Wedding Styles: 10 Ideas You’ll Love Plus Invites to Match
Choosing a wedding style is one of the first and most exciting steps in creating your dream day. Once you have your vision in mind, everything else falls into place — from selecting the perfect decor to finding matching invitations and the ideal venue.
The best part is making your theme reflect your and your partner’s unique story and personalities. Want something dreamy and whimsical? Consider a glamorous fairytale wedding in a castle. Would you prefer a laid-back celebration in nature? Think about a country wedding with farm animals and elements from the great outdoors. Want to keep things classic? A traditional wedding is a great option, or if you’re more contemporary, a modern wedding is your best bet.
Not sure which theme speaks to you? We’ve brought together a few of our favorite wedding styles so you find the right one to tell your love story. We’ll show you how each style can shape your planning process and highlight beautiful invitations to bring your vision to life.
10 Wedding Styles for All Personalities
When it comes to wedding planning, there’s a whole world of exciting decisions on your to-do list. You’ll juggle tasks like picking the perfect wedding date and crafting your guest list, but selecting your wedding style is one of the most delightful parts of the journey.
Discover some of the most popular wedding styles and craft your perfect day with this curated list of options couples love. And because we know how important the little details are, we’ve included matching wedding invitations for each one, making it easier to set the perfect tone for your celebration right away.
1. Vintage Wedding
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Vintage Romance Invitation
If you’re drawn to timeless elegance with a dash of nostalgia, a vintage wedding will speak to your soul. These celebrations can range from vibrant disco-themed events to glamorous art deco affairs that channel the spirit of the Great Gatsby.
To bring your vintage vision to life, choose a specific era that resonates with you, then weave those historical elements throughout your stationery and decor. Consider a dramatic black and gold color palette for a Great Gatsby wedding. Add metallic accents to your decor and set up luxurious lounge seating featuring velvet sofas. Invite your guests to embrace the theme by arriving in their finest flapper attire.
For a vintage Parisian wedding, focus on creating romance with abundant flowers and delicate touches of lace. Choose an elegant silk gown and delight your guests with classic French fare like macarons and hors d’oeuvres.
Want to see how another couple brought their nostalgic dreams to life? Read a real wedding experience from Jasmine and Ben’s vintage-inspired nuptials.
2. Seasonal Wedding
Design: Robinson Creative House
Invitation Inspiration: Wild Wildflowers Invitation
One of the most popular wedding theme ideas is a seasonal celebration, where each time of year offers unique charm and planning considerations. A summer wedding beckons couples who dream of exchanging their vows in a tropical setting — just remember to plan for the heat by securing a wedding venue with plenty of shade.
For those enchanted by icy magic, a winter wedding transforms your celebration into a snow-kissed wonderland. While metallic silver and ice-blue elements shine in this style, so do cold temps. That means you’ll need to plan ahead and secure fire pits or a cozy heated space for the reception.
The gentler seasons of spring and autumn offer the perfect balance of seasonal beauty without extreme weather conditions. A spring wedding means you can go big with flowers, pastels, and greenery. A fall wedding is an ideal way to celebrate, with earth-toned color palettes and accents like pumpkins and gourds.
3. Traditional Wedding
Design: Erika Firm
Invitation Inspiration: Wedding Vows Invitation
A traditional wedding or classic wedding embodies charming elegance with a formal atmosphere and cherished customs. The wedding ceremony often unfolds in a beautiful religious house of worship or a stunning outdoor setting. Here, the couple will exchange their heartfelt vows, put on their rings, and celebrate their first kiss as newlyweds.
The reception follows with all the beloved traditions of a fancy sit-down dinner accompanied by touching speeches and wedding toasts. The couple’s moment cutting their tiered wedding cake together becomes a treasured memory that’s followed by a couple of hours of dancing and joyful celebration before bidding farewell to their guests.
4. Rustic Wedding
Design: Kate Ross Design
Invitation Inspiration: Rustic Carving Invitation
A rustic wedding theme celebrates the beauty of simplicity and nature’s organic charm. Whether you dream of a country celebration, a farmhouse gathering, or a magical forest setting, rustic wedding styles can transform any venue into an enchanting escape for your big day.
Set the scene with natural elements like antler chandeliers, faux fur accents, and warm ambient lighting. Classic rustic decor elements like mason jars filled with wildflowers and twinkling string lights are staples of this wedding style. Create a laid-back vibe with casual seating arranged on hay bales or carved wooden logs, and add playful touches like bridesmaid dresses with cowgirl boots. For memorable moments, invite guests to capture wedding photos with farm animals.
5. Beach Wedding
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Tropical Palm Fronds Invitation
Do you dream of saying “I do” with white sand between your toes and gentle waves as your soundtrack? Say yes to a beach wedding! Ocean hues like turquoise, white, and green are right at home for this style. You can add nautical elements like sailor stripes, driftwood, and braided ropes, or keep it classic with elegant seashell accents.
A beach wedding is an outdoor wedding, so planning thoughtfully for the weather is important. Have backup plans ready in case the ceremony can’t take place outdoors due to rain or wind, and give your guests guidance on choosing beach-appropriate attire for your special day.
6. Bohemian Wedding
Design: Owl and Toad
Invitation Inspiration: Boho Textile Invitation
A boho wedding is a gorgeous affair that can be as casual or glamorous as you desire. This free-spirited wedding style celebrates natural elements, flowing linens, and earthy neutral color palettes. Choose a boho wedding dress made of cotton, satin, or silk, and make it uniquely yours with patterned boots or a vibrant shawl.
Add a whimsical DIY element by arranging flower bouquets with your bridesmaids using wildflowers or blooms and greenery from a wholesale market. Decorate the tablescapes with antique clocks or meaningful trinkets from around the world to capture that bohemian feel. Get inspired by Bianca and Tad’s bohemian wedding, featuring her custom-made dress and cultural accents that made their day truly magical.
7. Destination Wedding
Design: Robinson Creative House (photo courtesy of Julia Kinnunen Photography)
Invitation Inspiration: Forest Nuptials Invitation
If your dream wedding ceremony is an unforgettable adventure on an exotic island, in a cosmopolitan city, or against the backdrop of a National Park, plan a destination wedding. Make it a true celebration by gathering your wedding party in a shared Airbnb, resort, or hotel for an entire weekend of memories.
Keep in mind that destination weddings require extra planning considerations. Send your wedding invitations earlier than usual to give guests plenty of time for travel arrangements. You’ll also need to offer clear advice on accommodations, travel arrangements, and things like visas.
For something special, ask the wedding guests to get a paper version of their boarding passes and save them until the wedding day. When they sign your guestbook, they can tape in their boarding passes. You’ll love looking back on these years from now and seeing how far everyone traveled to join you on the day you tied the knot.
8. Garden Wedding
Design: Ann Gardner Creative
Invitation Inspiration: Vintage Garden Bouquet Invitation
If you dream of exchanging vows in an enchanted setting, a garden wedding is the perfect backdrop. Host a small wedding with only close friends and family in your backyard, or consider the splendor of your local botanical gardens for a grander affair. Many manors, resorts, and hotels also offer stunning manicured gardens for your special day.
Embrace nature’s beauty with lush greenery and fresh blooms in your centerpieces, and create a show-stopping bridal bouquet that captures the garden’s essence. Complete the elegant atmosphere by serving the reception dinner on fine china, treating guests to tea sandwiches and light cocktails between the ceremony and the dinner.
9. Glamorous Wedding
Design: Claudia Owen
Invitation Inspiration: Vineyard Trellis Invitation
Love being extra and want a wedding that’s dripping with elegance? A glam wedding style is your perfect match. This elevated approach embraces luxe accents like metallic silverware and sumptuous fabrics such as velvet and satin. These ceremonies are highly formal and include many of the same elements as a traditional wedding but with a majestic air.
Choose a dramatic wedding venue like a castle, centuries-old church, or romantic vineyard. Set the tone by requesting black tie attire, and choose elegant wedding decor like opulent chandeliers, luxurious flower walls, and lavish centerpieces to leave guests in awe.
For inspiration, Jessica and Stephen planned a glamorous wedding in Chicago and offered advice for planning a glam, romantic wedding.
10. Modern Wedding
Design: Owl and Toad
Invitation Inspiration: Super Modern Invitation
For contemporary couples, a modern wedding offers the perfect canvas to express your style. The approach often embraces minimalist beauty with clean lines and refined color palettes that make a sophisticated statement.
A modern celebration invites you to break tradition and make unexpected choices. Ditch the classic white wedding dress for something more avant-garde — perhaps a sculptural silhouette, a vibrant hue, or even an elegant black gown. Create striking tablescapes with floating candles, crystal-encrusted centerpieces, and dramatic black dinnerware.
Play with textures by adding sleek acrylic seating or architectural elements like a geometric wedding arch. For an extra touch of contemporary fun, set up a photo booth where guests can capture memories with fun and modern props like crystal clusters.
Send Invitations That Match Your Wedding Style
With these wedding styles as inspiration, you’re sure to find the perfect direction for your big day. When you’ve chosen your style, explore our collection of digital invitations to find one that matches your theme. From there, it’s easy to customize the design, upload your guest list, and send your invitations with just a few clicks.
Looking for more wedding inspiration? Continue browsing our Stationers blog, where you’ll discover fresh decor ideas, expert tips on picking a wedding theme, and creative ways to weave your style into everything from your save the dates to your wedding favors.
