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Fishing theme reception in a modern, classy venue.

dajanjeffdajanjeff member
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in Wedding Reception Forum
I booked a September 2014 reception at The Sheraton Mpls. We will be having our ceremony on a boat on Lake Minnetonka. My fiancé is a die hard fisherman and I his fishing companion; that being said I would like the theme of our wedding/reception to be fishing! The reception ballroom is quite modern and I am not sure how to tie the fishing theme and rustic look I want into this space. I have all these ideas via pinterest (which are all in rustic settings)......of course, and cute sayings; but any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Looking for centerpiece ideas and decorating in general. I am thinking fall colors but just not sure how to incorporate fishing, rustic and burlap into modern! HELP! Confused and needing creativity!
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Re: Fishing theme reception in a modern, classy venue.

  • GlassButtonGlassButton member
    5 Love Its First Comment Name Dropper
    That's a tricky one. Maybe you could just get elements rather than have a theme.

    For example your centerpiece can be rustic, your bouquet can have a bit of burlap wrapped around it, and your favors can be fishing related. You could try to tie things together any not using too many colors, just white, brown and blue.
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  • dajanjeffdajanjeff member
    First Comment
    Thanks! It is tough but hoping Pinterest can get me to where I'd like to be :-)
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  • doeydodoeydo member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    You could use a fishing themed: cake topper, favors (lures, chocolate/candy in the shape of a fish), invites/wedding stationary, grooms gift (http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/160227359/lake-fishing-outdoor-wedding-fishing?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_source=Pinterest), guest book (http://www.etsy.com/listing/79120919/custom-guest-book-fish-from-the-vintage?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_source=Pinterest), fish centerpieces (though I am personally not a fan because I feel bad for the fish), fish shaped vases for the centerpieces, fish netting as table runners, the ring bearer could bring the rings in on a fishing line or in a tackle box,  a fish basket (what are they called?) for the guests to put their cards for you in, boutonnieres, drinks stored in a canoe,  place card holders, and of course have a fish option for dinner.
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  • artbyallieartbyallie mod
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    For the love of God, no fish centerpieces. We haven't had one of those threads in a while, but I'm sure you can dredge up one of the 10+pagers and read it in lieu of hashing it all out again.
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  • dajanjeffdajanjeff member
    First Comment
    edited August 2013
    There will be no live/ dead fish near my reception.
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  • MobKazMobKaz member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    As is always suggested when a bride asks questions regarding a theme, subtley is your friend.  Less is always more.  When someone enters your reception, they should "see" you and the groom, not a screaming theme.  

    Centerpieces could be beautiful terrariums, lanterns, or simple rock, moss and cattail arrangements.  Artbyallie is correct; nothing live should ever be used as decor.  If you are having a hard time incorporating everything you want into your theme or look, chances are it is because you have too much going on.  
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  • MairePoppyMairePoppy mod
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    Don't try to disguise the whole space. A few light touches will be nice, though.

    I just looked up  fishing lure boutonnieres, figuring it was a long shot, but sure enough there are several places selling them on, such as Etsy, but they look easy enough to make yourself. In fact, just type in fishing over there, and there are plenty of ideas - a vintage trout creel (basket) could be used as your card box, hand blown glass floats for centerpieces. Swedish fish or gummy fish for favors, a fishing themed groom's cake. 

    Thank you for not using live fish for centerpieces.
                       
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  • STARMOON44STARMOON44 member
    First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    Does it have to be rustic? Fish themselves are pretty darn glamorous- sleek, shiny, elegant creatures. I'm picturing blue and green linens in muted colors, a fabulous raw bar in the cocktail hour, for sure a fish entree choice, using an old lobster pot as a card box, really striking centerpieces using lilies and cat tails, maybe fly fishing lures tied to the escort cards or as wine glass charms on passed trays of champagne, designing a fish motif and using it on all your paper, from save the dates to cocktail napkins.
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  • Xstatic3333Xstatic3333 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer First Comment
    STARMOON44 said:

    Does it have to be rustic? Fish themselves are pretty darn glamorous- sleek, shiny, elegant creatures. I'm picturing blue and green linens in muted colors, a fabulous raw bar in the cocktail hour, for sure a fish entree choice, using an old lobster pot as a card box, really striking centerpieces using lilies and cat tails, maybe fly fishing lures tied to the escort cards or as wine glass charms on passed trays of champagne, designing a fish motif and using it on all your paper, from save the dates to cocktail napkins.

    This, exactly. I'm thinking the decor of swanky seafood restaurants. There are both old world, fishing heritage type looks (big here in New England) and sleek, shiny, minimalist looks.

    I actually might recommend stepping away from Pinterest for a bit. I was drawn to rustic Pinterest looks at first too, but they didn't really fit my venue. Instead, I ended up searching for specific elements on etsy. Some things I bought, some I didn't, but it helped me to parse out what I really liked without trying to replicate an entire aesthetic.
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  • elizabethelevenelizabetheleven member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment Name Dropper
    I just went to a wedding that had a fishing sort of theme. They used cut out fish for the place settings, netting behind the gift table, the ring bearers carried fishing poles, and the colors were blue and green. It was in a very upscale place and it was subtle. Nothing screamed "fish".

    They actually did a photo of their rings hanging on a hook.

    The groom and my fl are both charter captains so we figured they'd have a fishing thing happening.
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  • dajanjeffdajanjeff member
    First Comment
    edited August 2013
    Starmoon-great idea but that sounds more east coast. I am thinking Midwest/northwoods mn..... Walley, crappie...... But lovin the idea! Xstatic.....I like your idea on counting on Pinterest. I just discovered etsy last night and have found some simple yet elegant ideas! Thanks ladies!
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  • RebeccaB88RebeccaB88 member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    I remember one wedding locally where the groom was a big fisherman.  They did the fishing lures as boutonnires for the guys. The reception was at a venue at a local lake. They had fried catfish, frog legs, and hush puppies on the buffet. At the bar, they filled an old rowboat with ice and bottles of beer and pop. The bachelor party was a chartered fishing trip. His groom's cake was a 'frustrated fisherman' theme. Their 'getaway vehicle' was a friend's bass boat. I think the centerpieces on the tables were made up of local grasses and plants that you'd find around the lakes here -  wild grasses, cattails, daises, wildflowers garnished with tangled fishing line. It was a fairly casual, laid back event, though.
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  • ddhb2007ddhb2007 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment
    I would stop thinking rustic, and go for a sleeker version of fishing. You could hook a Rapala lure on the rim of a vase or candleholder, or give them as favors. They're shiny and sleek, not kitschy or rustic. Have the flower girl carry a tackle box or a creel (fishing basket) filled with flowers or petals.
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  • heidirs731heidirs731 member
    5 Love Its First Comment Name Dropper
    You could have a knot tying ceremony.
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  • WildMageletWildMagelet member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment First Answer
    I would agree on staying simplistic and adding a just a few fishing elements.  Aquatic/outdoorsy colors, table decor, paper goods.  I think some blue/green uplighting could do some marvelous wonders. 
    Formerly known as flutterbride2b
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  • southernbelle0915southernbelle0915 mod
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    Totally agree with "less is more". When a theme is too obvious and in-your-face, it reminds me of a birthday party. I think if you carry elements of fishing through your wedding with your menu, your stationary, your colors, and your centerpieces, it's plenty. Walleye on the menu, a logo with fish or lures carried through all your stationary including escort cards/place settings, green/blue colors, and centerpieces with cattails/wildflowers/reeds/etc. You could put them in jars and tie lures around the mouth of the jar. Cut a slit in a tackle box for your card box. Pick a signature drink that speaks to the motif. No burlap required.
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