One of the best ways to personalize your wedding is to choose a wedding theme or style. This will help you make important wedding planning decisions, like what color scheme to follow, how you decorate your ceremony and reception, and what the overall vibe of your day feels like. However, with so many wedding theme ideas, narrowing down your favorite might feel nearly impossible.
If you’re not sure where to start with your wedding planning, don’t worry– we’ve got you covered. We talked to some industry experts to get all the information you need on choosing a wedding theme or style. Plus, we’ve got some great tips on how to make it feel personal to you and your partner.
The History of Wedding Themes
Wedding themes didn’t exist until after World War II. Prior to that, weddings were typically more minimalistic affairs without many decorations or special touches.
As our society has become more and more focused on consumerism, we have started to see more elaborate weddings. As these weddings have become more elaborate, so have our expectations. A lot of this is due to the influence of the media, which is filled with images of beautiful brides in stunning dresses surrounded by elaborate flowers and candles. It’s no wonder that many people now expect their weddings to be just as spectacular.
Do You Need a Wedding Theme?
Couples may find it helpful to choose a wedding theme or style, as it can make the wedding planning process easier. According to wedding planner Ayanna Stephens, a theme or style can create a cohesive design for the wedding, set the tone for the guests’ experience, and help inform the budget.
Celebrity wedding planner David Tutera believes that a great wedding should tell a story from the moment guests receive the invitation to the last thing they see, which could be the favor. Having a style or a theme helps you choose the story you’re going to tell.
The author is saying that having a clear wedding theme is important because it will affect subsequent planning decisions and how your guests experience the wedding.
How to Come Up With Different Wedding Themes
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for your wedding theme, or you’re looking for something unique, we’ve got some tips for you!
Just a Few Things…
If you are unsure about what you want for your wedding, it is recommended that you start with something small, like the color palette. Once you have a better idea of the details you want, you can use that information to help you choose a wedding theme. Doing research based on your initial decisions can help you narrow down your options and make your wedding feel more cohesive.
Combining Styles of Wedding Themes
START BY TALKING WITH YOUR PARTNER Start by talking with your partner about wedding styles. What wedding colors do they like? Do you have ideas for colors, wedding décor, or floral arrangements in common? If both you and your partner have different dream wedding themes, focus on what you have in common. Your commonality will make a great focal point for deciding on the best wedding theme for you both. The perfect wedding theme is one you both love, so take the time to think over the details with your partner.
Checking In With the Wedding Industry
If you don’t know where to start with your wedding planning, don’t worry. You can always look to the wedding industry for help. Check out popular wedding themes in magazines, or hire a wedding planner. Many couples use a wedding planner to take care of the details, from budget to decor to reception and dress. The best planners are always up-to-date on the latest trends, so they can help you decide which theme is right for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help so you can enjoy the planning process and leave the tough decisions to someone else.
Wedding Themes vs. Wedding Styles
When planning your wedding, it is important to determine whether you are going for a certain look and feel (style) or if you are following a specific theme. This is important to avoid confusion when speaking to your vendors. According to Stephens, style is more related to the overall look and feel of the wedding, whereas a theme is more specific and contributes to the details of the design.
Think about this: Would you like to have a grandiose wedding with a Great Gatsby theme? This look is associated with the book and movie, which means it would have aspects of art deco, vintage, and glam styles. Having a specific theme like Great Gatsby can help you make decisions and stay focused on your vision. Alternatively, you could have a vintage wedding that incorporates similar styles without being as overt as the Great Gatsby theme.
Tutera explains that it’s helpful to plan in slow stages and points out that couples might feel pressure to keep adding to their wedding plans as they go. He says that it’s easy to get bogged down with too many ideas and that, by the time the wedding day arrives, the overall vision can be muddy if it’s been over-styled. To avoid this, he suggests that couples check in with themselves periodically to make sure they’re still on track.
The best wedding theme or style inspiration is what represents you and your partner as a couple.
Timeless Theme
A timeless wedding theme is classic and elegant. It book a local chapel and focuses on keeping the style simple. Too much glam will overshadow the delicate grace of a traditional wedding.
Romantic Theme
A romantic wedding theme is one that focuses on the best moments of the newly married couple. This can be done in a few ways, but usually involves self-written vows, a romantic first dance, and soft, sweet details. If you’re planning a romantic wedding, it’s easy to do. You just choose what reminds you of your love, from wedding invitations to reception decor.
Beach Theme
Additionally, many couples opt for a beach wedding to take advantage of the natural beauty of their surroundings. A beach wedding requires fewer decorations than other themes and is bound to be beautiful with just sand, water, and sun. Couples often opt for a beach wedding to take advantage of the natural beauty of their surroundings.
Attach a note to your wedding invitations asking your guests to wear shoes that are appropriate for a beach day. This is important if you’re having a summer wedding near the beach, or a destination wedding. You don’t want your guests’ shoes to get muddy or sink into the ground.
Bohemian Theme
Aesthetic wise, boho weddings give off an effortless chic vibes, as if the Bride just woke up like that. In terms of decor, bohemian style is all about being eye-catching but humble at the same time. As for colors, boho weddings usually adopt a color scheme that is commonly found in nature, for example colors that you would see in a sunset. Lastly, boho weddings are known to be fun yet sophisticated, and laid-back.
Think about having your bridesmaids wear dresses that don’t match or wedding party attire that is individualistic but still looks good together. For floral arrangements, choose flowers that are fluffy and untamed, like pampas grass, pressed palms, or baby’s breath. Your reception should have a comfortable lounge area, with mismatched tepees and poufs. A cake that is left uncovered with fresh flowers would be the perfect finishing touch.
Glamorous Theme
When planning a glamorous wedding, think about adding some show-stopping details that will wow your guests and look great in photos. Metallics are always a good choice, and you might also want to consider hiring some unexpected entertainment, like a band or a firework display.
Modern/Industrial
A modern wedding is typically characterized by its simplicity. People who live in cities or are attracted to urban design are especially drawn to this style of wedding, which is usually formal but has enough playful elements to prevent it from feeling too stiff. This style also generally costs less because it uses fewer flowers, opting instead for plants like succulents or stones. An industrial-modern wedding with interesting lighting in the ceiling is a good example of this style for someone who doesn’t want their wedding to be too elaborate.
The overall theme should be reflected in every detail, from the table linens to the specialty cocktail. A modern monogram or logo may be used to personalize the menus and the dance floor, while the cake should be simple but extra delicious (think: foodie ingredients and inventive flavors).
Vintage Theme
If you’re interested in having a vintage-themed wedding, you’ll need to decide which era you want to focus on. Art deco? Royalty? The details will be important, so start planning once you have an inspiration in mind.
This wedding theme is popular because it allows people to use pictures of a beloved family member’s wedding day as inspiration. If you are drawn to this style, you can expect to have a lot of fun!
Rustic Wedding Theme
If you’re looking to have a more low-key wedding, a rustic theme is a great option. You can keep all the fun decorations and themed items without making the overall event too formal. For example, you could wear cowboy boots down the aisle!
On your wedding day, southern charm decor like hand woven rope, picnic tables for the reception, and mason jar lighting tends to be reflected in an outdoor wedding venue.
A rustic wedding can make your guests feel warm and includes aspects of both tradition and modernity. Having a rustic wedding theme means that your farm dog could walk down the aisle with your rings or you could serve charcuterie as an appetizer. You can also square dance the night away! Never underestimate the power of a rustic wedding theme.
Your wedding should be a reflection of your relationship and personality, so choose a theme that suits you both. If you’re a laid-back couple who loves the outdoors, a rustic ceremony in a barn or park might be perfect for you. If you’re more formal or elegant, a black-tie affair in a grand ballroom could be your ideal wedding. Whether you go big or keep it simple, make sure your wedding theme is a reflection of you as a couple. Your wedding should reflect your relationship and personality, so choose a theme that suits you both. If you’re a laid-back couple who loves the outdoors, a rustic ceremony in a barn or park might be perfect for you. If you’re more formal or elegant, a black-tie affair in a grand ballroom could be your ideal wedding. Whether you go big or keep it simple, make sure your wedding theme is a reflection of you as a couple.
As long as you and your partner are attentive to what you both want, you really can’t go wrong with wedding theme choice. Remember, the love you have for one another is the most important aspect of the day.
Leave a Reply