Inspiration & Themes
Some help, ideas and suggestions if you are struggling with your chosen theme or don't know what - if anything - to use as a theme. You may have your whole day planned out already or you may be wondering where to begin . . . here are a few ideas to hopefully inspire and guide you!
Have a look at the links section to find specific people and companies to help you make your day complete! You may have already found your venue, and this may dictate your look, dress, jewellrey etc - or - you may have a specific look in mind eg Goth, Medieval or Pagan wedding. Remember to include the Venue, Bridesmaids, Flower Girl’s and Groom in the colour scheme/theme. I can restyle a dress or shoes bought elsewhere to fit in with your theme - contact me for details.
Don't forget its YOUR day - so enjoy it!
Themes and how to get the look . . .
How to medievalise your wedding! Castle or hotel venue, old houses, with a bit of period eye candy eg buildings in York . . . this theme also goes well with handfastings.
Inside think velvet, brocades, rich colours, church candles, lots and lots of ivy, candles (lit or unlit - if the latter burn them down a bit first so they look the part - lots more ivy . . . xmas decs are really good and the venue does the decoration for you! For the tables black candlelabra and flowers wise - loose hand tied bouquets - trad english flowers - I would choose roses, hyrdranga, lilly of the valley, daisy type flowers etc. If the wedding is in the autumn or at/before Yule or Christmas - use traditional decs ie oranges with cloves in, bowls of rose or orangewater with flower heads floating or tealights and don't forget the ivy!
Hairdressing - ivy again either real or fake - I make ivy circlets with ribbons wound round - for bride and attendants - hair should be natural or held back at the sides or get one of those plaited headpieces and use it like a circlet (avoid the princess Leia look though!!!) - well what else - oh grooms! Get him to dress in an open necked shirt and kilt or trousers (leather or pvc look good as well). Think Strider's look in LOTR- always a winner with the girls! Hope thats ok for now - sorry if i've gone on a bit - there is loads you can do for this look on a budget as well.
Gothic - Pre-Raphalite inspiration, Vampires, Dark Fairytales, Gothic Revival venues, Castles, Dracula, Lord Byron, Whitby - think Corsets, cloaks, dark colours and over the top designs. Again use elements from Medieval - lots of ivy, wilted roses, dramatic colours - red, purple and black of course - or be a Vampire bride in white! Long drantic veils, birdcage veils and dramatic headresses . . . brooches and jewellrey.
Grooms - frock coats, fancy waistcaots, nice regency stle shirts - think 'Interview with a Vampire' and Strider's look in LOTR!
Celtic - Scottish and Irish weddings, Castle venues, traditions, tartan, kilts, dramatic cloaks . . .
Fairytale/Elvish - Inspired by Tolkiens LOTR and fantasy films such as Legand, Ever After etc. So much you can do for this theme - from big princess dresses, corsets and skirts to simple dresses with circlets, cloaks and ivy.
Handfasting - Nature inspired weddings & ceremonies, outdoor venues eg woodland or Castles. Simple dresses or corsets and skirts - your imagination is the limit . . .
Pagan - wiccan weddings, pagan weddings, traditions/info on web - you can have what you want really from big skirts and corsets to simple dresses, faery costumes or whatever.
Women Marrying Women - saving the best til last!
More info on this to come later . . . plus same sex couple welcoming venues and suppliers - including Gothik Designs of course!