Can I have separate themes for my wedding ceremony and reception?

Question

My colors are turquoise and brown. I am using that for dresses I'm having made and the flower arrangements I making. I'm also making elegant tree branches with lights and ornaments for the ceremony. The reception, however, is themed as a tea party and we are setting each table up with a different tea set theme (japan, vietnam, garden, english, victorian, so on...) The problem is that that reception will have lots of different colors. How should I organize the two themes so that it doesn't look scattered and unorganized?

Answer 1

I think the other answers are giving people too much credit to pick up on these things. At least 50% of the attendees (all the men and probably some of the ladies) will take no notice of either theme. I mean, if you want to have a theme that is great, but I wouldn't worry about people being "thrown off" by two different themes.

Answer 2

From the sounds of what you described it's not really 2 different "themes".  I LOVE your idea of the international tea party thing, that is very original.  You can still have other colours present at your wedding reception, besides your 2 main ones, and still have the colour scheme look cohesive.

Just make sure that the linens (napkins and table runners), any flowers, and the cake and gift tables are all decorated in your turquoise and brown and I think people will see the overall scheme matches both in the ceremony and reception.  If you ensure that the flowers and consistent, and even bring some of the decor items that you use at the church/ceremony site to the reception space, it will definitely feel cohesive.  

I wouldn't worry too much about having EVERYTHING be only the two colours, as long as they are well represented in both spaces, I think people with "get" the theme.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I would have all of the tablecloths for the reception be brown. It is a neutral and would go with all the different set-ups at each table and would act as a unifying element.

You might also consider continuing the tree branch decor element from the wedding for the centerpieces on each table. You could hang themed ornaments, unique to each table, setting on the small branch in the center of that table. Like for Japan, you could have the tiny paper drink umbrellas on the branches or for England, you could have tiny silk roses (natl. flower of England).

Everything else on each table could be different and yet they would visually be tied together by the brown tablecloths and the center branches. It sounds like a charming and unique idea for a reception!! : )

Answer 4

you mentioned a garden themed tea party. could you stick to that and work the colours together.  With the branches and lights etc for the ceremony you could easily merge the 2 into a garden theme.  I do love the idea of an international tea party though. So Original and so interesting.  I am wondering do you have a lot of mixed backgrounds in your family to make you do this or is it just something you thought would be interesting?

Good luck and congrats:D

Answer 5

try to work the brown and turquoise into each table to help blend the two.

The more consistent you can be the better everything will flow and the better it will look in pictures

Answer 6

i personally would go for sticking to one.  You dont want your reception to be completely different from your wedding.  It's gonna throw people off.  Is there a reason you want an International Tea Party?  Just curious because I have never heard of that