Last Updated on December 19, 2022
Pulling off a terrific wedding is one of the most tasking projects for any couple. As such, wedding preparations can be extremely strenuous and expensive, especially when planning is carried out poorly. From selecting a befitting venue to deciding the number of people you want on your guest list and then adjusting all your plans to fit into your budget, to call it a tasking endeavor would be an understatement. This is where wedding themes come in.
Wedding themes are ideas or concepts that transcend your entire wedding ceremony. This can be as simple as your favorite era; for example, you could try a “90s themed” wedding or the place you and your partner first met, or even a beach themed wedding. The list of things that can inspire one’s wedding theme is endless, so there’s always something unique and maybe even sentimental to you and your partner that can be the basis of your wedding theme.
Of course, the decision to have or not have a theme for your wedding is solely up to you and your partner. It’s your wedding; therefore, you should include only elements that seem fulfilling to you and your spouse to be. But before you make that decision, here are some perks of choosing a specific theme for your wedding:
- Wedding themes create an opportunity for cohesive design and aesthetic for your wedding
- They set the tone for the kind of experience your guests will have
- Wedding themes help inform your budget
- Using a theme that has some deeper meaning to you and your partner can make your wedding more personal and memorable, creating an overall unique experience for both of you
If you’ve decided to have a wedding theme, but you’re having trouble finding one which resonates with you and your partner, consider these 20 unique wedding theme ideas:
1. Great Gatsby Themed Wedding
Inspired by the 1925 book written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a Great Gatsby themed wedding is typically very glamorous and luxurious. The idea is to capture the essence of the Roaring Twenties, a time best known for the rise of Jazz Music and endless dancing. Common décor elements of the Great Gatsby theme includes Ostrich Feathers, pearl strands, sequins, chandeliers, art deco details and, of course, a lot to eat and drink. Gatsby wedding color themes usually include silver with black and white.
2. Bohemian Themed Wedding
If you and your partner are free-spirited and socially unconventional, then a bohemian theme may be just what you need. This theme embodies an eclectic mix of rustic, vintage and natural designs to give it its unique style. Keep your venue decor simplistically elegant with decorative pillows or hanging macramé decorations. Use oriental rugs to line the aisle and altar and include interspersed candle lights to create a captivating frame for the nuptial ceremony.
3. Garden Themed Wedding
When it comes to outdoor weddings, you best believe a Garden-themed wedding should be your go-to theme. Whether you arrange your wedding in your garden or decide to hire a garden-based venue, nature will be the best backdrop for such a special occasion. The whole point of this theme is to make your wedding as organic as possible so if you decide to move the event to a cabin, wedding canopy or your home, be sure to bring the garden indoors with you. After all, it only takes imagination to transform any space into a magical garden.
4. Modern Themed Wedding
If you’re longing for a break from tradition, this theme is for you. Modern weddings showcase that fresh, fashion-forward aesthetic. Sleek, sophisticated and refined, Modern Weddings should have décor elements like clean lines, geometric shapes and an overall minimal design.
Decorate your venue with classic paintings and sculptures, use a unique seating arrangement and have a simple backdrop. It’s a modern themed wedding, which means you’re allowed to do things differently. Bring your unique signature style to your wedding day.
5. Romantic Themed Wedding
A romantic wedding theme is easily the best fit for the occasion since weddings celebrate love and appreciation. Start by sending out romantic invitations featuring classic calligraphy. For your venue, look out for sceneries that exude ethereal vibes. Soft hues, delicate lighting and lots of flowers are befitting for a romantic themed wedding. Other décor elements may include the use of pastels, hanging lights and a flower wall.
6. Vintage Themed Wedding
Vintage wedding themes are for couples who feel drawn to a particular era from the past, or perhaps they feel they’ve reincarnated and have lived their best lives in a bygone period. Inspiration for vintage themed weddings can come from just about anywhere: cultural elements peculiar to any period from the past, books, movies or music from 50 to 100 years ago. For decorations, use antique-looking décor, like weathered doors and worn-in wood seats, to further reflect a vintage-inspired wedding.
7. Holiday Themed Wedding
The theme for weddings set in the holiday season is usually crystal clear as the season in itself sets the tone for the event. Start by sending out invitation suites with accents like ornaments, ribbons and greenery. You may frame your altar with evergreens adorned in lights.
Infuse your wedding theme into foods and beverages by serving festive cocktails such as eggnog and cranberry sauce, and apple pies. Finally, remember that the music has to be in cohesion with the overall theme of the event. Request tracks like ‘all I want for Christmas is you.’
8. Whimsical Themed Wedding
If you identify as playful, quaint and maybe a little mischievous, this wedding theme is spot-on for you and your spouse to be. Think of a whimsical wedding as a garden party mixed with your favorite fairytale.
You may introduce this theme in your invitation by using a quirky motif or wordplay that hints your guests of the fun that is to come without giving everything away. The best thing about whimsical themed weddings is that they’re personal to you and your partner; therefore, how you go about infusing this theme in your wedding is totally up to you both.
9. Nautical Themed Wedding
Nautical themed weddings encompass weddings on a sailboat, at the beach or a seaside town. The decoration for this wedding is characterized by breezy linen fabric, lighthouse décor and fishing line lighting installations. Starfish, sandcastles and seashells are displayed in every possible space.
10. Rustic Themed Wedding
There are multiple takes on this theme and what it entails, which in my opinion, is where its beauty lies. Mason Jars, String lights, lace, twine, and the wooden aesthetic contribute to this theme’s simple vibe. You may decide to incorporate country elements like cowboy boots and horseshoes. Don’t forget to play some country music!
11. Southern-inspired Themed Wedding
The thought of warm summers spent on the porch sipping sweet tea, whereby a sense of calm is evoked, that’s the kind of mood you should aim to bring to your wedding if you’re a southern fanatic. Treat your guests to bites of comfort food, show off your monogram or walk down the aisle in your favorite pair of cowboy boots. Provide Southern Goodie bags for your guests and include local favorites that pay homage to the south
12. Traditional Themed Wedding
The idea behind a traditional wedding is to infuse the couple’s heritage and culture into the wedding event. Therefore, if you love your heritage to reflect in everything you do, a traditional wedding is perfect for you!
Let your guide be your ancestors and how they celebrated nuptial events. Find out what attire brides wore and if there were special rituals done during wedding ceremonies. While you honour your heritage, remember that it’s still your wedding, which means you can tweak some things if you like.
13. Tropical Themed Wedding
A tropical wedding theme has a fresh and vividly colored setting. It’ll also require a lot of plants such as Anthurium and neon florals, laid-back décor and a signature beachy cocktail.
14. Movie-based Themed Wedding
Movie-based themed weddings are as creative as they come. You could choose your favorite movie to watch together or a movie whose plot mirrors your love journey. It’s all up to you. Common movies that have been used as wedding themes are; Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Marvel and DC themes, and Star Wars.
15. Hobby Themed Wedding
This could range from a sport you and your partner like to an activity you’ve grown to enjoy. You could have a baseball themed wedding (or whatever sport you and your partner love to play), a rock concert themed wedding, if you love to attend rock concerts together, you could even base your wedding on your favorite video game.
16. Preppy Themed Wedding
Bright colors and coastal settings make for a perfect preppy wedding. A preppy theme allows you to blend formality with fun through bold patterns, tasteful bows, dainty fonts and cheery flowers. Hydrangeas are the perfect flowers for this wedding theme.
17. School Themed Wedding
This theme’s for couples who wish to use their wedding ceremony to channel youthful energy. A good way to set the tone for this theme is to convey your guests in a school bus to the wedding venue.
If you want to go all out on this theme, set up school desks and chairs instead of the typical wedding furniture, include a pop quiz about you and your partner in the order of events, write your wedding wishes on a chalkboard. Giving out personalized pencils as wedding favors won’t be such a bad idea.
18. Alternative Themed Weddings
If you find that you do not resonate with the typical “bright, floral, happily-ever-after” wedding ceremony, or you’re just bored of it, this theme has your name written all over it. Wear a green wedding dress, let your dog be your flower girl, insist that the DJ plays only punk rock music at your wedding. There are no dos and don’ts for this theme, ditch convention and do as you please.
19. Fairytale Themed Wedding
Do you remember those Disney Fairytale Movies that got you all excited when you were young? It’s possible to recreate those on your wedding day. To pull this off, choose a dreamy venue, like a garden or even a ballroom. Décor elements should include lush flowers, string lights and other romantic wedding decorations. Don’t forget to gift everyone a magical wedding favor, like a wand or a crown-shaped bottle opener.
20. Eco-friendly Themed Wedding
This theme is one of my personal favorites because what better way to start this new chapter of your life than to make beneficial choices for the earth. Planning an eco-friendly wedding isn’t as difficult as it may seem as there are more eco-friendly decorations on the market and greener options for catering.
For starters, choose an outdoor venue to cut back on energy from electricity. If you’re bent on having an indoor wedding, choose a location that can host both ceremony and reception to cut back on emissions from vehicles. You could use real leaves as place cards for your guests to find their seats at the reception and recycled paper for wedding programs.
Wrapping Up
Now, of course, in every wedding season, there’s always one trendy wedding theme or the other. Do not let those distract you from delving deep and selecting a theme that you and your partner consider fulfilling. What defines a truly successful wedding isn’t “how trendy the theme was;” rather, it’s one where you had loads of fun, made beautiful memories and one you would do all over again if you could.