These days, traveling is one of the most loved activities among friends, families, and couples. So for weddings, we’re not surprised at all that the recent years have gifted us with weddings and engagements that allude to important travel-related experiences or moments spent abroad. For example, this couple shot their pre-wedding photos at the travel spot in Japan where the groom proposed. Meanwhile, this couple revisited Paris during their pre-wedding shoot since this was where they had their first date.
If you and your partner love traveling and many places abroad hold significant memories, then a travel-themed wedding is right up your alley! You can share all the special experiences from all over the world with the ones you love the most. But how do you condense multitudes of memories from places across the globe into one venue and on one night? Here are some tips on how you can put together a travel-inspired wedding!
Invitations
Since your invitations serve as the first preview of your wedding, you can kickstart the journey for your guests here. You can design invitations that resemble passports, boarding passes, or vintage postcards and reference places you’ve been to together. You can also use maps or globes as background images to set the tone.
[Photo: MargoDesignStore on Etsy]
[Photo: PattyJeanStationery on Etsy]
Venue and Decorations
For your venue, you can make use of a space that will complement your desired wedding day look and feel. If you’re planning a luxurious celebration, a ballroom will be a good choice. If you prefer a relaxed atmosphere, an open garden setting will set the right tone. Then, insert travel-related elements to your final venue setting like vintage suitcases, globes, maps, and compasses. You table centerpieces can include miniature airplanes, maps as table runners, or travel-related items like old cameras.
[Photo: Sophia Tolli]
[Photo: RoyalWoodArt on Etsy]
Seating Arrangements
To take it a step further, you can name your tables after travel destinations you went to as a couple. Play it up as well by using luggage tags as escort cards. If you want to challenge your guests, you can also add some travel trivia quiz questions in the escort cards with the answer being the name of the destination.
[Photo: @brdsofafeather on Instagram]
[Photo: HellaWedding on Etsy]
[Photo: PrettySimpleWeddings on Etsy]
Colors
Incorporate a color palette inspired by maps, such as earthy tones like browns, greens, and blues. You can tailor your colors based on your travel decorations and your venue. What matters is that all these elements combined look cohesive all throughout.
[From: A Stylish Travel-Inspired Wedding at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong / Photos: Hin Production]
Your Attires
You can incorporate travel-themed elements into your attire, such as airplane-shaped cufflinks or a bracelet with an airplane or globe charm. These subtle details will not go unnoticed.
[Photo: ChicSilverStories on Etsy]
[Photo: Bubblebox from Etsy]
Menu
Work with your caterer and prepare a menu inspired by your favorite cuisines from around the world. If this is tricky, then you can just opt for your favorite foreign cuisine. You can also play with the dessert or drinks menus instead, if you can’t do a fully customized meal for the banquet.
[Photo: NoeCreates on Etsy]
Cake
As the centerpiece of your dessert table, a travel-themed cake is a must! Use similar elements to the ones used throughout your venue on your cake.
[Photo: AnneCrafts on Etsy]
[Photo: NikiTinSouvenirs on Etsy]
Favors
Give guests travel-themed favors, such as personalized luggage tags, mini globes, or travel-sized items. You can also give them something from your favorite travel destination.
[Photo: Jason1Boutiques on Etsy]
[Photo: LovelyWanders on Etsy]
Guestbook
With a travel-themed wedding, you can have a unique guestbook, such as a globe for guests to sign or a map where they can mark the places they have traveled.
[From: Feathered Arrow Events / Photo: Marianne Wilson Photography]
Photo Booth
Finally, a photo booth is always a fun activity to include at a wedding! Set up a photo booth with props like pilot hats, travel scarves, or signs with destination names.
[Photo: Lia Griffith]
We hope these ideas help! One more reminder: remember to personalize the theme to reflect your unique travel experiences and preferences as a couple. And on top of everything, have fun with the planning process! We’re sure that sharing your love for travel and travel experiences will create lasting memories for you and your guests.
