Cultural Themes

Many couples marrying from different cultures look to incorporate the important elements of the customs from both their lives into their wedding day.

However, you don't have to come from a particular culture to choose it as your wedding theme - some traditions just lend themselves to the happy, relaxed atmosphere of a wedding.

The choice of cultural themes is wide, and a few examples are: Austrian Tyrollean, Caribbean or Polynesian, English country wedding, Barn dance, Mardi Gras and Scottish.

We take a look at one of these themes, and show you that you can just take the general idea of a culture or place as your wedding theme, rather than being strictly accurate in every detail.

Caribbean or Polynesian

Venue

For this theme, try to create a tropical island paradise. Any venue would be suitable, but a sports hall, village or community hall would be best as they do not tend to have carpeted floors. A marquee is also a good option.

Clothing

Provide guests with grass skirts and flower garlands (lei) as they enter the reception, to get everyone into the tropical mood.

Food

Serve cocktails at a 'beach bar', decorated with bamboo and palm leaves. Canapes could be served by people dressed in Caribbean and Polynesian costume.

A good idea for the main meal is a barbecue with a buffet table of salads. A selection of fresh fruits would be a good option for dessert.

Decoration

Create a backdrop by painting a beach scene on sheeting hung from the walls, or hire one from a theatrical company. Bamboo fencing may be used to surround the remainder of the room, and lobster pots, coconuts, pineapples, a hammock and beach umbrellas could be placed strategically. Palm trees can be hired from a garden centre or plant hire specialist. There are also specialist companies that hire props out for themed events such as this.

Use lanterns instead of the electric lights in the room, and consider hiring a starcloth (blackout cloth with tiny twinkling lights) from a marquee company for a really magical effect.

Music and Entertainment

A steel band would provide the perfect entertainment for a Caribbean party, and would certainly set the scene for any limbo-dancing competitions you might want to arrange.

If you wish to continue into the evening with dancing, you might wish to engage a Beach Boys style band, or a disco in order that everyone's tastes are catered for.