Your fiance's sports obsession may have you ready to bench him from wedding planning, but you can still indulge his team loyalty without throwing your dream ceremony out the window. Here are 10 chic ways compromise.
1. The Color Palette
To him, navy-and-white bridesmaid dresses are a clear homage to his beloved Yankees, but to everyone else at the ceremony they're an elegantly outfitted bridal party. Integrate team colors into dresses or flowers for an understated sporty touch.
2. Hidden Accessories
Accessorize the groomsmen with soccer ball-shaped cuff links or argyle socks in their favorite NFL team's colors. For you, try a themed garter to give your groom an extra surprise later in the night. Toss a different one so he can keep yours.
3. The Favors
Whether you pass out tennis ball-shaped cookies, packs of baseball cards, or peanuts and Cracker Jack, favors are a fun yet subtle way to share your sports passion with your guests. Go the extra mile and have a waiter walk around the reception offering the treats, just like stadium vendors.
4. Your Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
Don't want to don a jersey for the actual ceremony? We don't blame you. You can still show your support with bride and groom team jerseys for the prewedding parties. Use terms like "Maid of Honor" and "Best Man" instead of player names and make the number the year of your wedding. Another option: Personalize the bridesmaid and groomsman tees with your nicknames for each of them.
5. The Rehearsal Dinner
The rehearsal dinner is one part of the wedding where you can go totally untraditional. Think along the lines of booking a bowling alley or reserving box seats at a baseball game.
6. The Invitations
Your invitations are your guests' first introduction to your wedding, so it's a great time to set a sporty tone for the main event. Design your invites or save-the-dates to look like stadium tickets, programs, or antique baseball cards (check them out at sites like CustomSportsCards.com). Replace the photo with one of the two of you and personalize the names and dates to suit your wedding day.
7. The Groom's Cake
Even the most traditional wedding can cut loose with an out-of-the-park groom's cake. Give your Packer fan a green-and-gold confection, recreate the logo of his alma mater's football team in fondant, or see if your baker can replicate the Rangers' hockey rink.
8. The Guest Book
Ditch the traditional guest book for a keepsake more suited to a sports lover: signed swag. Ask guests to write notes to you on basketballs, jerseys, or helmets. After the wedding, put them on display in a game room, office, or finished basement (sorry, the bedroom's off limits).
9. The Wedding Party Photos
If he met his groomsmen on his college team, have him incorporate their sport (be it golf clubs or football pads) into the wedding party photos. These fun shots let him show off his personality, and you'll still have plenty of time to take formal pictures for the mantel.
10. The Centerpieces
Okay, it's a little less subtle but still worthy of style points: Swap in sleek cup-shaped trophies in lieu of vases to hold your flowers. Simple silver or gold designs will give your tables a sporty flair without screaming "GOOOAL!"
-- Justine Lorelle Blanchard