While past year with the Covid situation has proven to be challenging for weddings, the uncertainty has sparked some couples to think outside of the box and make their wedding even more personalised than originally planned.
Choosing a wedding theme boils down to the essence of your ceremony: what story would you like to share and how can you best express it?
Whether you have something romantic, modern, laidback or downright quirky, we’ve rounded up 22 wedding themes that are bound to strike a chord with you and make a lasting impression on everyone involved.
1. Hopeless Romantic Theme
If you identify as a hopeless romantic, what better than to create a passionately elegant wedding that’ll sweep everyone off their feet? With dreamy lavender tones and classy elements like soft lighting and luxurious fabrics, this is a foolproof theme that never disappoints.
You’ll want to prepare plenty of fairy lights, floral centerpieces, and garlands to spruce up your venue. As a finishing touch, adorn your cake with an elegant cascade of flowers and offer sparkling rosé on the menu, placing a bunch of wicker candles on the table to light up the celebration.
2. Whimsical Theme
If you and your partner are known as the quirky duo, a whimsical theme will be right up your alley! With bright splashes of color, mismatched furniture and lots of playful elements, this theme is an eclectic mix of nature and boho.
Incorporate a bold spectrum of colours and set up a bunch of dainty chairs and multicolored teacups that look like a scene from “Alice in Wonderland”. Give out strawberry pink and white flower crowns to the girls and fancy macarons as favours, and don’t forget the pepper tea lights and balloons strewn generously around the venue for that mystical effect.
3. Secret Garden Theme
Calling all nature-loving couples! If you are hosting a casual event or backyard wedding, you already have a naturally beautiful setting to work with. Use this to your advantage and customise it to the mood you want, drawing inspiration from the seasons such as spring or autumn to pick your décor.
Try styling your venue with pretty keys, locks and artificial butterflies, and create a flower canopy as the entrance to the event. As a finishing touch, consider having a dessert display on a wooden cart garnished with your favourite flowers, and doling out packets of seeds as gifts for your beloved guests.
4. Rustic Theme
This theme is a popular choice for couples who enjoy the outdoors and don’t mind getting hands-on with their décor. Chock full of earthy elements and natural textures, this theme is all about creating a warm and cosy atmosphere.
Using nature as your inspiration, dress up the wood tables with sprawling centrepieces, exchange glassware for mason jars and use wood pieces as coasters, place cards and favour tags. Stroke your inner artistic genius and design a sweet message on a chalkboard to welcome your guests. As a bonus, you can even curate your own farm-to-table menu to wow your friends and family.
5. Vintage Theme
Major throwback vibes, anyone? If you and your partner are old souls and love reminiscing the good ol’ days with all things lace, brass and jazz, this one’s for you.
It’s time for your precious heirlooms to take centerstage—complement them with lace table runners, brass candle stands, intricately designed vases and gold champagne glasses. For that extra old-school touch, design customised monograms and decorate the venue with vintage furniture, wooden doors and black-and-white photobooths. Oh, and don’t forget to make your grand exit in a classic vintage car.
6. Art Deco Theme
Exude timeless The Great Gatsby-esque elegance with sparkling sequins, feathers and a great deal of bubbly to celebrate your big day and get the celebrations in full swing. Consisting of whites, golds and blacks for an effortlessly sophisticated feel, an art deco theme is all about the glitz and glamour.
Thoughtfully style your décor and accessories with gold, black and dark green details, robust fonts and plenty of geometric shapes. Opt for the charming champagne tower and throw in some jazz tunes and art pieces for your guests to fawn over—you can even encourage them to wear their most dazzling headpieces for a flawless theme.
7. Bohemian Theme
This is for that hipster couple (who refuses to be called hipster because it’s becoming too mainstream). A bohemian wedding is perfect for an outdoor wedding with plenty of tribal patterns, paisley, tassels and fringe that screams free-spirited and simple elegance.
Embellish your venue with wicker baskets, feathers and flower wreaths, and lay boho pattern rugs and decorative throw pillows for a relaxed feel. Instead of having an elaborate, traditional floral arrangement, opt for wild flowers, adding it to your bouquet, décor, and even hairstyle! Pampas grass and macramé are also in trend. Top it all off with dreamcatchers to complete that indie vibe.
8. Glitter & Gold Theme
A more opulent and sophisticated take on the classic all-white wedding, this is for the couple that feels like a million bucks and wants their wedding to show that.
Choose gold to accent your centerpieces and add tons of glitter to your décor, but be careful not to overdo it. Make sure to balance out the gold with some white, silver or cream shades, and put a little more effort into the finishing details to ensure it looks cohesive.
9. Geometric Theme
For couples who want something simple, sleek yet modern, this theme features color-blocked details, clean lines and edgy monochromatic designs.
Imagine a venue festooned with various styles of geometric décor pieces. Instead of the usual place cards, menus and programs, have them cut into unique shapes to further emphasize the theme, and consider switching out the classic floral arch for a geometric one to perfectly frame you and your partner for that special moment of exchanging vows.
10. Cosmic Theme
For astronomy lovers who have found their soulmates, this theme will have everyone swooning over the romantic star-like lighting, galactic cake toppers and constellations floating all around the venue.
Select a cosmic palette that features gold and dark jewel tones like burgundy and emerald, blending it with natural elements like moss, dahlias and branches for visual impact. This is the perfect time to bust out the string lights in the shape of the planets. Have a constellation-themed cake and a backdrop featuring the cosmos to make you and your partner the brightest stars of the day.
11. Wanderlust Theme
Do you and your partner long to travel the world? For jet-setting duos, this is the perfect theme to showcase your unique love story and shared love for travel, bringing the most dreamy destinations to your celebration as you embark on the greatest journey of all.
Include travel motifs and have a world map as your centerpiece; print photos taken during your adventures and have them spread across the venue. As a bonus, have an illustrator design your stationery in the likeness of a passport or plane ticket, and get personalised luggage tags for every guest or write sweet messages on postcards.
12. Fairytale Theme
Feel like absolute royalty with this popular theme that features crowns, twinkling lights, majestic floral arrangements and ballroom gowns studded in rhinestones for a dream wedding come true.
If you are hosting your wedding in a ballroom, make plans for a grand entrance by decorating the staircase or aisle on the way to the stage. Take inspiration from your favourite Disney princess or fairytale and feature a magical forest, a glittering chandelier and orchestra music playing in the background as you waltz into your happily ever after.
13. Pastel Theme
Sometimes, all you need is a few colours to create a theme that speaks to you. Pastels are popular for spring weddings and lend a sweet touch to your event without being too overpowering.
Start by selecting a few pastel shades like baby blue, soft pink, creamy mint or lilac and incorporate them into everything from your dessert table and bridesmaids and groomsmen outfits to your bouquet. Who says sweet can’t be stunning?
14. Rock and Roll Theme
Are you both into rock n’ roll music? Here’s an alternative theme that will have everyone up and dancing together with the badass couple.
Think vintage bikes, records, electric guitars, microphones and skulls when decorating your venue. Skip the plain tuxedo and wedding gown for customised “Mr and Mrs” leather jackets with jeans, long skirts and boots. Indulge your guests by engaging a live band to cover some of your favourite rock ballads, serve some craft beer and hand out temporary tattoos to have everyone join in on the fun.
15. Tropical Theme
For couples who love the sun, sand and sky, this theme is all about vibrant colours, lush florals and tons of vitamin D!
Create a stunning gazebo as one of your centerpieces and furnish your venue with preppy elements like palm trees, colorful bunting, flamingo cake toppers and exotic flowers. If you are hosting an outdoor wedding, create a signature beach cocktail, gift paper fans with your guests’ names calligraphed on them and provide parasols to help shade your guests from the hot sun.
16. Modern Minimalist Theme
Want a simple but elegant wedding? Minimalism is probably your best bet. This theme limits over-the-top décor and features one focal element such as a geometric arch or statement piece to create a stunning backdrop.
Perfect for venues with simple architecture and wide, open spaces, keep it simple by sticking to neutral shades and just one or two bolder colors. Include a mish-mash of abstract patterns and a large modern monogram or logo to break the monotony while keeping things vogue and classy.
17. Eco-Friendly Theme
Couples are becoming more mindful about their wedding’s ecological footprint, and if this sounds like you, this theme is all about making more conscious choices and adding a green touch to your special day.
Pick out edible favours and cut down on using paper by opting for hole-punched leaves. Encourage your guests to minimise waste and use eco-friendly straws and biodegradable décor and confetti instead of plastic. To tie the whole theme together, introduce a 100% organic menu that includes vegan options, and give out succulents or reusable cutlery engraved with your guests’ initials.
18. Literature Theme
Are both you and your partner bookworms? Showcase your geeky side and pay tribute to your favourite novels by transforming your venue into a literal masterpiece!
Recycle old books by stacking them and using them as décor, and incorporate your favourite quotes into centerpieces, signages and even your wedding speech! Invite your guests into your unique love story by designing escort cards that look just like library tags. Give out handmade bookmarks as party favours, and use bookshelves as a dessert stand.
19. Film & TV Theme
There are no limits when it comes to wedding themes, even if it means getting married Money Heist style. Bring your favourite movies, TV shows or cartoons to life and highlight the most significant elements in your ceremony.
Whether it’s having your guests sit in various “houses” from Game of Thrones, having a superhero-inspired cake, or serving your drinks as magical potions at your Harry Potter-themed wedding, reel your guests in to the excitement that you and your partner share.
20. Festival Theme
Love going for parties and festivals as a couple? Relive your special moments by recreating them at your wedding with the same fun, relaxed and carefree vibes.
Engage a live band or DJ and have them curate a playlist just for you. Since it’s likely to be a casual event, have your guests come in relaxed attire like flip flops, white cotton shirts and shorts, and provide a bright color palette for them to work with. Feed your guests by bringing in a food truck to serve up some tasty bites like tacos, sliders and ice cream, and set up a photo booth for them to capture and remember the good times.
21. Oriental Theme
For something a little more traditional yet equally timeless, pay homage to your heritage and add a touch of modernity to honour your cherished traditions, parents and grandparents.
From wearing traditional outfits such as cheongsams, kebayas and batik to donning your venue with lanterns and lights, get inspired by old-school coffeeshops and feature illustrated posters, porcelain cups and vases and wooden chairs, using vintage gold accents for a luxurious feel. As wedding favours, send your guests home with personalised tingkats and tea sets for them to enjoy.
22. Nautical Theme
Couples who are hosting a beach ceremony and have the luck of exchanging their vows surrounded by the natural beauty of the waves will love the fresh color palette of mint, royal blue, corals and teal in this theme!
Welcome your guests on board with personal letterpress anchors and beach motifs such as ropes, lighthouses, seashell escort cards, ship wheels and the iconic blue-and-white striped table runners. Consider getting the bridesmaids and groomsmen to wear sea girl and sailor outfits, or having your guests leave you a message in a bottle, and end the day off with some delicious seafood and fruity cocktails.
Create memories of a lifetime
If you are still undecided on your wedding theme, don’t sweat it! Your big day is all about showcasing your one-of-a-kind love story, so don’t be afraid to let your geeky, wacky interests show. Don’t forget to let your makeup artist know your theme, so that he/she can produce a look that matches your concept well too!
Whether you end up exchanging your vows at a circus or under the stars, we’d advise you to engage an experienced and reliable wedding videographer to encapsulate the little details, candid moments and raw emotions in an all-in-one cinematic work of art.
Live your big day to the fullest, trust the process and create beautiful, lasting memories—you and your partner deserve it!
