How to Plan a Wedding That Reflects Your Shared Passions and Interests

When it comes to planning a wedding, a big part of the planning process is deciding on a theme for your big day. By now, you've probably doom-scrolled through a thousand wedding Pinterest boards packed with rustic barns, bohemian beach weddings and even opulent Gatsby-inspired affairs. While all of these are stunning options, here's a thought: what if the perfect wedding theme isn't about a trending aesthetic? It's all about you!

Yep, that's right: you. Your love story, your shared interests, your quirks, and your passions are the ultimate foundation for a dream wedding that's as unique as the love you share. Whether it's your shared love of the outdoors, a movie franchise you're both obsessed with or that little inside joke that's been with you since day one, those are the details that will make your entire wedding unforgettable.

So, forget the pressure to fit into a mould, and keep scrolling for the ultimate guide on how to plan a wedding that reflects your shared passions and interests!

Curating your own personal wedding theme

Sure, it's easier and less time-consuming to take your pick of popular wedding themes for your big day. Still, we promise you that taking some time to curate a wedding theme that speaks to your shared life together will be super rewarding and will make for a great guest experience, too. If you want your friends and family to be talking about your wedding for the next decade, then read on!

Start the planning process with some reflection

What better way to start planning your wedding than to snuggle up with a notepad and spend some time reflecting on your unique story? Begin by chatting through the timeline of your relationship and key moments that define you as a couple. What stands out? What makes you belly laugh when you remember it? Think about the best dates you've been on, your shared hobbies, your favourite holidays, and shared interests like TV, movies and music.

Putting your stamp on your wedding day

Now you've got a clear idea of exactly what your shared passions and interests are; it's time to get creative and find inspiration in them to plan a wedding day your friends and family will never forget!

Deciding on your wedding style

Before you make any big decisions, make sure you're both clear on your wedding vision. If one of you has been dreaming of an extravagant mardi gras theme, but the other has been thinking more along the lines of a vintage theme or a beach wedding, then you've clearly got some compromising to do (vintage mardi gras: yes, please!). Hopefully, at this point, you've got a shared vision, though, and that vision will inform the next step, which is...

Choosing your wedding venue

Your choice of wedding venue can be a great way to incorporate your shared passions into your wedding day. Traditional venues are lovely, but with so much flexibility these days, why not choose a wedding venue that means something to you as a couple? Was your first date in a bar with a great vibe? Host your wedding reception there! Love nature? Plan an outdoor wedding with a rustic theme. Can't get enough of travel? Bring your guests in on the action with a destination wedding!

Planning your dream wedding

Once you're clear on your vision and venue, the real fun begins.! It's time to revisit the story of your relationship and all your favourite shared memories and interests and begin to weave these elements into your wedding day like a magical golden thread of JOY! If you're working with a wedding planner, then they can certainly help you, but here are a few wedding ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

Your wedding menu

Take inspiration from your favourite dates, travel experiences or cultural heritage - perhaps you were swept off your feet in a tapas restaurant, made your way through India in a rickshaw, or come from a culture where food plays a big part. With hors d'oeuvres, a main meal and late-night wedding snacks to serve, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative with your menu. Think outside the box - serve your favourite comfort food as canapes, or bring in the hottest street food truck in town for the evening. Your guests will love this personal, foodie element!

A themed colour palette

Get playful with your colour palette by taking inspiration from your favourite holiday destinations, the season of the year you most enjoy, and the colours of your favourite film. Dive into colour theory and figure out if your favourite colours happen to be complementary (or analogous - hello, pink and red).

Personalised table settings

Your table settings, centrepieces and seating plan are a blank canvas which is basically crying out to be customised! Nod to your favourite movies (did someone say Barbie table decor?), and get creative with your table names - there are so many options to choose from: favourite songs, memorable places or inside jokes.

Your wedding soundtrack

If your relationship had a soundtrack, what would it be? Curate a few playlists to play throughout the day, taking your guests on a musical journey through your love story. Don't forget to include your guests in the fun by asking them to RSVP with a song that reminds them of you - preferably a banger that'll get them up on the dancefloor!

Other ways to personalise your wedding reception

With all the main elements taken care of, you can go wild with the wedding filler. These are the bits of the jigsaw puzzle that tie all the main parts of the day together, like activities and entertainment.

A photobooth with a twist - Ask your wedding photographer if they provide a photobooth service, but throw in some fun themed props that relate to your shared passions. Who doesn't want 100 photos of their family members dressed like their favourite movie characters? Surprise entertainment - If you're a pair of music lovers, then surprise everyone with a next-level wedding band. Or maybe comedy is more your thing? Therefore, why not bring in a stand-up for the reception? Just don't let them upstage the best man, though! A gallery of your lives - Share your life together and make your wedding guests feel part of the story by creating a photobook or gallery of photos that include them.

There really are so many ways to honour your shared life together on your wedding day - the ideas in this guide are just the beginning! Have fun with the process, and happy planning!