At many weddings, it’s clear that the groom had no say in choosing the theme (unless the groom picked “pretty in pink,” “fairy garden,” or “glitter,” which is okay too). Unless your bride is a “one of the guys” type, you probably won’t get far advocating a football or beer themed wedding. Good news. We have found the middle ground. Here are some wedding theme ideas that both of you will love.
1. Celestial Theme
Almost everyone loves looking up at the night sky and watching the stars. You can easily turn that universal (no pun intended) idea into an incredible wedding theme. You can go the more romantic astrological route or the more geeky astronomical route depending on your couple personality.
Venues: Planetarium or Outdoors at night
Invitations: Customized constellation with your initials
Key Décor: It’s all about the lighting (projections are great)
Menu: Galaxy cake pops, Champagne
Favors: Star shaped tea-light/candle holder
Extra Special Touches: Fireworks
2. Medieval Theme
This is a great alternative to the typical fairytale theme. Your bride will still be a princess, but you go from Prince Charming to Knight of the Realm (and that’s exponentially cooler). You can even make your own royal sigil to tie together invitations, place settings, and décor.
Venues: Castle, Fort, Manor
Invitations: Scrolls, Envelopes with wax seal
Key Décor: Shields, Armor, Stained glass
Menu: Turkey, Cheese/Fruit/Nut plate, Quail, Mulled wine
Favors: Personalized goblet
Extra Special Touches: Groomsmen hold swords, Bride rides in on horseback (sidesaddle)
3. Fire and Ice Theme
If you strongly believe in the phrase “opposites attract,” fire and ice might be the perfect theme for you. This is an original alternative to a winter wonderland theme, and quite frankly, allows a lot more room for creativity and fun. Your wedding is going to be hot… and cool (couldn’t resist).
Venues: Outdoor Marquee, Hotel Ballroom (check in advance for fire restrictions)
Invitations: Double sided (one side fire, one side ice)
Key Décor: Indoor gel fireplaces, Ice sculptures, Lighting effects, Clear chairs
Menu: Fondue, Flambé cocktails, Ice cream bar
Favors: Icy candle holder with tea light
Extra Special Touches: Ice skating rink, Ice bar
4. Vintage Vineyard Theme
Want an excuse to taste a ridiculously large variety of wines? Here’s one! But seriously, this theme is sophisticated, elegant, and easy to put together. It’s also romantic without being covered in pink lace and sparkles.
Venues: Vineyard, Estate
Invitations: Melted wine bottle
Key Décor: Wine barrels, grape vines, twinkle lights
Menu: Wine, Fresh grapes, Charcuterie, Cheese
Favors: Personalized wine stoppers, Miniature bottles of wine
Extra Special Touches: Personalized wedding wine, Napa Valley or Italy destination
5. Precious Metals Theme
This is a good alternative to the sparkle or glitter theme wedding. It’s a great low maintenance option that’s more unique and exciting than your typical color scheme theme wedding. With a simple theme like this, you have tons of flexibility to fit it into any budget and still have it look great.
Venues: Hotel
Invitations: Combine copper/bronze, gold, and silver
Key Décor: Raw metals (pyrite/fool’s gold, hematite, hammered copper), Metallic fabric
Menu: Metallic cake pops, Champagne cocktails
Favors: Personalized bottle openers, Wind chimes
Extra Special Touches: Metal roses in centerpieces
6. Gemstone Theme
If you’re a fan of the simplicity of the precious metals theme, but want a little bit more color (that’s not pink, although she insists that apricot, coral, and blush are not pink even though they are) in your wedding, this theme is for you. You can of course customize which and how many types of gemstones you and your bride-to-be want to work with.
Venues: Outdoors, Garden
Invitations: Colors depending on gemstones you choose with slight shimmer (if that doesn’t bother you too much)
Key Décor: Tumbled gems, Geodes, Gem trees
Menu: Rock candy, Gem colored cocktails
Favors: Mini gem jar
Extra Special Touches: Work the colors of the gems into your cake- actually in the cake itself, not just the frosting
7. Travel Theme
The great thing about this theme is that it’s extremely easy to personalize. Use the places you have traveled together as inspiration for decorations, food, and even music if you like. You can do a global theme or narrow it down to one continent (Europe, for example).
Venues: Outdoors, Destination
Invitations: Plane ticket
Key Décor: Tickets, Globes, Maps, Trunks, Travel quotes, Travel books
Menu: Around the world stations (variety of cuisine)
Favors: Personalized globe, Compass
Extra Special Touches: Video or photomontage of your travels as a couple
8. The Great Gatsby Theme
There’s no doubt she’ll love this idea, but you might be surprised how much you’ll love it too. Recreate the 1920’s speakeasy bar vibe for a wedding that’s cool, classy, and just the right amount of wrong. She gets the glamour and you get the manly cocktails (yes, they exist). Also, you might just get away with a white tux (check with the bride first though).
Venues: Mansion, Hotel ballroom
Invitations: Black with gold metallic accents/text
Key Décor: Art deco patterns, Black & gold, Pearls, Champagne bubble balloons
Menu: Oysters, Seafood, 1920’s cocktails, Lemon cake
Favors: Mini-champagne, Personalized matches
Extra Special Touches: Vintage car instead of a limo (yellow, if you really want to go Gatsby)
9. Rain Theme
If you had a WTF reaction to this idea at first we don’t blame you, we did too! However, this theme works amazingly for the unique couple that wants a completely original wedding. If you like piña coladas and kissing in the rain…
Venues: Ballroom (you don’t want actual rain on your rain themed wedding, but you might not want sun either)
Invitations: Blue with silver lining
Key Décor: Umbrellas, Blue lanterns, Raindrop crystals
Menu: Chocolate fountain, Rain drop cake pops, Piña coladas (just had to)
Favors: Personalized umbrellas
Extra Special Touches: Rain shower fountain/ Water curtain
10. Chocolate Theme
There’s no doubt that love and chocolate go hand in hand. With this theme, you have a direction for your menu and a beautiful, rich color scheme (white, milk, dark). A chocolate themed wedding can also be very elegant (it doesn’t have to go all Willy Wonka style). If you’re both vanillas then by all means skip this idea, but just in case you didn’t know, chocolate is a scientifically proven aphrodisiac…
Venues: Anywhere temperature controlled (or your wedding will melt)
Invitations: Inside a chocolate box
Key Décor: Gold accents (like on candy wrappers), Draped material, Ribbons
Menu: Chicken mole, Chocolate martinis, Exotic chocolate tasting bar
Favors: Monogrammed truffles
Extra Special Touches: Chocolate sculpture, Chocolate fountain
Written by Ariel Guterman
