As you begin to plan your wedding, one of the most exciting aspects is defining the style and theme that will reflect your unique love story and faith. Your wedding should be a beautiful expression of who you are as a couple, and there are many ways to incorporate your Catholic values into your celebration. Here’s a guide to help you choose a wedding style and theme that resonates with both of you.
1. Reflect on Your Journey Together
Start by considering the elements of your relationship. What activities do you enjoy doing together? What places hold special meaning for you? Reflecting on these questions can inspire a theme that genuinely represents your love story (more on this one at the end with a story about this blog’s photos)!
2. Incorporate Your Faith
As a Catholic or Christian couple, your faith is an essential part of your lives. Think about how you can incorporate religious elements into your wedding. This could include:
Scripture Verses: Choose a favorite Bible verse to feature in your invitations or decor.
Religious Symbols: Consider incorporating symbols such as the cross, dove, or more personal items from family such as grandma’s rosary!
Ceremony Traditions: Think about specific traditions you want to include, such as a Marian devotion, a culturally significant tradition, or a special blessing.
3. Choose a Color Palette
Your color palette sets the tone for your wedding. Consider colors that resonate with both of you and complement your chosen venue. Soft, muted tones often create a serene atmosphere, while vibrant colors can bring energy and joy to the celebration.
4. Select a Venue That Matches Your Vision
The church and reception venue play a significant role in your wedding’s overall style. Whether you envision a historic library, a cozy garden, or a rustic barn, choose a location that aligns with your theme and reflects your personalities for both the mass and your reception venue. Catholic couples often find beauty in venues that have historical significance or beautiful architecture.
5. Consider Your Attire
Your wedding attire should reflect your style while honoring the sacredness of the occasion. Think about how you can blend traditional and modern elements. For example, a classic wedding dress paired with personalized accessories can create a unique look that speaks to both your faith and your personality. For my own wedding, I elected to wear the traditional black tux and black tie while all of my groomsmen were in our themed colors. These are important decisions to consider that change how you look and feel on your big day!
6. Create a Cohesive Look
Once you have your theme and colors in mind, ensure that all aspects of your wedding align. This includes invitations, decor, table settings, and even your wedding favors. A cohesive look creates a harmonious atmosphere that reflects your vision.
7. Involve Family Traditions
Many Catholic and Christian couples have family traditions that can enhance their wedding day. Consider including customs from your families, such as specific readings, songs, or rituals. This can create a sense of connection and continuity across generations.
8. Think About Your Guest Experience
Consider how your theme will enhance the experience for your guests. Think about the flow of the day, from the ceremony to the reception, and how you can create an inviting atmosphere that reflects your love and faith. If you’re worried about a large gap between mass and reception, consider thinking of local activities that you can send your guests to do in between!
9. Be True to Yourselves
Ultimately, your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple. Don’t feel pressured to conform to trends or expectations. Choose elements that resonate with you and make your day special, whether that means a traditional church wedding or a more contemporary celebration.
10. Documenting Your Style
As you finalize your theme, keep in mind how it will translate into your wedding photography. Share your vision with your photographer so they can capture the essence of your day in a way that tells your unique story. If you want lots of details, communicate that with us and we can make it happen! Maybe there’s a specific group of Mr. and Mrs. poses you want…Let’s do it!
11. Bonus Tip
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, let this put you a little bit more at ease…Grace and I have long held that no one will remember the tiniest of details a year after your wedding except for you two! Relax and have fun creating a vision that isn’t overwhelming. And if you need to, step away for a week and resume planning!
It’s also important to note here that a recent wedding I was shooting at had a theme based around the bride and groom’s favorite books! The venue was even an old library…It will take lots of work but if you have a dream that you want to make a reality, go for it. The result will be priceless!!
Just remember that choosing your wedding style and theme is a beautiful opportunity to express your love and faith. Take your time in this process, and enjoy each moment of creativity and planning. As you explore these elements, I’m here to help capture the beauty of your celebration, ensuring every detail reflects your journey together. Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll discuss finding the perfect wedding venue.
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Make sure to check out last week's blog all about budgeting tips for your wedding here!
Author: Michael
