Two brides exit wedding aisle at colorful and whimsical wedding | PartySlate
photographer: Towards The Moon | planner: Pejy Kash Events | floral: Ivie Joy Floral Arts | venue: Private Residence
The Best of | National | Weddings

12 Whimsical Wedding Ideas for Creative Couples

Two brides exit wedding aisle at colorful and whimsical wedding | PartySlate

Bring creativity and playfulness to your nuptials with a whimsical wedding. A whimsical wedding theme reimagines elegance with energy and innovation. Colorful décor and original designs create a joyful ambiance that puts the couple and their story front and center.

We’ve searched through hundreds of real weddings on PartySlate to find our favorite whimsical wedding ideas. Keep reading to discover playful color palettes, artistic centerpieces, and imaginative design elements. After all, nothing ties a celebration together like a great wedding style. 

1. Pops of Bright Balloons

Balloons aren’t just for kids’ parties anymore. Wedding balloon décor is trending, and it’s easy to see why. Balloons add instant whimsy to a first look — as well as general wedding décor.

Hindu wedding first look with yellow and light pink ballons | PartySlate
photographer: Le Cape Weddings | Mantra – Indian Garden See More
First look with red balloons and bright and unique wedding | PartySlate
photographer: Ricky Stern Photography | Chris Weinberg Events See More
Rainbow balloons at whimsical Chicago wedding | PartySlate
photographer: Elaine Melko Photography | Luft Balloons See More

2. Cotton Candy Hues

Cotton candy, the most ethereal of confectioner’s treats, brightens any scene. We love how this whimsical wedding color palette brings a playful vibe to any celebration.

Wedding mandap with cotton candy-hued flowers against city backdrop | PartySlate
photographer: Alchemedia Studios | Premini Events See More
Whimsical desert wedding tablescape | PartySlate
photographer: Playful Soul Photography | Dee Lee Designs See More
Couple kiss in front of bubble-like whimsical desert wedding arch with colorful pampas grass | PartySlate
photographer: Playful Soul Photography | Dee Lee Designs See More
Whimsical cotton candy-hued flowers | PartySlate
photo courtesy of: Twenty Three Layers (23 Layers) See More
Bridesmaids in cotton candy pink dresses and flower girl in white dress on grassy lawn | PartySlate
photographer: Kelly McCord Photography | Amazae Events See More
White tented wedding with cotton candy pink and blue flower arch over bar station | PartySlate
photographer: We-Do Productions | Pejy Kash Events See More

3. Fluttery Butterfly Décor

Butterflies are the perfect metaphor for any wedding celebration. After all, marriage brings many transformations. Moreover, butterfly décor brings whimsical pops of color to everything from wedding cakes to invitations.

Butterfly whimsical anniversary party invitation | PartySlate
photographer: Jana Williams Photography | Good Gracious! Events See More
Anniversary floral décor with butterflies | PartySlate
photographer: Jana Williams Photography | Good Gracious! Events See More
Whimsical wedding cake with butterflies | PartySlate
photographer: KingenSmith | Paulette Wolf Events See More
Butterfly escort cards with maroon ribbons | PartySlate
photographer: Arrowood Photography See More
Butterfly wedding escort cards on blue vintage dresser | PartySlate
photo courtesy of: Thierry Isambert Culinary and Event Design See More

3. Whimsical Wedding Florals in Unexpected Hues

Even florals can become a blank canvas with the right imagination. These tie-dyed blooms inspire us to rethink floral design. From clouds of baby’s breath (a 2022 wedding trend) to bright and punchy pampas grass, whimsical florals have never been hotter.

Colorful summer wedding with bright and colorful dyed whimsical floral décor | PartySlate
photographer: Mary Costa | Fierce Productions See More
Dyed clouds of baby's breath suspended from trees | PartySlate
photographer: Feather and Twine Photography | Unforgettable Floral See More
Purple baby's breath clouds suspended in clear tent | PartySlate
photographer: Paula O’Hara | Tara Fay Events See More
Couple stand in front of door with tie-dyed florals at whimsical micro wedding | PartySlate
photographer: Hannah Costello | Heartthrob Weddings & Events See More
Whimsical wedding chuppah with tie-dyed flowers | PartySlate
photographer: Towards The Moon | Pejy Kash Events See More
Colorful Wedding at Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles, California
photographer: Rene Zadori Photography | Mary Michelle See More

5. Pastel Tapered Candles

Whimsical and romantic are complementary styles. Cue the candlelit dinners with pastel tapered candles. Complete your whimsical wedding tablescape with the addition of bright blooms.

Whimsical wedding reception table with colorful flowers, lavender tapered candles, and a coral table runner | PartySlate
photographer: Feather and Twine Photography | Unforgettable Floral See More
Wedding table with blue pastel tapered candles | PartySlate
photographer: Mary Costa | Fierce Productions See More
Bright wedding flowers with blue and pink pastel candles | PartySlate
photographer: Emily Kirke Photography | Jubilee Events See More
Whimsical wedding at Central Park Zoo with golden tapered candlelight | PartySlate
photographer: Joshua Zuckerman Photography | Jennifer Zabinski Events See More

6. Tendrils, Fronds, and Amaranthus

It’s true: Some plants are just more fun than others. Capture a whimsical wedding look with curling tendrils, spritely fronds, and playful amaranthus. Trust us, your photographer will thank you.

Whimsical garden wedding with hanging Amaranthus centerpieces | PartySlate
photo courtesy of: Shields Flowers & Events See More
Wedding with colorful flowers, moss, and cake with flowers and asparagus | PartySlate
photographer: Tim Tab Studios | Kehoe Designs See More
Wedding reception table with blue napkins and fiddlehead ferns | PartySlate
photographer: Windows Catering See More
Bride and groom at tented wedding with suspended greenery | PartySlate
photographer: Ryan Williams Photography | Glamour and Woods See More
Pastel blue backdrop with flower beds | PartySlate
photographer: Jen Huang Photography | Standard Event Rentals See More
Whimsical indoor wedding with fireplace backdrop and suspended lavender florals and greenery | PartySlate
photographer: Off Beet Productions | Peonies to Paint Chips See More

7. Winding centerpieces

Often, the winding path brings more adventure. These whimsical winding centerpieces bring a fun twist to traditional wedding reception tables.

Winding umbrella centerpieces wound with greenery and flowers | PartySlate
photographer: Brian Dorsey Studios | Victoria Dubin Events See More
Lavish floral ceiling with winding mushroom floral centerpieces | PartySlate
photographer: Libre Comme l’Art | Alejandra Poupel Events See More
Winding centerpieces with greenery and flowers | PartySlate
photographer: Off Beet Productions | Peonies to Paint Chips See More

8. Whimsical Wedding Elements With Colorful Flair

Florals aren’t the only way to bring a punch of whimsical color to your celebration. Consider everything from colorful tassels to signage to make your celebration pop.

Intimate backyard wedding with rainbow tassel backdrop | PartySlate
photographer: Shalin Photography | Dream Events By Sonya See More
Wedding ceremony against funky and colorful backdrop | PartySlate
photographer: Inije Photography | Lemiga Events See More
Whimsical wedding backdrop in rainbow colors | PartySlate
photographer: Masson Liang Photo | Blue Thistle Productions See More
COLORFUL WEDDING AT THE ALLAN HOUSE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
photographer: Mustard Seed Photography | Blue Sparrow Events See More

9. Fanciful Florals — Where You’d Least Expect

Whimsical weddings always have a playful element. Therefore, it’s no surprise that florists and design teams often find imaginative ways to incorporate floral décor into the celebration. From the ceiling to the treetops, it’s time to rethink wedding flowers.

Bridal party is ombré colors stands in front of tree wrapped in rainbow-hued flowers | PartySlate
photographer: Bamber Photography | Edge Design Group See More
Ice bar filled with gold and pink flowers in foreground. Wall of greenery and gold and pink flowers in background | PartySlate
photographer: Maya Myers Photography | Leslie Mastin Events See More
Man in tux dances with flower girl on pink flower dance floor | PartySlate
photographer: Chris Bailey Photography | Ann Whittington Events See More
Enchanted forest whimsical wedding with pink and purple floral ceiling and dance floor | PartySlate
photographer: HiTech Events | Ziegfeld Ballroom See More
Floral-Filled Wedding at The Bridge Building in Nashville, Tennessee
photographer: Ashton Brooke | The Bridge Building | Infinity Hospitality | Nashville Lighting and Production See More

10. Whimsical Wedding Signage in Watercolor

Show guests to their seats in a playful manner with watercolor seating charts and table numbers. Expect friends and family to take a selfie with such beautiful artwork before sitting down to their meal.

Pink, red, and peach flower centerpiece with watercolor table number | PartySlate
photographer: Joshua Zuckerman Photography | Jennifer Zabinski Events See More
Whimsical watercolor wedding seating chart | PartySlate
photographer: Lindsay Brown | ASE, Amanda Savory Events See More
Whimsical watercolor wedding seating chart | PartySlate
photographer: Emilia Jane Photography | Food For Thought See More

11. Twinkling Whimsical Wedding Lights

Twinkling fairy lights conjure a romantic midsummer’s night. Capture the beauty of starlit skies and luminous fireflies with the help of lighting designers and a talented a/v team. There’s a reason we think wedding lighting should top your to-do list.

Two wedding receptions underneath twinkling light canopy at night | PartySlate
photographer: Scott Clark Photo | 360 AV Design See More
Wedding with treetops suspended with hanging fairy lights | PartySlate
photographer: Mary Costa | Heartthrob Weddings & Events See More
Wedding lighting with star lantern | PartySlate
photographer: Michael Tallman | Jaclyn Watson Events See More
Bride and groom holds hands under garden canopy decorated with thinking lights | PartySlate
photographer: SANSHINE photography | Bruce Russell See More

12. Bright and Colorful Confections

Extend your whimsical wedding theme all the way through to dessert. Bright and colorful sweets take whimsy to new levels. We especially love how caterers reimagine dessert with cocktail nonpareils, sorbet, and more.  

Bridesmaids hold Champagne flutes decorated with sprinkle nonpareils | PartySlate
photographer: La Vie Studios See More
Rainbow sorbet station at wedding | PartySlate
photographer: Christine Doneé Photography | Percy Sales Events See More
Mint green macaroons with gold flakes | PartySlate
photographer: Roots of Life Photography | Toni Patisserie & Cafe See More

People Also Ask…

How do you have a whimsical wedding?

Finding inspiration for your whimsical wedding is just the first step. It takes a village (as long that village is full of talented wedding vendors) to turn dreams into reality. Head to PartySlate’s curated vendor directory to find the best local and national vendors for your celebration. Use the filters to narrow your search by vendor category, location, services, and more. 

Where can I find a venue for my whimsical wedding theme?

PartySlate does the work for you and narrows down the best venue options based on your location and other criteria. Find vetted venues through PartySlate’s venue directory. Make sure to use the filters to narrow your search. If you see a venue you like, click into their profile to find real weddings hosted there.