Being involved in the wedding business, as we are, it’s easy for us to think up all kinds of wedding decoration ideas to make the design and decor pop.
But you’re probably reading this article because you’re having some difficulty doing that.
It’s ok, and you’ve got nothing to worry about because we’ve got you covered here.
And as you’ll soon see, the key to coming up with great wedding decoration ideas isn’t to focus on the ideas themselves.
Instead, try focusing on the general themes and overall aesthetics that those ideas can fit into.
In the case of this article, we’ll give you 5 themes from Ohio’s history to brainstorm on.
As you read through, try to keep in mind that the more wild and adventurous the theme is, the more ideas you’ll get from it.
Also, don’t forget that you can apply any of these themes to your bridal shower as well.
*Note: As a bonus, we’ll also include the most characteristic art styles associated with each theme so you can look into them and get even more inspired. 🖼️
1. Little House On The Prairie
We know the famous story and the phenomenal ’70s show by this name was based in Minnesota in the mid-1800s.
But Ohio has just as much of that old-school American Midwest historical vibe as Minnesota.
And you can play on that!
Think of covered wagons, river rafts, railroads, horses, wildflowers, and that exciting pioneer aesthetic that comes to mind whenever you think of the northern Midwest during the 1800s.
Imagine all the families and young, newly married couples who trekked out west from the East Coast to make new lives for themselves in this huge country.
And think about how you’d like your wedding to reflect that same big-open-sky spirit of enthusiasm and fresh beginnings.
Characteristic Art Styles: American Realism, Impressionism, and Romanticism (Hudson River School)
2. Vintage Americana
This one’s in the same vein as the first section, but it’s a bit different.
When we say “Americana,” we’re mainly referring to the aesthetic that the Northern United States was known for during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
For wedding decoration ideas, think of American flags everywhere, gramophones, antiques, black-and-white period photos, and the sorts of decorative items you’d expect to see on the walls at a Cracker Barrel or TGIF restaurant.
Like the theme from the first section, this is a period of Ohio’s history that was known for its optimism and hope, both great things to channel on your wedding day.
Characteristic Art Styles: Art Nouveau and Fauvism
3. Roaring Twenties
Moving forward a bit, the Roaring Twenties were yet another one of the most optimistic periods for America and, therefore, Ohio.
This was a time when America was intoxicated by a sense of raging success and the anticipation of even better days ahead.
America just couldn’t stop winning, and everyone was eagerly looking forward to their next big break.
Of course, there were other layers to the larger story, and we know in retrospect that the stock market ultimately crashed in 1929.
But nobody knew at the time that the stock market would crash, ushering America into the Great Depression.
For them, it was all about jazz, stylish hats, skyscrapers, energetic dance styles, and the excitement of living in one of the most impactful decades of human history in one of the most important countries in the world.
Whether you choose to channel the spirit of the Great Gatsby or that of a backroom Prohibition-era speakeasy, you’ll have fun coming up with wedding decoration ideas based on the Roaring Twenties.
Characteristic Art Style: Art Deco, Expressionism, Surrealism, and the Harlem Renaissance
4. The Golden Age
This next theme takes us to the 1950s, often called the Golden Age of America, for obvious reasons.
You may have noticed that we’re mainly focusing on decades that were specifically known for success, thriving, optimism, and the widespread prevalence of a can-do attitude.
That’s because we think these are good qualities and mindsets to try to embody on your wedding day as you look forward to a whole new life together.
Call us superstitious, but it seems like that’s the sort of thing that would be good luck.
And as its nickname suggests, you’d struggle to find a more prosperous or can-do period of Ohio’s history than the Golden Age of the 1950s.
From Elvis and iconic 1950s diners to all those classic Hollywood movies and TV shows, it’ll be easy to draw inspiration for wedding decoration ideas from this era.
Characteristic Art Style: Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, and Color Field Painting
5. 1980s
This is probably the most immediately familiar section on this list for most of you.
And that means you shouldn’t have any problem picturing the aesthetic and vibe of this era in your head without even doing any extensive research on it.
Conjure up images of retro arcade games, quirky action movies, and some of the best pop and rock music ever made.
From Whitney Houston music videos and the Karate Kid to Jim Henson and “power dressing,” there’s no shortage of ‘80s flair and style to get wedding decoration ideas from.
Conclusion
History is a fantastic source of inspiration and imagination, and Ohio’s got more than enough of it to get your head spinning with inspiration.
When it comes to decorating your wedding, choosing a favorite decade or era can be one of the easiest ways to come up with the overall aesthetic you want and brainstorm how to make your wedding resemble that.
It can also be very helpful to try to envision the outlook and attitudes people had back then so you can try to bring that same energy to your wedding.
Remember that it’s your wedding at the end of the day, so there are no wrong answers as long as it’s meaningful and you’re having a great time. 🥂
