5 Stylish Wedding Themes

1. Theme #1: Stripes

   

   Mary Ellen Bartley

   To create a cohesive look, carry your theme throughout. Our striped rolled fondant cake highlights the intricate letterpress invitation design by Dauphine Press.

   Vases, The End of History; striped napkins, ABH Design; handblown champagne flutes, Bon Maison Compagnie; place cards, Dauphine Press. Unless noted, all other rentals used in this feature courtesy of Party Rental Ltd. and The Prop Company

2. Theme #1: Stripes

   

   Mary Ellen Bartley

   Think about new ways to use your motif. Pinstripes were printed vertically on the invitation, reply card, and reception card for a stylish twist on the belly band.

4. Theme #2: Flowers

   

   Mary Ellen Bartley

   The beauty of a floral motif is that you can choose a signature bloom that perfectly suits your wedding style. We punctuated our plum and lavender wedding with white anemones, a springtime flower that’s both modern and feminine. Our florist combined anemones with lavender sweet pea, plum ranunculus, and lavender hydrangea in a chocolate-colored wooden box. The plum-colored antique bread plate helps pull together the look of the table.

5. Theme #2: Flowers

   

   Mary Ellen Bartley

   And don’t be afraid of cakes with color. This lavender rolled fondant cake topped with sugar-made white anemones is a showstopper, both unique and stylish.

7. Theme #3: Dots

   

   Mary Ellen Bartley

   Pink polka dots — bright, playful, and fun — are a perfect motif for a wedding that is super sweet (and far from stuffy). Keep it chic by mixing up the centerpieces. Our florist created five gorgeous floral arrangements in shades of pink and orange to make this table really pop. Combinations of roses, calla lilies, tulips, peonies, viburnum, and more are placed in clear cylindrical vases wrapped with different pink polka dot fabrics.

   Polka dot napkins, ABH Design

8. Theme #3: Dots

   

   Mary Ellen Bartley

   Remember, the look of your cake is as important as the dessert itself! Here, even the cake stand plays off the shape of the fondant pink polka dots on the cake.

9. Theme #3: Dots

   

   Mary Ellen Bartley

   ​Finally, place small letter holders in alphabetical order among the escort cards to help guests easily find their table assignments.​

11. Theme #4: Letters

    

    Mary Ellen Bartley

    The best part about a monogram motif? It can go classic or contemporary. The complicated part is knowing how to use your names, initials, or new married monogram (her first initial — new last name initial — his first initial) without drowning your wedding in it. Make a good first impression: Get creative with the wedding programs. These four screen panel programs are tied with an embroidered silk ribbon.

12. Theme #4: Letters

    

    Mary Ellen Bartley

    ​For the bridal bouquet, our florist went simple and classic: all white flowers (roses, calla lilies, sweet pea, and freesia). To tie in the motif du jour, we incorporated the same ribbon also used on the programs. Loosely tie the ribbon around the bouquet wrap and let it cascade over the bride’s hands. Whether guests can see the monogrammed ribbon on the bouquet or if it’s just for the bride to revel in, it’s a special way to include your new married name in your flowers.​

13. Theme #4: Letters

    

    Mary Ellen Bartley

    We followed with the wedding cake. Rather than making just one outstanding cake, our cake baker created three table cakes all iced in periwinkle fondant and decorated with white sugar flowers—each sporting a unique monogram.

    Cake server, Rosanna

15. Theme #5: Flourishes

    

    Mary Ellen Bartley

    ​Perfect for any fairy-tale wedding in a castle, ballroom, or museum, a fleur-de-lis motif is every bit elegant and regal (the symbol is particularly associated with the French monarchy). It can be played up (with gold-gilded details) or played down (go for pastels, like white and baby blue). Setting the tone, this beautifully scripted gold thermographed invite not only features a traditional fleur-de-lis motif but can come in a brown velvet–covered paper pocket with gold satin ribbon.​

16. Theme #5: Flourishes

    

    Mary Ellen Bartley

    The best thing about a symbol-driven wedding? You can use the accent in unexpected places. Our cake baker covered a three-tiered oval-shaped cake with lemon buttercream and rolled fondant, white royal iced pearl dots, and gold fleur-de-lis molded sugar medallions.

    Gold Parisian Wallpaper dessert plates, Rosanna; champagne flutes, Libbey

17. Theme #5: Flourishes

    

    Mary Ellen Bartley

    ​Our florist accented a traditional bouquet of yellow roses with brown pheasant feathers, gilded camellia leaves, and a fleur-de-lis brooch on the ribbon wrap.​

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