“The Perfect Catch” — Your Fishing Theme Wedding
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 or disbelieving looks in return.
The fact is, there doesn't have to be anything cheesy, embarrassing or overblown about a fishing wedding — it can be a beautiful testament to your love of the outdoors, combining rusticity and elegance with equal ease.
Here's some key ideas for turning your fishing theme reception into reality.
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Create a real focal point at one end of the room by propping up a wooden canoe or kayak (rent, or ask around for a friend who'll lend one). Fill with an elegant assortment of cattails, rushes and tall grasses. Place a "water feature" near the canoe — but instead of a classical-style Greek fountain, try an easy-to-make fountain of your own design using anything from stacked stones to copper bowls and trays ... and an inexpensive submersible pump.
Spice up your tables with centerpieces of cattails, pussy willows, driftwood or hurricane lamps. Surround each centerpiece with a scattering of sea glass or polished pebbles. Place decoy ducks here and there throughout — stick to restrained colors or old, vintage carvings for maximal elegance. A few decoy swans or blue herons placed where you want to draw the eye will also lend some drama with their willowy forms and extra height.
Use large fishing nets to frame a strategic space (like the cake table or the wedding arch you'll migrate to the reception), but don't just leave them plain. Instead, you're going to decorate them with an eye-catching collection of flyfishing lures and bobbers.
Choose a striking variety of feathers, brass bodies, shimmering crankbaits and other appealing designs — buy the lures whole, or order just the parts from a specialty supplier. If you're starting with whole lures, take a pair of wire cutters and carefully dispose of the barbs, using needle-nose pliers to turn the tips back. After all, you don't want your favorite nephew getting hooked on the nose as you're about to exchange "I Dos."
Now, using the remaining wire and some extra helper wire you've got on hand (grab from any craft store), secure your lures to the fishing net for a one-of-a-kind screen.
You can use the same treatment to create dramatic, bare-branch centerpieces — arrange a collection of branches in quick-drying cement (for sturdiness), place in a reed or grapevine basket, and decorate likewise with your lures and wire. Use some of that extra wire to create dramatic, silver loops and swoops around the branches, too.
And before the reception even starts, set the tone by having the flower girl walk down the aisle holding flower petals in a hand net ... or ending your recessional beneath a ceremonial arch of fishing poles (or wooden paddles) held aloft by the groomsmen.
Decorating Cheat Sheet
Here's a few more ways to add some fun fresh-water touches to your wedding:Adirondack Glamor. • Borrow a few adirondack chairs to tuck in your venue's corners, then tart them up with wicker baskets or creel boxes (or even rubber waders!) filled with garden flowers. Plus, bypass the usual boring guestbook. Instead, ask your guests to pen their best wishes on a bridal-white adirondack chair with a black sharpie. After the festivities wind up, cover with a topcoat of polyurethane, and let this sweet reminder grace your porch or garden.
Extra-Oardinary Decor. • Use rustic wooden signs or painted paddles to direct your guests to the reception area, gift table and other important spots. You can also suspend oars from the ceiling with clear monofilament, then hang nets from the paddles for a dramatic and memorable space divider.
Gifting Guests. • On the lookout for clever favors? On the simple side, tuck a few chocolate guppies, gummy worms or Swedish fish into "fish net" (tulle circles). Or, if you're feeling crafty, treat your guests to some one-of-a-kind wine charms or wind chimes you've designed with pretty beads and lures.
Out-of-town guests are sure to appreciate a little pick-me-up in the form of a creel basket filled with smoked salmon and crackers, a personalized Koozie or cup cooler, and a savory snack mix of cereal, pretzels and fish crackers.
Bottoms Up! • Ask your favorite bartender to design a signature drink with graduated colors, and call it a Rainbow Trout. Serve in a Collins glass with fresh springs of mint.
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I am getting married in Nov. I am a Avid Flyfisherman and so is he. We are having the Fishing theme and would like some ideas for the Reception? Flyrods will be used for us to walk under, the topper is the Bride catching the Groom, Garth Brooks, The River is our first Dance, Bamboo and Cat tails will be table XDec’s
Columbia Flyfishing shirts will be Our Dress, My Friends are all Hand Tying a Special Fli for my bouquet, etc. Nedd more Ideas? Thanks
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i found mini fishicreels place cards at this website that are cute
http://www.daisy-days.com/fishing-basket-favors.html
I am planning a fishing themed wedding. We will be getting married on a yacht. The captain of the boat will officiate. The boys will be in 2pc suits with fish themed ties. I have found fish in a bag soap for the favors. I want to incorporate sayings throughout - hooked on love- perfect catch-catch of the day etc. I had bought my fiance a floating bobber ice cooler which will hold the ice for the guests drinks. We aren’t getting married until may 2010 so that’s all I have for now.
Joan,
It will be AWESOME!! Congratulations!!
Marla
My fiance and I are also planning a fishing themed wedding. Here’s what we have planned so far:
Our wedding invitations actually have real fishing hooks in them! This was tricky as we didnt want corny or cheesy but after 20 prototypes I am happy to say we have elegant invitations with fishhooks. Final cost: $50 for 100.
I’m currently working on save the dates but we are pretty sure we are going to go with a bobber shape with our picture in it and stick a magnet to the back. Problem…could be really time consuming. Wording will probably say Save the date…We’re getting hooked!
For the reception I’m making a huge bobber for a card box out of paper mache or rigid wrap (plaster cloth).
We’re also playing with using wooden fishing boats (about 10″) that we found at Michaels for table centerpieces and filling them with cattails and flowers.
Also in progress… a design to etch on shotglasses for favors along with our name and date.
I want to tie my bouquet with cleos attached.
Oh, and of course we will be playing Brad Paisley’s “i’m gonna miss her” at the reception.
I’m pretty much the make everything yourself kinda girl, especially since I havent found that many ready made wedding themed stuff.
Love your ideas. I am getting married next week. Its been crazy trying to tie everything up. We too are having a fishing theme and we are having a dock side wedding. This theme should not be so difficult to come up with ideas so I feel for you. For our cake I took to the designer were loures, swim baits and rattle traps (just removing the hooks.) The bakery is ordering a bassboat with a fisherman in it. for the bottom tier. middle tire is fish breaking water and the topper of course is the bride reeling in the groom.
At the beginning of our ceromony I will be standing on the beach while my hubby will be standing on the dock and he will cast out to me the wedding bands (fake of course) and he will reel me in as I walk up to meet him. Hope it all works out for us. Good luck with yours.
I would love to know the wording of your invitations. We have planned the fishing theme wedding and any ideas would help. Thanks
Hey Gang,
I’m sorry for the delay in getting y’all the ideas you’ve asked for. My husband has been in the hospital and we aren’t sure what the problem is, so things have been a little crazy. I will try and get these to y’all in the next couple of days.
Again…sorry for the delay…I know how hectic your lives are planning for your weddings.
Warm smiles,
Melin
Melinda,
I am so sorry to hear of the troubles you are going through concerning your husband’s health. I am planning a wedding pretty far out in advance (July 2010) When you have free time, I too would also be interested in your design and wording of your invitations. Any help I would greatly appreciate!
Thanks a bunch!
Stephie B.
Hi gang!
Our fishing themed wedding took place this past May 24TH and it turned out great. In stead of bouquets my maids carried lanterns that I purchased at IKEA. Instead of having wax candles, that would have been hard to keep lit, we used battery powered votives that I purchase at Dollar Tree. We had a large aluminum row boat that was used to hold all our wedding gifts and it looked incredible!
Our caterers fried catfish on site as one of the entrees and it was delicious!
Our two little ring beareres carried fishing bears; made by Eagle Claw, that my fiance purchased at Joe’s(formerly GI Joe’s). I cut the fishing line off and replaced it with a thin blue satin ribbon and attached our rings to each ribbon. The boys looked so cute carrying those bears down the isle and then they got to keep them as our gift to them.
We were also going to use two mannequins (the wooden kind that look like the ones you would use in an art class vs a store window) and dress them in our wadders etc. But we ran out of time.
We used Mason jars for our glasswear and it really looked cool with our china. We also used two old wicker creels for guests to place cards in.
Our cake was decorated with wonderful replicas of old fishing lures that were actually Christmas ornaments purchased from Cabela’s.
Another idea that we had was to have friends hold fishing rods for us to walk under as we exited the ceremony, or as we left for our honeymoon, but again…it just didn’t work out for us to do.
I designed our invitations and other stationary, and if anyone is interested in the wording I am happy to share it.
Best of luck to all of you and your upcoming weddings!
Warmest smiles,
Melinda
Thank you all for the great, creative and fresh ideas. All suggestions and ideas are welcomed and appreciated. Since, I’m in the early planning stage for my June 09 –outdoor BBQ wedding/reception, keep the ideas coming.
I would like to learn more on how to make the fish bears. Do you have a picture? My ideas: I am trying to make a fishing arch for the wedding surrounded by Large to medium ferns trees. We are also doing the sand unity ceremony. The flower girls carry small fishing nets to carry flower petals. I am really interested to find out how you did the large aluminum row boat that was used to hold all our wedding gifts. Were you under a tent outside? Also, I would be excited if you would share invitations and other stationary creations, and wording with me.
My theme is “Catch of the Day” ending with a banner either entering or exiting the reception tent displaying: It’s- O- FISH- AL”
If anyone has pictures, or items they are willing to purchases or freebies or shared I’m interested.
Agains, thank you all for you suggestions and ideas. This is a big help since I am do all of the planning. I am determined to make this a creative, interacted, wedding fitting of our combined personalities, hobbies and interests.
Even with all of the doubts or frowns of ‘I don’t think that’s appropriate or that sounds tacky”. I am relying on all of you for support and ideas.
Thank you
Betinna- betinna.fields@att.net
Hey, the wedding in Virginia if anyone lives here. NO RSVP required- Let me know.
Hi Melinda
I would be very interested in the wording you used for your invitations.
Thanks
i would be interested in knowing how you did your invitations as far as decoration as well as wording.
thanks
Melinda,
I would also like to know how you decorated the invitations and wording.
thanks
Stac
wow you sure did have alot of great ideas..
my daughter wants to use the fishing theme also..would love to see how you did your invitations.
any ideas or pics etc. would very much be appreciated!!
the wedding is going to be in our yard..july 3, 2010..so lots of time to prepare..we have lanterns all around our yard that go on by electricty..evening wedding around 6pm..
thanks for anything you want to share!
jeanie
Hi! your wedding sounds like it was great! I would love to know the wording of your invitations also. My sister is getting married and I am helping her with the invitaions. It is a beach theme but the groom is a fisherman so she would like to incorporate that into it!
thanks
Aimee
Hi,
I am having a nautical wedding, so far decorations are going great.
I am marrying a charter boat captain and we love to fish. He has a beautiful daughter and I have three beautiful daughters. I am looking for an amazingly funny yet sweet poem to display at our reception that involves the uniting of two families and fishing! If you can please help!!
I am also searching for great ideas. I am planning a June 09 wedding with a Fishing/catch of the day theme. Let’s share ideas. I am planning an outdoor BBQ style -uniting if two families. 804-647-1636 (Richmond, VA)
* Gone Fishing Cake Topper
* Decorating for a Fishing Themed Wedding ( this offers great advice!)
google image fish wedding invitations for ideas and pics. and also water lily wedding ( they have ringbearer pillows etc, with waterlily atop it, neat!) also google image cattail wedding. these would be great in a fishing wedding! since i am from louisiana i posted some natural items used in a fishing wedding here. another idea (if outside) is an aluminum boat iced down with beverages. it doesn’t look bad i promise!
* Fishing basket place card set ( cute huh?)
also think about what you have on hand, likestanding fishing rods with the corks (which could hold up the pics)secured in a great place, attach pics to the line, just secure line to floor so it will be tight. have special pics of family, friends, or even those “catch of the day!” pics. you could even use that slogan somewhere in your wedding. have a fish grooms cake. wedding colors in brown and green with splashes of blue.or go with great autumn colors google image rustic wedding board. have gone fishing signs here and there. and the fishing baskets for centerpieces filled with flowers or holding the favors by the door. have fun with this one!!
See:
* Wedding at Iron Bridge Farms (check out the cattails well, all the florals its perfect!!)
I am also getting married in June on the 19th. Also doing the fishing theme. I have the big catch cake topper & on the groom’s cake I will have HOOK LINE & SINKER written on it. Our favors are fish cookie cutters with swedish fish wrapped in tulle & fish shaped key chains. The guys boutonnières will have a fish hook in them. The grooms men gifts will be Bass Pro Shop gift cards. We are going to a fishing resort in Minnesota for our honeymoon. We are having a buffet at the reception. Let me know if you come up with any other ideas.
Hi everyone, some great ideas here!
I want to share a few that’ve been sitting around in my files, maybe they’ll do a little more good here than on the hard drive, right? 
Here are the credits for everything in the pic attached. I really kind of like the blue river thing going at the bottom. That table runner especially … it’s blue organza fabric (meant to look like water) topped by polished river stones, votives and little creel basket containers. The clear glass cylinders filled with river stones are a GREAT idea! Some fishing theme brides are also using beta fish in their CPs which can be dramatic & entertaining, but of course it can also be tough to orchestrate that and find them good homes.
Also, I love the idea of fish on wooden stands, these seem to be findable for $12-$16 each and you can saw a thin line in the top and put table or menu cards in there.
Anyhow, credits:
1) Mini creel basket place cards, 2) Alabama Wedding Garden / Nighttime Wedding Magic, 3) Long Cattails Save-the-Date cards, 4) Fly fishing groom’s cake by AZ Cakes, 5) Personalized Multi-Tool / Flashlight, 6) Trout cookie cutter / Fancy Flours, 7) fishing lure boutonnieres ($45) from Jack Spade, 8) Rustic mini twig chairs, 9) Fish on stands, 10) BHG galvanized pail and cattail centerpiece how-to, 11) Fly Fishing table runner from 2modern, 12) River-themed wedding cakes & table display from Sierra Rizing Bakery.
what fishing resort in MN? Please let me know how it is. We are in WI so I might want to check it out
Does anyone know where I can find some nice fishing nets to add to the tables as decoration? I have looked everywhere and everything I find looks cheap. I want something of good quality and strong and sturdy. Help! Thanks.
Elizabeth, try ebay? There is a lot of attractive fishing net there sold as “decorative” but in reality much of it is commercial grade, so pretty tough — you can tell which by reading the descrips.
i am looking for personalized lures for a wedding gift
Eric, totally check out Etsy, they are great for that! Look the attached pic for just a few of that kind of handcrafted thing you can buy there: fishing lure keychains, lure boutonnieres for a totally reasonable price of $7 + shipping,
earrings … yes, personalized lures (right now these seem to range from $8 to $50 each depending on seller and design process) … and of course you can’t miss the “The Wedding Cod” (ha ha, get it?) 
Plus in a shout-out to a local institution for those looking for wedding party gifts, Sutton Spoons are always appreciated, plus the official Sutton Spoons t-shirt is a hot item!
Hi I am looking for miniature fishing rod hanging into a centerpiece of water with gold fishes. Any places or websites that might sell these small fishing rods?
Did you ever find anything for this?
Did you find any of the above mention weding decoration items?
Hi kyang, I did some searching and there are some craft places you can get these. (Might be able to get at local craft stores too). Look for “miniature craft fishing pole” or “dollhouse fishing pole.”
Try Grandma Holly’s House on ebay (”detailed miniature fishing pole”) — see pic 2 in the middle — and then there are a range of wooden craft poles you can get at CR’s Crafts. Lengths seem to vary from 6-14″ and price from $1.50 to $10 depending on detail, etc. HTH!
i bought a miniture fishing rod..perfect size…not too small ..its actually a lighter for the barbque..i just got it at a corner store..was $18 ….so maybe if you google barbque lighters it might show up. good luck!
What did you do for a bouquets- the brides and the bridesmaids?
Does anyone know where we might be able to fing mini fishing rods. Lie about 6″ in length. We would love if they were mde of wood. We have been searching and searching and cant find a thing
Hey Leslie….I don’t know what state you live in, but here in Washington a lot of people seem to have bamboo in their yards. The house next to us does so we are using some of their bamboo to make small old fashioned cane poles to be used on the tables. I am going to take fishing line and a fake hook to hang our table signs on. The signs will have names of different rivers in WA and the guests will locate their tables by what river they are assigned to.
The bamboo we use will not be large or too thick, just heavy enough to hold the signs. You could use smaller bamboo to make cane poles. Just a thought.
Leslie,
Ebay. That is where I found mine. Exactly 6 inches
Nancy,
How are they listed on Ebay. I’ve tried finding them there but am having trouble locating them.
Thanks,
Melinda
I see fishing pocket pens on ebay for about $17 each including shipping — a bit steep as a favor for 100 guests but really cute for the wedding party!
Thanks for the ideas..Wondering????
Do you have any idea on place card holders? and a “catchy” phrase to print for the favors?
Did Melinda or Kristi have their wedding yet?
Hey Debbie…not married yet…May 24TH is our date.
I don’t know if this would work or not, but could you use those large bobbers or even large sinkers that have the slit on the side? We aren’t doing individual place cards so that hasn’t been
something we’ve thought of. Our table signs will have the names of local rivers so our guest will know where they are sitting though.
As far as for the favors…glad you brought that up because I forgot all about that one…How about something like…”Catch of the Day”
Melinda and Mark (I’ll use our names) May 24, 2008… We are using a candy company out of Indiana that specialize in fish candies. We will put them in individual bags and set them on the tables. They even have little bags in the shape of fish available as well as the clear celephane bags. Not sure which ones we will use yet.
I just put together our STD’s which I designed and am thrilled with how those turned out. They will go out next week.
Hope these ideas are some help. Take care and Happy New Year!
I am planning a June 2009 wedding with a Fishing theme. Our favorite past time is fishing so I decided because I am planning our wedding to make it a expression of us. I welcome all helpful ideas.
Hi all, I just wanted to post some really interesting fishing theme groom’s cakes I ran across. Enjoy!
How cute is this? BrooklynBride just posted about Fishing Lure Boutonnieres by Jack Spade. Very cool find!
Thanks BrooklynBride those are very nice. I will show them to my fiance. I spoke with my florist and told her of my idea to add a simple fly to the boutonniere and she really liked that idea as well. I have also decided to have my maids carry lanterns instead of a traditional bouquet since night fishing is done by lantern light. I found lanterns at IKEA for around $4 a piece and we may add some ivy or other decoration to them as well. They can then be placed on the head table as center pieces. We also liked all the underlying meanings to the Maids carrying the lanterns.
Thanks again, and please keep those suggestions coming!!!
I can’t even tell you how awesome it was to find this website!! My fiance and I decided on this theme because it was how he proposed to me; out on a boat in Canada! Unfortunately, I was at a loss as to how to make this look elegant instead of tacky. Now I can’t wait to try these ideas out!! THANK YOU!!
I would love to hear from anyone who has additional ideas that they will be using or would just like to offer.
Now I am even more excited!!! Thanks!!!