Congratulations! The question has been popped, you’ve said yes to forever and now the planning phase is getting underway. But with so many choices to make, from location to the small details and even the date of the ceremony, it can be hard to know where to start.
Choosing your theme early in the process can help to guide your planning, from what you’re looking for in a venue down to the decor, colour scheme and invitation style. At venuefinder.nz we recommend starting right at the very beginning of your relationship! Think about the two of you as a couple and what elements speak to that. From there, you’ll find your theme for the day that will streamline the planning phase and make the process enjoyable instead of overwhelming, while creating a beautiful and cohesive event.
If you’re still not sure about what direction to go in, or you’ve got a few different ideas and you’re not sure how they come together, we’ve put together a quick guide to some top wedding themes. Use this to nail down your vision so you can move forward with your preparations.
Vineyard
Fairy lights are a gorgeous way to add a bit of magic to your big day but can you really plan a whole theme around them, you ask? Yes, yes you can! Combine the delicate sparkling of fairy lights with the canopy of vines found at the Markovina Vineyard Estate in Auckland and you have an elegant and warm venue that speaks to the things in life, like gourmet catering, wine and lifelong love. A long trestle table under festoon lights creates an intimate wedding reception, utilise the indoor-outdoor flow of the vineyard.
Plume Vineyard Northland offer a pre-dinner wine for your guests overlooking the rolling hills of Matakana while you and your beloved have photos taken amongst the vines. Top off the setting with a seed light curtain instead of an archway, or name each reception table after a type of wine and bring in cork, neutral fabrics and greenery to tie it all together.
Romantic
Characterised by archways, draping fabrics, flowers, chandeliers and calligraphy, a romantic wedding theme is a grander take on the traditional with a storybook twist. Feel like a princess in white lace as you recite your vows overlooking the vineyards of Carrington Estate Northland, or make use of Delamore Lodge’s intimate, Italian-style backdrop perfectly suited to ethereal and feminine decor. For something a little more lady-of-the-house, ceremony and reception venue Settlers Country Manor offers a charming, vintage interior with chandeliers, wood paneling, fairy lights, and an indoor fireplace to keep your guests cosy while they celebrate your love.
Whatever details you choose a romantic theme will have you and your husband riding into the sunset in luxury. Just don’t forget your something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!
Modern
This theme is one you can really have some fun with! Think minimalist, clean lines, simplicity and pared back decor, with some contemporary stand out pieces. A modern theme allows you to show off your personality whether that’s a different take on the traditional wedding dress (jumpsuit, anyone?) to a bold colour scheme or an incredible venue with a to-die-for view. For a modern take on the classics you can’t beat the Cordis Auckland, or visit Five Knots for floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Auckland skyline. It’s fresh, it’s structural and it’s stunning - like you.
Outdoors
If you and your partner are always up for an adventure, an outdoor wedding might be the right fit for you. While many wedding venues offer both an indoor and outdoor space for ceremonies, search for somewhere personal to you and your heritage. If you have a family farm or a rural setting that means something to you, you can combine an outdoor theme with rustic details, or for a more modern approach take a look at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands and the landscaped English Garden of Landsdale NZ just out of Palmerston North, perfect for your wedding ceremony.
An outdoor wedding theme also means you can combine the ceremony, reception and photos in one location. This can help to make your wedding run smoothly, whilst keeping it intimate with many different backdrops to choose from.
We all know how unpredictable weather can be so if you are thinking about an outdoor wedding a key element to include in your planning and budgets is a marquee. Marquee Hire City has several different options to choose from and will work with you to create your ideal wedding package, including the all-important dance floor! To outfit your marquee and make it your dream wedding, we recommend hiring a venue stylist like Creations By Morris so you can focus on yourself in the lead up to your wedding and make the planning process as stress-free as possible.
Traditional
With a traditional wedding theme, all the stops should be pulled out to make your day timeless, elegant and dressed to the nines. This is a chance for glamour and ornate flower arrangements; complete table settings; and different textures of white with metallic accents.It’s also a chance for you to add your own take on the traditional such as using Hotel DeBrett Auckland instead of a chapel, where the ceremony and reception can both be held to keep the focus on celebrating together rather than spending time apart. Brides in the lower North Island, consider the Wellington Racing Club Event Centre for a clean-cut garden wedding venue and indoor reception, replete with gorgeous views, a sit-down meal and plenty of space for a separate champagne hour.