Your Wedding Checklist: Choosing your theme

Welcome to part three of our wedding checklist series. With so many things to plan, organise and decide on, it can feel difficult to get started, but our expert wedding team are here to help with their advice...

You’ve secured your venue, picked your suppliers and now the real fun begins – choosing the theme for your wedding!

Fancy-dress or Fancy Dresses?

Bridgerton style private party on the Grand Staircase, 116 Pall Mall

Planning a wedding “theme” means different things for different couples – for some, it’s a theme in the truest sense of the word. Inspired by their favourite film, book or tv series, we’ve heard of Harry Potter weddings, walking down the aisle to the Star Wars theme tune or the groom, best man and his party dressed in their finest Peaky Blinders inspired outfits. For others, their wedding theme means a general vibe for the day and related colour scheme – a very popular one in the last decade has been ‘rustic weddings’ with mason jars of posies on each table, bunting and handmade favours. It’s up to you which definition of ‘theme’ you go with, and your wedding planner can make it all come true.

Think seasonally

This is advice we give around every aspect of planning and hosting your wedding - keeping the seasons at the front of your mind is key to ensuring the wedding you plan is the wedding you have! For example, if you’ve chosen a natural theme, with yellow as the colour scheme for your flowers, be sure to check sunflowers, tulips or yellow roses are in season before you set your heart on them. If you and your beloved had the holiday of a lifetime and ate a certain national dish you've themed your wedding menu and decor around, you may be left disappointed if certain ingredients aren’t available around the time of your big day. Staying seasonal and local also keeps waste and carbon footprint to a minimum, making your wedding sensational and sustainable.

Stay open minded

Setting a theme can make some couples feel restricted by their own rules. Just because you’ve chosen a winter wonderland themed wedding to be held in January doesn’t mean you can’t put illustrations of your favourite summertime flowers on your invitations. Planning an Italian menu for your big day but you prefer Champagne to Prosecco? Go for it! Use your theme as a guide, not a straight jacket, to combine all the personal touches of what makes you a couple, alongside flourishes that tie the whole thing together.

Play with your venue

If you can’t decide on a theme but have fallen in love with a venue, use that as inspiration for your décor and colour schemes. Getting married in a rural location? Why not choose natural textures and colours, with a laid-back feel? Chosen a high-end hotel? Take influence from the luxury touches around you – maybe it’s a marble floor, or gold accents, and build those into your theme to make it feel more personalised and cohesive.

But again, don’t feel tied down! Getting married by the sea doesn’t mean everything has to be blue and white striped and you serve fish and chips. Neutral and pastel tones that reflect the sand, coast and environment is a more subtle and elegant way to tie your venue to your theme if that’s more your style.

Whatever your theme – or lack thereof – don't let the planning take the joy out of your day. Relax, stick to your preferences, not trends, and you’ll have a beautiful day.

CELEBRATE YOUR WEDDING AT 116 PALL MALL

An unforgettable day in an extraordinary venue. 116 Pall Mall is one of London’s most majestic London wedding venues. You’ll be spoilt for choice with our wide range of spaces, all ideal for every kind of ceremony.

You can even hire the whole venue on weekends, with capacities of up to 1,500 standing or 50—250 seated.

Make an enquiry for more information or to arrange a tour.

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