Wedding Day Advice | Wedding Planning

“Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction”
–Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Themes & schemes
Creative wedding theme concepts

Themed weddings are a relatively new concept, and are worlds apart from the traditional white wedding. Gone are the days of predictable nuptials… today, the modern couple can really infuse their wedding day with their own personality and style, creating a theme and corresponding wedding décor that will have their friends awe-struck and inspired.

Photo courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes, photographer Our Labor of Love and Smilebooth

Choosing a theme and colour scheme is probably the most exciting part of the entire wedding experience, but it’s a hard decision to make, too – especially considering how many fantastic options there are to choose from. Below are six of our all-time favourite wedding theme and décor ideas. Maybe one of them will be just what you’re looking for.

• African skies

Celebrate your African roots by adding an ethnic twist to your wedding theme and ceremony décor. Think of an upmarket game lodge at sunset and you’ll get the idea. Incorporate bronze, copper and gold beads into everything: the invitations, the wedding dress and on table candles. Shweshwe material will give a traditional feel to drapery, table runners and napkins while seed pods, basketwork and earthenware pots filled with twisted branches, proteas or African jasmine will add a rustic touch to table centerpieces. All the better if you can hold the ceremony in an open lapa, with a djembe drum band or African choir adding home-soul vibe to the proceedings. Serve gingerbeer cocktails, delicate portions of pap and vleis and mini pannekoek filled with bredie and bobotie.

• Casino royale

Best suited to an evening wedding, decadent luxury is the overriding element in this grown-up wedding theme. Deep red and glossy black velvet and sparkling crystal glassware create a luxurious ambience, and if you select a venue that has gorgeous chandeliers in the reception area, you’ll be partying the night away Vegas-style. Use a playing card as your inspiration for the invitations and carry this theme right through to the emcee playing the part of Joker. Scatter tables with playing dice and poker chips, and odds are that your wedding won’t easily be forgotten. Food and beverages should evoke old-school opulence: avocado ritz, lobster bisque and classic martinis would be winners.

• Garden symphony

If you like the idea of an afternoon affair, consider a garden wedding followed by high tea. Elegance is the name of the game here, so hire the finest china possible and fill every corner and every table with old-fashioned roses. Food should be dainty and of the finest quality: tiny sandwiches, quiche, tarts, gateaux and petite pastries served on exquisite cake stands and platters. Book a string quartet to fill the air with classic refinement and you’re on your way.

• Down to earth

Put a focus on your passion for green living by reflecting this earth-friendly mindset into your wedding theme. Invitations on recycled paper are an obvious choice, as is serving food on recycled glass plates. Décor elements should incorporate nature wherever possible – leaf motifs, floaty fabrics in greens and browns and an abundance of indigenous flora will all add to the atmosphere. Food should be limited to seasonal, local produce with an emphasis on light vegetarian fare.

• Boutique hotel

Looking for a classy, contemporary feel with a bit of swagger? This theme is all about being young, hip and happening. Décor is minimalist and understated: crisp white linen, sleek silver candles, blonde wood accessories. Food is light and fresh: champagne cocktails, tiny bowls of thinly sliced tropical fruit, and platters of expertly-made sushi is the order of the day. Modern jazz playing softly in the background will complete the perfect scene.

• White christmas

If you’re having a December wedding, how can you not go with a Christmas theme? Incorporate carols into the wedding service and decorate the church or marquee with holly-speckled wreaths and garlands. For centerpieces, poinsettias in red and white will look beautifully festive while little bundles of cinnamon sticks tied up with twine and a twist of mistletoe at each place setting will fill the air with their spicy fragrance. Wedding favours can be wrapped up like Christmas gifts or placed inside tiny velvet Christmas stockings. Dot the reception area with Christmas trees, simply adorned with twinkling white fairy lights and silk flowers, and erect one large Christmas tree (crammed with exquisite decorations) at the entrance of the reception area – guests can put their wedding gifts around the base. One rule here: no tinsel allowed! (We mean it!)