How to plan a Lord of the Rings wedding or elopement
Your wedding day is all about the two of you, and celebrating your unique love story. And if the story of Lord of the Rings is something you both share a love for, modeling your day around the woodland setting, the rolling hills, the lush greens, and gorgeous elvish styles can make for a unique wedding day! This guide will tell you all about how to plan a Lord of the Rings wedding that looks like it came straight out of Middle Earth, without being too over the top.
A Middle Earth Wedding Venue
One of the first things you’ll do for your Lord of the Rings wedding is decide where to tie the knot! This can be one of the more difficult decisions, as your venue will set the mood for the entire day.
The best Middle Earth wedding venues are found in New Zealand – because that’s where the movies were filmed, you’ll find landscapes reminiscent of your favorite movie scenes. There are incredible mountains, serene lakes, and moody landscapes all around, but there’s one place that makes an especially great venue. Hobbiton, nestled in the rolling hills and lush green pastures was designed to be the set of the movies, and today it serves as the ultimate Middle Earth wedding venue. The unique cottages, curated gardens, and incredible scenery makes for a perfect place to tie the knot, whether you have a big party or a tiny elopement.
But, if New Zealand is a little far from home, or you don’t want something as on theme as Hobbiton, there are plenty of other options to find a venue for your Lord of the Rings wedding! Many venues will let you decorate to make the place your own, and you can even find a spot in a park for a small ceremony. Some places that resemble Middle Earth include the Lake District in the UK, the Redwoods in California, the Black Forest in Germany, and the Rocky Mountains in Canada.
Choose Your Lord of the Rings Color Palette
While you can go all out and purchase a bunch of themed decorations, there are more subtle ways to have a Lord of the Rings themed wedding. For example, instead of buying costumes that look like they came straight from the movie, you can choose a color palette to use for your outfits! Earth tones are a great choice, and deep greens, browns, and neutral colors are perfect. You can turn to the movies for inspiration (a great excuse for a movie marathon), and pick some color swatches from your favorite scenes!
Lord of the Rings Wedding Dress
The wedding dress can add so much to your Lord of the Rings themed wedding! Flowy, feminine styles look like they came right out of the fairytale, influenced by the elves and their elegance and their connection with nature. White or cream gowns inspired by Arwen or Galadriel make the perfect bridal attire, and leafy or floral lace detailing is a great added touch.
Don’t forget to accessorize! You can get a custom made tiara, ranging from intricately decorated crowns to simple headbands. For something a little more boho and nature-inspired, ask your hairdresser about getting some floral details woven into your braid, or some leafy vines. A cape or cloak can be a fun accessory as well, and as an added bonus, can help keep you warm throughout the day!
Lord of the Rings Wedding Suit
Earth toned vests and dark pants make for a great semi formal outfit, while maroon or brown suits are perfect for a less shabby, dressed up Hobbit look. A cloak or overcoat can be a fun touch as well! You don’t need to get fully costumed up to have a Lord of the Rings themed wedding (though you definitely can!), and creating your own outfits with inspiration drawn from the movies can be a lot of fun.
Lord of the Rings Wedding Ring
Talk about One Ring to rule them all – your wedding bands are the perfect way to incorporate your Lord of the Rings theme! You can even get your wedding ring designed by the same people who made the original, with custom engravings and replicas of the One Ring, along with some unique elvish designs.
Send Out Lord of the Rings Wedding Invitations
To tell your guests about the wedding, and to give them a little preview of what to expect! You can find Lord of the Rings themed wedding invitations online, or design your own. Some fun ideas include making your invitation look like a map, adding some leafy or floral details, and using green or leaf printed envelopes!
Lord of the Rings Wedding Cake
It’s not just a yummy dessert for the end of the night – your cake is another opportunity to get creative with your theme! Talk to your cake designer and figure out what would be best for your wedding. You could incorporate floral or leafy details, or even model your cake after a stack of books! You can also get cake toppers with some of your favorite quotes.
Ideas for Your Lord of the Rings Wedding
Here are some more ideas for your Lord of the Rings themed wedding day!
Incorporate Lots of Greenery
An elf inspired wedding should include lots of trees, flowers, and moss. You can decorate the space with hanging vines and florals, drop flower petals, and make sure the bouquet and any other floral accents feature big leaves and deep greens!
Think About Lighting
String lights and lanterns add a magical feeling to any wedding, and they can really enhance the Lord of the Rings theme! Candles are another great option, but check with your venue to see if real candles are allowed. If not, the battery operated kind are a great fire safe replacement.
Ready for Your Lord of the Rings Wedding or Elopement?
You’ll need a photographer to capture this unique day – so if you’re ready to start planning your own Lord of the Rings inspired ceremony, contact me! I’m ready to help you find the perfect location, and to dream big with you!
