Theme Weddings
1. Why have themed weddings become so popular? What kind of an increase in these kinds of weddings has she seen in the past 5 and 10 years?
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Themed weddings provide the bride and groom the opportunity to let their own personality shine through. Couples are getting married at a later age and have developed more of their own sense of style by the time they start planning the biggest day of their lives. They are no longer completely tied to the desires of the mothers when planning a wedding. By selecting a wedding theme that both the bride and groom have an interest in, they are in essence, providing friends and family a glimpse of their personality as a new couple.
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In addition, having a themed wedding can be more fun and relaxing. Many couples nowadays see the traditional wedding as too rigid. As society becomes more mobile and individuals travel across the country and globe, their friendship ring extends beyond the usual city and state boundaries. If friends are flying in for a wedding, many feel it should be more than your typical everyday wedding. By creating an "Event" the wedding couple is providing more of a reason for guests to attend.
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Themed weddings can also be a way to save on the wedding costs. Bypassing a number of traditional wedding elements like a sit-down dinner, band, large cake, flowers, etc with themed elements, money can be saved.
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Also, people increasingly want to make a statement, to be different and create an event that no one will forget. Las Vegas at one time was all about the small intimate wedding chapel. Now, the Bellagio or Venetian will create lush, extravagant events to meet all needs. Creating one-of-a-kind themed wedding celebrations is a goal of many young couples.
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Themed weddings usually include a more traditional ceremony and a themed reception. This provides the opportunity to please both sets of parents and the bride and groom. The trend to these types of events in the last several years has grown tremendously. From what we are seeing, by talking to individuals across the country, is approximately 30 – 40% of weddings have some type of non-traditional/themed twist.
2. What basics should brides and grooms keep in mind when considering a themed wedding? Or rather, what criteria should they use to determine whether or not a themed wedding is right for them?
When the bride and groom are considering a themed wedding, they should take a close look at why they are looking at bucking tradition. Many couples incorporate a themed element into their wedding festivities because they have a true combined interest that defines them as a couple. Examples might include, a love for traveling, involvement in country music, horses or the great West, a chance meeting on the beach in Hawaii where they fell in love, a love-at-first-site meeting at a Harley road rally, or something meaningful. Perhaps, the couple is moving to an army base in the orient for several years and wants to set the mood at the wedding. Whatever the reason or theme, if both the bride and the groom are excited about the idea, why not?!
However, if the reasons are to simply go against Mom and Dad to make a statement perhaps it is not a good idea. After all, a wedding theme should be a reflection of the bride and groom and the love they have for each other. It is not a show, but rather a celebration.
The basics for planning a themed wedding are listed below:
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Keep in mind the true reason for the celebration, a reflection of the bride and groom and the love they have for each other. Do not lose the basic meaning of the wedding in the theme.
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Make sure that both the bride and the groom are equally excited about the theme. If the groom loves Harley's and the bride goes along with the theme but secretly looks forward to the day he will trade in that old bike for an SUV, perhaps it isn't a good idea.
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Even a themed event must have limits. Select a budget and stick to it. Even if you are having a Western Theme and Garth Brooks is available for a huge price, a DJ will work fine and within the budget.
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Incorporate the theme into all elements of the event. Start with the invitations, decorations, attire, favors, music, food, thank you notes et al.
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Select a location that works well with the theme. For a sports theme, perhaps a local stadium, for a Parisian theme – an art museum, for a Hawaiian theme – a Botanical Garden, or for a Halloween theme – an old house that has been turned into a restaurant. Be creative, look for unique locations.
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Incorporate the guests and the wedding party. Carry through the theme as much as possible, even at the rehearsal dinner.
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Work to incorporate the Parents into the themed event. It may not be their first choice, but through patience and combined effort, get them to buy into the idea. It is not worth it to get the marriage off on the wrong foot when dealing with parents and in-laws.
3. What are some of the ways that couples have brought their theme to life?
Halloween – Halloween Weddings are popular during the latter part of October. Couples who find themselves selecting a late October date are torn with the timing of Halloween. Many decide to stick with the date and incorporate elements of a Halloween celebration.
- Invitations – The invitations can be used to set the theme by inviting guests to attend a spooktacular event, the union of Beth and Tom. Print the invitations in black or orange and include a variety of words that play on the theme. Haunting union, don't be invisible, no tricks all treats, the bride will be bootiful etc. The invites can also include confetti or cobwebs. Small amounts of cobwebs can be used to indicate the length of the union to come.
- Church Decorations – Leading up to the church small pumpkins with heart carvings can be used like luminarias. Each can contain a small candle to light the way. For more playful pumpkins, carve pumpkins that resemble the wedding party and perhaps the parents of the bride and groom. Inside the church, the decorations can be more traditional. If the wedding colors are black and orange, decorate with gossamer to create flowing bows and drapes. The bride and her party can carry orange flowers, or a fall arrangement bouquet. Add small ghosts, spiders or cobwebs into the arrangements. Some Halloween themed weddings go to the extent of having the wedding party dress in costumes.
- Reception Decorations – Again, depending on how formal the event is, we recommend using pumpkins on the tables. They can rest on a mirror with lights around with festive bows tied to the stem, or carved out to be used as a taper holder, or carved like a jack-o-lantern with small votive candles inside. Keep in mind, carved pumpkins will smell after several days and should be cut the day before the event. Fall leaves of silk, or tissue can be used to accent the pumpkin centerpieces along with fall floral arrangements. Add black gemstones too. Use simple masks with names written with a material pen as placecards and favors. Tie the carving knife with an orange bow and sprinkle orange and black confetti on the tables in either star or Halloween shapes like pumpkins, bats and ghosts. Use imprinted napkins in orange and black with the theme, date and couples names. Also, personalized glassware candles with black and orange wax add a nice festive touch. Black, orange and white balloons, gossamer and twinkle lights are other products to use on tables, columns and entrances. Balloon arches and columns topped with ghosts and pumpkins can affordably transform any room. For a fun finish, use glow necklaces in the centerpieces.
- Favors - Use an imprinted frame with a Halloween imprint and the couple's name and date as a placecard/take home favor. Or imprinted bubbles with the same spooktacular theme and leave them at each place setting for a fun decoration and take home favor. Include in the wedding program an outline of the wedding party and their background as well as a list of "couple" moments. "Couple" moments are a list of events, locations, individuals and things that help to divine the bride and grooms courtship. Let the guests enjoy learning more about the bridal party.
Masquerade -- Another twist on a Halloween themed wedding is to have a Costume party. A more formal twist to the typical pumpkins. This will allow the guests to take part in the theme and still dress for the occasion. We recommend a Masquerade themed event.
- Invitations – Set the theme early by sending out invitations in the shape of a mask with a soft feather accent. Incorporate the colors of the wedding into the invitations. If the colors will be traditional Mardi Gras colors (purple, green and gold) use these colors in the invitation. If you have selected alternative colors, send out the invitations to match. Mask confetti can easily be added to the invitation. Or select our Starry Night Confetti invitation that includes a cover filled with mask confetti.
- Church Decorations – Create braids of gossamer using purple, green and gold gossamer to mark off different sections of the church. Add filmy gossamer bows. Leave in the pews with the program or in the program an explanation of the night to follow so everyone can feel like they are a part of the event as it unfolds. Create a giant balloon arch and state your vows under the arch.
- Reception Decorations – Using the purple, green and gold color theme, use costume accessories for decorations. This will allow the guests to get into the spirit of the event even if they didn't come prepared. Place hats, beads, leis, and masks on the table in an arrangement that will act as a centerpiece. Have helium balloons rise out of an upside-down hat. Create other centerpieces with masks attached to sticks at different heights, incorporate candles for a more elegant effect. Decorate the room with balloon arches and giant masks.
- Favors – offer garters for favors so everyone can have a simple memento of the big event. These can be placed in the centerpiece, used as napkin rings, or they can act as placecards by writing a name on each "paper disk" attached to the garter. Offer imprinted toasting glasses at each place setting with toss beads hanging out of the top. This will add color and provide a personalized favor. Imprint bubbles with a Masquerade theme and place them at each place setting.
Other Ideas – Be sure to take several wedding photos on the bikes. Some as a couple and a few with the entire wedding party. Even get Grams and Gramps into the action in a few photos.
Hawaiian/Nautical –
- Invitations – Start your Hawaiian theme off with invitations that illustrate the theme. Using flowers on the invitations, shells, a beach setting, or palm trees. Simple confetti can also be added to the invitations to set the theme.
- Church Decorations – If your budget allows, I would recommend tropical flowers throughout the church. These flowers can also be incorporated into the bride's bouquet, the bridesmaid bouquets and flowers for the groomsmen. Placing decorative palm trees with felt leaves at the entrance (available at ShindigZ.com) provides an elegant flair. If the wedding is at night, decorate with lighted palm trees. Tie bows on the pews using Hawaiian gossamer. Outside the church, line the walk with luminaria filled with sand and glowing candles.
- Reception Decorations – Extend the Church decorations to the reception area. Decorate with palm trees and grass matting. Add a giant Aloha banner over the door that you will enter and exit. Decorate walls and tables with grass skirting or tapa corrugated paper. Drape fishnet across doorway corners. Decorate the tables with tropical flowers, candles, leis and shells. Use shells as candleholders. Sprinkle confetti on the tables to match your theme using palm trees, fish or perhaps flamingos.
Parisian
- Invitations – Even if you don't speak French add a touch of French to your invitations. Mon amour, Mon cher, Bon apetite to name a few. Look up your old high school French teacher for ideas. You might add some silk rose petals in the invitations as well.
- Church Decorations – Decorate using fresh red roses, red silk roses or red cracked ice roses. A nice color theme is red and black. Twinkle lights add a romantic touch. Add cracked ice roses to the end of each pew. Instead of elaborate bouquets, have the bride's maids carry a single long stem red rose tied with a black satin ribbon.
- Reception Decorations – Behind the band or DJ place a giant 3-D Eiffel Tower outlined in twinkle lights. Place topiary trees around the room, real or created with tissue squares. Rent "carts" and fill them with flowers or place them around the room and use them as serving stations for food or place favors in them for guests. Place mini Eiffel towers on each table and add votive candles, gemstones, and confetti. Imprint napkins with a Parisian theme or with French words along with the couple's name and the date.
- Favors– Provide personalized favors to use as decorations and take home mementos. Imprinted glitter or gel candles can be used to create centerpieces and then provided as a take home favor. Use personalized snowdomes or frames with French photos or phrases as placecards and then invite guests to take them home. The French love their wine; custom imprinted wineglasses are a useful and personal gift for wedding guests. Elegant imprinted lamps (with candles that glow inside) will create a romantic mood for a more formal setting.
4. What can couples do to avoid going over the top with their theme -- or is they're never such a thing as over-the-top with themes?
The bride and groom must decide for themselves how to define over-the-top. For some couples, you are correct; there is no such thing as too much. For others, they only want a small hint of a theme to define who they are as a couple. Again, the key is deciding the boundaries upfront and sticking to them. It is important, not to alienate the parents of the bride or groom before the wedding. If a couple is getting a lot of backlash over their theme choices from the family, I recommend they talk as a couple and determine how important all the elements are to each of them. Deciding what is a must have Vs a nice to have Vs not important, should be done along the way to create stress free (or as stress free as possible) wedding planning.
5. What are the pros and cons of getting the guests involved? Should you require them to wear costumes, buy certain gifts, participate in certain activities, etc.? If so, what is the best way to communicate this desire?
Most wedding guest's list includes a diverse group of individuals. Diverse in age, background, and attitude. I always recommend that no guest be forced into doing something they are uncomfortable with at a wedding. With that said, any event is more fun if everyone participates. Allowing various levels of participation is critical. If you are having a Western themed event, guests can come in full western attire, dance the two step all night, call a square dance or two, eat all the BBQ they can hold, buy the bride and groom matching cowboy boots and lasso the mother-of-the-bride. Or, for the rest of us, we can simply wear the hat provided for a portion of the event, tie the bandanna/napkin around our necks and do the Electric Slide – once. Providing a wide range of involvement will allow everyone to select what he or she is most comfortable with for the event. However, it is important to let guests know what to expect ahead of time so they won't be surprised.
I suggest to many couples to set up a website explaining/outlining the wedding weekend events. The site can also include photos; gift registry links and other important information like hotel reservations and directions. The site can also help to track RSVP information. For many, I recommend setting up a virtual wedding so guests who can not make the trip can watch the event on-line.
6. What resources would you suggest brides and grooms use to help them plan their themed wedding?
An excellent resource is ShindigZ.com. ShindigZ.com offers free party planning for any event. Working with one of our party planners, your themed wedding can be easily personalized to match the interests of the bride and groom. In addition, if the bride and groom are in a different location than the family (mother-of-the-bride) they can all see the same items without leaving their home. For specific themes, I also recommend visiting a related store for inspiration. For a Harley-Davidson theme, stop by a Harley store. They sell a variety of times other than motorcycles. For a Western Themed wedding, visit a local Western Store for accessories.
7. Let's talk dollars and cents. Where do themed weddings fit in the range of the cost of weddings and are they ever money savers? If not, what can you do to trim costs?
Like any wedding, the budget range is up to the bride and the groom. Planning a themed wedding is not more expensive than a traditional wedding. Depending on the elements included the themed wedding it can be done on a budget or can be an extravagant event. Trading out a floral centerpiece for $100 each for a cowboy hat, mini straw bales and balloons centerpiece for $10 each is a big savings. However, if you add a cowboy hat to the floral arrangement each centerpiece would still be over $100. Custom imprinted products such as napkins and candles can be purchased at ShindigZ.com for less than the more traditional linens and rental glassware. Often times themed weddings are located at a unique location such as an old barn which can reduce the cost of an event. Themed weddings at various venues are also growing more popular. Restaurants such as those with a medieval theme cater to wedding parties during the afternoon. The setting, food, decorations etc all tie to the selected theme.
8. Is there anything else you can tell me about the secrets to throwing a fabulous themed wedding?
Keep in mind that no idea is too outlandish if it is comfortable to the bride and groom. After all, this is their day to celebrate.
Just like with a more traditional wedding, preplanning and attention to detail is critical. Determining what you want and which elements are most important at the start will help you make decisions in the long run.
Don't forget to have plenty of cameras around. If you are planning the wedding event to be remembered, you'll definitely want to capture it on film. After all, your children will be looking at your event in years to come.
Additional Wedding Theme Ideas:
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