Whimsical Wedding Themes and Bridal Shower Themes: Fairy Tale, Las Vegas, Butterfly Themes

Fairy Tale Theme

There probably won't be a day when you feel more like a princess than your wedding day. To bring the fantasy of a fairy tale wedding to life, it doesn't take a castle or a white horse, just a little attention to the details. It's not necessary to wear a huge puffy gown (unless you want to). Choose a dress with cap sleeves, a corset, or elaborate beading to give it the princess look. For decorations, garlands of pink roses, and gold ribbon. And place large glass bowls of water with floating candles or flowers on tables for the centerpieces. Instead of round tables, go for long banquet tables. Serve wine in large studded goblets. Use a castle or horse-drawn carriage as a motif for invitations, programs, and party favors. For the first dance, perform a classic waltz that you have practiced to perfection.

Around the World Theme

Recreate the World's Fair for the reception. Set up pavilions for different parts of the world and showcase the region's landscape, arts and food. Guests can wander around and learn about many different cultures while enjoying all kinds of food and drinks. Invite performers to demonstrate dance, or a craft, and ask for guests to participate. Use images or models of recognizable structures, or features for centerpieces, and designate a country to each table. "Table France" could have a mini Eiffel Tower, and a gondola could represent the Italian table. For favors, silver luggage tags are perfect to remind everyone to go out and see the world.

Las Vegas Theme

Just because you didn't spontaneously elope to Las Vegas, doesn't mean you can't throw a wild, glitzy Vegas style party. Set up a "high-roller" room with blackjack tables, and hand out chips to each of your guests to give them a shot at winning it big. Prepare a prize for the guest with the largest winnings at the end of the evening. Serve a decadent all-you-can-eat buffet for dinner. Decorate with lots of lights, and bright colors. For centerpieces, use the Las Vegas strip as inspiration, designate each table a resort (Bellagio, Paris, MGM, New York New York, etc.), and incorporate features from the resort into your décor. For favors, hand out personalized pokers chips.

Under the Sea Theme

Create an underwater world. This is the perfect theme for ocean lovers. Use gorgeous colors only found in the deep blue sea. For table decorations, scatter seashells, starfish, and sea turtles around the centerpieces. Serve fresh seafood, or better yet, have a clambake. Hang lanterns low across the tables. Other nautical or ocean themed decorations include lighthouses candles, and sailboats tealight holders. For party favors, give your wedding guest adorable porcelain beach pail keepsake boxes to remind them of the special event.

Butterfly Wedding Theme

A hot trend for weddings is to have a butterfly theme to add magic and beauty to your special day. The graceful flutter of butterflies inspires a dreamy atmosphere that will leave an indelible mark on the memories of your guests. Butterflies can be used to enhance almost anything for the wedding: invitations, the cake, the gown, etc. Use butterfly place card holders for table decorations, and give dainty cookie cutters adorned with a beautiful butterfly as favors. For a really dramatic touch, include a butterfly release at the conclusion of an outdoor ceremony.

Hawaiian Luau Theme

Although it's a Hawaiian tradition, luau's can be great any place where the weather is nice and there are friends and family to share it with. A luau reception will be more relaxed than a traditional banquet. Guests can mingle at the buffet table, and enjoy exotic, traditional Luau fair. Some foods to consider are: fresh pineapples, macadamia nuts, and shaved ice for fun. And the traditional whole pig cooked in an underground Imu pit. For the aloha flavor, welcome guests with leis, scatter orchids over the tables, light flip flop candles, play Hawaiian music, and even invite some hula dancers to perform.

Mad Hatter's Theme

Recreate the Mad Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland. Decorate with cutouts of hearts, spades, diamonds, and clubs. Set a seashell tea light candles at each setting. Provide wacky hats for all your guests to wear, and encourage fun, colorful attire. For favors, give out custom decorated cookies, or tubes of heart-shaped tea and sugar. If you're having a lawn reception, set up a game of croquet!