If you are using a rented hall for your reception or for an outdoor event a series of fishing/ water ponds is a must.
To carry this theme of fishing place bobbers in the ponds and goldfish. One the main or center focal point ponds use a sitting bears or stuffed dolls to resemble a bride and groom. Place a fishing pole in the Bride or Grooms hands. If you are not able to find such a item at a craft store, not a problem. Take a small twig/stick and make your own. For a humorous touch place the resemblance (bride/Groom) on a small floating raft .
Have the fishing pole with a hook caught on the raft. Make some various fun signs to add around ponds. Some thoughts could be,
“(Brides name)She caught a keeper” . “(Grooms name)_______ caught a keeper.” “This is not a catch and release zone.” “One catch per lifetime” .
These are just a few of the fun lines that could be used. I’m sure with knowing the bride and groom you can come up with many others that fit them. Maybe it’s a phrase that one of them says all the time. Using a favorite phrase adds that personal touch that guests love to be a part of. It creates a sense of closeness for a event such as a wedding.
Find a canoe or old boat. If you can have two of these- the look would be fantastic. Line it with plastic or tarps. Place it on sturdy blocks to support or make two ends that shape what the bottom of the boat looks like for placement of your watercraft. Once you have the boat secure and at about waist height. Add ice and your beverages or bowls with fresh fruit and salads. Don’t forget to add touches of fresh flowers in the ice as well. Fishing bobbers and a couple of well placed rods will complete the look. This will serve as part of your food area or beverage area. Buy some plastic table cloths or skirting to cover the bottom, by circling entire area of boat from end to end. this will conceal the way you propped the boat up.
For the tables you can use bobbers to secure name tag where each guest is to sit. Use either sitting on napkin or attache with fishing line to napkin.
Glass bowls with colored rocks and a fresh floating flower and/or gold fish. Sand in short squatting glass dishes in center of table with votive candles could also be used. If you use this idea, buy washed sand or fine grade white sand for a more elegant look.
If you want to decorate the backs of chairs for your quests, using white rope tied in a bow with white nylon tulle and a fishing lure-remove hooks. This would be a safety issues. You don’t want guests getting hurt or ripping their nice cloths.
Guest favors, consider fishing lures. You could also add wooden or plastic fish decorated as a bride and groom. Seashells with love,hope and all enduring sentiments painted on them. Scatter though out receptions area. Also adding flower petals for the touch of wedding.
If using a tent add some floating life throws/ vests. Usually white with rope attached. You can paint on the Bride and Grooms names. Alternating with flowers attached to add color. Carry this theme by adding romance type words, such as devoted, love, cherish, hope, forever painted on the life throws.
Line walls with fishing nets and have flowers hanging from them. Add wooden or plastic fish decorated as a bride and groom. Bobbers with love, hope, cherish, forever painted on them. Using this idea you can also make use of your computer. Print out the sentiments on clear labels and attach to the bobbers. You could also use fish stringers with wooden fish. Enduring sentiment phrases added to the fish would continue with the wedding and fishing theme.
For the groomsmen wearing ties with fishing lures on them will add a touch of flare. Most tuxedo shops have an assortment of choices for vests and ties. Department or fishing store would also be a good spot to check to complete the mens attire. This could even a better or cost effective place to buy them and then use as gifts for the groomsmen. Small boutonnieres with fishing lures and a ribbon.
Bridesmaid’s bouquets could have white roping wrapped around the stems and hanging with knots. Along with nylon white tulle.
For the bride a cute idea for the garter would be adding a little charm that is a fish or one that has a fishing saying on it. Making one or adding this would be a nice touch.
These are just a few ideas for you. Let me know if you need some other ideas. Maybe for your wedding theme that the ideas are just not coming to you yet. Sometimes just a little nudge helps the creative juices to flow.
