Wedding Theme 101: "Branding" Your Wedding

Picking a theme for your wedding is one of the most fun parts of wedding planning. It should also be one of the easiest because the theme reflects you as a couple, and showcases what makes your relationship unique. Whether that's quirky, fun, classic, modern, or traditional, your theme is all about you!

A wedding theme is the overall look/feel that your guests experience, or the "brand" of your wedding. Popular themes of 2020 include rustic, vintage, minimalist, boho chic, and of course, classic and traditional. Whatever you choose, your theme can be as subtle or as over the top as you like - that's the fun part!

One of the biggest things to keep in mind with your theme, is that it begins well before the guests arrive at the ceremony....your theme begins at the first interaction with your guests. For most weddings, this is the save the date. After that first introduction, every other interaction needs to compliment the theme, and be consistent.

Below are the two types of elements that you can use to incorporate your theme. Primary elements are the necessary elements to create a consistent style for your wedding, and secondary elements are optional, as an enhancement to your theme.

Primary elements are the branded prices that your guests will touch and feel before, during and after the wedding. Think of these as your branded marketing pieces. These should all have complimentary and consistent fonts, and colors.

Primary "themed" elements (branded pieces to engage your guests):

• Save the date

• Wedding website

• Invitation suite

• Signage

• Place cards

• Welcome bags

• Programs

• Thank you cards

Secondary elements are the experiences that your guests will have throughout your wedding. These do not need to be on theme, but if you choose, you have the opportunity to select options that enhance it.

Secondary "themed" elements (experiences for your guests):

• Venue

• Flowers

• Decor

• Menu

• Season/Date

• Entertainment

• Specialty drinks

How to Use and Implement your Theme

Once you select your theme, any time you make a decision along your wedding planning, ask yourself if it fits with your theme. This will help ensure that all of the pieces coordinate, and will create a consistent style. For your primary themed elements, I recommend working with one designer for all of these pieces. The designer will work with you to create designs that enhance your theme, and are all branded to compliment each other. For some inspiration, check out our portfolio.

What about the other events that go along with the wedding — showers, bachelor/ette parties, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner? These events are separate from the actual wedding, so they do not need to match your wedding theme exactly. They can coordinate, but that is ultimately up to the person who is hosting the event. For example, last year I worked with a bride to design a classic, black and white wedding invitation suite. I also worked with her sister to design a fun, pink and gold invitation for her bridal shower brunch. The two designs used similar fonts and styles, but did not match exactly. This lets the guests differentiate between the events, and understand the tone for each.

__

Wedding branding is one of my favorite subjects within wedding planning. If you want to get started on your custom theme, contact us!