Wedding theme ideas for your big day

28/06/2019

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You’ve scoured Instagram for ideas, but pinpointing a wedding theme that you love is proving difficult. Whether you’re stuck with too much choice or don’t know where to begin, you’ve come to the right place. Of course, you don’t have to pick a theme, but it helps you plan how the look and ‘vibe’ of […]

You’ve scoured Instagram for ideas, but pinpointing a wedding theme that you love is proving difficult. Whether you’re stuck with too much choice or don’t know where to begin, you’ve come to the right place.

Of course, you don’t have to pick a theme, but it helps you plan how the look and ‘vibe’ of your whole wedding will come together. It can dictate what venue you choose, the type of entertainment you go with, the flowers and even your wedding dress style.

To help you choose, we’ve put together some tips – plus 4 theme ideas!

How to pick a wedding theme

Choosing a wedding theme is about deciding on an overarching style and look for your wedding. It comes down to personality and your own tastes.

Here are our top tips on how to pick a wedding theme that reflects you and the special bond you have with your loved one.

Use your own inspiration

Your big day is a celebration of you and your betrothed coming together to start a life as a married couple – so think about what inspires you and your partner!

You’ll want to consider the following questions:

  • Do you want your wedding day to embody you as a couple?
  • Do you want your wedding to transport you and your guests to another world of your own creation?
  • Is there a particular era, location or style that sums you and your fiancé up perfectly?

This could be a special holiday destination, a time in history that you both love, or a particular style that inspires you. Maybe you both have a passion for sailing or coastal areas – in which case a nautical or seaside theme would be perfect.

By thinking about your own interests and hobbies that inspire you, you can begin to piece together the theme that best suits your personal taste.

Create a mood board

Maybe your partner has their heart set on being married in their local church, while you imagined a holiday wedding on a beach. Before you set your heart on a wedding theme, it’s important to check in and discuss any ideas you have with your partner. Creating a mood board together is a great way to find inspiration and collect ideas which you can both be involved with. Pinterest is great for this, as you can create a Group Board that you can both contribute to, and add photos from your own phone if you’ve seen an idea on the go.

It’s all in the details

One of the secrets to pulling off a wedding theme is concentrating on the details. As with many creative processes, less is often more. Choose the best individual elements which create the right overall impression – from your bridal bouquets and table arrangements to place cards and your bridesmaid dresses. There are endless brilliant wedding ideas out there, too many to incorporate into one day. But by concentrating on a few tasteful items and details, you can create the feel that you want without going overboard.

How do you pick which details to focus on?

Think about what it is you want your guests to remember about your wedding day after you’ve said “I do” . There will be special moments from the day which stand out to you and your guests that sum up the entire day perfectly. Will this be the amazing live band that got everyone dancing? Or will it be the small personal touches that made each guest feel a part of your big day? Once you know what kind of impression you want to leave, you’ll have a better idea of what details you should focus on to bring your wedding theme to life.

4 Wedding theme ideas

If your mind is going blank trying to think of a wedding theme, here are some classic theme ideas to get you started:

1. Classic wedding theme

Think about subdued lighting and tasteful elements of classical decor, such as calligraphy, chandeliers or hanging lights. Soft hues and gentle pastel colours will help to soften the scene (and make great shades for your bridesmaids’ dresses). A romantic wedding theme is a time-tested favourite, and we can understand why. This style is perfect for brides after a beautiful but down-to-earth wedding theme. Our classic wedding dress designs from our Amaryllis Collection complement a classic wedding theme perfectly – featuring statement sleeves, cut-out features and square necklines. Amaryllis brings you a bridal look that is both timeless and current.

2. Vibrant wedding theme

Who said weddings have to be serious affairs? Inject some fun into your wedding day with a vibrant colour scheme. Whimsical weddings use quirky elements and bright splashes of colour to create a fun atmosphere. Think balloons, steamers, eye-catching florals, and pops of colour everywhere – from the table decorations to the wedding cake.

Festival theme

You could even go for a festival themed wedding – invite your friends to your WedFest with All Access passes and VIP tickets! Opt for fabulous floral crowns over traditional veils, dashing pairs of wellies, glow sticks and boho marquees/teepees for the main event. Incorporate a carefree feel with street food, outside games and live music. Our retro lace wedding dresses in our Identity Collection are perfect for these types of weddings, as they use individual designs and chic elements to bring you a modern & fun feel.

3. Monochrome wedding theme

Keep your wedding classy with a minimalistic colour scheme. You and your groom will be the embodiment of modern style by incorporating geometric shapes, clean lines and minimal design into your stripped-back savvy aesthetic. This theme is perfect for city weddings or couples looking to keep their wedding simple yet impactful.

Keep the decor basic and let cool structural backdrops do the talking. If you’re on the hunt for a creative location, there are plenty of interesting and unique wedding venues in our neck of the woods in East London.

If you’re in need of a minimalist dress, our New York-inspired wedding dresses in our Editorial collection complement the monochromatic wedding theme down to a ‘T’. Inspired by New York’s cosmopolitan landscape, our designs bring you stunning subtle detailing that packs a punch.

For a truly minimalistic bridal style, look no further than the minimalist wedding dresses in our Reflection Collection.

4. Vintage wedding theme

Whether you’re going for a Gatsby glamour or Victorian elegance, draw inspiration from the past with a vintage wedding theme. Add glitz with jazz-age flamboyance opting for ornate gold, sharp lines, feathers, and how about a vintage mic stand.

For weddings inspired by the Victorian period, look for venues with antique decor, arriving (of course) in a classic car, and decorate your tables with vintage lace tablecloths and candles.

For weddings inspired by the 50s and 60s, rock a pin-up, curled hairstyle and retro makeup with a tea-length dress. Tie the knot in a venue decorated with vinyl, polka dot patterns, retro signs and Polaroid cameras.

Another way to channel your chosen period is through your wedding dress style and jewellery. Our Winter Capsule Collection includes modern classic wedding dresses, perfect for a Gatsby themed wedding or for brides going for art-deco lavishness. While the retro lace wedding dresses in our Identity Collection are perfect for channelling a midcentury modern feel to your day, complementing 50s and 60s themed weddings.

Time to get planning

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to have a wedding theme. Planning a wedding is a huge project in itself without adding any more to your list than you need to. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, keep it simple. You can add personal elements to your wedding without needing to decide whether your wedding is rustic, modern or wonderland themed. After all, your wedding is your special day, so bringing in personal touches is enough to make any ceremony truly unforgettable. We’ve got more wedding planning guides to help you carve out the rest of the details.

At Andrea Hawkes, we make it our mission to ensure each of our brides finds the perfect dress for their wedding. Whether you’ve chosen a wedding theme or not, your wedding dress should embody your individual style and personality. From your first appointment with us to your final fitting, we place you at the centre of our service at every stage. Book an appointment at our studio in London or get in touch with our experienced team today.