Do you think you’ll “always have Paris?” Do you think Casablanca is just about the most romantic classic movie? Well, here’s looking at you, kid. Below are ideas on how to turn your wedding and reception into a Casablanca-inspired celebration of your marriage.


Colors:
Black and white, vintage colors

Bridal attire:

Hair in pompadour style. Dress or gown should be made of rayon or cotton, as was popular in 1940’s due to the war’s rationing of silk, and be very simple, preferably with long sleeves, broad shoulders, sweetheart neckline, slim waist and buttoned back.

Groom’s attire:

White tuxedo, with a black bow tie and black pants. You can also use musical cuff links and studs from Tuxedos Direct. They have the grand piano design which is absolutely perfect for this theme!

Attendants:
In similar fashion as the bride and groom.

Invitations:

May be in French and on cream, vintage-looking picture. You may have your picture as a couple in it, dressed in 1940’s attire, or in 1940-ish dress coats and hats, and in sepia tone.

Reception Ideas:

At the entry of the reception area, have a sign or banner that says “Rick’s Café Americain” and a small table with a chess board set up. Have a piano at the reception hall and a pianist as well, playing ‘As Time Goes By.’ If the groom or bride can sing the song along with the piano, it would be wonderful, just don’t forget to tell the pianist “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By” before he starts playing, reminiscent of the scene of that famous line in the movie. The table centerpiece would be a table lamp, with beaded shade. Have plenty of potted palm trees and hang some war propaganda posters around in the ‘café’ for a more 1940 feel. Place some mock-up gambling tables.

Foods:

Pasta, salad, Mediterranean cuisine, French dishes, spicy foods, champagne, martinis, etc.

Favors:

Spice cookies, spices, chocolates, cigars, candies, gum

Music:

As Time Goes By (by Herman Hupfeld), It Had To Be You (music by Isham Jones, lyrics by Gus Kahn), Knock on Wood (music by M.K. Jerome, lyrics by Jack Scholl), Shine (music by Ford Dabney, lyrics by Cecil Mack and Lew Brown). You can download MP3s from this MP3 Site , or you can get sheet music for weddings from the Wedding Sheet Music Albums .

Other Ideas:

To call on the single ladies for the bouquet tossing, or the single men for the garter throw, or participants for any game in the program, have the MC or DJ add the famous line, “Round up the usual suspects.” At the end of the reception, have the MC or DJ end the program by saying, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Also see if you can get a vintage car for your get-away.

So, play it, Sam. Play the part well and you can have a perfect Casablanca themed wedding.


Crystal Treble Clef Place Card Holder
Not only is this the perfect place card holder
for a music-themed wedding like Casablanca,
the inner crystal is from the cradle of the world’s best music, Austria.