Exchange vows at Selly Manor in Bournville
Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves are two of Birmingham's oldest buildings. Chocolate manufacturer George...
Dream themes
Planning a wedding is a stressful time, but allocating a theme can help by making the important decisions slightly less difficult. Here, editorial assistant Sophie Clark has created a guide to inspire you for your big day
From Regency-core to overflowing natural elements, there are plenty of themes to draw inspiration from to help you navigate your wedding planning. Not only could it narrow down a specific colour scheme from which you can arrange the bridal parties' outfits, but it can project the atmosphere you want to achieve at your dream-like wedding. This will ensure that the memories created on your special day are timeless, and that the photos will turn out absolutely divine to give you something to reminisce on.
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REGENCY-CORE WEDDINGS
This beautifully romantic aesthetic appears to combine elements like full-length gowns, wide halls or ballrooms with tall ceilings, and a nostalgic atmosphere, decked with statement florals that accentuate the regality. The recent success of the Netflix franchise Bridgerton, which encapsulates the navigation of love within the Regency era, has inspired couples to explore this aristocratic experience and fulfill their life-long dreams of tying the knot just like a royal. Invitations are the perfect way to introduce your guests to your chosen theme as they allow you to start getting creative. When it comes to stationery the opportunities are endless! You may love the idea of using cursive elegant fonts or even creating a custom monogram for your envelopes – as seen in the Bridgerton household.
For a lavish Regency-themed wedding, soft pastels incorporating accents of gold will help to capture the authentic aura of this time period. Whether its blush pink or baby blue, ensure that your bridesmaids look the part and that their pastel colour palette complements the bride. When it comes to decorating a venue, opt for large-scale florals to elevate your look, bringing the early springtime mood for your magical celebration – you could even lean heavily into the Bridgerton vibes by adding a selection of candles. Often, couples exploring this theme will seek to order a more traditional style cake but add some detail through intricate embellishments or floral cake-toppers. Taking styling inspiration from the flowy dress depicted by the character Edwina in Season 2 of Bridgerton, the bride could wear a full-length elegant dress with a long train to appear more regal and sophisticated. Think Princess Mia's outfit in the wedding scene in The Princess Diaries!
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FAIRYTALE WEDDINGS
You can achieve a fairytale wedding for your happily ever after by creating a magical atmosphere and adding a few glamorous touches. Whether it be a storybook-inspired invitation, an outdoor venue full to the brim with fairylights or even a castle-like venue ready for a grand entrance – anybody can be a Disney princess for a day! It may be significant for a couple to implement their favourite fable into their wedding invitations; one could depict fairytale elements with the use of calligraphy and gold. A rose pink and sage green scheme considers the natural aspects of a fairytale wedding, forming imagery of enchanted forests and dainty roses. Picture the realm of Snow White! This soft minimalist palette can be emphasised through a creamy, dusky pink wedding cake, with floral embellishments, to fit in with the 'woodsy' aesthetic. For the bridal party, why not approach colours that reflect the sweet pastel summertime collection that this palette encapsulates, with shades of dresses ranging from champagne through to sky blue.
If you really want to embrace abundance, gilded chairs and plenty of candles are truly the way to go. Immediately create a magical ambience with crystal place settings and dreamy touches of roses on the reception tables. Along with impeccable details, you could make some dramatic decisions such as an incredible white dancefloor. When searching for the one, don't be afraid to be the belle of the ball! Ethereal, airy dresses with embroidered or detailed backs are a good place to start. This way, you could still have the option of a traditional white dress, while having articulate details to show off your fashion taste. Imagine Aurora's wedding dress in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. You could even wear a tiara and go for a complete princess look!
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CELESTIAL WEDDINGS
There's something so mysterious and awe-inspiring about the vast expanse that is the galaxy, with the breathtaking constellations and starry night skies. As popular culture romanticises the compatibility of people's star signs and the fascination with astrology, the celestial-core aesthetic allows a couple to bring the dream-like starscape to earth for your majestic union. With the broad range of stationery items available, you could personalise any of these with out-of-this-world shimmer!
For a more elaborate and customised look, you could even suggest a seating chart incorporating the name of a constellation for each table, with an illustration underneath each one. With a moody, metallic theme such as this one, it comes as no surprise that blues and gold/silver/bronze accents are popular. Midnight-blue bridesmaid dresses are a go-to choice, however some brides choose to display an array of blue shades to convey the endless otherworldly ideals. The maid-of-honour can be in a special dress, with beaded embellishments to resemble shooting stars to distinguish her from the other bridesmaids. This will also complement the bride's dress rather nicely, which will no doubt have some glamorous pattern of scattered stars.
The smaller details, such as accessories and the ornaments, may be an excellent choice for couples who want to subtly add this overarching design concept. Specifically, the cake can have a galaxy design, or shimmering elements and star details, while a starlit backdrop behind the top table or surrounding the dancefl oor will give you both the feeling of dancing under the stars. There are so many beautiful ways to incorporate celestial elements into your wedding day outfits; whether it be a satin pure-white column dress, or some embellishments with star-shaped accents and crystal beads that replicate a galaxy setting. You could opt for a bridal cape with starry images to make an extra chic appearance. The metallic elements will help to reinforce the mystical motif but it will be easy to remove for more classic stunning photo ops. Or choose some silver heels to pair with your elegant dress along with some star-studded earrings to make a shining statement.
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TRAVEL-INSPIRED WEDDINGS
If exploring different places is one of your mutual passions as a couple, or you have created priceless memories in an exotic location in your time together, then maybe throwing a travel-themed wedding might be for you. Simply integrate details and design elements that relate to the act of travelling and you'll be able to transport your guests to any thrilling destination that is totally Insta-worthy! One out-of-the-box idea for invitations is having a painted illustration of your designated venue to capture its raw beauty in a similar style to the talented painters in France. When it comes to stationery, you could also consider relaying all of your wedding details on a postcard, complete with a photo of the couple on vacation. This will guarantee personalisation and impress your guests, while giving them a glimpse into the event. Once you seal everything in an envelope, you could add postage stamps from various travel locations to further amplify the theme.
Themed weddings are very free-form aesthetics when it comes to dress codes as there are plenty of attire options. If you want to go for a full summery vibe, choose a colour palette that has a lot of eye-catching colours such as yellow, blue, fuchsia or even turquoise – think of the colours featured on a beach ball! These vibrant tones will employ the travel-motifs without making a huge statement. The maid-of-honour could have the brightest bridesmaid dress, so the rest of the guests will be able to recognise her as the member of the bridal party with the most responsibility. For something elegant and tropical, maybe go for an Elle Woods (Legally Blonde) iconic pink?
The best way to execute a travel-themed wedding is through decorations that hint to your love of travelling. This could include ceremony programs formatted as passport booklets, with all the necessary informations about your nuptials; a globe that your guests will sign instead of a guest book; or a fun travel-inspired quiz for one of your reception activities! For your floral decorations, take inspiration from a holiday – such as the hot pink bougainvillea flowers depicted in the summer musical hit Mamma Mia! The choice of venue depends on the weather as you'd ultimately want an al fresco vibe or more niche venues could be an airport hanger or a transport-inspired space – like a vintage train station. The cake could be decorated with geographical elements like maps, suitcases, or in the colours of the chosen country's flag. Your wedding dress or partner's outfit can be heavily influenced by a culture that deeply resonates with you. Accessories are another seamless way to infuse your passion of travelling into your ensemble. For instance, pair your dress with earrings or a bracelet that your significant other bought you from a boutique while on holiday during your relationship timeline.
