10 Popular Alternative Wedding Themes for Those Extraordinary Out-of-the-Box Couples

Celebrate your big day in a non-traditional way with an out-of-the-box wedding. Consider these alternative wedding themes perfect for extraordinary couples.

Your wedding theme—even if it’s a classic one—is a way for you and your partner to express yourselves. If you’re anything but traditional, you may want something more unique to tie your celebration to both your personalities. There are many popular alternative wedding themes to explore and give inspiration to your big day.

Whether you’re looking for something whimsical, romantic, adventurous, or elegant—there is sure to be a theme that fits you. Kick things up a notch and get creative with these alternative wedding themes.

Old Hollywood

Little compares to the glitz and glamour of Old Hollywood. With a theme like this, it’s as if your favorite classic movie stars have returned to grace the silver screen once more. Think Great Gatsby—glitter, feathers, sequins, and beads everywhere. As far as alternative wedding themes go, this one’s a classic!

To really create the Old Hollywood theme, book a venue that looks like it’s straight out of a movie set. Once you add in a live jazz band and some roaring 20s props, you’ll have the perfect Old Hollywood wedding. A champagne tower will be the cherry on top of your décor. You can even rent a sleek, vintage car and roll up to your venue in true Old Hollywood style.

Lights, Camera, Action!

If you and your partner share a love for movies or work in the movie production industry, why not opt for a film-inspired wedding? For instance, you can decorate your venue with props from your favorite movies. Or you can even ask your guests to dress up as famous movie characters.

Consider having your ceremony in a movie theater to kick things up a notch. You can give away personalized popcorn buckets as keepsakes and decorate the space with candy stands. There are countless possibilities with this theme, so you can really get creative. This is one of the most popular alternative wedding themes today.

Winter Wonderland

If you plan to have your wedding in the winter or near the holidays, a Winter Wonderland theme may be the way to go. After all, winter is an incredibly romantic time, and you can celebrate your wedding in the midst of the snow. Imagine saying I do as snowflakes cascade around you—a picture-perfect moment!

Consider providing your guests with a wrap to keep them warm during your snowy ceremony. And a luxurious faux fur option can accentuate any winter wedding look.

Afarose Insider Tip: Make the most of your unique wedding theme by hiring a photographer familiar with your chosen wedding theme.

Mardi Gras

One truly festive alternative wedding theme is the Mardi Gras theme. The point of Mardi Gras is to celebrate. Your wedding is an ideal occasion for a theme like this. To really get into the theme, choose green, gold, and purple decorations and liven things up with shiny beads and feathers.

Mardi Gras is well-known for its colorful and intricate masks. To make the celebration extra fun, hand out masks for your guests to use during the reception. If you want to add a special activity for your guests, you can set up a customizing station where guests can decorate their masks.

Kick off the celebration with a second-line parade. This traditional Louisiana march signifies new beginnings. You and your new spouse will serve as the grand marshals and escort your wedding party and guests—complete with a brass band—to your wedding reception. Provide your guests with umbrellas and handkerchiefs for even more Louisiana flair.

Celestial

You and your partner are a match made in heaven—a celestial wedding theme might just be the perfect way to celebrate that. Whether you want your wedding decorations to resemble a glorious sunrise or the night sky, there is no shortage of celestial themes to choose from. You can even draw inspiration from the Greek gods and goddesses to add more flair to your wedding day.

You can incorporate these elements into your wedding look as well. For example, wear sparkly jewelry that resembles stars and add touches of gold and silver glitter to your makeup. With these motifs, you are sure to have an out-of-this-world wedding that will leave your guests starry-eyed.

Big Top

Encourage your guests to let their inner child out by having a carnival-themed wedding. This is another popular alternative wedding theme because of how fun and whimsical it is for everyone in attendance. Set up rides around your reception and host mini-games where your guests can win a variety of prizes.

Don’t forget the carnival-themed decorations and colors to really get your wedding into the theme. Hiring a few performers to entertain your guests during the cocktail hour and reception will further showcase your big day’s carnival theme and lend the whole event a sense of wonder.

Disney

Speaking of favorite alternative wedding themes, Disney weddings are all the rage. If you and your partner grew up watching Disney movies, this is the wedding theme for you! You can do an overall Disney theme and take inspiration from all your favorite Disney films. However, you can also choose your and your partner's favorite Disney movie and use it as the motif for your entire wedding.

Many brides opt for a Disney princess theme for a fairytale-like experience. Tangled, for example, is a fan favorite because of the glowing lights and gorgeous pink and purple motifs. Other popular Disney themes include Alice in Wonderland and Up—both of which invoke a sense of whimsical nostalgia.

Superheroes

Comic book and superhero fans may enjoy putting together a superhero-themed wedding. For example, use your favorite hero’s color palette to decorate your wedding venue and incorporate popular superhero symbols into your décor. This theme also lends itself well to fun props and lighting elements.

For a truly immersive experience, hire an actor to roam around dressed up as your favorite hero. This is sure to be a hit with your guests and it will look great in pictures. However, if you want to take things to the next level, you and your partner might even consider dressing up in your favorite superhero costume for the ceremony.

Sci-Fi Wedding

Do you and your partner have a favorite show or movie to watch together? If it’s sci-fi related, like Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Doctor Who, consider having a sci-fi wedding!

A sci-fi wedding is a perfect opportunity for you and your spouse-to-be to get creative—especially since sci-fi encourages us to let our imaginations take flight! Fantasy fans would go crazy over a celebration that incorporates elements from their favorite shows and movies into their décor!

For example, if you love the Harry Potter franchise, you can look for a venue that resembles the iconic Hogwarts dining hall. You can also give a nod to the famous treat, by providing guests with a Chocolate Frog as a souvenir! Alternative wedding themes like this one are especially memorable because they focus on something you enjoy doing together.

Modern Cowboy

If you and your partner are from the south or the west—or if you plan to host your wedding in one of these locations—a modern cowboy theme may just be what you are looking for.

This whimsical theme takes elements from classic cowboy movies and gives them a modern twist. You can have your ceremony and reception in a dressed-up barn, or you can opt to have it at a stable for a country western feel.

Southern or cowboy motifs and decor will help you pull off the theme. Play around with earth tones—specifically brown and deep orange—for your desired Western look. Add in a few prop ponies and prop guns for photo-ops, and your guests will feel like they’ve been whisked away into one of those old Western movies.

Staying in the Know Is Easy With Afarose

Alternative wedding themes are becoming more popular as more couples look for out-of-the-box ideas that reflect their unique personalities. There is no limit to what your imagination can pull off, so look for a theme that perfectly suits you and your partner’s relationship. For a wedding celebration that is truly one for the books, trust Afarose to help you.

Afarose is an all-in-one bridal marketplace where you can find trending styles, themes, and motifs for your dream wedding.

Stay on top of the latest wedding trends and find the best tips for your wedding at Afarose! And check out our virtual showroom to find your wedding outfit.

Check out the 2023 New Arrival dress styles from Afarose! The Love at First Sight collection includes flowy romantic, floral designs with unique modern cuts. Select your favorite ones and try them on at home!