You probably hear it all the time: “Your wedding day can be whatever you want it to be.” While you may initially brush it off, the reality is your wedding day truly can be whatever you want it to be – from minimal to extravagant to a Hobbit-themed wedding. 

As a wedding photographer, I have been to many weddings throughout the years. The ones that really stick out in my memory are the ones where my couples really lean into the things that they love. Not only does it make the day more fun but it also creates unique experiences and memories that make your wedding feel like YOU.

So, whether you want a Hobbit-themed wedding yourself or are just looking for some tips for creating a wedding day that screams you, I’ve got you covered. 

Two women wearing white wedding dresses laughing and holding each other's forearms and behind them is a paved road and trees

A Hobbit-Themed Wedding 

I was so excited when I found out that Marina and Marley were planning a Hobbit-themed wedding. They are some of the coolest people that I have ever met and I was so excited that I got to be a part of this incredible day. 

The pair are huge fans of The Hobbit and have loved the book since they were children, so having a wedding with subtle nods to the book was perfect for them. They even chose their wedding date for Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday! 

What was great about this wedding was that they were not only able to pay homage to one of their favorite books but also bring in the fantastical and magical feelings of travel and storytelling. 

They love traveling together and finding unique bookstores, so their wedding felt like they were going on an adventure. They even got engaged in Ireland, so being able to tie in those feelings and emotions that they love was an easy choice for their wedding. 

The Hollow at Paris Mountain wedding venue only added to the uniqueness and magic of the day. It was the perfect place for them and had plenty of greenery and woodsy areas to give off that forest vibe. 

The beautiful, covered patio tied everything together so well. It not only looked out over the area’s landscape but also gave off an enchanting feeling—almost like you were in a cabin in the forest. 

Two women wearing white wedding dresses with their heads pressed against each other smiling and looking into each other's eyes and they are surrounded by trees in a forest setting
Two women wearing white wedding dresses holding hands and laughing and holding bouquets of flowers
Two women in white wedding dresses walking in a green field of grass

Tips for Planning a Unique Wedding 

Whether a Hobbit-themed wedding is what you want, or you just want to create a day that feels special to you, here are some of my top tips for planning a unique wedding. 

Find a location that matches the vibe you are going for 

Your wedding venue is going to play a big role in the overall vibe of your wedding. Take Marina and Marley’s wedding, for example. If they had booked a venue in a city that was modern, the Hobbit theme just wouldn’t have connected as much. 

So, when you are thinking about your wedding venue, try to think about what space is really going to transport you and your guests to your own little world. Maybe that is a cabin-like venue in the woods. Or it could be something over-the-top and extravagant for something like a Vegas-themed wedding. 

Two women in white wedding dresses in a forest both have swords they are holding in their hands

Subtle Theming 

Marina and Marley’s wedding details were full of whimsy without punching you in the face the Hobbit theme – you can still follow a theme without making it over the top. 

Think about things like your color scheme, florals, details on your outfits, props, or anything else you bring to the wedding, decorations, centerpieces, and even the design of your cake, and how you’d like to subtly integrate your theme into these different significant details. All of these things play together to create an overall feeling for your wedding. 

Marina and Marley brought a sword to their wedding, which we used to create some really unique photos of their rings. Another way they integrated their theme into their overall wedding day was with their flowers which matched their wedding colors. 

Something that was incredibly unique and meaningful with their flowers was that Marina and Marley, along with their wedding parties, picked their flowers fresh at Rabbit Crest Farms the day before the wedding. This was such a memorable moment for everyone who was involved as they got to spend intimate time together and create a special memory that I’m certain they will all look back fondly on for years to come. 

Two swords one is red and the other is black with gold handles with wedding rings laid on top of the red sword
Two women in white wedding dresses in a forest hodling bouquets of flowers
Two white wedding dresses with hangers that are hanging against a patio sliding door

Bring in different activities or things you love to your wedding 

When it comes to what you do on your wedding day, the world is truly your oyster. There are so many unique things and experiences that you can add to your wedding, to make it memorable and bring more of your personality into the day. 

This can include things that you do during your ceremony, like the handfasting ceremony Marina and Marley did as a nod to Celtic tradition, or things that you do with your guests throughout the day. 

If you and your partner are planning a travel-themed wedding you can add maps, globes, or vacation pictures to your wedding. Or let’s say you are planning a vintage-themed wedding perhaps you want to add in antique decor and a classic getaway car. 

This can even extend into the food and drinks you have at your wedding. This could be making specialty cocktails with your favorite drinks or even bringing in your favorite food trucks for dinner instead of a traditional sit-down meal. 

Where there is a will, there’s a way, so let your mind run wild and create a day that no one will ever forget. 

Two women in white wedding dresses holding hands with their wedding officiant behind them thee officiant is perfoming a handfasting tradition and wrapping a cord around both of their hands

Invite your guests to embrace the theme 

Finally, you can invite your guests to embrace the theme and be a part of it. A really easy way to do this is through a “dress code.” You can let your guests know the theme and have them dress up to match it. 

This can be a really fun way to involve everyone at your wedding, and it also makes it so they feel like they are truly part of a special day. 

These things seem really small, but they can make a big difference in the overall vibe of your wedding and the experience of you and your guests. 

Two women in white wedding dresses on a paved road laughing with each other and holding hands
Two women in white wedding dresses at their wedding ceremony perfoming the handfasting tradition while holding a cord between them with their officiant standing behind them

Are You Ready to Plan Your Own Unique Wedding? 

So, whether you want to plan a Hobbit-themed wedding like Marina and Marley, a Gatsby-themed extravaganza, or anything in between, just remember that this is your day, and you can make it whatever you want. 

Now all you need is the perfect photographer to capture all of the incredible moments that happen throughout your wedding. If you are still looking for that person, I’d love to chat! You can click here to learn more about my services or head over here to get in touch. 

And we can’t forget about the amazing team that helped bring Marina and Marley’s wedding to life: 

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