Delightful Spring Wedding Themes

Flowering Branches: Some of the most iconic flowers of the spring season are the flowering branches like bright yellow forsythia and delicate pink cherry blossoms. This would be a marvelous inspiration for a spring wedding theme. Choose your favorite flowering branch, and plan the rest of the wedding decorations around it. Sunny yellow forsythia would pair beautifully with spring blossoms such as blue hyacinth and mini daffodils for centerpieces. Or choose the delicate cherry blossom, with its East-meets-West flavor, and pair it with pink peonies. Use your flowering branch motif on your wedding invitations, on the ceremony altar, and down the side of your wedding cake.

Bluebirds: Birds are another sure sign of spring, and they make a delightfully whimsical theme for a wedding. They also have a bit of a retro or vintage feeling, so bluebirds make an ideal motif for a bride who loves vintage style. If you love the look of a ’50s inspired wedding gown with pearl bridal jewelry, bluebirds would be a great fit for your celebration. Or course you will want to use your bluebirds in pairs to decorate the wedding stationery, as your cake topper, and more. Bluebirds in a nest would be so sweet as part of the centerpiece design. You can even perch heavy paper birds on the rims of wine glasses to use as the place cards at the reception. Simply charming.

Beach: After the long, dark days of winter, who isn’t ready to hit the beach? You can bring the warmth of sand and sun to your guests with a beach theme wedding, even if you live far from the ocean. Decorate your reception with magenta and orange flowers, hire a steel drum band, and wear a chiffon halter wedding gown with tropical keshi pearl bridal jewelry. Set the spirit for your spring beach theme wedding with a tiki bar serving tropical drinks like daiquiris, mai tais, and pina coladas.  Create your centerpieces from hurricane lanterns, seashells, and sand, along with the tropical flowers. Everyone will feel like they are on vacation while at your beachy spring wedding.

Baseball: For some people, the start of spring means only one thing: spring training and the return of the baseball season. If the bride and groom are sports enthusiasts, a baseball theme wedding would be a fun and casual alternative to some of the more feminine spring wedding motifs. Design your wedding invitations to look like tickets, your ceremony programs to resemble game programs, and have a groom’s cake in the shape of a baseball. Of course, stadium food like a hot dog station, cones of crisp fries, and bags of fresh roasted peanuts will have to be on the menu. Boxes of good old Cracker Jack would be fun (and affordable) wedding favors for your baseball theme wedding. This is one spring wedding theme which will be equally appealing to the men and women at the wedding.

Wedding Theme Ideas for 2011

Whimsical Tea Party. Some of the top colors for spring 2011 weddings will be light and fun hues like spring green, flamingo pink, and lilac. Used in combination, these colors lend themselves to a whimsical tea party theme. For centerpieces, arrange flowers in polka dot teapots. Design a sweets table with cupcakes, pastries, and cookies all frosted in shades of lilac, flamingo, and green with fun details like polka dots, stripes, and flowers. Dress bridesmaids in an array of organza dresses, with each in a different signature color. A wonderful detail for the bride would be custom bridal jewelry made from Swarovski crystals in pink, lilac, and green.

Summer Forest. This theme would be beautiful with the soft natural hues coming into style for 2011 weddings, such as moss green and mushroom brown. Picture something from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, especially when it comes to the bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses. A pale tea-dyed color dress of chiffon or English net would be perfect for the bride, and the moss color will suit the bridesmaids. Add custom bridal jewelry made with Swarovski crystal leaves to complete the woodland fairy effect. The decorations for a summer forest theme wedding should be very natural: loosely arranged wildflowers in shades of purple and ivory, lots of moss, and garlands of flowers strung between the trees. For an indoor ceremony, bring in potted trees and use custom gobo lights to project a woodland scene onto the walls.

Retro 1950s. Bridal gowns inspired by classic 1950s dresses are a huge trend for 2011. Take your inspiration from this to design a fun ’50s theme wedding.  Use some of the favorite mid-Century wedding motifs such as lovebirds, wedding bells, and bride and groom cake toppers. The bride can choose a gown from among the many ’50s inspired strapless sweetheart designs available and wear it with pearl bridal jewelry and white gloves. You could bring in some fun ’50s things such as a retro soda fountain complete with a white-capped “soda jerk” mixing up cherry Cokes and root beer floats. Hire a band who can play all the classic music of the 1950s (can we say Elvis song for the first dance?!), and get ready to have a wonderful time at your wedding.

A Forest Theme Wedding

Imagine how beautiful it would be to have a forest theme wedding. The soothing natural colors, the charming woodland creatures, and the abundance of rich textures would all combine to make a truly delightful experience. These are some ideas and inspiration on how to design a forest theme wedding.

As with most weddings, the place to begin is by selecting your wedding colors. For a forest theme wedding, choose rich colors like chocolate brown, moss green, and touches of gold (either metallic or not). These colors will be equally at home in an actual forest clearing or in a more conventional indoor reception site. Chocolate, moss, and gold can also be used for any season; change the tone by fabric selection. For instance, in the autumn or winter, you could use sumptuous materials like velvet and shantung, whereas in the spring or summer, things can be lightened up a bit with organza or chiffon.

For the wedding attire, something a bit non-traditional would best suit a forest theme. Think romantic and soft, maybe a bit ethereal. The satin ballgown is definitely out. You could use a couple of different inspirations for a forest-y wedding gown. One would be the dreamy woodland fairy and another would be the more down-to-earth but romantic Robin Hood style. The bridesmaids’ dresses would be gorgeous in a moss green with chocolate colored accents. Topaz colored crystal bridesmaid jewelry would be a stunning accent or choose Swarovski crystal leaf pendants and earrings as the bridesmaid jewelry.

Decorating the ceremony and reception sites for a forest theme wedding will be really fun! Gather natural materials such as pinecones, moss, and branches as your primary materials. You can go with a very rustic feeling or take the theme in a more elegant direction by adding touches of metallic gold. Of course the ideal place for a forest theme wedding would be a clearing in an actual forest, but you can also transform an indoor setting by bringing in all of the natural elements. Gobo lights projecting tree shadows onto the walls of a tent or ballroom would be a wonderful detail.

Evening Wedding Themes

Evening weddings have a special appeal all their own. After dark, you can really pull out all the stops when it comes to glamor, sophistication, and even entertainment. These are some ideas for spectacular evening wedding themes.

Casino Night. If you want your wedding to have an emphasis on fun and glamor, consider a casino theme. Base your wedding design around the sophisticated style of an upscale casino in Monte Carlo or one of the palaces in Las Vegas, all with a bit of retro flair. Crystal chandeliers, gold chargers, and heavy cut crystal glasses are the order of the day. For the bride, a slinky beaded sheath dress with dramatic crystal chandelier earrings would be fabulous, and the bridesmaids can be equally glamorous in satin column dresses with crystal bridesmaid jewelry. Naturally, the high point of the reception will be the gaming; bring in professionals to run games like roulette and blackjack after dinner. Chances are that real gambling for money would be illegal, so let your guests play for chips and pride.

Starry Night. Picture a clear ceiling tent under a mass of twinkling stars for your wedding reception. This would create a spectacular place in which to celebrate your wedding. If you cannot conjure up real stars, drape midnight blue fabric over the ceiling of your venue and light it with thousands of tiny twinkling white lights. Play up the star theme in subtle ways throughout your wedding, such as using pierced votive candle holders which have tiny star shapes. A wedding cake painted to resemble Van Gogh’s famous “Starry Night” painting would be a real show stopper.

Masquerade. This is a particularly fun theme for a wedding on New Year’s Eve. Instead of standard wedding favors, give each guest a beautiful handmade mask to wear for dancing after the reception. You can take your inspiration from the lavish masks which are made in Venice, Italy or the flamboyant purple, gold, and green masks which are a huge part of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The perfect bridal gown for the masquerade theme would be a lavishly embroidered and beaded strapless ballgown, worn with opulent wedding jewelry, and of course, a custom white feather and crystal mask. One thing is for sure: you will get some fantastic wedding photos!

French Inspired Wedding Details

Looking to add a little “ooh la la” to your wedding? Trying to put together a reception with that perfect “je ne sais quoi”? Why not give your wedding a chic European flair with these fabulous French-inspired wedding details? The results are sure to be “magnifique”!

When planning a wedding with French details, the only place to begin is with the wine. Make your wedding an event to remember by serving a flight of fine French wines with dinner. What that means is that a sommelier pairs each course of the meal with a wine which is the perfect complement to the food. It is a truly fine way to present an elegant dinner. Another idea would be to have a tasting of a selection of French wines during the cocktail hour, led by a wine expert. Naturally, French Champagne will be a priority for any Francophile’s wedding!

The food will be one of the highlights at a French-inspired wedding. You can really make a splash during the cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres such as canapes and mini quiches and stations overflowing with French cheeses (Brie in puff pastry!) and fresh baguettes. For dinner, consider serving classic French fare like escargots, poulet a la Provencale (chicken sauteed with white wine, capers, garlic, leeks and tomatoes), or filet mignon (make it special by topping it with a tasty French sauce). Follow with either a regular tiered wedding cake with a French design such as fleur-de-lis, or opt for the authentic French wedding cake, the croquembouche.

Little French touches can be infused throughout the rest of the wedding. The bride can wear a gown made from French lace paired with glamorous bridal jewelry. Music is a wonderful way to convey a mood at a wedding, so why not treat your guests to classic French songs such as those by Edith Piaf, the beloved French chantuese. Splits of French Champagne or wine could be the wedding favors, perhaps personalized with a tag reading “merci”. The style and romance of France is a wonderful source of inspiration for a memorable and chic wedding.

Tailoring Wedding Stationery to Your Theme

The invitations and other stationery which you choose for your wedding will help to set the tone. When you have a special theme or location, the invitations can be a great way to introduce your wedding to your guests. These are some tips on tailoring your wedding stationery to your theme.

Beach theme weddings are among the favorites of brides everywhere. Whether you will be heading off to a sunswept destination for your wedding, or simply putting on some great beach wedding jewelry and carrying a tropical bouquet in your backyard, there are some very special beach invitations available. Think about the type of beach wedding you intend to have – is is more classic with simple pearl jewelry and a tailored strapless dress on a New England beach with a lobster dinner on the sand, or it is going to be at a Caribbean resort, complete with steel drums and drinks in coconuts? For the first style, classic white invitations embellished with a red engraved lobster across the top would be ideal, or go with an invitation embellished with a bright hibiscus for the tropical wedding.

Winter Wonderland weddings are another hot theme, and one which translates easily into wedding invitations. Select crisp white stationery which is decorated with silver snowflakes. One of the prettiest versions of this would be to print the invitations on vellum laid over a snowflake patterned paper. Tie it together with a festive metallic silver ribbon or a red velvet bow for the perfect finishing touch. For your save the dates, what about using antique postcards depicting horse drawn sleighs in the snow? Simply lovely.

Having a vineyard wedding? Invite your guests with style! The most restrained option would be an invitation which features an engraved image of a bunch of grapes across the top (somehow a picture of a bottle of wine just does not feel bridal enough). Or get really creative, and design your wedding stationery to resemble vintage wine labels. This would be a wonderful way to really get your wedding theme across in a fun manner. Your guests will surely be in the spirit of things when they receive these special and unique invitations.

Hawaiian Themed Weddings

A great idea for a summer wedding is to capture the spirit and fun of the Hawaiian islands. If you are lucky enough to be able to have a destination wedding in Hawaii, that would be fabulous. But even couples who prefer to get married closer to home can throw a fantastic wedding reception with a luau theme.

The decorations are really the cornerstone of a Hawaiian themed wedding. Think about all of the natural beauty that can be found in a tropical wonderland, such as swaying palm trees, vibrant flowers, and beautiful seashells. This is the type of décor that you will want to create your own version of paradise. Larger items like potted palm trees can be rented to add that authentic island flavor to an indoor setting or a backyard, and don’t forget the tiki torches.

The bridal party will definitely want to set the tone for the party with relaxed attire perfect for a tropical island. The bride would look stunning in a flowing chiffon bridal gown with beach wedding jewelry. For the bridesmaids, think about strapless dresses in a bright floral print or a pretty fuchsia colored chiffon. As your bridesmaid gift, you can give them sets of beach inspired jewelry to wear to your wedding, such as monogrammed shell necklaces.

Help your guests get into the Hawaiian vibe by greeting them with beautiful floral leis to wear. You can also provide beach essentials like woven palm fans and cute flip flops. If you would like for your guests to wear festive attire like Hawaiian shirts and colorful dresses, you can make a note on the bottom of the invitation stating “Festive island dress requested”.

The right entertainment will go a long way towards creating your luau reception. Start with Hawaiian music, and mix in a few surf favorites to get the crowd dancing. Then dazzle your guests with live entertainment like hula dancers and those amazing fire dancers. If you want, you could even have a brief hula lesson to get the party going.Finish your wedding reception by thanking your guests with a favor that hints of Hawaii for the perfect ending to a fantastic wedding.

Throwing a Tex-Mex Wedding

There are a variety of elements that you will want to include in a Tex-Mex wedding. The first thing to think about is color. When most people think of Mexico, they think of exuberant colors, such as magenta, orange, and yellow. These colors would be a very festive palette for a wedding, and can be used for everything from the linens to the flowers to the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry.

If you would like a more formal color palette, then you can go with a red and black combination. A bouquet of rich red flowers makes a beautiful accent against a white wedding gown. Your bridesmaids will look lovely in deep red dresses with black sashes. For your bridesmaid gifts, consider giving them handcrafted jewelry in your wedding colors.

Look for a wedding venue with a great flair, such as a Spanish mission style church or reception site. During the ceremony, it would be nice to include the Mexican custom of the groom presenting thirteen coins to his bride. It is meant to signify that he will be able to support her during their marriage. Another tradition in Mexican weddings is one where the bride and groom have a rosary or white rope wrapped around them in a figure eight to symbolize their union.

Food and music are at the center of any Tex-Mex party. A mariachi band will get everyone into the right spirit. There are many crowd-pleasing dishes that you can serve for your reception. One great idea is to have a taco or fajita bar where guests can build their own meal with all of the fixings.  Have a variety of fillings, such as spiced beef, pulled pork, and shredded chicken, along with the traditional Tex-Mex side dishes like Spanish rice, black beans, and refried beans.

If you are having a lot of young guests (or just many who are young-at-heart), a pinata would be a fun way to top off the reception. You could even have the wedding favors fall out of the pinata, which would be a memorable touch. Your Tex-Mex wedding is sure to be a fun and exciting wedding that you and your guests will never forget.

Zen Wedding Style

Zen style is simple and clean and peaceful. It is relaxing, and can also be quite modern and chic. It is a great idea for a wedding theme, as you and your guests will feel quite at ease in the oasis that you create. For a few ideas on how to have a Zen wedding, read on…

Think about your wedding location. A space like an open loft in a city with great hardwood floors and lots of natural light would be one excellent option. Another possibility is an outdoor setting. An Asian inspired garden would be ideal, as would a setting near running water, which will make a soothing background sound.

A peaceful color palette is a great place to being when creating your Zen design. Soft colors from nature like taupe, celadon, and pale blue work beautifully in combination with an accent color like espresso. Your color scheme will be serene and modern at the same time. Patterns that use some of the colors together in a stripe would make a very pleasing addition to the overall wedding décor.

Your color palette can be carried throughout the wedding. You will certainly want to use it for your bridesmaid dresses. Tea length chiffon dresses in celadon or pale blue would be lovely. To add a little punch, choose ones that also use the espresso accent color, either in a sash, or as a wide border at the hemline. For the bridesmaid jewelry sets, think simple and clean lines, such as elegant sterling silver pieces. Bridesmaid jewelry sets that use elements with a natural and organic form, like keshi pearls, would also be wonderful for your Zen wedding.

For your wedding décor, imagine a fabulous Asian inspired spa setting. Think about ways to incorporate natural elements, such as smooth rocks, bamboo, seagrass, and even water. A great touch for a Zen theme wedding would be to have a water element, such as a simple modern fountain, or another source of running water. If your venue does not have such a feature, see about renting or even custom designing a piece like a copper wall fountain to add the tranquil sound of water to your reception.

For the ultimate in Zen wedding design, consider hiring a feng shui expert to design the floorplan of your reception. You will be ensured that the vibe at your wedding is as serene as possible. In addition, you will ensure good flow throughout the room, as well as the best luck to get your marriage off to a happy and harmonious start. If a wedding theme can do all that, then who wouldn’t want to have their big day be as Zen as possible?

Decorate Your Wedding With Polka Dots

Looking for a fun and cheerful design scheme for your wedding? How about decorating with polka dots? This fun pattern can be used in many different ways to give your wedding an upbeat and lighthearted feeling.

There is no doubt about it: polka dots are just plain fun. Whether they are done in one color, two colors, or a whole rainbow, polka dots are always cheerful and never too serious. They would be great for an informal summer wedding.

You can use your polka dots in ways that are subtle or bold. Start with the wedding invitations. The most subtle idea would be to line the envelopes with a polka dot paper. If you want to use the theme more boldly, them you choose a paper with a pale polka dot pattern and have the words printed over it. This may be too casual for some weddings; as an alternative, you could do it for the rehearsal dinner or bridal shower invitations.

The bridal party can incorporate the polka dot scheme into their attire, as well. If the bride wants to wear polka dots without making too bold of a statement, she can wear a wedding gown that is embroidered or printed with polka dots in a white-on-white design. This works particularly well when the base fabric is something like a translucent and summery organdy.

For brides who prefer a solid color for her bridesmaids’ dresses, the polka dots could come in the form of a sash at the waist, or a ribbon sewn onto the hem of the dresses. You will want to choose bridesmaid jewelry that enhances the “dotty” look. A great idea would be to custom order bridesmaid jewelry in your wedding colors. Have strands made with large Swarovski pearls in alternating colors for a great pop of color on your attendants.

Weddings should be about fun and celebration. The theme that you choose can have a big impact on the mood of your event. If you want to create a wedding that is cheerful and unique, then consider going dotty for polka dots!