A Carnival Wedding: Creative Ways To Celebrate Your Big Day

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but it can also be a lot of fun, especially if you choose a unique theme like a carnival. From decorations and games to food and music, there are endless possibilities to create a festive and memorable celebration for your big day. Whether you opt for a DIY approach or seek the help of a professional planner, a carnival wedding is sure to be an exciting and whimsical experience for both you and your guests. So get ready to step right up and create a wedding that's full of love, laughter, and a little bit of magic!

Carnival wedding decorations

Planning a carnival-themed wedding is a fun and creative way to celebrate your special day. Here are some decoration ideas to bring the carnival to life and wow your guests.

Start by choosing a vibrant colour scheme. Red and white are a natural choice for a carnival theme, but you can also add pops of colour like teal and yellow. This colour palette can be used throughout, from the invitations to the table settings and decorations. Speaking of tables, add some fun centrepieces by filling popcorn boxes with styrofoam, then add swirly suckers, pinwheels, and moustache and lips cutouts from craft foam. These suckers can also be used to decorate the tables and chairs, along with tulle chair back ties and polka dot ribbons.

Create a festive entrance for your guests by hanging vintage carnival posters. You can make these yourself or use sites like Block Poster to create custom posters of any size. Add some chalk art in frames, and don't forget the carnival signage to point guests in the right direction. Pennant banners in your chosen colour scheme can be used to decorate tables, fences, and booths. For a magical touch, add lots of lighting. Hang hundreds of fairy lights and paper lanterns to create a sparkling atmosphere, especially after dark.

Finally, don't forget the small details, like using a vintage doll case for gift cards and creating a fun dance floor for everyone to show off their moves. With these decorations and your creative touch, your carnival wedding will be an unforgettable celebration.

Carnival-themed centrepieces

Create a fun and colourful display by filling popcorn boxes with styrofoam, then add swirly suckers, pinwheels, and moustaches and lips cut out of craft foam. This will add a playful touch to your tables and tie into the carnival theme.

For a more elegant take on the carnival theme, opt for tall vases or crystal vessels filled with lush, overflowing floral arrangements. You can use a mix of flowers such as dahlias, roses, ranunculus, cosmos, and greenery. Add a "something blue" with carefully placed pieces of delphinium.

If you want to incorporate the traditional carnival colours of red and white, consider using red and white striped decorations, such as tablecloths or vases, and fill them with bright flowers. You can also add pops of colour with yellow and teal accents.

For a unique and whimsical touch, try hanging centrepieces. This can be a display of hanging greenery or paper lanterns that will add a magical feel to your wedding. You can also incorporate string lights to create a romantic and sparkling atmosphere.

Another idea is to use carnival games or booths as centrepieces. Set up small carnival games or create mini versions of carnival booths for guests to interact with. This will encourage mingling and add a playful element to your wedding.

With a bit of creativity and some DIY, you can create stunning carnival-themed centrepieces that will wow your guests and make your wedding a memorable celebration.

Carnival wedding music

Music is an integral part of any wedding, and a carnival wedding is no exception. Here are some ideas and suggestions for creating a fun and memorable carnival atmosphere through music:

Live Bands

A live band can add a lot to the atmosphere of a carnival wedding. They can perform a mix of upbeat and romantic songs to suit the different moments of the celebration. If you're looking for a fun and joyful atmosphere, consider a function band, party band, or even a mariachi band! For a more elegant and romantic vibe, a string quartet, jazz band, or acoustic duo could be perfect.

Pre-recorded Music

If a live band is not your style or doesn't fit your budget, you can always opt for pre-recorded music. This can be a more cost-effective option while still providing a great soundtrack for your carnival wedding. Choose songs that fit the carnival theme, such as upbeat and fun tunes or even some circus-inspired music.

Carnival Classics

To really lean into the carnival theme, consider incorporating some classic carnival music. Think whimsical and playful tunes such as those heard at a funfair or circus. This can include traditional marching band music, calliope music (organ music with a playful, carnival vibe), or even some vintage carnival songs like "The Carousel Waltz" or "Under the Big Top."

Interactive Elements

Encourage guest participation by including interactive musical elements. This could be a sing-along with classic love songs or carnival favourites, or even a flash mob! If you're feeling adventurous, you could organise a lip-sync battle with your new spouse, family, and friends.

Special Dances

Don't forget the traditional wedding dances! Choose a special song for your first dance as a married couple. It could be something romantic and slow or an upbeat tune that reflects your fun-loving nature. You could also plan a father-daughter dance and a mother-son dance, selecting songs that are meaningful to those relationships.

Unique Touches

Add some unique touches to your carnival wedding music by incorporating unexpected instruments or performers. For example, you could have a saxophone player, guitarist, or pianist for a more intimate and unexpected performance. For a grand entrance or exit, consider a brass band or even a group of dancers and ballerinas!

Remember, the music you choose for your carnival wedding should reflect your personalities and the overall vibe you want to create. Don't be afraid to mix and match different styles and genres to create a fun and memorable celebration.

Carnival food ideas and recipes

If you're looking to bring the carnival to your wedding, food is a great place to start. Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started:

Corn Dogs

An iconic carnival dish, corn dogs are crispy, golden, and slightly sweet. You can serve them with ketchup and mustard sauces for dipping. This classic corn dog recipe is easy to make and will transport you to the carnival midway.

Funnel Cakes

Fried dough is another carnival staple. Funnel cakes are crisp and golden brown on the outside, with a soft and cakey interior. Dust them with confectioners' sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a perfect casual dessert. For an extra decadent touch, top them with ice cream and banana split toppings to create a banana split funnel cake.

Barbecued Turkey Legs

These massive bird legs are a street fair favourite. Instead of submerging them in a pot of salted water, you can make them at home with an easy dry brine.

Cotton Candy Treats

Combine the sweetness of cotton candy with the refreshing taste of lemonade to create cotton candy lemonade or slushies. You can also add cotton candy to snow cones for a bright and flavourful treat, such as a Kiwi Snow Cone.

Everything Bagel Soft Pretzels

Take your pretzels up a notch by adding everything bagel seasoning instead of just salt. You can shape them into the standard twist or make dipping sticks.

Kettle Corn

For a savoury option, try making kettle corn. This sweet and salty popcorn can be enhanced with the addition of sesame seeds, adding extra crunch and flavour.

Fried Treats

Carnivals are known for their deep-fried delights. Some options include fried pickles with buttermilk ranch dipping sauce, fried onion strips, and fried candy bars, such as Mars Bars, served with ice cream.

These recipes and ideas will help bring the fun and flavour of the carnival to your wedding, creating a unique and memorable experience for you and your guests.

Carnival games

Bean Bag and Rope Hoops

Wooden carnival games with bright colours are a stylish addition to any wedding reception. Set up a bean bag toss game by painting a piece of plywood and gluing plastic buckets to the board. Guests can then toss bean bags into the buckets. For a rope hoop game, guests can swing a hoop, made from rope, in an attempt to catch it on a peg.

Ring Toss

Create a ring toss game using old soda pop crates and glass Coke bottles. Guests stand behind a line and toss rings, trying to get them around the bottles.

Balloon Darts

This game involves guests throwing darts at balloons, trying to pop as many as possible.

Milk Bottle Toss

For this game, spray paint a cardboard box and place wooden milk bottles inside. Guests then throw bean bags, aiming to knock over the milk bottles.

Squirt Gun Spray Away

Drill holes into a piece of wood, place golf tees in the holes, and balance ping pong balls on the tees. Provide guests with water guns filled with water, and let them squirt the balls off the tees.

Skittles & Connect 4

Skittles and Connect 4 are classic carnival games that are perfect for all ages. They can be set up indoors or outdoors and are a great addition to the drinks reception area.

In addition to these games, you can also include fairground rides, bouncy castles, and a photo booth with fun props to complete the carnival experience for your wedding guests.

Frequently asked questions