised seaside rock make fantastic favours!

1920s-themed wedding. An Art Deco-style venue, a jazz band, flapper dresses and cocktails can help to recreate the fun-loving spirit of the 1920s.

1940s-themed wedding. Big-band entertainment, a vintage satin gown and a Champagne fountain are just some of the ingredients of a wedding inspired by the 1940s.

Arabian Nights wedding. Think belly dancers, jewel-coloured fabric draped across the walls and ceiling, platters of Middle Eastern food, and chocolate-coin favours. What fun!

Japanese-themed wedding. A red-and-black colour scheme, bonsai trees as centrepieces, and sushi or noodles on the menu are just a few of the ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Las Vegas-themed wedding. A mobile casino, an Elvis impersonator, elaborate cocktails and glitzy lighting will set the scene for an over-the-top wedding that gets everyone all shook up.

Butterfly-themed wedding. More subtle than hearts or flowers but just as romantic, butterflies are a popular and stylish wedding motif. From invitations to favours, and decorations to placecards, you should have no trouble sourcing products to fit in with this pretty wedding theme.

Football-themed wedding. Football stadiums are increasingly popular as wedding venues but if this is a bit out of your league you can still create a footie-themed occasion to remember. Use your team's colours for your décor, name your tables after favourite players, and have the bride throw a football instead of her bouquet!

A themed wedding inspired by your venue

Already chosen your venue? The building and grounds could be the perfect source of theme ideas for your big day. A country house is perfect for a traditional white-themed wedding, while an Art Deco-style building is crying out for an elegant 1920s theme.

Ask your venue staff about wedding themes that have been used there before; they may even have photos of the venue dressed in different ways to give you ideas.

Wedding lighting

One of the best ways to create atmosphere at a themed wedding reception – or any other type of reception – is through lighting. Hiring a lighting designer might sound like a drastic – and expensive – step, but it could be the best money you spend. If your venue looks less than glamorous to start with, clever lighting can seriously play down its bad points while highlighting the positives. Getting a quote from some professional lighting designers doesn’t cost anything, and they might have fantastic ideas on making the most of your theme.

Planning your wedding decor

If you’re decorating your own venue for a themed wedding, you’ll need plenty of help and plenty of materials. Why not try using a prop-hire company? They specialise in film and theatre props that you can rent to add a touch of drama to your reception.

The floor and ceiling are both important considerations when decorating your venue. Fabric swags or white fairy lights are good ways of disguising an ugly ceiling, while a hideous carpet can be hidden with some rented flooring – choose from interlocking panels of parquet, or a stylish black-and-white checked effect, depending on your theme and preference. No one need know about the lurid swirly pattern underneath!