Short answer: No. 

Long answer: Themes can put you in a box. At first they seem like a great idea, and it can certainly help in finding a direction. But by going “themed wedding,” you can just end up more stressed out. 

Let me provide you with an example: Imagine that you go with a Harry Potter themed wedding (you betcha those exist among millennials). You start out excited at the prospect, and you are throwing ideas onto your Pinterest board as fast as Hermione can write a term paper. But as you start actually putting the wedding plans into motion, you start to worry that you haven’t done enough to carry the theme and guests are just going to wonder why you are obsessed with striped scarves and griffins. 

So you double down and start churning out Hogwarts themed centerpieces like nobody’s business. You decide to ditch your favorite vendor to go with some rando that make Butter Beer in their basement. And you are always just a little worried that the whole wedding will just come out as cheesy. 

This is the problem with themes: they often stifle creativity because you are trying to make your wedding look like a magazine center spread, rather than letting your originality fly. And you might forego some things you love in the name of fitting in with the theme. 

Instead of going “themed wedding,” I prefer weddings that have a specific inspiration or era, but are not confined to one thing. Emily and Alex pulled off a simple rustic winter wedding that had a cohesive look but with little unique details that were clearly chosen by the couple. 

Kat and Phil very easily could have gone full Halloween theme with their wedding at the Eastern State Penitentiary, but instead went with a broader “spooky vintage” feel that let them play into their venue. But the inspiration was broad enough that they could still be whimsical with their Converse shoes. 

Sarah and Steve let a shared passion inspire their wedding choices: beer! They didn’t go full “beer theme” with monogrammed beer funnels or keg stands during the reception. But they did have a beer garden reception and the wedding took place at a former brewery (shout out to the beautiful MAAS building in Philly!), which was a sweet and subtle nod to their shared interest without it being “in your face.” 

Don’t be afraid to be playful and adventurous when planning your wedding, and never feel confined by a designated theme!