When couples ask me if their wedding ideas are “too nerdy,” my answer is almost always the same:
If it makes the two of you ridiculously happy, GO FOR IT.
Bernadette and James are the perfect example.
Instead of toning down their personalities for the sake of tradition, they built an entire fantasy world around the things they love. Their Colorado wedding combined Dungeons & Dragons, Viking traditions, cosplay, handfasting, incredible food, and enough creative details to make every guest feel like they’d stepped into an epic campaign.
As a Colorado wedding photographer, I’ve photographed everything from Lord of the Rings weddings to Star Wars details and tabletop gaming nods. One thing I’ve learned is that the most memorable weddings aren’t the ones trying to impress Pinterest.
They’re the ones where the couple fully commits to being themselves.
If you’re planning a Dungeons & Dragons wedding, looking for fantasy wedding ideas, or wondering whether your guests will actually show up in costume, hopefully this wedding gives you permission to go all in.
There are plenty of venues in Colorado that would allow you to customize your wedding to the max, this was Chief Hosa Lodge.
What Makes a Great Dungeons & Dragons Wedding?
The best D&D weddings don’t just sprinkle a few dice onto the reception tables.
They create an experience.
Everything at Bernadette and James’ wedding worked together to tell the same story. The clothing, ceremony, food, traditions, and guest experience all belonged in the same fantasy world.
That consistency is what made it feel immersive instead of gimmicky.
Start with an Incredible Theme (and Commit to It)
Bernadette and James chose a Viking-inspired aesthetic that fit perfectly with their love of Dungeons & Dragons.
The groom, bride, officiant, and wedding party all wore stunning fantasy-inspired clothing instead of traditional wedding attire.
The officiant looked like an ancient forest seer, dressed in flowing white robes, a fur cloak, an antler crown, and striking ceremonial face paint that made the ceremony feel as though it belonged in an old Norse saga or a Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
Even their ring box fit the theme.
Instead of opening a traditional velvet box, they carried their wedding rings inside a twenty-sided die.
It’s one of those little details that immediately tells guests, “You know exactly whose wedding you’re attending.”
Will Guests Actually Dress Up?
One of the biggest questions I hear from couples planning themed weddings is:
“What if nobody participates?”
After photographing this wedding…
Don’t underestimate your friends.
Nearly every guest arrived ready for adventure: beautiful handcrafted cloaks, leather armor, fairy wings, etc.
Incredible cosplay that looked like people had spent weeks, if not months, putting it together.
One thing I’ve noticed photographing nerdy weddings is that guests usually appreciate having permission to play.
Once everyone realizes they’re surrounded by people doing the same thing, any awkwardness disappears almost immediately.
Instead of worrying about looking silly, people start having fun. This makes for phenomenal wedding photos.
Even the littlest guest was dressed up!
Handfasting, Drinking Horns, and a Ceremony That Felt Ancient
The ceremony blended traditional wedding moments with fantasy-inspired rituals in a way that felt authentic rather than performative.
One of my favorite moments was the handfasting ceremony.
There’s something incredibly visual about hands being bound together while vows are exchanged. It photographs beautifully, but more importantly, it feels intentional.
Of course, not every meaningful moment involved props or traditions. One of my favorite photographs from the ceremony happened when James gently brushed a tear from Bernadette’s cheek.
No costumes.
No fantasy.
Just two people completely wrapped up in each other.
Those moments are what every great themed wedding is really about.
Instead of immediately heading back up the aisle, Bernadette and James celebrated by sharing a drink from a ceremonial horn. It was a simple moment that fit perfectly within the Viking theme while giving guests another memorable moment they’ll probably still be talking about years from now.
Epic Couple Portraits Don’t Require an Epic Hike
One of my favorite things about this venue is how cute and accesible the grounds are. We were able to create dramatic portraits surrounded by towering pines and mountain views without disappearing for half the cocktail hour.
That meant Bernadette and James got gorgeous portraits and plenty of time celebrating with their guests.
Later that evening, we snuck away for just a few minutes to create some colorful nighttime portraits that felt straight out of a fantasy movie. A little creative lighting transformed an ordinary spot into something magical.
You don’t need an elaborate location or hours away from your wedding to create unforgettable portraits. Sometimes all it takes is a photographer who knows how to see the possibilities.
Creative Dungeons & Dragons Wedding Food Ideas
I wish more couples had this much fun with their reception menu.
Instead of calling everything “Chicken” or “Roast Beef,” every dish became part of the story.
Guests enjoyed dishes like:
Invading Swedes (Swedish meatballs)
The Oath Boar
Drawn N’ Quartered (roasted chicken)
Kisir Stuffed Portabellos
Provincial Potatoes
Golden Crowns (broccoli)
Even people who weren’t familiar with Dungeons & Dragons couldn’t help but smile while reading the menu.
All this epic food was created by Denver Mixers & Morsels!
Yes, They Served a Gelatinous Cube
I have photographed a lot of wedding cakes.
None of them have tried to eat the guests.
Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Bernadette and James worked with the incredibly creative team at Denver Mixers & Morsels to create one of the coolest desserts I’ve ever seen: a gelatinous cube.
If you’ve played Dungeons & Dragons, you know exactly why this is hilarious. If you haven’t…just know it’s one of the game’s most iconic monsters.
Watching guests discover it was almost as entertaining as photographing it.
These are the kinds of details that make a wedding unforgettable.
Consider Interactive Entertainment
One of my favorite reception ideas was the tarot card reader. Instead of giving guests another activity to watch, it gave them something to do. Throughout the evening, people wandered over for one-on-one readings. Whether someone was a longtime tarot enthusiast or simply curious, it became a fun conversation starter and fit perfectly with the fantasy atmosphere of the wedding.
Bernadette and James hired Bridge the Gap Tarot, where Rachel brings more than 30 years of professional tarot reading experience to weddings and events. Her approachable, upbeat style focuses on insight, self-discovery, and creating memorable experiences, making her a natural fit for a celebration like this.
You Don’t Have to Be a D&D Fan to Appreciate This Wedding
One thing I love about photographing nerdy weddings is that they rarely feel exclusive.
Guests don’t need to understand every reference. Some guests didn’t cosplay at this wedding and that was fine! Everyone looked gorgeous and had fun.
My Advice If You’re Planning a Fantasy Wedding
After photographing weddings like this, here are a few things I’d recommend.
Choose a Theme You Actually Love
Don’t pick Dungeons & Dragons because it’s trendy.
Choose something you’d still love twenty years from now: your favorite game, your favorite fantasy world, your favorite book, or your favorite fandom. Or choose something generic like fantasy or sci-fi.
That’s what guests remember.
Invite Guests to Participate
If costumes would make your wedding more fun, say so, give people inspiration instead of strict rules.
Some guests will show up in full cosplay. Others might simply wear a cloak or fantasy-inspired outfit. Some will dress business casual. Perfect. All of them.
Find Vendors Who Get Excited About Weird Ideas
The best vendors don’t try to make your wedding more traditional.
They ask questions like: “What kind of gelatinous cube are we making?”
Those are your people.
Don’t Worry About Looking Different
I’ve photographed plenty of weddings over the years.
The couples who fully embrace who they are never regret it.
The ones who spend months worrying about whether something is “too weird” often wish they’d worried less.
This wedding stands out as one of my all-time faves. It’s one I think about often and I’m always excited to show off photos from it.
Looking for More Nerdy Wedding Ideas?
If this wedding has you dreaming about dice-shaped ring boxes, cosplay guests, themed menus, or handfasting ceremonies, you’re definitely not alone. I’ve photographed Lord of the Rings weddings, fantasy-inspired celebrations, and plenty of couples who proudly let their fandoms take center stage.
If you’re still planning your own adventure, check out my guide: How to Throw a Nerdy Wedding, where I share even more real weddings, ideas, and inspiration for couples who’d rather roll initiative than follow wedding traditions just because they’re expected.
And if you’re looking for a Colorado wedding photographer who will get just as excited about your D20 ring box, your elaborate cosplay plans, or your gelatinous cube dessert as you are…
