Themed wedding ideas that stay tasteful

A shared passion (the team you have supported for years, the band whose gig you met at, or the trip you will always be telling stories about) can make the most personal theme of all. The only question is how much of it to use.

One idea, many small echoes

A theme works when it is built on a single idea and comes back in small details: in the invitation, in the names of the tables, in a song or on the cake. Not every element has to be themed. In fact, restraint is what makes it elegant.

Let the invitation set the tone

The invitation is the first thing your guests see, so that is where the theme can be boldest. For couples who love to travel there is Boarding Pass, for musicians and music fans Record Player, and for people who love newspapers and magazines Special Edition. You can browse by theme here: music, travel, fairy tales and magic, playful invitations.

Think of your guests too

The theme should make sense to everyone, grandmothers included. If it is built on an in-joke, let the wording of the invitation explain it briefly. If you would like guests to dress to the theme (in your team’s colours, say), word it as a suggestion, not a requirement.

What to avoid

Brand names, and the characters and logos of well-known films and stories, are protected by copyright or trademark, and you do not need them on an invitation anyway. A world of your own that echoes their mood is far more personal. For ideas on the wording of your invitation, look here.