Wedding Receptions

25th August 2017


10 Wedding Themes and What They Mean

10 Wedding Themes and What They Mean

Identify the retro theme from vintage, and the boho theme from whimsical with our pick of the most popular wedding themes.


Classic

This theme is defined by its simplicity – minimal fuss and an overarching element of white make it traditional and elegant in its entirety. Think light colours, if at all, and an airy feel and clean-cut affair. Décor is understated but effective and beautiful nonetheless. An ideal venue for such a wedding is a villa or ballroom.

Boho

A Bohemian style wedding, or hipster theme, has a way of looking super chic in an effortless kind of way. It includes lots of natural elements, and typically works best in a garden setting, or a venue which is different to the usual – say a farmhouse, camping site or somewhere in the middle of nowhere which is not a formal venue. Typically, bridal party dresses are mismatched, lots of fresh flowers are included, and the bride’s overall look is wispy and natural.

Rustic

Think wood – lots of it – and plenty of other natural textures for this kind of theme. The feel of a rustic theme needs to be organic and raw, featuring bare wood tables, organic paper products and rough-around-the-edges flower bouquets that look like they were picked from a nearby field.

Retro

50s style wedding dresses, bold and bright colour palettes and throwback details should feature in a retro-themed wedding. The overall vibe should be fun and flirty with a nostalgic, old-fashioned feel. Retro-loving brides typically wear tea-length dresses and bright lips, while grooms experiment with tweed, rolled up sleeves and a funky pair of shoes.

Art Deco

Inspired by 1920s America, perfectly illustrated by Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby, this wedding theme is all about opulence, glamour, glitter and gold. Think tall feathers, metallic décor, heavily embellished gowns, geometric designs and lots of champagne and live jazz. This kind of wedding is befitting of a rich wedding venue, so somewhere of historical significance or with lots of architectural detail would work like a charm.

DIY

The appeal of a DIY wedding is that it looks natural and welcoming. It’s an unpretentious kind of theme that requires lots of time and effort to curate, and generally includes plenty of customised details that reflect the couple’s style and tastes. Think customised stamps, make-your-own food tables, hand-sewn linens and carefully crafted souvenirs.

Natural

The predominant colours for a natural wedding are, unsurprisingly, green and white or ivory. Florals, garlands and greenery take centre stage here, creating an ethereal and earthy feel. An open air venue or lush garden is ideal for this kind of theme, including raw textures, recycled paper décor and an overall eco-friendly vibe.

Vintage

What’s the difference between vintage and retro themes you might ask? Retro is about a more specific period in time, say a 50s or 70s-inspired wedding, while vintage actually refers to days of old with antique details. Often, the bride’s gown is a repurposed one from past generations, and décor details are a throwback to the past, such as vintage lace, old furniture and mementos of a different period in time.

Whimsical

This wedding theme borrows a bunch of elements from the natural and boho themes, but it kicks things up a notch to veer on the ‘fantasy’ side of things in a fun and classy way. There’s plenty of greenery to go around, but the feel is somewhat more enchanting, like a garden party meets Alice in Wonderland. Details can include quirky crockery, a wooden swing, and DEFINTELY flower crowns.

Nautical

Be it a nod to the couple’s likes or professions (ay ay, captain?) or a choice of theme in line with the wedding’s locations, such as a beach wedding, a nautical theme calls for a white and blue palette, together with a range of lush details, such as breezy fabrics, lighthouse or anchor décor and sea shell detailing.

Image Credits

Jenny Yoo

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