How Did These Theme Weddings Get Started? Some One please explain this one to me?

I'm used to the bride selecting her dress, the Bride's Maids dresses, the colors, type of reception,flowers, centerpeices, cake, food...etc but this Theme thing is totally new to me...when I was young a wedding was a wedding and themes were reserved for proms and birthday parties. In fact I never even heard of it until I started reading Yahoo!Answers so please, since I'm finding it all very silly and very one-upmanship-ish can some one tell me how all this got started......and why.........so I can stop scratching my head and not wondering what is going on? Snotty answers get automatic thumbs down.....best answer must also be polite (funny is okay) as well as informative for I am asking politely......I am totally 'gobsmacked' by all of this.

How Did These Theme Weddings Get Started? Some One please explain this one to me?
Everyone already knows you hate theme weddings so why regurgitate that info?





If someone wants to have a theme, who are you to judge? You're already married so why does it matter to you what a random stranger does? Many couples choose them as a reflection of their interests or the season they are getting married in. It makes decorating easier for them by tying everything together instead of having random things that don't look like they belong in the same room.





I used to work many weddings when I was younger. Most were balloon themes since it was the mid-late 80s. A friend of mine when I was in grade school (she was several yrs older) had a Christmas theme and no one thought that was strange. My mother and all her friends and relatives of that age had daisy themes since that was in style back then.
Reply:I think it makes the wedding personalized, shows more of a personality from the bride and groom.





Our theme isn't outrageous: fall-themed. But the whole wedding is a nontraditional concept.





Don't think of it as silly, I think that's pretty insulting for people who are trying to express themselves as a couple having fun. Weddings should be fun as well as romantic.
Reply:Themes evolved because couples wanted to incorporate something involving their interests and personalities. Not everyone wants the same cookie cutter wedding. Just because you change the couple in every wedding and have the same details otherwise, that doesn't make it personal enough for some people, and that is fine. They may feel that a theme gives it a unifying look and helps them out with decorating and such. It only costs more if you want it to. Everyone decides how simple or elaborate they want to be, and budget is a big factor in that. From what I have seen both online and in real life, things specially marketed as "wedding" are twice the price and half the quality as the same things in another dept of the store that are not labelled "wedding". Many theme items are not from the wedding section so they are not more expensive, regardless of what one may think who isn't even paying the bill. Also, how do you know the couple didn't stock up during clearance sales if they were on a tight budget but they wanted a particular look?





Why is this such a big deal? If a couple wants a theme wedding, why not respect that they want to do something that fits who they are and what they like and they don't want it to be just like everyone else's wedding? You as a random stranger don't have to like it. For guests who are attending, it is not an inconvenience on their comfort the same as being charged for everything once they walk in the door for example. Even at traditional weddings, there may be details that a guest doesn't personally like but most people move on and try to enjoy themselves instead of dwelling on it.





To each their own.
Reply:Mystery's answer is similar to what our wedding was, a traditional ethnic Ukrainian wedding. It just was what it was - never thought of that as being a 'theme'! We just planned a lovely family wedding!


I really think the idea of the theme wedding must have been born from that deep-seeded gnawing inside a bride (yes, it's usually the bride) to throw the bigger, better, fancier, more unusual, spectacular event. The one that everyone will talk about, and she hopes that it'll be the most unusual wedding people will have gone to. But from what I read here on Answers about these theme weddings, lots just sound like birthday parties gone amuck.


There are regional and cultural differences, and that's fine and lovely. However, the theme of a wedding should be "A Wedding", plain and simple and utterly wonderful.


SO interesting reading others answers!
Reply:I find the whole idea pretty silly. Before I started hanging out on here, I thought "theme" meant pink %26amp; cream, or daisies, or a motif used on stationery. I had no idea it extended to Beach Theme (while wedding is not on a beach), or Disney Theme.


Anyway I think it started because people are always looking for ways to show their individuality. Some people are bored by the thought of a "traditional" wedding and they want to turn it upside down. To each their own.


But if I ever get invited to a Renaissance theme wedding, I wont wear a Renaissance style outfit!
Reply:I don't know where they first began but the majority of Theme Weddings that I perform are for couples who consider a traditional wedding painful. On the inside most of my couples are just screaming "Anything but the church"





Light themes such as beach, fall, winter.... well it is a beach wedding or a fall wedding or a winter wedding so why not match? To me that's nit the same as a full blown masquerade ball, but then again for many to try to visualize their family and friends in Black Tie it may as well be a costume. Many Medieval weddings are thinly veiled Neo-Pagan ceremonies. Goth weddings try to offer (through poetry, and symbolism) a view other than the black lipstick and clothing. Theme Weddings tend to reflect a side of the couple they consider to be important to them. One of the ministers in an officiants group that I belong to does a lot of Civil War reenactment, as does his wife and all their friends so they did their wedding in period. In my personal opinion, the content needs to be more hard hitting and emotionally significant during these weddings or they are brushed off as a fad.





Another thing with the beach weddings, usually the brides dress the attendants in more comfortable clothes that they can actually wear again, the guests can be more comfortable as well. I live on Long Island so many couples spend a good deal of time on the water anyway and it seems to work well here.





We also have a huge wedding industry and they seem cookie cutter in many ways. a Theme wedding gets you away from all that too.
Reply:I'm not sure if by theme you mean all out luau with grass skirts, or just some seashells and some nautical themed napkins for a wedding at the beach. (or both), I'm not to sure why anyone would want to have such a drastic theme such as a luau with grass skirts, and hula dancers, or a pirate theme, or a midevil theme, with people dressing up like that. Seems like a costume party instead of a wedding. But I do think that little things such as appetizer pics and drink stirers with small seashells attached, or tiny starfish scattered on the table, or as fondant decorations on the cake, pull the wedding together, if it's in a special place, such as a beach, or on the water. Or for a wedding in a backyard, lots of flowers and small lanterns and candles, for a garden type theme.
Reply:Theme weddings were started when a Bride decided she wanted something very creative, unique and with a touch of personality. Every wedding has colors but to be truly special to some brides it makes sense to have a theme.
Reply:i didn't have a theme, and am not 100% sure where it all started but I guess it must have been because couples wanted to have their personalities reflected in the style of their weddings, for example, if they are Bikers then they may have wanted leather/biker theme for their big day, because it tells a story about their likes and interests and passions, which is what a wedding is all about really, it is about celebrating their love, and reflecting their lives. It's also something different, I quite like attending weddings that are not all the same as every other wedding that year, it's really nice when a wedding is made totally personal to the couple rather than being what is traditionally expected every time. Weddings are evolving, you cannot expect everyone to want the same thing, and to look the same as every other bride, and to follow the exact same format as it has done for the last 100 years. As long as the legalities are followed then everything else can be tailored to what the bride and groom want.
Reply:I feel it's because people want to break from the boring traditions--add some uniqueness %26amp; personality. I'm personally having a themed Wedding and I've recieved nothing but positive responses to everyone I've talked to about it. It amazes me how many people are opposed to this idea. I think what it comes down to is if you've never been to a themed Wedding(or one nicely done), then how can you fairly speak negatively on it? You can't. A key to having a successful themed Wedding is have subtle touches, that way it DOESN'T look like a kids B-day party. In other words you should leave the crepe paper %26amp; dollar store tiara's at the party supply store.





Hey, it's your day, why not do it your way? To each's own. :)
Reply:I think that themed weddings are strange too, just pick some colors to unify things and thats all! no pirate costumes or stars everywhere for me!
Reply:i like themes-


travel, beach, cherry blossoms, baseball


it's just something fun and people are just learning to become more unique with weddings instead of being so traditional (although, traditional isn't bad neither)
Reply:lol... I had someone email me once and ask why I had a military themed wedding, if the groom and groomsmen were actually in the military, and where I got all the military themed decorations. At first I was confused, and then I wondered if anyone would actually have a military themed wedding if they weren't in the military! In all honesty we didnt really plan on having a "theme" wedding... we just picked out invites we liked (which were "Marine Corps Blue" as we call it, not white), my husband and his groomsmen wore their dress blues because they were formal and perfect (no sense in renting a tux when we owned a $400 uniform), and we were married at the Marine Corps Memorial Club in San Francsico (so we didnt even have to decorate, it was already beautiful).





I think some people just want to over think their wedding, and some how think that if it's not "different" it's not good enough. People seem to forget what a wedding is really about. My husnand and I simply picked what we liked and got married because we love eachother. Why that's not enough for some people, I have no idea.
Reply:I asked my mother (a wedding planner) and this was her answer:





"Hmm, I don't know...they seem to make me more money though!"





LOL. My opinion, I have no official "theme" but if other women want to shell out the dough to have them....so be it.





Happy Monday!
Reply:I don't really understand it, either. I think a theme takes focus off of the wedding. I can understand a theme in a limited sense, i.e. seashells on the invitations and in the centerpieces, but I really don't understand why someone would want an elaborate theme for a wedding. Just gives you something else to have to worry about and spend money on!
Reply:Your question intrigued me so I wanted to read the answers to see what people had to say.





Like you, I never heard of a 'theme' until I started reading YA. I don't get it. There already IS a theme. The theme is 'wedding'.





It reminds me of a fellow I used to work with. The people who sat near him were involved in planning the staff golf tournament. He couldn't believe his ears as they walked around talking about a theme for the tourney. I'll never forget him ranting to me, "What the he77 are they talking about? There IS a theme. The theme is golf." It still cracks me up, hearing his voice in my mind.
Reply:I don't know... They don't seem to be such of a trend here in Australia, but having said that they still do happen. They seem to be mainy held by those who have an extreme interest in somekind of theme or hobby.





I have noticed however on the American websites just how popular they are there!





It's not my taste, I'm certainly running with a color scheme in my wedding, but not a theme.





Too each their own though, if that is their idea of a dream day and they feel like a princess (or prince!) for the day then kudos to them!
Reply:Haha! I'm not sure how it started because if you ask me, the theme should be "wedding" or "marriage"!?!? Anyhow, my sister-in-law had a "fall/autumn" theme and we weren't even allowed to have wedding themed stuff at her bridal shower, it all had to be leaves, etc.....!?!? Our dresses were each a different fall color, and the hall was decorated with hay bales and pumpkins!!!


To be honest, it was kind of neat, but also a little strange especially when someone like you points it out!!!!


I think it must come down to this being the "ME GENERATION." It seems like everyone is trying to be different, trying to create their own style, trying to bend the rules of tradition, trying to individualize what has already been discovered!? A little sad, yet a little interesting. I guess the effects of this type of attitude could be positive and a lot of wonderful ideas may arise in the future due to this type of thinking. However, a little depressing with hopes that traditions and values will not totally be lost due to this reasoning either....Obviously I'm talking about the bigger picture but it just seems to be the way society is now.......!?!?
Reply:I may be wrong but I believe it would have started by people simply wishing to make their wedding stand out from other peoples. They try to make it different, unique and simply want to do something that will make their day special. Everybody has different interests and hobbies in life - if a couple met in a certain place doing a certain thing then I suppose it makes it special for them if they use that as a theme.


Personally, I prefer a more traditional wedding, many of these themed ones are just a tad bit on the ah, perculiar side for my liking. I have to wonder if perhaps they are compensating for something they missed out on as a child or in their teenage years? But each to his own and Im sure they are happy with their choice
Reply:I think someone must have felt a little denied by not having the 5th birthday party of her dreams.





I think that a unifying element (okay theme) that subtly ties the decorations together is appropriate and attractive - unobtrusive yet provides a sense that things make sense rather than being random.





That being said, I agree that the theme thing has been taken way way too far and can be tacky and ridiculous.





I knew things had gone too far when someone posted suggestions for her "hunting" theme wedding.





I do not lie.





%26lt;Add - I have to disagree about the rich people. From the spelling and grammar on the postings, these are not rich people asking for theme suggestions%26gt;
Reply:Honestly, it probably came from rich people. Rich people are always trying to out do themselves. At one point, "themed weddings" were probably only for the rich. Then people started downsizing the idea for everyday people, now it's just run wild.





I think it's OK to theme your wedding to some extent. For example, if you're wedding is a golf course; I can see personalized golf balls as the favors. But, I'd might stop it at that.





I think people are mistaking "small, personalized details" with "themes"





Details will make a wedding stand out from others in a positive way. For example, having sand in your vases w/ a pillar candle at a beach side reception. Doing it over the top would be having guest dress in their beach wear or having centerpieces made out of golf clubs (for golf course wedding)





EDIT: If the above is talking about me. I never said I was rich. I'm simple stating a LOT of trends start in the upper class and work there way down. That's what happens with fashion, etc. People look at what the upper classes have.





Plus, I never said I would have a themed wedding. I may have bad grammer, but I don't take answers out of context. Thank You.
Reply:i dont know, but they are very annoying arnt they?





it just sems to be very trendy right now. more so in the las t id say 3 years
Reply:Call it theme or call it style, either way I had one of "those" weddings. We did fiesta theme because that is my heritage. The theme idea first intrigued me when I realized how much money and stress I would save. Having so many bright festive colors to decorate in I didn't have to stress that something wasn't in the exact shade of purple. When picking out our dresses I of course kept the church in mind and the pastor actually told me after the ceremony that it was about time that people were dressed appropriately for mass. Now, if we would have ridden off in a donkey instead of the limo that would of been tacky.lol