Dedicated sports fans or sports industry specialists that are planning to get married may want a sports-themed wedding to make theirs a day to remember. If you feel that you would like to represent you and your partner in this way, read on for some fun suggestions. Theme Colours Depending on the type of sport [...]

Dedicated sports fans or sports industry specialists that are planning to get married may want a sports-themed wedding to make theirs a day to remember. If you feel that you would like to represent you and your partner in this way, read on for some fun suggestions.

Theme Colours
Depending on the type of sport you are interested in, your theme colours may differ greatly. You may opt for representing a particular team in your décor, in which case your theme colour will be their iconic shade. Black and white is versatile and can mirror the chequered flag or a traditional football. Blue and red are common team colours.

Invitations
Your wedding invitations are your primary means of communicating the sport theme to your guests effectively. For a more conservative option, use sporty graphics on printed invites (e.g. balls, scoreboards, stadia or cheerleaders). For the more adventurous, attach your invitation to a cricket or tennis ball, the flag of your favourite team, a set of colourful pompoms or a giant foam finger (always an unexpected arrival in the mail box).

Attire
Matching figure skating outfits is a great idea for the bridal couple, as it is both fun and has a touch of glamour (with all that bling). Of course, it is considerably more flattering for the bride than for the matching groom. If you would prefer a traditional gown, use the team colour instead of white, or add coloured features, such as the team badge or formal headgear instead of a veil. The bride’s hair should be in a neat ponytail rather than loose and tousled, as athletes cannot compete when their hair is in the way.

Dress the dashing groom in a manly football uniform that brings out his best features and makes him look like the star quarterback.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids will look the part dressed as cheerleaders and water boys. Alternatively, have them in complementary ‘his and hers’ tennis player outfits.

Décor
Your sports-themed wedding really leaves a lot of room for innovation when it comes to decorating the venue.

Create a sports hall of fame for a glamorous, effective approach. Hang pictures of famous athletes and sports celebrities, and display trophies, banners, balls, flags, and scoreboards around the room and on the tables. Use team flags as table cloths and, instead of assigning tables numbers, name each table after specific players or teams.

In the centre of each table, make an arrangement using cheerleading pompoms, or an assortment of balls (e.g. cricket, rugby, bowling and tennis).

Leave a genuine scorecard at each guest’s place setting and encourage your friends and family to write a personal message on it. You can look at these meaningful messages later and keep them as mementos of your wedding day.

Food and Beverages
Burgers, corn dogs, candy floss and mini donuts in caramel or chocolate sauce are typical foods served at sports matches. Serve such goodies to your guests, presented in the same polystyrene containers or newspaper that they would receive at a real game. Offer juice and water in sports squeeze bottles, which the guests can keep as their official guest gift.

Guest Favours
Guest favours are intended to be a meaningful reminder to the guests of your special day, and a ‘thank you’ gift for their attendance. Carry the sports theme through by giving your friends and family:

• Cheerleading pompoms
• A badge or flag bearing the logo of your favourite team
• One of the items sold at sports matches (inflatable bats, foam hats, foam chair cushions, and so on, for example)

Photo Courtesy of Wedding Wish Lanterns