Most weddings follow a rather traditional and somewhat uniform approach to the overall events and styles of the day. However, one trend that is lesser known is that of a masquerade-themed wedding, where the members of the wedding party wear Victorian-era masks. This theme draws upon the themes of vintage theater, shown through dramatic, flamboyant colors and vibrant metallic accents.
Photo Source: New England Fine Living
The masks, especially particularly extreme designs, make the day seem more like a themed party, rather than a wedding.
Photo Source: Green Wedding Shoes
Photo Source: Polka Dot Bride
Having the wedding party in masks during the ceremony is extremely distracting, diverting attention to the flair rather than the exchange of vows.
Photo Source: Wedding Dresses Advisor
While we realize this trend only applies to a select portion of couples, we are still not completely on board with this. Though it may be fun to don masks for some of the organized photographs and possibly even the dance celebration at the reception, there is something that is lost about the sanctity and importance of the wedding when its participants are hidden behind costume masks.
What are your thoughts about a masquerade themed wedding? Does it lack a level of seriousness needed at weddings or is it a dramatic and refreshingly fun break from the traditional norms? Let us know!!
A wedding IS a party. It’ celebrates the union of two people, who invite their entire entourage of family and friends to celebrate it WITH! It may not be everyone’s style, (just like a white dress isn’t ), but a couple who chooses to incorporate masks into their wedding obviously decided it represented their personalities and was ultimately what THEY wanted. There is an example of a wedding that used masks and an “unmasking ceremony” to signify something important to them as a couple. Check it out: http://offbeatbride.com/2011/09/oregon-steampunk-masquerade-wedding
I’ve had tons of fun at a NON “traditional and overall uniform” wedding. No one left early either! The guests were excited to stay to “see-what happened-next”. Masks rock…so why not rock ‘em?!!
Thanks for the feedback and for sharing the other link with us, Anna! The masks aren’t quite our style, but we’ll keep an open mind…we do love the non-traditional, and we appreciate, as the bride from the link you sent us said, folks who stick to their guns about what makes them happy!
I just recently got engage and my finace, whom I have known for 12+ years suggested a masquerade wedding. While it was not my first choice for a theme, he explained that, to him, metaphorical masks are a big part of his life. He wears them in every aspect of his life, and he wears different ones for different situations. He said that I am the only person that has been able to take off every mask of his and see him for HIM, no masks, no facades.
So for us, the masks are VERY symbolic in our wedding. not only are joining our lives and becoming one, but those “masks” symbolize a part of his life. To anyone who asks, we will tell them the reasoning behind our decision, but currently, it is just me, him, and our wedding party that knows about the symbolism. So does it “lack a level of seriousness”? I think, as with ANYTHING, it depends on the couple who has chosen to incorporate it.
I am planning on having a masquerade themed reception, but not ceremony. For me the ceremony is about personal signifigance, and the masks aren