While endlessly scrolling through social one day (as we all do), I started coming across more and more videos (@lynea.daprix on TikTok) of how to turn movies or tv shows into wedding themes. And every time the video starts with something along the lines of “Spongebob wedding theme” and I think to myself “There is NO WAY she can curate wedding details related to Spongebob that won’t turn out cheesy and tacky”.

I’m here to tell you that I was so wrong. Every time. Because, ya’ll, no matter what the theme was, these details ended up looking ELEGANT and SOPHISTICATED and BEAUTIFUL. I knew I had to do a blog post on how they do this because it’s one of the most fun things I’ve seen in a while.

So, today’s blog is by Taylor Hana, and she’s on the team over at The Wedding Talk; the genius planning company who is responsible for these amazing videos. Taylor is going to walk us through the steps of how to incorporate these fun and nostalgic themes (read: TASTEFUL) into your big day:

Step 1: pick your theme

What is a movie, tv show, character, or even toy that you LOVE or that brings back memories of joy for you and your partner? For example, perhaps you both grew up reading all the Harry Potter books and it is something that you bonded over. Perhaps you LOVE Christmas and want to lean into your favorite Christmas movie Elf. 

Step 2: Write down and brainstorm your favorite parts of the theme

What makes you think of that theme? For example if we are leaning towards an ELF themed wedding we may write down (knowing that you will not use them all but rather lean into a few of them when brainstorming). Here are a few examples:

• Snowball fight

• Spaghetti

• Maple syrup

• Hot Chocolate

• Christmas Carols

• Ice skating

• Toy store and paper garlands

• North pole

• Snow

• Santa

Step 3: Hard theme, Soft theme, or hybrid?

Next up you will want to decide if you are wanting to subtly nod to theme, or pull a few harder theme elements. A few examples below:

A hard theme could include more obvious Buddy the Elf decor and colors, such as these cupcakes with a buddy the elf hat, and a literal candy cane forest.

Photo inspo is from Sweetwood Creative Co.

A softer theme would include these elements in a more subtle way. For example you could lean into the winter wonderland theme (using the blues and silvers, and sneaking the narwhal from the movie). A note when it comes to wedding colors- Start by determining the key colors of the show/movie/ character/ theme. You do not have to use them all but jot them down. From there you can lean softer or harder into the theme (see the example below) using the colors: Yellow, Green, whites, blues and reds.

Although we love both versions (whatever the couple likes the most!), one challenge we see a lot of couples who WANT a soft theme but struggle to bring it to life is being TOO literal with the colors. 

Step 4: venue and Outfits

Take into consideration your theme when selecting your venue and wedding outfits, however it is also important to note not everything has to be strictly “on theme” for it to work. For example, if theres a great community centre available for your date and on budget it is still a GREAT option for your wedding even if it is not directly related to your theme. 

In addition, when trying on gowns or tuxes, feel free to expand beyond what you feel is “on theme” to also try on other styles to find what you are most comfortable in. For most couples, this might be the most expensive thing you ever wear so you need to love it on its own!

For our Elf theme we may select:

Venue: An outdoor park with a view of a quaint outdoor skating rink (for the ceremony ft. heaters and blankets) followed by an old train station for the reception.

Gown: An A-line silhouette with details at the neck line (similar to Jovies dress when working at the toy store):

Step 5: turn your favorite parts into details

Brainstorm various ideas that go along with your favorite parts (knowing you do not have to incorporate it all, sometimes less is more).

Example 1: Buddy the Elf loves to add maple syrup to everything. Consider using mini maple syrups as a favor! (Especially if you’re in an area that has maple trees, win/win).

Example 2: To lean into Buddy’s love of spaghetti, you could opt for a pasta bar, spaghetti as an appetizer OR spaghetti pancakes (pancakes shaped like spaghetti) 

Example 3: Hot chocolate as a welcome drink during the ceremony or even spiked hot chocolate as your signature cocktail that could be called– WORLDS BEST hot chocolate (a nod to the “WORLDS BEST Coffee” sign that sucked Buddy in). Even more direct: have a coffee bar at the end of the night!

Example 4: Buddy LOVES Santa, therefore including Santa’s Naughty or Nice list as a guest book or escort wall, could help highlight that in a more subtle way:

Example 5: Engagement photos, grand exit, or first dance can include SNOW (or at least fake snow; there is biodegradable rice paper confetti that could be a great option). 

It’s important to remember that just because you might have a vision of your wedding being “timeless” doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with a theme that’s meaningful to you both. Subtle nods go a long way and bringing in something quirky will make your big day that much more memorable. So whether you’re Potterheads, anime fans, or Disney lovers, let it shine! No matter how many years pass, the day will always be more special when you put your personal touch on it.

Director of The Wedding Talk, Lynea, has created literally HUNDREDS of videos on social to help with themes and planning advice so be sure to follow her @lynea.daprix on Instagram and TikTok and if you’re looking for planning or wedding photography, check out the website www.theweddingtalk.com.

Happy planning!

Taylor Hanna, Author

10 weddings and DIY-ing her own wedding later, Taylor has first-hand knowledge of executing a lavish event and has a knack for seamlessly bringing your vision to life. Taylor is based in Canada with her husband, dog, and (coming soon!) daughter.

Hello! Samantha here 👋🏻

No, not the illustrator, I’m Samantha Curtis, the owner/lead planner/designer of Sarue Event Design! My event company is based in the US northeast coast and I adore the challenge of visually capturing clients' unique stories through exquisite design. Each event should be tailored to the couple and their guests and that starts with the wedding weekend.

Planning a wedding weekend requires a thoughtful, personal touch and meticulous attention to detail; it's a balancing act where you're coordinating many moving parts. The beauty of it, however, is in its experiential value - the memories, the stories, and the fun that linger even after the celebrations are over.

Immersive wedding weekends create the opportunity for not just a celebration, but a shared experience. Your wedding becomes a mini-vacation filled, love with laughter, and a lot of unforgettable memories. But, where do you start?! To successfully achieve this, here are some key components to consider:

1. location

Choosing the right venue is crucial. It should be large enough to accommodate all guests and activities, but also offer a sense of intimacy. The venue should also align with the couples’ vision for their wedding, whether that's a rustic barn, a chic city museum or a beachfront resort. All the while taking into consideration transportation and nearby hotels/accommodations for the appropriate number of guests.

2. Interactive Activities

Speaking from experience, the first key to an immersive wedding weekend is curating a series of events that feel personal and unique to both of you. Consider elements that reflect your personalities, shared interests, or even the story of your love. Are you both big foodies? Maybe a gourmet cooking class for your guests or a wine tasting adventure could kick things off. Or perhaps you are outdoor enthusiasts, a guided nature hike or a beach day with all of your loved ones is the perfect way to set the tone for the events to come.

3. timeline

Next, the schedule of events is crucial. The weekend should be well-structured but not overly packed. It's essential to balance group activities, such as welcome dinners or group tours, with free time for guests to relax and explore on their own. The wedding ceremony and reception are the highlights, but other events should also create memorable experiences.

4. Personalization

Personalization is another key element. This could include customized welcome bags, personalized itineraries, or unique gifts that reflect the couple's story. The goal is to make each guest feel special and involved in the wedding celebration.

5. Design

Lastly, consider the overall atmosphere and aesthetic. The decor, lighting, and music should all contribute to a cohesive theme. Whether it's modern elegance, beachy relaxation, or vintage glamour, the aesthetic should be consistent throughout the weekend to fully immerse guests in the experience.

Remember, the bottom line is to create an event that paints a beautiful picture of you two as a couple. A wedding is so much more than a ceremony—it's a celebration of your love story, shared with your closest friends and family. So why not make a weekend of it?

If you’re looking for a planner or just want to follow along for gorgeous wedding inspo, be sure to come say hi over on Instagram and TikTok @sarueeventdesign or feel free to reach out and learn more about Sarue’s services at www.sarueeventdesign.com.

Happy planning!

Samantha Curtis, Author

Samantha was first inspired by her grandmother, who was a wedding dress designer and seamstress. Her attention to detail and craftsmanship means each of her couples gets a tailored wedding unique to them.

It’s always great to learn from the pros, but sometimes it’s nice to hear from someone who has just walked the same path that you are currently on. Today we are sharing advice directly from our brides about what they found most surprising when planning their wedding.

“Remember to factor in vendor gratuity when thinking about money and budget”

              -  When getting a quote from your vendor, make sure to add whatever gratuity you choose to before deciding if they are in your budget. Nothing sounds worse than having to pull cash out of your honeymoon fund the week of your wedding to fill gratuity envelopes for all of your vendors. Plan ahead and you will thank you future self! 

“Florals are more expensive than you might expect” 

                - Trader Joe’s has spoiled us with beautiful bouquets of flowers for just $8. Your wedding flowers will take up much more of your budget than most people expect. These flowers will be hand selected and arranged just for you, including all bouquets, corsages, centerpieces, and ceremony backdrops. There are ways to cut costs like renting/buying silk flowers, getting married in a garden that is already covers in flowers, or (the most time consuming) putting together your own flower arrangements. 

“Planning a surprise elopement (where family comes and they just don’t know it’s a wedding) is maybe as stressful as a traditional wedding, just way cheaper”

            - Doing this will insure that you have minimal opinions being thrown at you at all times, but it also means you have to do everything by yourself (or hire a planner to help!). This is something that you will have to decide what is most important to you. If you thrive on surprises this is definitely for you!

“Vendors can easily take a week to get back to you with initial info (before even booking).”

               - Start reaching out to vendors as soon as possible so that you have as much time as possible to break down all of the details. The best vendors book up very far in advance and have a never ending stream of communication happening with their current and future couples, so you have to give them some grace if you hope to be one of the couples they are giving all of their attention to. 

“When COVID happens 3 weeks before your wedding date, don’t try to reschedule.  Just cancel and elope”

               - She said what she said 🤣 (don’t forget to have us sketch the beautiful memory for you after to gift to anyone who couldn’t be there!). Obviously, everyone’s situation is different, but definitely do not knock this option.

“I was really happy to have done premarital counseling!”

                - Some churches require this if you choose to get married there,  but counseling is never a bad idea! Even if you already live with your significant other, choosing to legally bind yourselves together is still a huge change. Having a 3rd (non bias) party can help sort through things you two might never have thought of! Being mentally prepared for this would start your marriage off on the right foot.

“Do whatever the fuck you want for your day.  Don’t invite people for the sake of it.  You can have the humblest and lowest budget wedding, but a good photographer and videographer will make it look like a million dollars”

                 - Before reaching out to any vendors or making any plans, the most important part of wedding planning is to decide what is top priority to you. For many people it’s the photographer, or the entertainment, or the dress. From there you decide what to cut costs on. The easiest way to dial back is by shrinking the guest list! There are so many pieces of your wedding are charged on a per-person basis, so less people = less money spent. We like to think of it as “if I wouldn’t want to take you to dinner on a regular basis, I don’t want to pay for your dinner at my wedding (respectfully)”.

Add your tips in the comments below to help other others that are getting married! 

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn