Incorporating Harry Potter Into Your Wedding Day

Harry Potter fans who want to incorporate the magical fantasy world into their wedding celebrations are in luck. From subtle nods to all-out wizarding extravaganzas, there are endless ways to bring the wizarding world to life on your special day. Whether you're a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw, you can showcase your house pride with themed decor, fashion, food, drinks, and entertainment.

For example, you could send Hogwarts-style invitations, arrive at your ceremony on the Hogwarts Express, and have a wand duel between the bride and groom. You could also offer signature cocktails named after potions, such as Felix Felicis and Polyjuice Potion, and serve up a Honeydukes-themed dessert buffet with treats like chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

The possibilities are endless for a Harry Potter-themed wedding, allowing couples to unleash their creativity and love for the magical series on their big day.

Invitations, decorations and attire

Invitations

Fashion your invitations like a Hogwarts acceptance letter, complete with a wax seal and a personalised Hogwarts crest. You could also make your invitations the eye-catching bright red of a Howler, or turn them into the Marauder's Map. For a fun twist, announce your wedding on the front page of the Daily Prophet!

Decorations

• Hang floating candles from the ceiling, just like in the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
• Drape tables with vintage-looking wizarding newspapers.
• Scatter golden snitches and potion bottles as centrepieces.
• Incorporate the four different house colours—blue and bronze for Ravenclaw, scarlet and gold for Gryffindor, yellow and black for Hufflepuff, and green and silver for Slytherin.
• Place a decorative Mirror of Erised at the entrance to the reception.
• Set up a life-sized game of Wizard's Chess, or try your hand at Quidditch cornhole.
• Create a mystical forest ambiance with twinkling lights and lanterns, reminiscent of the Forbidden Forest.

Attire

For the bride, consider a gown with intricate lace resembling the delicate wings of a magical creature, or add a touch of whimsy with a bouquet made of feathers. Grooms can embrace the wizarding look with a dashing suit, accessorised with a wand and a boutonniere featuring a Hogwarts house crest. Bridesmaids can wear dresses in coordinating house colours, while groomsmen can sport house-themed ties or socks.

Food and drink

When it comes to food and drink, there are many ways to incorporate Harry Potter into your wedding. Here are some ideas to get you started:

The Wedding Cake

A wedding cake is a traditional part of any wedding, and there are several ways to give yours a Harry Potter twist. You could theme each tier of the cake after one of the four Hogwarts houses, with blue and bronze for Ravenclaw, scarlet and gold for Gryffindor, yellow and black for Hufflepuff, and green and silver for Slytherin. Alternatively, you could opt for a cake that resembles a stack of the Harry Potter books, or one that depicts Hogwarts acceptance letters flying through the air. For a more subtle approach, you could simply incorporate the colours of your chosen house into the cake's design and place a golden snitch on top.

Cocktails and Mocktails

Welcome your guests to your wedding with a magical cocktail (or mocktail) inspired by the world of Harry Potter. Serve up some Butterbeer, Polyjuice Potion, or Liquid Luck, or go for a simple house-themed drink, such as "Umbridge's Elixir" (in pink) or "The Triwhiskey Cup" (in honour of the battle in the Goblet of Fire). For a fun presentation, serve the drinks from a vintage trunk filled with magical spells. Don't forget to make signs noting the names of the drinks to complete the Potter look!

The Wedding Breakfast

For the main meal, you could encourage your guests to dress up as their favourite Harry Potter characters or simply use themed props. Decorate the tables with the colours of the four Hogwarts houses, or go for a more subtle celestial theme that incorporates the colours of Ravenclaw. For a truly magical experience, re-create the look and feel of Hogwarts' Great Hall by seating your guests at four long tables, one for each house. You could even have a "muggles" table for any non-believers!

The Sweet Treats

No Harry Potter-themed wedding would be complete without a dessert buffet dedicated to treats from Honeydukes, the legendary wizarding world sweet shop. Offer your guests chocolate frogs, Harry Potter macarons, chocolate-covered pretzel wands, and Bernie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. For a fun activity, provide each guest with a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and have them try their luck – just cross your fingers they don't end up with booger or rotten egg flavours!

Venue

When it comes to choosing a venue for your Harry Potter-themed wedding, there are a few key elements to consider. Firstly, look for locations with grand architecture that resemble Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, such as castles or historic buildings. If you're lucky enough to live near a venue like The Sterling Castle in Shelby, Alabama, which boasts a moat, drawbridge, suits of armour, and a lake, you've struck gold.

The Event Factory in Tampa, Florida, is another great option, as it offers a castle room, an Enchanted Forest room, and a ballroom that can be styled to mimic the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The Courtyard Chapel, with its stone archways and lancet windows, will also add to the magical atmosphere.

For a venue that channels the cliffside cave vibes from the Half-Blood Prince, consider a private estate on the rugged coastline of Bandon, Oregon. Or, if you're a bookworm, The Joseph Horner Memorial Library in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, could be the perfect spot to tie the knot, followed by a reception in the Auditorium with large windows and ample space for dancing.

If you're unable to find a venue that perfectly resembles Hogwarts, don't despair! With a bit of creativity and some decorations, you can transform any space into your own magical school of witchcraft and wizardry. Don't forget to incorporate iconic elements like the Sorting Hat and floating candles to really set the scene.

For a truly unique experience, you could even hire a magician to entertain your guests, set up a Quidditch match, or have a wand duel between the happy couple!

Photography and videography

Venue and Backdrops

When choosing a venue, consider locations with grand architecture, such as castles or historic buildings, that resemble Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The venue's ambiance and architecture will play a significant role in setting the tone for your photos and videos.

For your wedding photos, pose against stunning backdrops that evoke iconic locations from the Harry Potter series, such as the Hogwarts library or the Quidditch pitch. You can also recreate the look and feel of the Great Hall by seating your guests at long tables, with grand arches, wooden details, and candles, for a true Hogwarts experience.

Props and Details

Encourage guests to participate in fun photo activities by providing them with props such as wands, scarves, or other house-themed items. You can also set up a photo booth with a magical backdrop, such as a tapestry reminiscent of the Black family tapestry at 12 Grimmauld Place.

For a creative and memorable touch, incorporate a golden snitch into your wedding portraits. It adds a whimsical element and is a fun way to showcase your wedding manicure or other details.

Cinematic Shots

Hire a photographer and videographer experienced in capturing cinematic shots that evoke the essence of the wizarding world. These professionals will be able to capture the magic and bring your theme to life through their lens.

Guest Involvement

Incorporate interactive elements for your guests, such as a Quidditch match or a wand duel, which will not only entertain your guests but also create memorable photo opportunities.

Photo and Video Inspiration

For further inspiration, you can refer to real-life examples of Harry Potter-themed weddings. For instance, Thyme Lane Photography beautifully captured a Harry Potter-themed wedding shoot, including enchanting details such as golden snitches, potion-like liquids, and a wild floral tablescape.

Additionally, photographers like Geoff White, SO Photography, Erin Johnson Photography, and Need A Wedding Photographer have all captured magical moments at Harry Potter-themed weddings, providing a wealth of visual inspiration for your special day.

Entertainment and activities

First, consider a Sorting Hat ceremony. Guests can don a hat and be sorted into their houses, with place cards assigning them to their tables. You could even provide a wand for each guest, to be used during a wand duel or a magical photo opportunity. For the kids, a life-sized game of Wizard's Chess would be a hit, or you could set up a Quidditch match for guests to play or watch.

For something more relaxed, a board game or a trivia quiz based on the Harry Potter series would keep your guests entertained. You could also provide a photo booth with Harry Potter-themed props, such as round glasses, cloaks, scarves, a stuffed owl, broomsticks, and wands.

If you want to go all out, hire a magician to perform tricks, or even a real owl to deliver your rings!

Frequently asked questions