Listen, tradition is great and all, but if you and your partner would rather duel with lightsabers than pose for formal portraits, then go for it! Nerdy weddings are some of my absolute favorites to photograph, and the best part? There’s no right or wrong way to do them. Whether you want a full-on cosplay wedding or just a few geeky Easter eggs sprinkled throughout, Colorado is the perfect place to let your nerd flag fly.
If you’re wondering how to throw a nerdy wedding in Colorado, I’ve got you covered with real examples from some amazing couples who embraced their fandoms. So grab your 20-sided die, pour yourself a butterbeer, and let’s get planning.
Step One: Decide How Nerdy You Want to Go
The beauty of a nerdy wedding is that you get to customize it as much as you want. Some couples go all out with themed attire, decor, and activities, while others opt for subtle nods to their favorite fandoms.
Here’s a little spectrum of geekiness to help you figure out where you land:
- Lightly Nerdy – A few fun decor elements, a unique wedding favor, or a meaningful song selection.
- Moderate Nerdiness – Themed centerpieces, a geeky cake topper, or a specific wedding aesthetic (think fantasy, sci-fi, video game vibes).
- Full-Blown Nerd Fest – Guests arrive in cosplay, the officiant is dressed like Gandalf, and the whole event feels like a Comic-Con afterparty.
There’s no wrong way to do this, so do what feels right for you!
Nerdy Wedding Themes & Ideas
1. Star Wars Weddings: May the Love Be With You
Star Wars weddings are always a hit, and they can be as elaborate or as low-key as you want. Courtney and Bishop had lightsabers that we used for nighttime portraits, and let me tell you, nothing screams “epic love story” like dramatic, backlit Jedi duels. Plus, one of their dogs was named Ahsoka, one of my favorite Star Wars characters!
See more about this wedding in my Star Wars Halloween Wedding blog post.
Want to up the ante? Consider walking down the aisle to the Imperial March (or, you know, something romantic like Across the Stars). You can also:
- Have an officiant dress as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
- Incorporate lightsaber battles into your first dance.
- Use Star Wars quotes in your vows (“I love you.” “I know.” Classic).
2. Dungeons & Dragons + Viking Weddings: Rolling for Romance
Bernadette and James didn’t just have a nerdy wedding; they had an entire fantasy world come to life. They’re huge Dungeons & Dragons fans, and they went all in with a Viking-themed wedding.
They, their officiant, and their wedding party wore full costumes, and nearly all of their guests showed up in cosplay. If you weren’t prepared to dress for adventure, were you even invited?
They even had a tarot card reader at their wedding!
Aaaaannnd… A gelatinous cube—a classic D&D monster. Truly iconic. How awesome was Denver Mixers & Morsels for creating this custom, creative dessert?
For a D&D or Viking-themed wedding, consider:
- Custom dice for wedding favors.
- Inviting your guests to dress up.
- A medieval-style feast with goblets of ale and rustic wooden decor.
3. Lord of the Rings Weddings: One Ring to Bind Them
Sarah and Ethan went full Middle-earth for their wedding at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Sarah’s dress was a stunning mix of green and white, her hair was styled like an elf’s, and she even made some of the decor herself.
They had a harpist playing during the ceremony, which really sealed the ethereal vibe. But the best part? A Hobbit-approved second breakfast. Because if you’re getting married in the morning, what else are you supposed to serve besides breakfast burritos?
See more about this wedding in my Lord of the Rings Wedding blog post.
If you’re planning a Lord of the Rings wedding, here are some fun ideas:
- Have a handfasting ceremony (Sarah’s mom performed one for them).
- Use Elvish script in your invitations.
- Toast with tankards of mead like true warriors of Rohan.
Amanda and Ryan went a little lower-key and had an adorable Hobbit ring-bearer and fairy flower girls at Crooked Willow Farms.
4. Meteorolgists Unite!
Vanessa and Matt’s wedding at Shupe Homestead was the perfect blend of romance and nerdy science magic. I met these two through an internship program at University Center for Atmospheric Research for aspiring climate scientists, so it was only fitting that their wedding had a little atmospheric flair. Right after their ceremony, they launched a legit weather balloon—helium, data tracker, the whole deal. It was such a cool moment… right up until the tracker whipped back and smacked Vanessa in the face. No harm done, just a hilarious, completely on-brand wedding memory. I wouldn’t expect anything less from two brilliant, weather-obsessed lovebirds!
See more of this wedding on my Meteorology Nerds Wedding blog post.
If you’re dreaming of a meteorology-inspired wedding, consider:
- A weather balloon launch (just, you know, stand clear).
- Custom wedding invitations with a radar map of your wedding location.
- Signature cocktails inspired by weather phenomena (Hurricane, Dark & Stormy, or a Cloud 9 spritz, anyone?).
No brides were harmed during this balloon launch.
5. Nerdy Wedding Table Themes & Place Settings
If you want a subtle way to add nerdy elements to your wedding, table settings and place cards are a great way to go.
Mariah and Eric turned their table seating into a game. Guests had to match their little gift (like Rubik’s cubes, Play-Doh, Nintendo characters, or Settlers of Catan cards) to their table theme to find their seats. There was a cheat sheet, of course, because while puzzles are fun, no one wants to start the reception lost.
Minnie and Alex took a similar approach but used Funko Pop figures and photos of themselves (from their engagement session with me!) as their table centerpieces. Perfection.
6. Subtle Nerdy Wedding Touches
Not everyone wants to go full geek mode, and that’s totally fine. Kelly and Jordan kept things mostly traditional but added some nerdy touches that made their wedding uniquely them.
During their ceremony, they did a chocolate and wine tasting using dragon goblets, which was such a cute “them” touch. It was just enough of a nod to their love of fantasy without overshadowing the rest of the day.
See more about this wedding in my Geeky Swing Dance wedding blog post.
If you’re looking for subtle nerdy wedding ideas, consider:
- Using geeky goblets or glasses for your toasts.
- Incorporating meaningful quotes from your favorite book, show, or game.
- Playing a subtle but recognizable theme song as your recessional music.
7. Music Lovers, This One’s for You
Lucy and Jeremy met in a music class, so of course, music played a big role in their wedding. Their guestbook? The back of a cello that guests could sign. Freaking brilliant.
They had a string quartet play for their ceremony, which added an elegant touch. Rembrandt Yard in Boulder is inherently classy, so that helped.
See more about this wedding in my Music Lover’s Wedding blog post.
If music is your thing, consider:
- Naming tables after favorite songs, albums, or bands.
- Having live musicians play iconic scores from your favorite movies or games.
- Using vinyl records as a guestbook or decor.
8. Spin Class Nerds in Onesies…What?
Alisha and Malayah met each other in grad school and bonded over cycling.
They decided to fully embrace their love of spinning and tie the knot at Cyclebar! These two cuties also decided to wear penguin onesies (gay birds that mate for life 😍) and encouraged all their guests to do the same.
Definitely one of the most unique celebrations I have ever seen!
Step Two: Find the Right Nerdy-Friendly Vendors in Colorado
Colorado is a great place for nerdy weddings because there are so many vendors who are 100% on board with making your geeky dreams come true.
Venues That Work for Nerdy Weddings
- Chief Hosa Lodge (Golden) – An old stone building perfect for midieval or castle vibes. This is a cheaper option and very DIY.
- Denver Botanic Gardens – Perfect for an elegant, elven-inspired wedding.
- The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park) – If you’re a horror or mystery fan, this iconic hotel (inspiration for The Shining) is a must.
- Lionsgate Event Center (Lafayette) – A fun, eclectic venue with whimsical touches.
Vendors Who Love Nerdy Weddings
- Photographers who get it – Hey, that’s me! If you want someone who’s just as excited as you about taking lightsaber portraits, I’m your girl.
- Cake artists who can create geeky masterpieces – There are plenty of talented Colorado bakers who can make everything from dragon cakes to pixelated Mario designs. Gingerly Baked is one of my faves.
- DJs who will play The Lord of the Rings soundtrack without judgment – A good DJ will make sure your playlist reflects your nerdy soul. I love working with Mo of Suit and Tie for custom experiences.
Step Three: Screw Tradition & Do What You Love
At the end of the day, your wedding should be about you. If that means having a lightsaber battle instead of a bouquet toss or wearing chain mail armor instead of a tux, then freaking go for it.
Your nerdy wedding is going to be unforgettable—not just for you, but for every guest who gets to experience your world. So roll a nat 20 on wedding planning and make it yours.
And if you need a photographer who will be just as hyped as you are about your nerdy wedding, you know where to find me. Let’s make some magic happen.
Appendix: my own nerdy wedding
I’m not just here to just talk the talk. My own wedding? Super nerdy. My husband, Mike, and I sprinkled in some awesome details. We had a family friend dressed as Gandalf officiate our ceremony, and it was perfect.
I made our wedding party walk down the aisle to Throne Room song from Star Wars (when Princess Leia is handing out medals in Episode IV). It might not have been the song they chose, but that didn’t matter because it was my wedding!
Oh, and since our wedding was close to Halloween, my favorite holiday, we had all of our child guests wear costumes and provided candy and trick-or-treating buckets. I firmly believe every wedding could benefit from a few kids in capes.
The costumes also included the awesome folks from McDevitt Tacos wearing tacocat costumes and our amazing photographer Erik Holladay dressing as Indiana Jones (all photos of my wedding by him).
But our nerdery isn’t just about movies and fandoms—we’re huge beer nerds too. That’s why we had our wedding at Sanitas Brewing in Boulder, where we could drink incredible craft beer while celebrating with our favorite people.
So yeah, when I say I freaking love nerdy weddings, I mean it. If you want a photographer who will fully embrace your geeky, offbeat, fandom-filled vision, I’m your person. Whether you’re planning a Star Wars duel, a Viking feast, or just sneaking in some subtle nerdy touches, I’m here to help you plan and capture every amazing, dorky, one-of-a-kind moment.
