Alternative wedding themes that totally rock
Planning a wedding is like curating an event that’s equal parts party and personal statement. If you’re sick of soft blush tones, mason jars, and cookie-cutter repeatable design vibes, this one’s for you. Here are some alternative wedding themes that will blow tradition out of the water and make your day unforgettable.
1. Rock ‘n’ Roll Romance
For couples who prefer electric guitar riffs over classical violins; this one’s for you. Start by decorating your tables with vintage vinyl records, and swap traditional floral centrepieces for old gig posters, guitar picks and rock-sign candles. For your outfits, think beaten up Doc Martens and band patches sewn onto your lapels. This theme is not demure! It’s tattoos, ripped jeans, loud music and crowd surfing. Sounds like the best day ever!
You can inject a bunch of personality throughout your celebrations. Here’s a few ideas:
Hire a cover band to perform your all favourite songs live, or facilitate Bandeoke (my dream entertainment, tbh).
Have guitars, drumsticks and masks of your fave band members’ faces for your photo booth. I’m thinking Bowie, KISS and Slipknot!
Large signs or piñatas with band logos, lightning bolts or rock motifs, from companies like Pinyatay and Daydreamer Creative Studio.
Arrive in true rockstar style on the back of a motorbike or on your skateboard.
From END Clothing
from Rock My Wedding
Photo by Marie Anson Photography
Image from Bake and Skate
Check out the Pinterest board I created for this theme!
2. Neon Wonderland
Weddings do not have to be soft and muted. A neon theme is all about bold, electric energy, and creating a visual impact that shouts IT’S PARTY TIME. Let’s start with neon signs as a focal point—messages like Til Death Do Us Party or All You Need Is Love are super fun and photo-ready, or you could have your names or fave song lyrics for something more personal. Talk to companies like Neon Filter or The Word Is Love for your perfect neon signage.
In addition to neon lettering, you could:
Give out glow sticks on the dance floor.
Serve brightly coloured cocktails with glowing LED ice cubes.
Set the scene with vibrant, glowing décor like clear perspex, streamers and colourful disco balls.
Use colourful glassware and candle holders with strategically placed light sources to cast glowing jewel tones around the space.
Opt for a neon veil as an epic addition to your outfit.
Let off colourful smoke bombs and use ultra-saturated confetti for those iconic photographs.
Add a neon face paint and accessories station as a killer after-party vibe.
Try dyed dried flowers which can offer a more saturated, deep colour than fresh. Plus you can keep them forever!
from my house design, Beyond The Horizon
via Polka Dot Wedding, photo by Kas Richards
by Shop Narwall
Photo by Julia Stotz
Photo by Brandi Rollins Photography
Check out the Pinterest board I put together for this theme!
3. Gothic Glam
This one’s for couples who love a dark and moody atmosphere. Think black candles, deep red flowers, animal skulls, a touch of gold and rich textures like velvet and leather.
Book a florist like Femme Petale who can create you the most perfect ceremony arch dripping in dark florals, and serve your guests a black ganache cake with metallic accents. Candelabras, string lights, and moody spotlights will help set the perfect tone.
And what about your soundtrack? Bands like The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, or Depeche Mode will bring atmosphere to your playlist. If you are having an aisle, imagine walking down it to Nothing Else Matters by Metallica or The Funeral of Hearts by HIM.
Getting married somewhere like Bodleian Libraries in Oxford or Hedingham Castle in Essex would be the perfect gothic backdrop, meaning you can let the venue do the talking with very little effort. You could create a chill-out area with squishy deep velvet sofas, dark rugs and low lighting as a welcome sensory-break when it’s all in full swing.
via Morbida Oscurità
from my house design, Beyond The Horizon
Check out the Pinterest Board I made for this theme!
4. Festival Wedding Vibes
Some us of live for the summer, when our friends, fave bands, glorious sunshine, delicious food and pints of booze make the best and most memorable moments of the year. If you two love the outdoors and want your wedding to feel like the best festival ever, here are my top ideas:
Skip the formal sit-down dinner and bring in food trucks and drink stations. You could have different ones for savoury and sweet, and book suppliers who bring the food AND the good vibes.
Guests can chill on picnic blankets and hay bales, play on fairground rides and then dance and sing along to the bands on the ‘main stage’.
Book a venue which allows you to create a campsite, and make it a full weekender.
Send gig-ticket invitations, hand out wristbands upon arrival and end the night with fireworks.
Use colourful ribbons on chairs, bunting on your bell tent and huge standing flags for an authentic festival feel.
Photo by Jamie Y
Photo by Leonie May
Photo by Echard Wheeler
photo by Kirsty Mackenzie Photography and hairpiece by Folky Dokey
Cold Ones food truck
Take a look at the Pinterest board I made for this theme!
Whatever theme you choose, the key is to make it you. You might hate the idea of ‘themes’, and it might be something you actively push against, but without going all corporate-branding-graphic-design on you, it does help to create a consistency across your aesthetic that will pull everything together into a memorable and meaningful experience for you and your guests. Embrace the details that make your relationship special, and don’t be afraid to go big, bold, or weird. Your wedding, your rules!