•Destination. If going to the actual destination is beyond your budget, look for ways to recreate that location’s ambiance closer to home. Live near the shore? Potted palms, combed sand, an arch, bouquets of tropical-hued flowers and flickering torches can turn any beach into a tropical experience. Recreate the Irish countryside in a local park or your parents’ backyard with wildflower arrangements and decor in hues of emerald and cream. Whatever your special theme, set the tone for your wedding by choosing destination wedding invitations that evoke the spirit of your destination.
•Rustic. On your big day, everything should feel easy and natural, and a wedding of simple decor and natural themes can accomplish that. The outdoors make a perfect setting for rustic weddings, but you can also bring the outdoors inside, decorating with natural touches, such as artfully arranged branches accented with sprays of wildflowers or fruits such as apples, pears and peaches. Choose colors that evoke a country setting, like soft buttery yellows, gentle greens and rich browns.
•Vintage. Your mother’s beautiful, well-preserved wedding gown can be the perfect centerpiece for a vintage wedding theme. A vintage theme can pay homage to any decade. A sparkly flapper-girl gown, pink and black table linens and some art deco accessories can recreate the Roaring ’20s. Salute the ’50s with kitten heels and a full tulle skirt for you, and a skinny tie for your bridegroom. You can find decorative pieces and even bridal favors at second-hand shops and vintage stores. Or, raid your parents’ and grandparents’ attics to see what period treasures they may have stored and forgotten.
•Garden. Outdoor weddings are wonderful for spring and fall, but you can recreate a garden atmosphere at any time of year, indoors or out. If you’ll be saying your “I do’s” beneath the open sky, choose a setting with a striking, older tree and make it the backdrop for your vows. In warmer months, the tree’s natural greenery will create a lush, garden atmosphere. In autumn, dress up bare branches with strands of lights or paper lanterns. Renting lawn chairs for guests to sit on is a great way to underscore your garden theme. Define the aisle with simple lanterns lit with candles. Floral wedding invitations are a versatile, beautiful way to announce your wedding’s garden theme.