A Whimsical Vintage Merry Go Round Themed Wedding

An Unforgettable Merry Go Round Rock Wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life. As you plan this momentous occasion, you want to create an event that perfectly reflects you and your partner's style, interests, and values. For couples looking to host a wedding that is magical, whimsical, and injected with childlike joy, a merry go round rock wedding may be the perfect theme.

Selecting a Venue with a Vintage Merry Go Round

The centerpiece of your merry go round wedding will undoubtedly be a gorgeous vintage carousel. When selecting your venue, look for locations that feature an antique merry go round on site. Historic amusement parks, carnivals, boardwalks, and tourist attractions often house vintage merry go rounds from the turn of the century that can serve as breathtaking backdrops for your ceremony and reception. Consider venues across the country known for their magnificent antique carousels such as Cedar Point in Ohio, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California, or Dollywood in Tennessee. Not only will your photos on and around a beautiful old carved merry go round create wedding memories that you will treasure forever, but this interactive centrepiece will thrill and delight your guests.

Ceremony with Vintage Charm

A merry go round wedding ceremony oozes vintage charm. Whether you hold the ceremony right on the carousel platform or in front of the merry go round, its whirling lights and hand painted decorations will infuse your nuptials with magic. String globe lights and paper lanterns around the carousel to create a romantic ambiance at dusk. Ask your venue if you can turn on the merry go round during the ceremony so the organ music can accompany you as you say your vows. Just be sure to avoid any distracting rides during the ceremony itself.

Decorate the aisle with homemade pennant banners, vintage postcards, and festive balloons. For your processional, have the groom enter on one white horse from the carousel while the bride enters on another. This sweet touch evokes childhood nostalgia. Your wedding party will look like a fairytale on the carousel horses too. Provide carousel music instead of traditional wedding marches for the processional and recessional to underscore the theme.

Vintage Merry Go Round Inspired Attire

Your merry go round wedding attire can easily match the vintage amusement park vibe. Brides can opt for retro inspired gowns with full tulle skirts, lace detailing, illusion necklines and cap sleeves. Complement your gown with sparkling crystal bridal jewelry. Add a feathered fascinator or birdcage veil as your something borrowed. Grooms can wear vintage style two piece suits or tuxes with whimsical colored accents.

For bridesmaids, mix things up by allowing each girl to select her own pastel tea length dress that fits her style. Add flair with shoes like sparkly Keds. Let your groomsmen wear white shirts, patterned suspenders, and colored bow ties to coordinate with the bright carousel hues. Flower girls will be precious in babydoll dresses with matching parasols and Mary Janes. Have your ring bearer ride down the aisle on a merry go round pony.

Carousel Inspired D??cor

A merry go round wedding offers endless possibilities for imaginative d??cor. Cover round banquet tables with striped tablecloths. Adorn the centerpieces with bright artificial flowers like sunflowers, roses, daisies, and carnations. Place a mini faux cake on each table surrounded by old fashioned candies like rock candy swizzles and lollipops in glass jars. Hang paper fans from the ceiling fluttering above each table.

Drape the carousel horses with your choice of flower garlands, fabric sashes, bows, or wreaths. Surround the base of the merry go round platform with potted topiaries decorated with ribbons. For kids and the young at heart, provide vintage carnival games like ring toss, balloon darts, and a photo booth with fun props.

Catering to Delight

Your merry go round wedding catering can blend old and new treats. Serve classic baked goods like tea cakes and sugar cookies. Offer carnival inspired snacks like popcorn, candy apples, and cotton candy. Add hot dogs, snow cones, and lemonade stands for that amusement park flair. Have an ice cream sundae station so guests can top their own scoops with sprinkles, sauces, and cherries. The wedding cake can display whimsical decorations like a carousel, rocking horse, or hot air balloon.

For the main course, provide a menu of comfort foods with options like baked chicken, rosemary pork roast, vegetarian eggplant parmesan, and side salads. Adults will feel like kids again eating mac and cheese or slider burgers. At the bar, shake up craft cocktails named after carousel horses or give guests tickets to turn in for 2 rides + 1 drink to tie together the food, drink, and magical merry go round theme.

Carousel Style Entertainment

A merry go round wedding offers no shortage of fun entertainment ideas for your guests beyond the carousel rides themselves. Hire a calliope organist or marching band to perform festive tunes that get people dancing. Project vintage cinema lights around the reception venue to mimic a funhouse atmosphere. Bring in carnival performers like jugglers, stilt walkers, face painters or balloon artists to delight your guests.

For live music, opt for upbeat bands that play both modern hits and favorite oldies to appeal to all generations. If hiring a DJ, ask them to put together a special mix of carousel inspired tunes. End the night on a high note with a sparkler send off for the newlyweds. Capturing photos and video on the illuminated merry go round at night provides a truly magical ending to your unique wedding day.

An Unforgettable Start to Your Life Together

A merry go round rock wedding provides a playful, nostalgic, and utterly Instagrammable setting to celebrate your love. Just like a vintage carousel has withstood the test of time, your union built on a foundation of friendship, trust and shared values is made to last. When you look back on your wedding photos in the years to come, the joyful memories of your vintage merry go round inspired wedding will never cease to make you smile.

FAQs

What are some top venues that feature vintage merry go rounds?

Some top amusement park venues with antique carousels include Cedar Point, Knoebels Grove, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Lakeside Park, Dollywood, and Kennywood Park. Historic boardwalks like Coney Island also have vintage merry go rounds.

What if it rains on our merry go round wedding day?

Have a backup rain plan just in case. See if your venue has an indoor hall you can move the reception to. Rent tents to cover any outdoor spaces. Provide umbrellas for guests. Add rainy day activities like indoor games.

What are some great carousel themed cocktails to serve?

Fun merry go round inspired cocktails include the Carousel Margarita, Lakeside Lemonade, Berry Ring Toss, Frosted Apple Martini, Spinning Hurricane, and Pony Express Punch.