5 UNIQUE WEDDING THEMES | Theme ideas sure to wow your guests

I've spent a lot of my career in the wedding and events industry and this means that when it comes to weddings, I’ve seen it all! I’ve seen the wannabe celeb, the over-the-top big white wedding, the aversion to all things white and even the rain-soaked!

1 thing I can guarantee is that everyone loves a good themed party!

It obviously goes without saying that every wedding is special in its own right, and having (or not having) a funky theme is not going to determine whether your marriage will last. Really, weddings are a time to celebrate the love between two people and make memories that will last a lifetime with friends and family. With that being said, having a fun and unique theme might just be the thing to make your day go down in the history books of weddings. (We can all admit a small part of us wants to make sure our wedding is the one people are talking about for years to come…)

Wedding planning can be a really fun and exciting time! There's obviously more to think about than deciding on a theme but it is one of the more fun parts in my opinion.

If you need some jumping off points, check out our 10 Top Tips for when you start planning your wedding.

If you’re looking for some theme inspiration I’ve listed 5 of the most unique ones I’ve seen for a wedding. Take a browse and see if any sound like something you’d like to try for your day.

Under the Sea

Bring the beauty of the ocean to your special day by incorporating elements from the sea. Decorate the tables with shells, starfish, and other sea-themed decorations. You could even add a photo booth with blue and green streamers acting as a backdrop with sea creature props to make for some truly memorable pictures - especially once your guests have enjoyed a few glasses of bubbly… 

Top Tip : Some aquariums double as wedding venues. This might be worth having a look into.

Travel

If you and your partner love to explore then why not incorporate your travels into your wedding? From Chinese lanterns to Italian-inspired centrepieces, your wedding could be a fun trip around the world. Each table could represent a different country and you could even use your trips memorabilia as table decor. 

If you're feeling really adventurous, create a scavenger hunt for your guests around the venue. Pick places that symbolise various stages of your relationship - let's face it, sometimes you need more than just canapés to keep the young ones entertained at the reception… 

Retro

Whether you choose to go all the way back to the '50s or the '80s, a retro theme is sure to make your wedding a blast from the past. Have your guests dress up in classic outfits, use vintage centrepieces (or vintage inspired - we won't tell if you won't), and make sure the DJ plays plenty of old-school music to really get everyone in the spirit.

Disney / Tv & Film

Why not have a princess themed wedding - after all it might be just what you always dreamed of… 

Just because it’s Disney themed doesn’t mean it has to be cheesy… You’re free to show up in a pumpkin style horse and carriage just like Cinderella did, but you’re definitely not compelled to just because that’s the theme! It doesn’t have to be over the top either! Consider it a sprinkling of Disney magic dust over your special day. 

It doesn’t have to be Disney either. If you and your partner bonded over your love of Harry Potter then who’s to say you can’t name each table after a different house or a different character in your favourite sitcom. The possibilities are endless. 

Fun Fair

Call me crazy, but have you ever considered how fun it could be to have your reception held at a fairground..? Why not relive the fun of your childhood as you begin the next stage of your life? 

The fun of the fairground doesn’t have to end at the location either. If you decide that kind of location isn’t for you, then there are still lots of ways you can incorporate funfair elements into your wedding - however you choose to do it. 

*BONUS* RUSTIC

Ok ok, I’ll admit, this one may have already had its moment a few years ago, and it might not be considered one-of-a-kind anymore, but it’s my list and truthfully it’s still my favourite! 

The rustic theme may have been done a million times over but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be special and unique to you two as a couple, so long as you add your own personal, loving touch.

It’s only “so 2014” if you let it be.

Plus you’ll probably find that lots of couples choose not to go down this route anymore because they worry it’s so dated. Do it ironically and suddenly you’re back in business! 

If you’re not the kind of people that are into all things glitz and glamour then you might find a rustic wedding theme could be the perfect choice for you. Don’t worry if you’re not into wildlife, you don’t need to be eating your wedding meal in a barn to have that rustic feel… Many of the weddings I’ve seen were hosted in hotels and I’ve seen this theme done beautifully there. You can decorate tables with plenty of natural elements such as pine cones, conquers, and mis-matched colourful wildflowers. Tea lights and old-fashioned lanterns from the charity shop can add a cosy, romantic feel too. 

In the end, no matter what type of theme you choose, make sure that your wedding reflects your personality and the love you share. Have fun with it and you’re sure to create a wedding that you and your guests will never forget!