Wedding Décor That Is Distinctively Canadian
When it comes to tying the knot, Canadian couples have a lot of decisions to make. When is the big day? Where will it take place? Who’s going to be in the wedding party? Engaged couples can find inspiration for their nuptials in many places, including friends and family, popular films, cultural customs, and more. Why not Canada? Have you considered showing your country some love during the ultimate celebration of love? Here are some wedding décor ideas inspired by the Great White North.
Coloring Your Day With The Canadian Colors
One of the most iconic symbols of Canada is its distinctive red and white flag with a single red maple leaf. What better way to celebrate your homeland than with a red and white color scheme? White is a symbol of purity and newness, and it’s usually the color of choice for a bridal gown, a grand cake, florals, and sometimes a groom’s tuxedo. Red is widely associated with love, passion, and valentines, especially for hearts and roses. Consider the following ways to work red and white into your wedding celebration:
- Attire: Bridesmaids can wear red dresses, while groomsmen go with red neckwear, pocket squares, vests, or cummerbunds.
- Flowers: You and your spouse can be the king, queen, or highnesses of hearts with red and white bouquets and floral displays.
- “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something red”: Put a Canadian spin on a classic wedding tradition by requesting a gift of something red instead of blue.
- Other décor: Play with red and white for your reception, including balloons, table settings, wedding cakes, etc.
Leafing It Up All The Way
Red and white may not be your preferred motif, but you can still be inspired by the Canadian flag. The iconic maple leaf can be the inspiration for your marriage ceremony or reception. Use maple leaves in your bouquets and other floral displays, such as an arch or arbor at the altar. You can also feature a maple leaf in your wedding invitations, programs, and placards. Imagine turning heads with maple leaf–inspired accessories such as cufflinks, pocket squares, and jewelry. Red maple leaves are a fun way to show some national pride on your special day.
Dressing Down To Dress Up
What’s a Canadian marriage ceremony without that classic Canadian sense of humor or irony? One way to acknowledge your country is by having members of the wedding party wear Canadian tuxedoes. The Canadian tuxedo look involves wearing a denim jacket or shirt with matching pants. Supposedly the term originated in the 1950s when American entertainer Bing Crosby was denied entry to a Vancouver hotel for wearing a denim top with bottoms. Jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co fashioned a tuxedo out of denim for Crosby as a publicity stunt. Similarly, wedding apparel made of flannel and plaid can be a fun, tongue-in-cheek nod to Canada.
Topping Things Off In A Canadian Way
If red maple leaves in your cake design are too on the nose, consider topping your cake with figurines dressed up as hockey players from Canada’s biggest teams, such as the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Vancouver Canucks, the Winnipeg Jets, or the Ottawa Senators. If you’re not a hockey fan, consider figurines dressed up as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Also called “Mounties,” the RCMP are easily recognized by their uniform of a red tunic, brown hat, blue breeches, and riding boots.
Planning a wedding is part of the excitement of getting married. As soon-to-be-spouses, you and your partner get to decide what you’d like to see on your big day. While you can pull inspiration from almost anything, you can also show some patriotism by choosing Canada as your source for décor, apparel, and more.