styled shoot

Trends, Traditions, and Themes: How to have a themed wedding (that’s not too cheesy)

Gothic, moody, wedding photo shoot in Miami. Block wedding Dress. and beautiful wedding flowers, Curtiss Mansion Photography by @https://www.angelavallejo.com/

We all see those cool themed weddings shared on Pinterest and think “wow how did they pull that off?” Well here's how. It's easy to take a theme and make it cheesy by adding so many elements it almost looks like a child's birthday party. In this photo shoot we were inspired by The Nightmare before Christmas. We took the theme and added trends and a splash of tradition to make a happy marriage and a stunning wedding concept.

Gothic, moody, wedding photo shoot in Miami. Block wedding Dress. and beautiful wedding flowers, Curtiss Mansion Photography by @https://www.angelavallejo.com/

Be trendy!

If you’re going after a theme, you’ll want it to look cool and current. We definitely had that at the top of our mind when we planned this photoshoot. Using a moody color palette is popular right now, so we decided to use those colors rather than using the bright purple and orange colors that are more closely associated with Halloween. Pampas grass is also very trendy and it signifies Autumn, and it matches the season of the photoshoot. No matter what, you want your guests to feel like they’re walking into a fresh experience that’s whimsical and fun.

Gothic, moody, wedding photo shoot in Miami. Block wedding Dress. and beautiful wedding flowers, Curtiss Mansion Photography by @https://www.angelavallejo.com/

Don’t be afraid of the old

Tradition might seem like it’s sooo yesterday, but it’s also a shortcut to instantly creating moods that are familiar to just about anyone. By using elements like a black lace gown, a black cast iron urn, a black iron gate, a crimson wax seal on the menus, and a low bun as a hairstyle we were able to immediately evoke a Gothic Victorian feel in this photoshoot.  These are all symbols from hundreds of years ago that are still relevant today. These symbols ground the visual experience in something that is familiar and gives it a foundation. 

Gothic, moody, wedding photo shoot in Miami. Block wedding Dress. and beautiful wedding flowers, Curtiss Mansion Photography by @https://www.angelavallejo.com/

But don’t be too obvious

It would have been too easy to just use the characters from Nightmare Before Christmas or use a lot of Halloween decorations and call it a day. So instead of using spiderwebs or fake gravestones, we referenced the feel of the movie by using colors and subtle hints, like the Nightmare Before Christmas cake topper, or using white pumpkins which are more understated than the orange ones. Less is more here – you only need one or two elements from the actual theme to drive the point home. 

Gothic, moody, wedding photo shoot in Miami. Block wedding Dress. and beautiful wedding flowers, Curtiss Mansion Photography by @https://www.angelavallejo.com/

So if you’re going after a theme, don’t be spooked. There’s a classy and elegant way to showcase your passion. Just remember that when it comes to a themed event, less is actually more – just let your guests take the subtle journey into your theme with you, giving them an experience they’ll long remember.