Today I got a really interesting question on Yahoo Answers from someone looking for ideas for a camo themed wedding. Not surprisingly - she got some very negative answers about rednecks and tackiness. Does a camo themed wedding have to be tacky? No, if done right, it could be lovely - the problem is most people don’t know how to do it right! SO - if you are interesting in a camo theme - or any theme that uses a print pattern - you should read what I said to thie bride:
First let me say that I HAVE seen it done - and while it can look VERY redneckish if done wrong - I have also seen it done right and it looks very funky and quite beautiful! The key is to go easy on the amount of actual camo you use - use camo as an accent and have the main colors be colors in the camo. The reason using to much camo becomes tacky is because it, like any print - is way to busy to be used on a large scale.
For example, go with a beautiful chocolate brown and cargo green color combo. Have the bridesmaids in chocolate brown gowns with green sashes and carry simple cream colored roses. Also, an ivory or cream gown may be better then a a white gown for yourself as well. For a touch of camo - use hand-tied bouquets tied with a camo ribbon and then use camo ribbon for the guys boutineires as well. I would suggest avoiding the camo vest idea, unless you really like them. A more elegant look would be to have your fiance in a chocolate vest/tie and the groomsmen in the green color - with a touch of camo introduced through the flowers. I think you will find, looking at the pictures after, that is already a lot of print in a group of people.
For decorating - stick to solid colors in browns/greens/creams as much as possible but then add simple small touches of camo. For example: chocolate colored table clothes, green napkins, and cream colored dishes. For the centerpiece, a simple wrought iron lantern or a bouquet of cream colored roses would be pretty. Then, to bring in the theme - tie your favors with a camo print ribbon, create placecards that are cream colored with camo print borders, and add some camo print ribbon inthe centerpiece.
For invitations - here is a neat idea:
- you will need chocolate brown cardstock, cream colored cardstock and some camo print ribbon again. The invitation is made with the chocolate cardstock with the cream cardstock inside and the wording printed on the cream. When assembling, insert small pieces of ribbon between the two sheet at the top and bottom, then when you are done, the ribbon is used to tie the invitation shut.
Anyway - my key point would be to use the colors in the camo as your main colors - and use the actual print minimally as an accent. You will find that, because it is a print, it will stand out among the solids and a little bit put in with matching solids will have a very strong impact. The reason most camo weddings are tacky is because there is just TO MUCH of a good thing:)
Dress Shown Above: Heather by White Lace & Promises
Thank you SO MUCH!!! This really helped me see it in perspective. I love the army camo look and I just thought it would be so much fun to have a wedding it that fashion. The groom loves the idea, but never expected me to go with it…LOL.
Left by Emily on March 3rd, 2007