# Theme Weddings - Fun or Stupid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 5, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151 "2010-10-05T18:08:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/41 "2010-10-06T16:23:58Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > For my niece’s wedding (which was Ren-themed, more or less) Shoulda made it Stimpy-themed for a happier, more joyful marriage. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/42 "2010-10-06T16:50:26Z")
I think it’s kind of sweet and different, but you should be willing to provide clothes for people who don’t have any, just something simple they can pull over their regular clothes. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/43 "2010-10-06T16:59:36Z")
I would feel annoyed about being expected to dress up in a doofy Ren fair outfit. I doubt I would do it. My friends had a baseball themed wedding (they had the ceremony on a Little League baseball field and there were baseball themed party favors), but they didn’t expect us to dress up in uniforms. That kind of theme, I’m cool with - it was cute and fun and very them. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/44 "2010-10-06T17:36:47Z")
There’s a professional photographer I work with occasionally who’s based in Vegas - he said that he stopped doing weddings other than the Star Trek ones on the fake Enterprise bridge, up until those stopped as well, because the brides were much much less dramatic about the whole thing. Then again, as a professional photographer in Vegas, he was probably exposed to the worst of the worst. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/45 "2010-10-06T17:46:47Z")
Don’t go, and afterward tell them you dressed as Ents but you stayed outside the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/46 "2010-10-06T18:16:26Z")
I guess I’m with the mindset that themes are fine since most weddings are typically themed. But I probably wouldn’t ask my guests to dress to that theme. Y’all come casual, and let US put on the show! ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/47 "2010-10-06T19:09:42Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Don’t go, and afterward tell them you dressed as Ents but you stayed outside the whole time. Or that you’re still getting ready…a week after the honeymoon is over. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/48 "2010-10-06T20:02:27Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > What a bunch of party-poopers! > > I agree that guests should be made completely aware that regular dressy clothing is fine and that their comfort and enjoyment is most important. A family celebration is not the place to be asking people to step out of their comfort zones, and it’s absolutely true that demanding costumes at a formal borders on treating people like props. > > But all weddings are themed. The only difference is that the standard wedding is “wedding” themed. No kidding! I don’t see how suggesting folks dress up in Ren Clothes is any different than requesting you dress in black tie. It’s all playing dress up, so it’s a bit odd to accuse one of being juvenile and rude. Good golly, you guys are uptight. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/49 "2010-10-06T20:09:03Z")
I’ve never been invited to a “theme” wedding, but I think it would be a lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/50 "2010-10-06T20:38:30Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > > [@even\_sven](#): > > > > What a bunch of party-poopers! > > Good golly, you guys are uptight. Indeed. The phrase “lighten up Francis” springs to mind. 😃 Oh well, different strokes and all that… but I agree, I can’t see the intrinsic difference between me hauling out my black tie outfit for a “trad” themed wedding and hauling out a pirate outfit for another… other than that the latter wedding is probably going to be more fun. 🙂 It’s interesting to me that some people feel the protagonists of themed weddings are less serious about marriage. In my experience (admittedly from a modest sample size) the folks that have had themed or somewhat unusual\* weddings have been in long term relationships with their partners before the wedding, and thought a lot about what they want. (For me and my wife, we’d been living together for 10 years before we got married, and have now been married for 14). \*(An example of a non-themed but unusual wedding would be one where the bride wore a suit and top hap and came down the aisle to the _Imperial March_ from Star Wars). ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/51 "2010-10-06T20:51:58Z")
I think you all need play therapy. It’s FUN! It’s supposed to be FUN! Have some FUN, guys! And if you dont think it’s fun, and intend to go half-assed or sit around with a sour face all night expressing you disapproval of all this FUN happening around you, then please, please do the bride a favor and just stay home. I think there is something really wonderful about a couple who wants to start off their lives together in fun and merriment. And you are all missing the important point that Hobbit-themed food is likely to be really scrumptious! We’re talking big roast beef and Turkeys, hearth-baked bread and fruit and cheese, and really good teas and coffees. It should be amazing if it’s done right. . . ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/52 "2010-10-06T21:43:54Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I don’t see how suggesting folks dress up in Ren Clothes is any different than requesting you dress in black tie. It’s all playing dress up, so it’s a bit odd to accuse one of being juvenile and rude. > > Good golly, you guys are uptight. _shrug_ Meh. I’m fine being uptight on this point. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/53 "2010-10-06T21:59:34Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I don’t see how suggesting folks dress up in Ren Clothes is any different than requesting you dress in black tie. It’s quite different. I already have the formal clothes. I don’t have the ridiculous costume that I’m expected to hire, at a not inconsiderable cost. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/54 "2010-10-06T22:16:56Z")
If you have a guest list where most people don’t already own a tuxedo or formal gown then I might say a black tie wedding also isn’t necessarily the greatest idea. In fact I might prefer the hobbit wedding if all I have to do is get a cape and an ugly dress. But none of this is any crime against humanity, if you can’t at least smile and look forward to the cake then just stay home. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/55 "2010-10-07T05:43:40Z")
Eh, not everyone has the same idea of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/56 "2010-10-07T05:54:29Z")
If it’s a matter of you not being sure about getting the appropriate clothing for a themed wedding maybe you could call the mother of the bride or something and see what exactly they’re looking for and ok with. If it’s a matter of you not liking the idea of a theme wedding then I suggest you regretfully RSVP that you are unable to attend the wedding. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/57 "2010-10-07T14:34:16Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > If it’s a matter of you not being sure about getting the appropriate clothing for a themed wedding maybe you could call the mother of the bride or something and see what exactly they’re looking for and ok with. The OP states that they have appropriate garb, they just don’t feel like wearing it. I’m fine with themes, as long as the B+G don’t treat their guests like stage props. They can be fun and an outlet for creativity. There is absolutely no reason a wedding has to be some cookie-cutter WASP country club snoozefest just to prove how seriously the B+G take their marriage. It’s a party, why shouldn’t it be a fun party? But then, I got married in an aquarium, so what the hell do I know? ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/58 "2010-10-07T14:38:31Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > The OP states that they have appropriate garb, they just don’t feel like wearing it. > > I’m fine with themes, as long as the B+G don’t treat their guests like stage props. They can be fun and an outlet for creativity. There is absolutely no reason a wedding has to be some cookie-cutter WASP country club snoozefest just to prove how seriously the B+G take their marriage. It’s a party, why shouldn’t it be a fun party? But then, I got married in an aquarium, so what the hell do I know? Your guests may have found breathing to be a bit of a challenge. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/59 "2010-10-07T14:42:50Z")
I do have to say the barefoot part is icky. Although most weddings I’ve been to did end with quite a few barefoot or sock-footed people ont he dance floor. But still. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151/60 "2010-10-07T14:49:52Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > > [@Hello\_Again](#): > > > > But then, I got married in an aquarium, so what the hell do I know? > > Your guests may have found breathing to be a bit of a challenge. 😉 LOL, ok, ok, I got married AT the aquarium! Yeesh, a sister can’t buy a break around this joint. Just for that I demand that you admire [some wedding pictures](http://www.lifemagical.com/index.php?c=2076&p=1). ADMIRE, damn you!!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theme-weddings-fun-or-stupid/556151.md?page=4)