Trying to come up with a theme wedding idea that is personal, never-seen-before, and romantic? This task can seem pretty daunting. How can you toe the line between exciting and tacky? You want a themed wedding that fits you and your partner’s vibes, and maybe that means a theme that’s a little more out there. But the risk of seeming too over-the-top can make you wonder, “Should I just play this safe and ditch the theme?”.
We’re here to tell you no. Your wedding is your big day, and if your theme is a key part of your dream wedding, then don’t give it up, no matter how wild or weird.
Greetings from Olio! We’re a large, modern, industrial-chic event space in Peabody, MA, just north of Boston. I’m Sarah, owner and operator of Olio, and I believe in making my space an open canvas for my clients to get creative in. That means, between Olio and my other business Without a Hitch, I’ve hosted tons of weddings with cool and nontraditional themes. And I love them.
So, read on, and we’ll give you our tips on how to host themed weddings. Plus, we’ll give you some of our favorite themed wedding ideas from cool and different wedding themes we’ve hosted!
Are Themed Weddings Tacky?
First things first. You may be concerned that a themed wedding is tacky or outdated. The popularity of themed weddings has had its ups and downs, and while some people love them, some people worry that it’ll be just too much. But hello, your wedding is YOUR day and if a theme is what you want, we say go for it. That said, we assert that themed weddings are not tacky. Weddings are supposed to be representative of the couple, and they’re also supposed to be fun! And what better way to combine those two things than having a unique wedding theme that fits you perfectly? So, if anyone tries to tell you that a wedding theme is tacky, ignore them and have fun with your wedding planning.
Finding a Theme
What if you still don’t have a theme that really fits your style? Well, your own life is a great place to start looking. Do you and your partner have any memories that give you ideas? A first meeting place? A special date? What about shared interests and hobbies? If you both bonded over a certain movie, there’s an idea for a theme. If you’re both hikers or swimmers or dancers, think of how to incorporate those hobbies into a theme.
Make sure you’re thinking practically, too. Plan with your venue and see if your theme can work in their space. Many venue spaces are flexible with how you use their space, but some have strict rules on what is and isn’t allowed. Double-check that the theme is something that you can accomplish without breaking your budget. Most themes can be done at a reasonable cost, but if you want a very specific theme, like a movie-based theme, you may need to splurge a little to make the theme clear to your guests. Lastly, make sure you can come up with a clear dress code for your theme. It would be frustrating to have so much work go into the theme planning only to have everyone’s clothes clash.
Implementing Your Wedding Theme
So now you have your super awesome and personalized wedding theme. But how do you actually have a themed wedding? How do you get from the idea stage to the making-it-happen stage? Well, here’s our professional list of themed wedding tips to get yours out of your dreams and into reality.
Does It Work for Your Wedding? - We encourage all sorts of themes for weddings, and we know that what works for some may not work for others. A lot of online advice may try and determine what is and isn’t appropriate for a wedding, but we think it’s more important to determine what is and isn’t appropriate for your wedding. Think over your venue, vendors, budget, and guest list. Can you make your theme work without added stress or drama from others? If so, great! If not, maybe try to re-work the theme slightly to save yourself from all the extra drama.
Stick to One Theme - If you find yourself getting caught up in a bunch of different choices for your theme, make sure you take the time to narrow it down. It can be difficult to narrow down everything you love to just one idea, but you also want your theme to be focused. Sometimes you can combine two similar themes, but most of the time, it’s best to avoid turning your themed wedding into a cluttered scrapbook of disjointed ideas.
Decor/Clothing - Obviously, decor and clothing are how you make your themed wedding come alive. This varies from theme to theme, but there are a few general tips we can give you to find a good place to start. First, focus on small details instead of just large props; this will make the theme feel more cohesive. Second, don’t forget to pick a color scheme and proper lighting; these do the heavy lifting of transforming your venue into your dream themed wedding space (especially if you have an indoor venue, where lighting can make all the difference).
Consider Hiring a Pro – If you’re just not sure how to practically make your wedding theme a reality, you should really consider hiring a wedding planner or designer. Many different types of professionals could help you with this. From full-time planners to month-of coordinators, working with a planner means you can find little ways to incorporate your theme into different events and small parts of your wedding. Or you can hire a wedding designer, who will focus specifically on the aesthetics and overall visual vision for the wedding.
Themed Wedding Ideas and Inspiration
Okay, now to the really fun part. Let’s look at a few themed wedding ideas that have come to life at Olio to give you some inspiration.
Harry Potter Wedding Theme
This couple went for a magical aesthetic for their wedding. Looking for something akin to the vibes of the Great Hall at Hogwarts, their fairy lights, long central dining tables, and draped greenery gave our space that whimsical atmosphere. Plus, the color palette filled with blacks, whites, and reds added a little bit of a moody charm. Each of the guests got sorted into houses and assigned to one of four tables which with lightly adorned with thematic elements.
Alice in Wonderland Theme
This themed wedding idea came to life through the perfect lighting and decor. From strange sculptures, weird plants, and peculiarly angled funhouse mirrors, the space looked otherworldly. Combined with the trippy, colorful projector lights and twinkling fairy lights, it felt like Olio had fallen down the rabbit hole itself!
Video by EZ Video Productions
Video by EZ Video Productions
Video by EZ Video Productions
Tarot Wedding Theme
In case you didn't know, Tarot is a deck of cards that has been used for centuries for various purposes, including divination, meditation, and self-reflection. This wedding was a great example of incorporating the wedding theme into the outfits. One groom had a dramatic gothic cape, while the other groom wore a wreath for a crown. And as a couple, they absolutely rocked this look. The decor was filled with spooky flourishes, a darkened color palette, and a whole lot of skulls.
Halloween Wedding Theme
You might have picked up on a recurring vibe we enjoy here at Olio. We admit it, we’re big fans of any dark or spooky wedding look. One “hallowedding” we hosted had many pieces of skull decor, a witchy dress code, jack-o-lantern photo props, and a whole spooky color palette.
Christmas Wedding Theme
We know the spooky wedding theme isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so let’s move from one holiday to another. This Christmas wedding was spectacular and all-out. Wreaths on the windows, Christmas color palettes (red, green, and lots of white), Christmas trees as the ceremony backdrop, even pine centerpieces! This themed wedding just proved the point that a little decor and lighting can go a long way in making your theme come to life.
90s Wedding Theme
And a true personal favorite: all of children of the 90s who loved Lisa Frank... UNITE! This couple had a bright, showy color palette with retro-looking lights. They set up old arcade cabinets with card-game wedding favors. Tables were set with cafeteria-style trays (in the most upgraded way). And of course, the bride wore a jean jacket. This was a truly fun and personal wedding theme for this sweet couple.
Disco Wedding Theme
One of our top choices for an "easy" theme with a giant impact.... bring in the mirror ball! 🪩 Couples can choose to go subtle with a modern/disco vibe or they can go all out with full outfits, big hair, and a hanging, spinning disco ball. Either way, we are here for it.
Literary/Book Theme Wedding
Books are such a natural choices for our readers out there. They make wonderful alternative table centerpieces and fabulous props for photos. If books are an every day part of your life, why not include them in your wedding day? Even better if you can find books that represent both your partner and you and the merging of your lives together. Romance novel, anyone?
Beetlejuice Theme Wedding
So admittedly, this one might just be a little bit out there for some folks. But if it's your jam, you better go ALL IN. Give me a creepy ghost in October in a haunted building. This wedding was fun and sweet and silly and personal and romantic all at once. Oh, and there were strategically placed bowls of candy all over the venue which was definitely a win!
We hope these themed wedding ideas help and inspire you to try out your own personal wedding theme... Probably all this talk of weddings and wedding themes has you dying to get the ball rolling! If that’s true, then contact us and book a tour! We’d love to hear from you!
Happy planning,
Sarah Narcus
Owner, Olio
Comments