With the growing trend toward themed weddings, an emerging concept that many couples are opting for is a sports-themed wedding day. The list of options are many, and of course, primarily depend upon the couple’s interests, but as many country clubs and golf venues are common choices for ceremonies and receptions a golf-themed wedding is a natural choice for the golf enthusiast.
The Venue
As already mentioned, golf courses and country clubs have been a common nuptial setting for years, providing the bride and groom, and their guests with lavish grounds as a backdrop with a typically architecturally pleasing facility. For a sports-themed wedding, where better to have your event than where the actual sport is played?
Options for the ceremony can be from the tee to the green, or inside the clubhouse. A wedding at a golf course can act as an all-inclusive resort, keeping all the activity for the day in one convenient place. Most clubs have wedding and event specialists that can help to make sure your day goes off without a hitch, and for out of town guests many clubs have arrangements with nearby hotels with special rates.
Also, if among your wedding party and guests are fellow golfers, a pre-ceremony round to kick off the morning may be of interest. And another clever idea, once the vows are complete the bride and groom can hit a ceremonial shot off the first tee, symbolizing the start of their new “round.”
Scorecard Invites
Typically the first hint of a theme for a wedding is the invitation. Right of the bat, you can let your guests in on the plan by sending out scorecard-themed invitations. Similar to the size and shape of a typical scorecard, the invitation can be designed to establish the theme for your big day.
Add Some Little Things
Every golf course has boxes of pencils provided to golfers to fill in their scorecards while they play. Along with your invitation, send a scoring pencil for the guests to RSVP. Maybe special order the pencil with an inscription with the wedding date, bride and groom’s name, or just a clever saying like “help us tee off” to make the golf reference more obvious. Similar pencils for the guest book, which could be designed to look similar to a tournament scoreboard could be a neat idea.
Golf Themed Wedding Cake
For a themed wedding, designing the cake to keep with the theme is a must. Of course, a golf wedding cake topper is the easiest part, but a more ambitious approach could even have a recreation of the bride and groom teeing off, in tuxedo and dress. Decorate the table surrounding the cake with flagsticks, golf course signs, and some clubs to keep with the decor.
Photo by SplitShire from Pexels
‘Just Married’ Golf Cart
Nothing caps the big day more than the happy couple, riding off into the sunset with a “Just Married” sign on the back of the car, with strings and streamers, and empty cans or plastic bottles rattling along the road. For your golf theme, this time as you leave the club, do so in a decorated golf cart with the sign and the cans. You’ll likely need more than a cart to get to your ultimate destination for the night, so just arrange to meet with the limo at the club entrance to be on your way.
The Wedding Party
Think about custom cufflinks or colorful golf-inspired socks for the groomsmen in your favorite colors. Maybe include matching golf bucket hats for the wedding party, or color-matched golf gloves for the bridesmaids. For the wedding party gifts, should the members of your party be golf enthusiasts like you, consider golf umbrellas with the date screened on them – because as we all know rain never stops us from getting in a round.
Get Creative With The Tables
Do away with the standard table numbers, and replace them with a selection of famous courses from around the world. It will require a bit more of an effort than just a post and number card, but it will be one of those things that will really make the event stand out from the crowd. For guests travelling from a distance, try and coordinate their seating with courses near to their home. Also, use miniature flagpole pins as placeholders to elevate the table numbers and keep your guests from any confusion as to where they’re supposed to sit.
Golf-Themed Favors
Party favors are where you have the most creative license when it comes to your theme. Newlyweds have always given guests a wide range of gifts adorned with the date of the wedding, and personalized golf balls are a perfect reminder for your guests of the big day. Bags of golf tees, ball markers or divot tools are also clever ideas that your guests can be inscribed with any message to remind your guests of the great party they just attended.
The Photo Booth
With the onset of instant photography, photo booths are becoming more and more common at wedding receptions. Turn your booth into a golfer’s paradise, filled with fun golf-themed props and memorabilia. Maybe have each guest create their own photo using a Golf Magazine cover or backdrop as a party favor.
So, this should give you some of the solid ideas to bring out your inner golfer on your big day, from the preparation to the ceremony and reception, to the memories.
