If you’re a proud gamer and all-around nerd and you’ve met a partner who shares your passion for Star Wars, PlayStation, or science, then you may have already popped the question (or been proposed to). If you are starting to think about what your reception will look like, and you think a themed wedding might be up your alley, know that you’re not alone. About 80% of couples choose personalized weddings with a theme that resonates with them, and that makes good sense. A wedding is a romantic and meaningful event, but it’s also the party of a lifetime; one in which you get to celebrate your love in the company of friends and family. Theming your wedding around the geekverse isn’t hard when you’re living in Alabama, as there are numerous venues and suppliers that are keen to help you make your dream reception come true.
Choosing a Venue That Is Accustomed to Themed Weddings
While you’re sifting through your shortlist of themes, check out venues in Alabama that can be easily themed, such as historic mansions, castles, or outdoor spaces. The venues themselves will get your creative juices flowing and help you make a choice or refine a theme you already have in mind. Just a few venues that may inspire you include Huntsville Botanical Garden (which has many unique settings, including Celebration Garden and Meadow at Lake Lonnie), Gabrella Manor in Birmingham (featuring old-world, Tuscan-inspired architecture and ivy-covered walls included), and the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham (featuring the historic theater, a lavish banquet hall, and a loft). Make it a point to visit a few venues so you can identify ideal spots for your decoration, lighting, and seating.
Choosing Your Decor
Once you decide on a theme, be it Star Wars, Pokémon, or Harry Potter, it’s time to dream up your decorations and decide exactly where you will place them. Alabama has many talented artists. To discover them, visit Facebook groups such as Artists of Alabama, in which members share ideas and information about art. Leave a message asking for quotes for any decorative elements or other items (think a themed backdrop, pixel art, or small artworks to give your guests as wedding favors). Relying on local artists is a great way to show your support for your community. You can also create DIY art and decorations for tables. Finally, think about ways to create ambience with lighting. Depending on the gaming or animated/cinematic universe you aim for, you can choose everything from eerie green to fantastical fuchsia lights or use projectors to create immersive environments that other fans of your theme will enjoy.
Upping the Fun Factor
Entertainment is key when it comes to celebrating your theme. There are many ways you can incorporate your favorite game into your event. For instance, you can have a themed karaoke stage where guests can sing their favorite nerdy tunes. Just think of the songs your favorite characters would relate to. You can also have a photo booth with disguises, signs, and props. If you go the Star Wars route, definitely include a few lightsabers for guests to play with! If you have an outdoor wedding in the daytime, the natural lighting will probably be enough, but if you will be celebrating in a hall, add a few touches so that guests can take stunning indoor wedding shots. Supplement the lighting if necessary, and print out a card with essential tips like using a wide aperture, using a flash, and using a long lens to capture candid, unobtrusive shots. Ensure your photo booth has themed backdrops, mono lights for highlighting subjects, LED lights, and softboxes or umbrellas to diffuse light and create even lighting.
Theming Your Food
Food is one of the most important components of themed weddings, and it’s easy to lend an element of fantasy to dishes by giving them theme-inspired names. For instance, if your theme is Harry Potter, you might choose to serve pumpkin pasties or butter beer. If you’ve chosen Star Wars as your theme, you can serve blue milk cocktails, Death Star sliders, or Tatooine tacos. Food can easily be given an otherworldly feel by utilizing natural food coloring and unique shapes. Go all-out with your wedding cake! Fondant can be easily shaped into a myriad of figurines, shapes, and entire worlds, so enlist the help of a cake decorator who is known for their fantastical creations. Alabama is filled with talented dessert makers. To start with, consult popular stories like Sukar Bakes (known for hand-painted floral buttercream cakes), K & J’s Elegant Pastries (specializing in custom cakes for all occasions), Dana’s Cake Creations (based in Birmingham, offering custom cakes for various events), and Sugar House Custom Cakes (in Fairhope, known for its unique custom cakes).
If you’re from Alabama and you’re excited about throwing a geeky wedding, the good news is that you will be spoiled for choice. There are numerous indoor and outdoor settings that make the ideal setting for futuristic or fantastical occasions. Alabama is also home to numerous artists and custom cake makers, so your guests are guaranteed to be as well-fed as they are visually dazzled. Remember that you, too, can create artwork, favors, and food to add a personalized touch to one of the most important days of your life.
Categories: Interesting Stuff
