Unique Themes

Longing for the simpler days of a bygone era? Did you swoon to The Notebook? Feel your heart strings twang to the tune of Pearl Harbor? Then a 1940's theme wedding might be for you!

Looking for a wedding palette that's romantic yet classic, sweet yet dignified, that couldn't be a better fit for early spring? Pale pink and champagne make for a gorgeous start.

It might say beach. It might say Fifth Avenue. Either way, the aqua blue wedding (often paired with the most classic of supporting acts, like silver, pearls and creamy roses) is a feast for the imagination ... and the eyes.

"In the end I found out my fiance wanted a large wedding ... even more than I did. But he also wanted a themed wedding. And somehow, and I don't know how, he convinced me to have a pirate-themed wedding."

The cherry blossom theme's a bit of a find (much like that man of yours). You won't find it dominating back-to-back receptions from June to August — yet it draws on color and thematic trends that couldn't be fresher.

Imagine a wedding where crystal drips from the rafters and blush roses bristle from tower vases. The bride rustles in wearing a satiny ballgown, raising a hand weighed down with a knock-out rock. Her nails are buffed to a shine. Not the first thing you think of when you think of "green weddings," is it?

Lenna looked at me pleadingly and said, "I'm toying with the idea of an Ariel-themed wedding. You know, like The Little Mermaid."

"We're thinking of having a martini theme wedding ... any ideas?"

Some of the most unique wedding ideas can be found with a backward glance to fashions of days gone by.

Have your heart set on a western wedding with a slight Texas twang? Here's a round-up of some of our best ideas, guaranteed to wrangle plenty of sweet memories from you and guests alike.

Why not let your personality shine through with a theme wedding? Just add a splash of imagination, and you'll be destined for a wedding your guests won't soon forget.

Some brides go in for the more placid wedding themes, such as swans, doves or double hearts. And others mix it up a little with cowboy boots and haystacks, or old Hollywood cocktails. And then there are the brides who aren't content to borrow anything (except, perhaps, something blue).

Some brides know exactly what they want — a fishing theme wedding — but when they try to share their vision with friends and family, they get a bunch of skeptical looks in return.

Swanky, smooth and larger-than-life, Las Vegas is a haven if you"™re in a pinch and need to get hitched quick, want a little romantic inspiration or have your heart set on having Captain Kirk, Elvis and Priscilla — or even all three — at your wedding.

Whether you long for Great Gatsby or gangster glamour, a roaring twenties wedding theme can put an unforgettable spin on any wedding. So if you're tempted to tie the knot amid the trappings of vaudeville, theater and jazz, here are some inspirations to start you out.

While the time-honored wedding traditions are still very important, today's modern bride isn't afraid to put a new twist on an old idea. Brides are finding novel ways to express their own style with interesting slants on established customs — and yes, even the once-sacred domain of the wedding dress is starting to bend to the trend.

When people think Victorian, they often think high tea or garden party, filled with doilies, cherub birdbaths, cast iron benches, finger foods, mismatched teacups and the "shabby chic" touch. This is a perfectly fine way to do Victorian, but it's not the only way.

Lots of people get married in chapels and churches, gardens and parks, beaches, hotels and country clubs. But what if what you want is something more memorable? A bit (or a lot) unusual?

More than a few brides and grooms who dash off to Vegas for the exciting ceremony of their dreams want nothing more, once the knot is tied, to bring some of the glitz and the glamour back home to share with their friends and family. For many, this means a Vegas-themed reception.

Who hasn't thought of getting married in Las Vegas at some point or another? Whether it's the glitz and the glamor of the city or just the fun environment, you might want to take that and put it into your own wedding.