What Are Themed Weddings?

Traditionally, a wedding theme has generally been a favorite color combination, often chosen for a season like spring or autumn, or a holiday such as Christmas or Valentine’s Day. More recently, new concepts for themed weddings have come into vogue, with couples opting for wedding styles that reflect their pet hobbies or other interests. These themed weddings may reflect a period in history such as the Renaissance or the 1960s, or feature themes from popular movies and television shows. For example, fans of the Harry Potter series may choose to celebrate their wedding with a magical theme, while science fiction aficionados might choose a Star Trek motif. Some other popular concepts for contemporary themed weddings are sports, country and western, and beach.

Couples who love sports might choose to celebrate their wedding by incorporating the colors of their favorite team and objects related to that sport. Invitations, decorations, flowers, and wedding party gifts and clothing can all be designed to reflect that theme. The invitations for a football wedding might be adorned with footballs and helmets, while the invitations for a wedding with a baseball theme might feature bats and catcher’s mitts. This theme can be continued at the reception with the guests at a baseball-themed wedding, for example, being served hot dogs and beer while the bride throws a baseball instead of a bouquet. Other sports that are popular in themed weddings include horseback riding, fishing, golf, tennis, and boating.

Some couples want their wedding day to express their love of country and western music or the country lifestyle. A bride and groom choosing this type of themed wedding may forego the traditional wedding dress and tuxedo to wear western-style shirts with jeans, cowboy hats, and boots. The wedding party may be similarly attired, and the wedding may take place in a barn or corral.

A couple who loves the water may decide to have a themed wedding with a water or beach motif. This couple may choose to have their wedding barefoot on the seashore with waves flowing around their feet, to get married beside their favorite recreational lake, or have the captain of a cruise ship marry them at sea. If their budget doesn’t allow a waterside getaway, however, they may choose to get married in beachwear and decorate with seashells, fish, boats, and other marine paraphernalia. The bride and groom might wear jewelry featuring starfish, anchors, dolphins, or other sea creatures, and this would also make a perfect gift for the wedding party.