In case you have not noticed, we love anything that is fun, whimsical and these carnival wedding ideas are as whimsical as it can get. Think outrageous candy bar filled with brightly colored sweets, delicious food, a hand-crafted pinwheel backdrop, and stunning floral selections. You will find all of these carnival ideas and more from A Style Collective along with tips and tricks to throw the ultimate carnival wedding. Be sure to see all the images in the full gallery photographed by Ryan Price. They are truly pin worthy.
Our goal was to strike a whimsical note while offering a nostalgic feeling and still keep the color palette lively and versatile. Red, powder blue, blush pink, and pops of black & white were the perfect match for this set. We played the colors up on the dessert table with our paper designs, a hand-crafted pinwheel backdrop, brightly colored sweets, and stunning floral selections. Our white washed vintage buffet server was brought to life. Traci at Cupcake Cachet created the most adorable, perfectly coordinating cake with ruffles, stripes, fondant, and a custom balloon topper.
Her bubble-gum cupcakes and cotton candy cake push-up pops were also a major focal point on our sweets table. We’re not sure which was sweeter, the look of her goodies with our paper goods and backdrop or the delectable taste of them all. Traci ROCKS. We also used bulk candy, salty popcorn, rock candy sticks, and donut parfait “sundaes” as extra carnival inspired nibbles. The paper goods we designed reflected this whimsical and bright vibe by serving as
unique additions to the displays. Fork picks, cupcake toppers and wrappers, cocktail glass tags, etc. are even more eye candy than the desserts alone.
We styled the simple but striking sweetheart’s table to coordinate perfectly with its pinwheel adornment, custom Mr. & Mrs. sings, pink and vintage lace table linens, LOVE frame backdrop, and a vintage replica Circus Animal Cracker tin for flowers. We’re not sure anything could have worked better for this set’s style than the beautiful red anemones, billy balls, blush peonies, and blue hydrangeas. The bride’s bouquet also had sweet blue and white lollipop accents and a pink and white striped cotton ribbon that left us swooning.
The idea for food and beverages was shown through our vintage wardrobe-bearing cocktail waitresses who toted red trays of indulgences from chicken & waffles to cotton candy martinis. Lori Alexander, with 7 Closets Vintage, was on set to offer her unique vintage wardrobe options and style these cocktail waitresses as well as our groom in his tasteful suspenders and bow-tie. Ventura’s Bridal of Houston provided the bride’s adorable and fun short dress that matched the nostalgic carnival theme so well.
We couldn’t let this shoot end without the addition of oversized balloons and pinwheels. Shooting amongst the Kemah Boardwalk and Carnival was the quintessential playground for these fun props and for Ryan to capture wonderfully with his artistic style of photography. The ferris wheel, carousel, games, sea wall, and energy of the Saturday crowd were the best backdrop we could have asked for. We were thrilled with the results. I think anyone would want to jump right into this scene upon viewing the photo playback. I can almost smell those bubble gum cupcakes! A huge thank you to all of the contributing vendors! You guys rocked this one and truly allowed us to have so much creative freedom and fun. Ryan Price did a remarkable job at telling the story through such beautiful images.
How to create your own Carnival Boardwalk Wedding
1. Color Palette
Select a color palette that is bold and brings in the opportunity for a carnival inspired vibrancy. Colors like a bright red, pink, yellow, or aqua blue are amazing to work with in décor elements from balloons to candy to flowers. If you feel hesitant to go too over-the-top, choose a classic black & white base and add one additional strong color for the punch.
2. Whimsical Décor
You may not want to get too “theme” happy, but even a few tasteful additions to your wedding décor that reflect carnival elements can be just the thing to make it stand out. Perhaps you love the idea of lollipops in your bouquet, a festive candy stand, outdoor game or prize areas, balloons, colorful tents outdoors, or dressed up cocktail waitresses.
3. Inspired Catering
Forget the standard buffet or meat & potatoes dish. Let your catering venue get creative with carnival inspired food selections or passed small bites like chicken and waffles, corn dog poppers, herb tossed French fries, funnel cake, or cotton candy. Perhaps for an interactive cocktail station you could have create your own spiked snow cones or cotton candy martinis.
4. Games & Prizes
This is the fun, self-explanatory part. Get your guests involved in more than just ‘oo-ing’ and ‘ah-ing’ about your wedding dress. Entertain them outdoors with games, juggling acts, balloon artists, etc. Do you have children attending? Have a face painting booth. Your adult guests will definitely feel young at heart the more interactive your lounge or outdoor cocktail hour is.
5. Attire
Inform your guests of the ‘feel’ of your wedding in your wedding invite or website by encouraging more casual, comfortable, or whimsical dress. Sundresses, bow-ties, and suspenders welcome. If you want to represent a certain ‘era’ like the 1950s or 1940s then, by all means, encourage them to partake. The more relaxed your guests are, the more fun they will have – especially on the dance floor. Allow your bridal party to wear knee length dresses and have a fun cocktail dress for yourself to change into.
6. Paper Goods
It’s a well known fact that your save-the-dates, wedding invite, and wedding branded paper goods set the initial tone of your event. Get creative with a graphic designer to portray the mood you envision for your big day. Adding confetti, touches of mini fabric pendant banners, hand-stamped hot air balloon, or carnival font-types can add in a whimsical note. Now your guests first impression is a unique one!
Photographer: Ryan Price
Event Designer & Florals: A Style Collective
Venue: Kemah Boardwalk
Cake: Cupcake Cachet
Dress Designer: Ventura’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire: 7 Closets Vintage
Veil or Hair Accessories & Wardrobe: 7 Closets Vintage
Prop or Furniture Rentals: A Style Collective
Carnival Wedding Ideas: In case you have not noticed, we love anything that is fun, whimsical and these carnival… http://t.co/HfvSIfvG
We’ve got some Monday morning Whimsy for you! @ry_pri @AStyleCollectiv @KemahBoardwalk @7ClosetsVintage @cupcakecachet http://t.co/HuWJZdj1
Carnival Wedding Ideas: In case you have not noticed, we love anything that is fun, whimsical and these carnival… http://t.co/34MaV1j2
Carnival Wedding Ideas: In case you have not noticed, we love anything that is fun, whimsical and these… http://t.co/KcMECySD #wedding
Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/oVHNwJ4J
Charming! RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/FGksQIpz
RT @weddingchicks: We’ve got some Monday morning Whimsy for you! @ry_pri @AStyleCollectiv http://t.co/rVpgkeSi // Thanks so much ladies!
RT @ry_pri: RT @weddingchicks: We’ve got some Monday morning Whimsy for you! @ry_pri @AStyleCollectiv http://t.co/rVpgkeSi // Thanks so much ladies!
Carnival Wedding Ideas: In case you have not noticed, we love anything that is fun, whimsical and these carnival… http://t.co/TBPdlFGM
TY @ry_pri and get out of here with a DONUT SUNDAE! @astylecollectiv, @7closetsvintage, @cupcakecachet, @kemahboardwalk http://t.co/HuWJZdj1
Absolutely LOVE this!!! The mini balloon cake topper is brilliant. Love it. Were those regular balloons just blown up tee-tiny or are they a specialty product I should be on the hunt for?
RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/oVHNwJ4J
Thanks so much for sharing the inspiration… such a fun shoot to be a part of!
My recent #30thbirthday #party gave me a #sweetspot for #Carnival themed #celebrations via @WeddingChicks: http://t.co/tyQ1Mw0q
RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/oVHNwJ4J
RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/oVHNwJ4J
For you @ChuaoChocoholic! RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/wozFEtub
There is something about #carnival food! #Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/kTKEHEnG
This wedding makes me smile RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/f3ubhOdp
Wow. This is a really neat shoot. Love!
How sweet it is! http://t.co/zclfCO4Y
How fun! <3 RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/lqyBL0b6
Colorful Carnival Boardwalk Wedding Ideas by @ry_pri @astylecollectiv @7closetsvintage @cupcakecachet @kemahboardwalk http://t.co/HuWJZdj1
RT @weddingchicks: Colorful Carnival Boardwalk Wedding Ideas by @ry_pri @astylecollectiv // http://t.co/rVpgkeSi
RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/sbdrzaHy
RT @RavellaVegas: RT @weddingchicks: Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/sbdrzaHy
Carnival wedding ideas – so fun! http://t.co/HMlQvjhT via @weddingchicks:
RT @WeddingFairYYC: Carnival wedding ideas – so fun! http://t.co/HMlQvjhT via @weddingchicks:
Carnival #Wedding Ideas. Great colour scheme too! http://t.co/Ee5KXAuZ
Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/RMiWcAYj via @WeddingChicks
I love it! Especially the lollipops in the bouquet!
Carnival Wedding Ideas http://t.co/pxSxJIhZ via @WeddingChicks
Thank you all SO much for your comments and for featuring our fun project! We had a total blast doing this with Ryan Price and he totally knocked it out of the park with his images. Thank you for sharing our takes on how to create your own Carnival Wedding as well. :)
Jessica: Those were the smallest balloons we could find air blown up a little bit. Just enough to not look ‘empty’. :) Super easy!
xo,
Kirbi
These photos are so cute!! The colors are so fun!
Wow!!
WOW!!!!Such an eyecatching and vibrant pink and apple green color!!!I love the sweet anad lovely colored details!!! How did do it? Really a lovely inspiration!!
We loved being part of this inspirational shoot!
This is super fun! Love that bouquet!
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