Themes for Spring Weddings

Options abound for weddings held during this vibrant season

By Lynette DiPalma

Photo by Samantha Goldberg and Co.

Spring is a lovely time for a wedding. The flowers are blooming, and it's neither too hot nor too cold. Choosing a particular theme for your wedding will help guide your decisions about color scheme, flower selection, cake decorations and maybe even the wardrobe for the wedding party. Although most any wedding can be attractive, finding a theme can help pull it all together into an impressive and memorable event.

Garden Theme

Plant your wedding memories with a garden-themed celebration. Print your invitations, programs and favors on 'plantable' botanical papers -- essentially paper with embedded plant seeds -- and have wildflower floral centerpieces at the wedding arranged in pastel-color watering cans. For a finishing touch, ask your wedding venue manager whether guests can release live butterflies instead of tossing rice. Just make sure you follow the directions from the butterfly supplier very carefully: these are living creatures, and rough handling could be tragic for both the butterflies and for your wedding.

Asian Theme

Inspire romance with a Japanese or Chinese theme. Recite your vows under an arch made of blossoming cherry tree branches and have your flower girls sprinkle the petals of the delicate pink flowers along the aisle. Have programs printed on hand fans and wrap favors in pouches made of embroidered silk. For a nighttime wedding, set the whole place aglow with paper lanterns.

Seaside Theme

If you both like sailing or just love the sea, choose a seaside theme. Go with blue as a base color, and use old brass lanterns instead of plain candles as centerpieces. Opt for symbols like seagulls, starfish or lighthouses for your invitations. You can also host your wedding or reception on a boat, by the beach or by a lighthouse.

Fantasy Theme

Get creative and dazzle guests with a wedding theme that is both whimsical and fun. Flower girls will look adorable wearing little gossamer wings and tossing out delicate rose petals laced with glitter. Replace the traditional headpieces for the wedding party with floral garlands and ribbons and pass out bubbles to be blown at the newlywed couple as they leave the wedding venue.