When Stephanie Dodd and Samuel Goetsch exchanged vows at The Bell Tower on 34th in 2016, their elaborate Harry Potter-themed wedding made local, national, and international news.
The couple went all out to recreate the magical world of Harry Potter, from the owl that delivered wedding rings during the ceremony to the reception room designed to resemble the Great Hall at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, complete with floating candles.
While you don’t necessarily need to go to the lengths that this couple did to bring their favorite books to life, weaving a creative theme into your wedding is a fantastic way to express yourselves, showcase a shared passion, and add humor and joy to your special day.
Below is a small sampling of the creative wedding themes we’re seeing. They work for corporate events, too. And, in case any of these themes pique your interest, we’ve included a few ideas for implementing them.
Select a Theme That’s Out of This World
If you and your spouse-to-be have named your Wi-Fi network “Secret Rebel Base,” or you take great pride in being a Trekkie, you might enjoy a Science Fiction wedding theme.
Here are some ideas to help you set a course for an unforgettable wedding.
-Hang an illuminated model of the moon or a planet over the dance floor.
-Rent futuristic lounge furniture.
-Project space images onto the walls.
-Create a lightsaber tunnel for your grand exit.
-Hang props, from planets to spacecraft, from the ceiling.
-Provide props from your favorite movies and TV shows for the photo booth.
-Serve themed cocktails like the Yoda-inspired Drink Me You Will or the Death Star.
Boogie the Night Away: Disco
According to Brides magazine, disco balls are becoming increasingly popular at weddings these days.
If you’d like to incorporate this theme into your wedding—or take it even further—we have some groovy ideas to get the disco ball rolling.
-Work disco balls, and maybe even some 70s-era fonts, into your save-the-dates and invitations.
-Pose for your wedding website photo in full disco gear, with all of the swish and sparkle of the era.
-Hang a disco ball at your altar, or arrange some on the ground along the aisle.
-Create reception table centerpieces with small disco balls and other disco-era memorabilia: records, magazines, trendy glassware, and retro jewelry.
-Work with your DJ or band to create a fab playlist
-Use disco balls and lighting effects for a dazzling dance floor.
-Decorate with photos and movie posters from the disco era.
-Arrange groups of disco balls throughout the reception area.
-Set up a theme photo backdrop.
I Do and Barbecue
Barbecue is serious business in the Lone Star State, and as a theme, it’s a perfect ingredient for an outdoor or rustic wedding.
Here are a few ideas to whet your appetite:
-Send themed save-the-dates or invitations.
-Display piggy place cards.
-Select red gingham tablecloths or table runners for the reception tables.
-Top your wedding cake with a mini-barbecue grill.
-Put out barbecue-themed cutlery bags and napkins.
-Create centerpieces incorporating jars of barbecue sauce and Texas wildflowers. Include Texas flowers in your bouquet, too.
-Offer lawn games like cornhole.
-Give your guests themed favors, from coasters to cups.
-Play a generous share of country-western songs.
-Set up lemonade and iced tea stands
-And of course, a serve a barbecue meal with all of the fixings. Consider food stations with meats, comfort-food side dishes, and luscious country desserts like banana pudding or frosted barbecue-themed cookies.
‘Come One, Come All’ Carnival Theme
If the carnival, with its Tilt-A-Whirl, bumper cars, and deep-fried Twinkies, is your happy place, why not bring that vibe into your wedding celebration?
Some ideas for you:
-Arrange vibrant florals and balloon displays.
-Create centerpiece displays with carnival ride tickets, popcorn boxes, and peanuts.
-Place games like ring toss on each table.
-Showcase retro carnival signage.
-Set up tents where guests can get popcorn, funnel cakes, and cotton candy.
-Offer carnival games (we would avoid dart games to minimize liability risks) and a themed photo booth.
-Capture the bright lights of a carnival at night with lit signs or string-light displays.
-If your entertainment budget allows it, you can rent a ride and set it up outside of your wedding venue. A merry-go-round would be a nice choice.
Interlocking Hearts: A Lego Wedding
If you can’t resist the allure of a new Lego kit, you’re not alone. Plenty of grown-ups list playing (ahem, building) with Legos among their hobbies.
So, if you’re an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) with wedding plans, here are a few possibilities for showcasing your passion into your big day.
-You can find a huge selection of Lego save-the-dates and invitation options online.
-Set up Lego centerpieces on your reception tables, possibly with bricks that guests can use to add their own special touches.
-Go snazzy with Lego cufflinks, from basic bricks to Lego Star Wars characters.
-Fill bowls, baskets, or small chests out with Legos and display a sign inviting guests to build to their heart’s content.
-Display flowers made of Legos.
-Offer photo props.
-Give small Lego kits as favors
-Go with a Lego cake topper.
Send a Message—With a Vintage Typewriter Theme
Old typewriters in recent years have been building a growing fanbase of people who like to use them, collect them, and display them—or typewriter-themed items like coasters and prints. Some people like the look of these machines, and others find something satisfying about their feel or the sounds they make.
If typewriters speak to you, you can easily create a typewriter-themed wedding.
-Weave your theme into your wedding website.
-Send save-the-dates or invitations with retro typewritten fonts.
-You also can use retro typewriter fonts for escort cards, programs, menus, signage, and confetti bags.
-Display a typewriter by your guestbook
-Create typewriter-themed centerpieces with miniature figurines, typewriter keys, and ribbons, photos, or typewritten notes.
-Find typewriter key cufflinks for the groom, and possibly the groomsmen.
-Give guests typewriter favors. You can find all sorts of creative gift options, from keychains and typewriter-key necklaces to typewriter tissue paper for wrapping.
Use a typewriter theme for your thank-you cards.
The themes listed here are just a few of the many creative ideas available to you. The key to making a theme work is picking something that truly speaks to you and your partner, looking for ways to incorporate it throughout your wedding, and most of all, approaching it with a sense of fun.