A Wedding Theme Vs Popular Wedding Trend
There's a big difference between a wedding theme and a popular wedding trend if you're trying to work out how to style your wedding decor.
A trend can grab people's attention for a time such as pink flamingo balloons which were so popular recently.
The trend's appeal is usually temporary, and is often not considered fashionable later on.
While they sound basically the same, a theme is often location-based ie beach, garden, destination, while the wedding trend is the current must-have craze, and is usually an object or product.
For example, beach theme weddings will always be popular - but pink flamingos which were so hot a few years ago are "done" now it's 2020.
Final hint: If you see it in the "What's Cool Now" product round-ups in blogs and magazines, it's a trend.
Make it personal
Your wedding theme should definitely have a personal meaning to it that your guests know relate specifically to you and your partner. Don't just choose a wedding trend because everyone else is doing it.
Let's say you love Star Wars. In 1977 when the first Star Wars movie screened, weddings with couples dressing up as Han Solo and Princess Leia may have started as a quirky trend.
But more than 40 years on, the movie franchise has continued to be so popular a Stars Wars themed wedding is almost mainstream.
Popular wedding themes
A wedding theme - unlike a wedding trend - simply does not date. It's classic.
Vintage - this romantic, olde-worlde theme is beloved by brides. The spectrum of looks can stretch from 30s doilies, lacy parasols, old leather suitcases and floral china tea cups (Depression granny chic), to the vintage-retro style borderline with rockabilly 50s style featuring flouncy petticoats, quiffed hair for the men and a big American Cadillac for your wedding car. It is a very feminine theme.
Garden - garden theme weddings can stretch their styles from elegant affairs on historic estates with four-piece string bands and intimate ceremonies in a city park's rose garden, to tropical styled pool parties with lots of fruity cocktails. At the extreme end is the garden fantasy of an Alice in Wonderland tea party theme - perfect for couples with kids.
Rustic - this theme tends to appeal to both sexes but men more so, as it has a more rugged, masculine look with festoon lighting, blackboard signage, wooden barrels, corrugated iron bars, bark slices, communal tables and it's not overflowing in flowers. This theme looks especially perfect in barns, shearing sheds, wineries, farms and other hard-working venues.
Fairytale - if you want to be a princess for a day - and who doesn't! - go for glamour. Line your wedding aisle and dot each guest table with towering trees for the forest effect.
Add masses of fairy lighting, uplighting, colour wash lighting to transform the room. Gold cutlery, charger plates, candelabras, balloons and so on are a must.
Consider your own home decor preferences and what types of items you're drawn to in homewares stores - this will give you a clue into your personal style.
If you think ahead, you can buy themed wedding decor that you can keep afterwards and enjoy as a wonderful memento.
Popular wedding trends
Trends date so what's hot now will be not so hot in 2021.
If you really want to include a trendy element, this is where you should consider renting wedding decor to save money.
Alternatively, you could serve wedding treats or give guest favours that are on-trend.
You will delight your friends and family by serving something trendy yet it won't play a big enough role in your decor to date your wedding.
Why not serve sweets such as macaron towers, or give your guests cute bomboniere such as a skull-shaped lollipop? Great for hard-to-impress teens!
Enjoyed this? Why you should ignore the coolest wedding trends
