Dream Themes

I got this article from www.modernbride.com.

Dream Themes
Giving your wedding a unifying theme can make the day that much more personal. Here's how to pick a theme that reflects something special about you and your guy.
by the editors at Modern Bride magazine
Everything from the flowers and decor to the wedding attire and music can be used to express your undying love for Star Trek (or Halloween, or the ocean, or whatever idea theme your heart desires). A theme is the perfect way to make your wedding your own.

Planning a theme wedding involves a lot of extra effort and imagination, but the big payoff-an inventive event that's so completely representative of you and your husband-is worth the work. You may also need to go beyond the typical wedding budget. A themed event can often tack an extra 10 to 20 percent onto your overall costs. But you can always tailor your theme to suit your budget by cutting out a few details: don't dress the wait staff in costumes, or arrange a Cinderella-coach exit.

Of course, you need to figure out what theme you want before you set off in search of sombreros or hoop skirts. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:


Look to your dating history for theme ideas and details
If you met at a country-western bar, go with cowboy attire and a down-home barbecue reception. If you fell in love on a romantic trip to Paris, serve a menu of French classics—including the decadent croquembouche wedding cake (a tower of caramel—coated cream puffs).

Build your theme around a local landmark or distinctive attribute
If you're near the ocean, a beach party would be a logical choice. If your yard has lush landscaping, try a garden theme. Put pressed flowers in your invitations, have a neighbor pick flowers for your bouquet that morning and create a menu full of fresh local produce. Potted plants make great centerpieces and packets of seeds would be a perfect favor.

Dramatize a particular passion
If you're a film buff, decorate the place with movie posters, screen your favorite romantic film and wear a gown worthy of the red carpet. If you love reading, give out books of love poetry as favors, and have your cake decorated like a stack of books.

Plan your wedding around a holiday or season
This is a natural if you're marrying close to Valentine's Day, Halloween or the Fourth of July. At Halloween, you can go the campy route (costumes for everyone-except maybe the bride and groom), or keep it simple-black dresses and vivid orange flowers for the bridesmaids, and flower-filled pumpkins as centerpieces. In December, try a "snowball wedding." Find invitations that look like Christmas cards, wear a white gown with a marabou-trimmed cape and carry a muff decorated with poinsettias. Offer your guests sleigh rides and eggnog, and have carolers sing during cocktails.

Play up your ethnic origins or family background
If you're English, you can serve your guests anything from high tea to bangers and mash at the reception. If you're Scottish, dress the wedding party in touches of tartan and hire bagpipers to play a few tunes. Spanish couples could go with paella and flamenco dancers. Or, try a more local theme. When a Northern groom and Southern bride married, they used Confederate and Union flags to mark each side of the church. A drum and fife team led guests to the reception, where they toasted the newlyweds with mint juleps instead of champagne.

Consider investing in a professional wedding consultant
Party planners have access to tons of resources, so they'll be able to find the props and costumes you need—and often for much less than you'd be able get them. They know about key issues like fire codes and city regulations-very important when you're planning something beyond the ordinary. You can find good consultants in your area through word of mouth, or call a bridal consultant association. Try the Association of Bridal Consultants (860/355-0464), or June Wedding, Inc. (702/474-9558) for more information.