Wedding Theme Ideas

The central theme for your wedding should be representative of your tastes, your personalities, and your life together as a couple.

The wedding theme is the driving force that helps everything fall into place, from the location of the wedding to the attire of the wedding party. Need some help figuring out what your wedding will say about your life? Grab some ideas here, then put on your thinking cap and come up with your own unique elements.

Urban Wedding

Who it's for: The chic city wedding is for the couple that loves the urban life and everything it offers. Skyline views, trendy restaurants, art museums and galleries are all a part of your lifestyle and landscape.
What you'll include in your wedding: A sophisticated soirée is the wedding style for you. Your gown will be clean-lined and modern, rather than classically romantic. The groom's attire will be black tie with a minimalist attitude. Your décor will include simple, artistic flower arrangements and ample candlelight. Consider a cocktail hour with the latest in upscale cocktails before the dinner is served.
Where you'll have it: A downtown city hotel could be the perfect place for you, although edgier loft-like spaces would also do the trick. Anywhere that gives your guests the flavor and bustle of city living would be appropriate for the two of you.

Romantic Wedding

Who it's for: Your vision of a wedding belongs in a fairytale. You love ball gowns, candlelight, Jane Austen and period pieces on the big screen. Your idea of a date is a long walk on the beach, and you have a weakness for romantic novels with happy endings. After all, isn't that your own story?
What you'll include in your wedding: Your idea of arriving in style is in a horse-drawn carriage or classic Rolls Royce. Live musicians, perhaps a string quartet, will provide the entertainment. You'll incorporate extra-meaningful elements into your wedding, such as writing your own vows for the ceremony, creating table themes based on your experiences together as a couple, or penning your own lyrics to a song for the reception. (You can get this professionally done through sites liketweetytunes.com and customlovesongs.com.)
Where you'll have it: A historic landmark hotel or seaside mansion would be a dramatically romantic setting for your wedding. Maybe it will even have a rose garden or gazebo in which to hold the ceremony. Of course, you can't go wrong with a cathedral!

Outdoorsy Wedding

Who it's for: For you, life is about getting out into the world and embracing new opportunities. You'd much rather spend your weekend hiking and biking than parked in front of the computer. You embrace all things green and healthy and are happiest when taking advantage of Mother Nature.
What you'll include in your wedding: Your wedding will be much more about letting natural surroundings become the setting for your wedding rather than creating an environment of your own. You might decide to incorporate green elements into your affair, such as local or organic foods, environmentally friendly soy candles for the reception tables, and fair-trade favors for the guests.
Where you'll have it: Whether you're country or city dwellers, there are outdoor spaces aplenty in which to hold your wedding. Woods, beaches, city parks, botanical gardens, or even a friend or family member's front lawn are all places that will satisfy your love of the outdoors. Just be sure to have a tent or some other sort of shelter available in case of rain.

Artistic Wedding

Who it's for: You like décor that makes a statement. You prefer things that are eccentric or slightly off-kilter, as opposed to classic. You'd rather take a bit of a risk than go the path often traveled. Your pastimes might include reading, gallery hopping, art-making and keeping up with edgier forms of fashion.
What you'll include in your wedding: You're not afraid of mixing things up a bit. You might wear an ivory gown, but incorporate a surprising dash of color with your shoes or jewelry. The groom might wear an unusual shirt, funky hat or unconventional shoes with his suit. Your reception atmosphere will be more of a lounge setting with artistic elements on the tables and nary a white-tablecloth in sight.
Where you'll have it: Many museums and galleries are available for functions, so if you have a favorite artistic institution, be sure to ask (the cost of the space rental will also be a donation to their operating budget). For other venue options, think outside the box — what about your favorite sushi restaurant for the reception? Is there a warehouse or loft space you might be able to rent? Put your creative powers to work in designing a truly unique event.
The above ideas are just a start. But whatever theme you select for your wedding, remember that it should reflect the two of you. Draw some ideas from your history together as a couple, your own native heritage, or your engagement proposal. If you're stuck for ideas, get together with your fiancé, pore over old photos and magazines, and just brainstorm. Get creative and just have fun!