For the couple who wants to go outside of the box there are many creative wedding themes. Whether you want to dress in zoot suits or use himmeli and terrarium as decor there is something for everyone.
Romantic Fairytale
1. Nautical
A nautical theme brings the feel of seafaring adventure to your wedding. Think coastal motifs like anchors and nautical knots with ocean-inspired colorways, such as soft sky blue, teal, and emerald green. Complement this timeless style with foods, decor, and accessories that evoke a sense of peaceful, serene seaside life.
Incorporate rope into your day with a clever message in a bottle display for your guest book or table numbers, or opt to use compass imagery for your printed invitations or centerpieces. For a more subtle nod, consider displaying vintage trunks and suitcases in your venue as off-kilter props that celebrate your love for travel or your seaside locale.
Don’t forget to finish your look with the perfect bridal bouquet and floral decorations. Choose flowers that aren’t too overtly nautical and go for natural elements, such as eucalyptus, driftwood, seashells, and corals. Complement your florals with a lighthouse-themed monogram design and sea-ready accents like starfish, sea urchins, corals, and sand-filled glass jars.
2. Eco-friendly
The average wedding produces a lot of waste – from flowers to decorations and even food. But it doesn’t have to be this way! You can reduce the impact of your big day by making a few easy eco-friendly choices.
For instance, instead of plastic balloons (that will be tossed or put in storage after the ceremony), opt for biodegradable paper ones that can go straight into your garden compost. Similarly, you can replace paper napkins with cloth ones made from bamboo or organic cotton for a more luxurious feel. And you can add natural wood elements like log slices or twigs to your centerpieces for a rustic look that’s also sustainable.
Another simple yet effective eco-friendly way to cut down on your waste is by using dried flower petals as confetti or for your floral bridal bouquet. You can also use recycled glass jars or tin cans to serve your favours in, which is better for the environment than using a single-use bag.
3. Garden
A garden wedding is a beautiful option for an outdoor venue and can be as elegant or casual as you like. Think voluminous flowers, earthy colors (like deep oranges and reds) and natural elements like branches, burlap and worn wood. Add in a few touches of cottagecore, which celebrates simple beauty, vintage ideals and the romantic ideals of rural life, such as mixed cutlery and table linens, homemade crafts and baskets of overgrown flowers.
To accentuate your floral theme, consider having moss or flower garlands hang from the ceiling for an ethereal feel. Choose a floral-inspired bridal bouquet and opt for pressed flowers for your paper goods, including ceremony programs, escort cards and menus. You can even have flowers in your hair if you want to add a little extra romance.
4. Vintage
Vintage wedding themes can be as fun, chic or traditional as you want them to be. The theme can include everything from cool Gatsby vibes and rockabilly nods to classic rustic touches.
Lace is often synonymous with vintage decor so try wrapping chairs with ribbons in pastel colours or floral patterns to add a cosy feel to your venue. A bespoke sign that spells out your unique message or includes your vows is another on-trend way to incorporate this theme into your big day.
Use antique china and flatware for your place settings to create a classic wedding look. These pieces can also make wonderful favours for your guests. For a refreshingly shabby-chic centrepiece, repurpose old tea cups into flower vessels or line them up along the table with flowers like baby’s breath. Decorative bird cages can be used to adorn your wedding cake, or they can act as a place for guests to leave their wishing well messages. Hanging twine light bulbs from a trellis adds a playful touch that works well with vintage wedding themes.
5. Literary
Incorporate your love of books into your wedding theme for decor that’s eclectic and personal. You can go as big or as small as you’d like–from stacking old hardbacks as a centerpiece base to using book pages as an alternative to a traditional backdrop for photos. A literary-inspired menu or program would also make for a unique way to share your wedding story with guests.
Real books make awesome wedding favors and gifts, especially when a second-hand look is desired. You can find them easily and cheaply from the library, or at flea markets, antique stores, or even from a local second-hand bookstore.
If you’re a true book lover, why not have an author read from one of your favourite books during the ceremony? You could also use a classic love quote as a wedding reading for your guest book. For the ring bearer, have them carry the rings on open book pages instead of a pillow down the aisle. You can decorate the tables with place cards that are fashioned after library card format, and sprinkle paper confetti around the room.
6. Rock n Roll
For couples that want to celebrate their love for the world, this creative wedding theme is a great option. Print your invitations to look like passports, and incorporate travel-inspired decor with a mix of wine, cocktails, or beer from different regions. This is an especially good theme for those that are planning a destination wedding, since it will give your guests a taste of the local flavor.
If you and your fiance have a passion for music, a rock n roll wedding can be a fun way to express that. You can bring this vibe to the entire event by curating a playlist of the best rock love songs, or you can simply decorate with classic rock n roll elements such as whiskey bottles and vinyl records.
For the bride and groom, dress in black leather jackets or a cool pair of jeans, and have your guests wear similarly stylish attire. Ask your band to play some of the best rock songs for weddings, including Firehouse’s uplifting track “Love of a Lifetime,” and Steelheart’s sentimental tune “Soul Kitchen.” You can also add to this theme by using guitars and amps as centerpieces or displaying your personal collection as a unique art installation at your venue.
7. Punk
For music lovers who prefer to show their true colors, a punk wedding theme can be an excellent option. There are many bands to choose from and a lot of different styles to incorporate into your event. From the classic punk songs of Blink-182 to Avril Lavigne, a punk wedding is a great choice for anyone who loves to express their anarchist side.
Another option is to focus on the table top role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons. With its recent spike in popularity thanks to TV shows like Stranger Things and the hugely popular podcasts and streams, it’s the perfect option for any nerdy couple who want to incorporate their passion into their big day.
You can use this theme to include some of the most fun aspects of gaming into your big day, from themed cocktails to having your guests write their wedding wishes on blank cotton and sewing them into a quilt which you can then hang at home. It’s also the perfect way to bring your passion for gaming to your wedding without having it become too much of a circus.
8. Modern Art
For the artistic couple, a modern art wedding theme is the perfect way to celebrate your shared passions. Whether you want to use your favorite painting as the basis for your color palette or create an imagined version of it on your cake, there are many creative and thoughtful ways to put an artistic spin on your big day.
Choose geometric-shaped centerpieces, hanging decorations and even backdrops for a visually stunning effect. This wedding theme also pairs well with flowers that produce a distinct shape like trailing wisteria or blooms that are crisp and clean. Adding large digital screens throughout the venue and projection mapping technology will allow you to showcase custom-designed artworks, patterns or images for an incredibly immersive experience.
If travelling is a common passion for you and your partner, let it inspire your wedding theme. You can name tables after places you’ve both visited and decorate with unique elements from those destinations. If you are looking for a more subtle nod to your love of travel, try using Hemeli or Terrarium napkins made from premium deadstock fabric recycled from the fashion industry.