Wedding Themes : How To Choose Your Theme ?

Your partner popped the question, and you said yes!
After the proposal, it’s time to start preparing for the most beautiful day of your life. Of course, one of the first questions that comes up is the wedding theme. But how do you choose the perfect theme for your wedding?
How do you make your union unforgettable for yourselves, and for your family and friends? Find all the inspiration you need right here.

Table des matières
1. Why Choose A Theme For Your Wedding ?
2. How To Choose A Theme For Your Wedding
a. Create a mood board to inspire you - b. Set the tone with colour - c. Adapt the theme to your passions and tastes - d. Choose a seasonal theme - e. Think about the reception venue
3. Wedding Theme: Our Ideas and Inspirations For Your Big Day
a. A bohemian wedding - b. A rustic wedding - c. A travel-themed wedding - d. A minimalist wedding - e. A chic and romantic wedding - f. A vintage wedding - g. An English wedding
4. FAQ: your common wedding-themed questions
a.How do I choose a theme for a wedding? - b. What is the best colour for a wedding? - c. Is it possible to have a wedding without a theme? - d. How do I announce the theme of the wedding to the guests?

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1. Why Choose A Theme For Your Wedding ?

Since getting engaged (or possibly even long before…), you’ve probably spent long hours imagining the wedding of your dreams. From the ceremony to the table decorations, and from colours to clothing, you’ve thought of many details. So much so, that once you’ve said yes, it becomes difficult to choose between so many possibilities.

To avoid a decorative disaster on your big day, we recommend that you finalise the theme of your wedding early on. Influencing almost every aspect of the most beautiful day of your life, your theme will set the tone and the overall atmosphere of your union, and it will tell your love story in a way that’s unique.

From wedding stationery and save-the-date invitations to decorative details such as place cards, menus, centrepieces and table décor, flowers, and more, each meticulously chosen element should be coordinated and linked to the overall theme. With a theme in place, you can be sure that you’ll organise an original wedding with harmonious touches that suit you and your partner perfectly.

2. How To Choose A Theme For Your Wedding

An original, chic, and romantic, bohemian, or rustic, country wedding theme… the possibilities are endless. That’s why we’ve put together a few tips to help you make the right choice.

a. Create a mood board to inspire you

Inspiration is everywhere: on social media, in magazines, in the arts, in fashion, in the trips you’ve taken, and in all the little moments of daily life. Draw on these experiences to create a mood board.

This inspirational board brings together photographs, illustrations, swatches of fabric, and even fonts that inspire you. To make a mood board, you can opt for a large sheet of card or paper, or a cork board. If you prefer to keep your mood board virtual, Pinterest is a popular choice, for good reason.

Naturally, you will see some of your favourite things on your mood board, and one or more themes will begin to stand out. You’ll soon spot dominant colours, a rustic or travel atmosphere, or a penchant for pastels. All you need to do is draw on these ideas to plan a wedding with the theme of your dreams!

b. Set the tone with colour

If you can draw inspiration from your mood board, you should find that the colour palette will set the tone of your big day. Powder pink, rose gold, white, or gold - let your mood board, personal tastes, or your favourite flowers inspire you to choose the ideal colour palette.

c. Adapt the theme to your passions and tastes

Your wedding should tell a beautiful love story, and the theme you choose should resemble you! As a couple, think of a way to translate your common passions and tastes into the ideal wedding décor.

Are you both globetrotters? Why not have a travel-themed wedding? Are you both passionate about nature and ardent romantics? Does a flower or a specific colour symbolise your love story? Don’t hesitate to draw directly from what and who you are, what you love, and what delights you on a daily basis. The wedding theme that emerges from these reflections will be all the more striking.

d. Choose a seasonal theme

A winter or summer wedding? Summer colours or soft autumn terracotta dresses: the season can play a major role in your choice of a theme. Indeed, many elements of the wedding ceremony and reception, such as the décor, table settings, menu, etc., depend on seasonality.

When it comes to your centrepieces, table runner floral arrangements, bridal bouquet, and boutonnières, some flowers won’t be suitable in winter and/or summer as they don’t bloom in those seasons. For example, if you want to create a symbolic atmosphere of happiness with gypsophila, you will need to say “I do” in summer, when this small perennial plant is at its most beautiful and abundant.

The same goes for the food you choose; seasonal produce can influence your celebratory menu. If you make the wrong choices, they can quickly derail your wedding theme, and no one needs that kind of stress in the build up to their big day.

e. Think about the reception venue

A wedding in a castle, under a marquee in the countryside, in a stately home, or on the beach… Be inspired by your reception venue to imagine a wedding that’s perfectly suited to you and your beloved. For example, a bohemian wedding theme can make your dream of a pretty wedding in the heart of nature come true. The renovated barn you loved can inspire the idea of a wedding with an industrial botanical theme.

3. Wedding Theme: Our Ideas and Inspirations For Your Big Day

a. A bohemian wedding

If you want an offbeat, relaxed atmosphere with a touch of poetry and nature, a bohemian wedding theme is for you. This trendy theme has its roots in the free spirits of Europe because it’s free, warm, authentic, and in communion with nature.

Colourful hues reign in bohemian décor. Pastel shades and bright colours (fuchsia, burgundy, purple, etc.) meet in decorative elements, from the table centre pieces to the chair covers. They go perfectly with natural materials imbued with a bohemian spirit, such as linen, kraft paper, wood, cotton, raffia, hessian, and wicker.

Fresh flowers, greenery, and dried flowers also reign supreme over other décor. Bouquets of wildflowers such as grasses and sunflowers for the bride and a floral arch to welcome the couple to the dancefloor are also elements of bohemian weddings. Let your imagination run wild to bring the spirit of the wanderer into your big day.

To decorate the rest of the wedding venue, we recommend pretty bouquets of dried flowers, rattan armchairs, tassel garlands, lanterns, and hanging light bulbs. A few dreamcatchers hung here and there, or a confetti table runner will complete the décor with an authentic and resolutely romantic atmosphere.

> Need inspiration? Discover all our bohemian wedding invitations.

b. A rustic wedding

Simple and convivial, a rustic wedding theme takes up some elements of bohemian decoration. Just remember, the two styles are very different.

We find natural decorations in harmony with nature in both wedding themes. That said, a rustic theme relies more on warm, natural colours. Bright bohemian hues give way to a neutral palette composed of beige, brown, ivory, straw yellow, and soft lilac.

Authenticity is king in a rustic wedding theme. Think large wooden tables decorated with elegant vases filled with branches, dried flowers, wildflowers, or pretty ears of wheat. For the centrepiece or table runner, logs, flowers, foliage, and moss tick all the right boxes.

Raw materials such as wood, slate, or kraft paper are preferred. For a perfect rustic, countryside-themed wedding, complete the décor with other gorgeous accessories such as lace chair covers, glass candy boxes, personalised labels, and jute ribbons.

Often celebrated outdoors, these bucolic wedding ceremonies and receptions can also take place in a barn or farmhouse, where the natural charm of wooden beams will play an integral part in the warm décor you have in mind for your union.

> Need inspiration? Discover all our rustic wedding invitations.

c. A travel-themed wedding

Inspired by your most beautiful journeys around the world, your favourite destination, wedding venue, or your roots, this theme will take your guests on a romantic getaway.

Oriental or tropical, travelling to the islands or to the heart of the city - when it comes to décor, there’s no shortage of ideas! Use a world map as a table plan, a travel book, a collection of hanging postcards, personalised boxes of sugared almonds, luggage tag place cards, a world globe with a slot as a wedding urn for flowers, and personalised labels to create an atmosphere of wanderlust.

Looking for an original travel-themed wedding décor idea? Recreate a tropical Balinese atmosphere for your big day with a stunning centrepiece made of dried coconut leaves, a few exotic flowers for decoration, and an aisle of flowers and twinkling candles.

> Discover all our stylish travel themed wedding invitations and their matching decorative accessories.

d. A minimalist wedding

The watchwords of a minimalist wedding theme are dignity, elegance, and simplicity. In this artistic movement, there’s no room for the superfluous; your love rules the day!

Generally used in large, modern spaces, the minimalist theme is distinguished by simple yet refined décor. It's a great idea to go with soft, natural colours such as pastels for summer, and shades of black and white for winter weddings. For the table, placemats, or crockery, we love monochrome. Remember, less is more. A few candles at the centre of the table, small labels, and personalised sugared almond boxes with beautiful calligraphy, and an elegant garland are all you really need.

For the room and table décor, balloons, personalised candles, elegant dried-flower bouquets, or delicate hanging garlands are sufficient to create a harmonious atmosphere.

> Check out our minimalist wedding invitations for inspiration.

e. A chic and romantic wedding

Do you want a sweet, poetic atmosphere to celebrate the most beautiful day of your life? A chic and romantic wedding theme is ideal. Characterised by pink, blue, or pastel green tones and touches of gold, this timeless style will seduce your guests, and it will perfectly reflect your unique love story.

Flowers are essential for creating a romantic atmosphere. Roses, dahlias, lilies, and camellia flowers are among the most popular. However, you can also choose pretty pale pink peonies or baby’s breath, as well as other flowers that symbolise romance and happiness.

As a table runner, place a few flowers, beautiful candles, and even a pastel pink balloon here and there, and you’re done!

For more personalised décor, opt for elegant chair ribbons and letter balloons with the initials of you and your partner’s first names hung up in the wedding reception venue. Elegantly handwritten invitations are perfect for the theme.

> Get inspired with our chic and romantic wedding invitations.

f. A vintage wedding

From the bride and groom’s clothing to the decoration of the reception venue, a multitude of small details from yesteryear are incorporated to create a vintage wedding theme. Imbued with the charms of bygone eras, this retro theme will inspire your most nostalgic family and friends. The colours are discreet pastels, and the materials and textures used include lace, hessian, and/or linen.

Vintage-themed wedding décor is full of little treasures offered by family and friends or found in flea markets. Small, suspended bird cages decorated with flowers, retro or antique furniture and old objects, Polaroid photographs, hats for the photobooth, and an old typewriter with paper can all be used to tell your love story.

For the wedding table, mason jars are a must-have when it comes to vintage themes. Used as decoration, as tealight holders, and adorned with elegant, personalised ribbon or filled with sweets or dragees, these original old jars will enchant your guests. Pretty mottled crockery, a jute table runner, a few candles, and lace doilies will further elevate your wedding décor. Decorate the dessert table with some garlands, pompoms, balloons, and sweets in a glass, metal, or plexiglass sweets container to further delight your guests.

> Discover our vintage wedding invitations.

g. An English wedding

Do you dream of having an oh-so-British wedding? Then pick a traditional English wedding theme when you tie the knot! Charming and refined, the theme draws inspiration from the lifestyle and decorative styles of Great Britain to create a lovely festive atmosphere.

In terms of décor, lace, Liberty print, and chic floral arrangements of roses or peonies dominate the reception venue, complemented by a few typically British decorations, such as a red double-decker bus, a black cab, a telephone box, and an elegant tea service.

For the tables, choose porcelain tableware. When it comes to dessert on the menu, opt for traditional baked goods such as cupcakes or scones. Don’t forget the desserts table, which is one of the big highlights of not only weddings but birthday parties and other celebrations. This table, beautifully decorated with refined lace fabrics, can be completed with original jars filled with all sorts of confectionery. And don’t forget the trifle!

To put the finishing touches on your English wedding theme, remember the old saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” The bride must have an old element - usually an heirloom, something new such as her wedding dress, something borrowed -an accessory borrowed from a happily married couple, and something blue such as a handkerchief or a garter.

To inspire you for your wedding theme and the decoration of your reception venue, find our selection of high-end wedding stationery on Cotton Bird.

4. FAQ: your common wedding-themed questions

a. How do I choose a theme for a wedding?

Think about your preferences as a couple. Do you have a common passion? This can inspire the theme of your celebration. If not, let yourself be guided by our above, or draw inspiration from you and your partner’s personalities, tastes, or even your wedding venue to find your theme.

b. What is the best colour for a wedding?

The palette you choose for your wedding depends on the theme. If you prefer, use a favourite colour as a foundation for your wedding décor and think about associating it with complementary shades. Remember to ensure that your preferred colours harmonise. Don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from our Pinterest account!

c. Is it possible to have a wedding without a theme?

Yes, it’s entirely possible to have a wedding without a theme. A wedding theme isn’t mandatory, but we still recommend that you do try to find a theme. The theme you choose is a common thread that can guide you when it comes to choosing your wedding stationery, décor, reception venue, and even small gifts for your guests. It would be a shame to deprive yourself of a gorgeous theme for your wedding.

d. How do I announce the theme of the wedding to the guests?

Start by choosing stationery that perfectly matches your chosen wedding theme. You can specify the tone of your big day and the dress code, and you can reveal key information about the theme on your save-the-date cards or your invitations. Out of inspiration? Discover our ideas for wedding invitation wording.