It’s no secret that our interests and hobbies contribute much to who we are as people, who we form relationships with, and how we choose to spend time with each other. Is it any surprise, then, that the people we choose to form close friendships with, or even build new families with, tend to be the ones with whom we share our interests? Some people bond over their love for football, their passion for craft beer, or their sense of adventure that leads them to rivers and trails unknown. To others, bonding is as simple as sharing a good book, watching a comfort movie together, or playing a videogame side by side. Whatever your interests are, they are part of your story, and they deserve to be a part of every moment, big and small. There is already plenty of wedding inspiration out there for all the nature lovers, foodies, and travelers, but to all you wonderful nerdy couples out there, this one’s for you! Whether your heart lies on distant stars, in times long ago, or in lands that only exist on a page, let’s look at ways to make your wedding tell your story, just the way it was always meant to be told
Themes and Aesthetics
A great way to start incorporating your nerdy interests into your wedding is to identify the general vibe and aesthetic of your chosen inspiration. Think about the visuals, recurring themes, or even artistic influences that are present. If you’re into Star Wars, a retro-futurism aesthetic may suit you, or even something more broadly celestial. If you have an affinity for the elves of Lord of the Rings, you’re sure to fall in love with anything art nouveau. If you love classic literature like Pride and Prejudice or Little Women, a regency, garden estate, or bookish theme may be the way to go. Identifying the general aesthetic of your interests can help you replicate the vibes you love without your wedding being overtly themed.
Accents and Decor
Hiding your nerdy interests as accent pieces among your decor is one of the easiest ways to incorporate the things you love into your wedding, and it can also double as a fun scavenger hunt for your guests. Thrifted vintage editions of your favorite books can make classy editions to your centerpieces, and your favorite themed jewelry, figurines, and decor pieces can look sweet nestled in among your flower arrangements or carefully curated into your table displays. If you want an even more subtle approach, you can pull from the world your nerdy interest comes from and source custom silk flowers from local or online artists to incorporate into your bouquets or flower arrangements. How cute would a Piranha Plant or Fire Flower look peaking out from among your roses? Or even a full display of the flowers of Hyrule.
Undercover Tunes
If you’re thinking of incorporating your nerdy interests into your wedding, you probably already have your favorite theme song picked out to walk down the aisle to, but you don’t have to stop there! Outside of the usual processional song list, weddings tend to have a lot of down time just begging to be filled with instrumental versions of all your favorite songs. You can cue up the Harry Potter soundtrack for guests to listen to as they wait for your ceremony to begin, or you can serenade your guests with the instrumental version of Avatar: The Last Airbender’s “Secret Tunnel” while they partake in cocktail hour. You can be as overt or covert in your music choices as you want, creating “if you know, you know” moments that are sure to make both you and your guests smile.
Inspired Attire
If your dream wedding includes dressing in a perfect replica of Cinderella’s wedding gown or having your groomsmen in full Stormtrooper armor, then follow your heart’s desire and make your dreams come true! However, if you prefer a more subtle approach, you can still choose attire that fits into your favorite universe without leaving you looking out of place in your own. Take a page out of Disneybound fashion’s book and look for dresses, suits, and other ensembles that are inspired by your desired look instead of trying to perfectly replicate it. Start by identifying what you love about an outfit. Is it the silhouette? The texture? Specific embellishments? Sometimes choosing the right waistline or statement sleeve is all you need to get your desired look. Sometimes it’s as simple as swapping a veil and flower crown for a cape and a circlet. Don’t forget the power of a hairstyle and accessories to really complete the desired look!
Playful Signage
Looking for even more places to pay homage to your favorite nerdy interests? Signage is another great place to make this happen! You can never go wrong with a good “No admittance except on party business” sign or a few cleverly placed signs leading your guests to the ceremony space beginning with “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”. Your seating chart offers another opportunity for some fun theming. You can style it to look like your favorite fantasy map of Middle Earth, Westros, or Skyrim, or you can create a replica of your favorite board game like Monopoly, Ticket to Ride, or Settlers of Catan. The options are limited only by your imagination!
Food and Drink
Your food and drink is another fun place you can sneak in references to all your favorite nerdy things. Whether you simply add cocktails labeled “health potion” and “mana potion” to your bar or go all-in on a themed dinner, the culinary arts leave a lot of room for creativity. You can give a subtle nod to your favorite Pixar tiny chef by adding ratatouille to your appetizer list, honor your favorite frog princess by including beignets on your dessert table, or send your guests with some Lembas cookies for their long journey home.