Do we need a wedding theme?
Wedding day themes – are they a necessity? Perhaps wedding values are more your style.
Let us break it down for you.
One of the things we hear most often from couples beginning their wedding planning is that the overwhelm is real. All it takes is one engagement post for the algorithm to flood your feed with countless images of carefully curated, stunningly styled celebrations. And while this can be perfect for inspiration, knowing where to begin is often the trickiest step.
This is where a theme can be super handy. Rather than limiting yourself to just the look of your wedding, perhaps expand the idea to instead be “wedding values”. These become your buzzwords, ethos, and guide to all the decisions, both big and small, that you’ll make right up until your dream day ends.
Determine Your Key Wedding Values
Before diving too deep into Pinterest boards and colour palettes, take a step back and think about what truly matters to you as a couple. Your wedding should be a reflection of your shared values and priorities. For some, that might mean a stunning aesthetic, but for others, it could be about creating a relaxed, fun atmosphere or ensuring the wine list brings the wow factor – or a combination of these.
Start by making a list of your top priorities. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Style and ambience: Do you envision a chic garden party, a fresh, modern celebration, or a romantic, elegant affair? What are your favourite colours? Look around your home and consider your personal clothing style or the types of artwork you love. Is there a common theme? Perhaps that could help define your style ethos.
Catering: Is a gourmet dining experience or a relaxed, buffet-style feast more your speed? Maybe craft cocktails or a late-night snack bar are non-negotiables for you.
Entertainment: Is having a live band or a DJ who can keep the dance floor packed a must? Perhaps a venue with a late-night curfew is essential.
Guest experience: Are you dreaming of a cosy, intimate gathering or a grand celebration with everyone you know and love? Would you prefer a venue with accommodation incorporated so everyone stays nearby – or even a dream destination for a mini break-style getaway?
Personal touches: Are there specific traditions, cultural elements, or personal stories you want to incorporate?
Use Your Values to Guide Your Choices
Once you’ve pinpointed your key wedding values, distil them into a set of buzzwords or a few sentences describing your wedding day ethos.
Examples we’ve loved before are Lucy and Matthew, who created a truly epic soiree aligned with their vision of “chic and classic with a party twist”, photographed by Dream Cave.
With a wedding motto of “Drink French; Eat Italian; Party Irish”, Eimear and Richard’s wedding was bound to be as epic as it gets, captured by Motta Weddings.
Bonnie and Harry loved the idea of their celebrations being a fun, bright, and bold ‘Wedfest’ across an entire weekend, with Whites and Woods photographing.
For Alycia and Adrian, the vibe that underpinned their day was New York City chic, and the overall effect did not disappoint. Photo by Art of Grace.
Vendor Choices
Once you’ve narrowed down your buzzwords or ethos, let them be your compass as you navigate the many decisions ahead. Use them to select your vendors, ensuring they align with your values, and share your values with your vendors so they understand your vision.
For each choice when planning, ask yourself: “Does this align with our values?”
For instance:
Venue: Does the space fit the style and ambience you’re after? Does it offer the guest experience you’ve decided is a priority?
Dress: Does it make you feel gorgeous and align with the vibe of your celebration? If dancing is a key value, can you move comfortably in it – or do you need to consider a second dress or ultra-cool pair of kicks for later in the night?
Decor: Will it elevate and enhance the existing surroundings? Does it support your experiential values – for example, a huge floral arbour might not leave room for your five bridesmaids and five groomsmen to stand alongside you? There’s always a way to make things work, but considering them ahead of time can help things feel seamless on the day.
Timeline: Does the schedule allow for all the elements you want to include, from a custom cocktail hour and sunset portrait shoot to plenty of dance time?
A theme or values can be useful at every step of the planning process.
While you don’t need a wedding theme, having a unifying concept can simplify decision-making and ensure a cohesive look and feel. It’s less about sticking rigidly to a specific style and more about creating a harmonious experience that feels true to who you are as a couple and makes your planning decisions much more clear-cut and informed.
It gives you something to fall back on when the design fatigue sets in and ensures your vendors have a clear idea of what you are looking to create.
Ultimately, whether you choose to have a wedding theme is up to you. What matters most is that your wedding reflects your values and feels authentic to you as a couple. So, take a deep breath, stay true to yourselves, and enjoy the journey. Your day will be stunningly perfect because it’s uniquely yours.
Choosing a colour palette can be another confusing step in the planning process – so we’ve put together some of our top tips for choosing the perfect hues for you.
