Wedding Inspiration Board – International Theatre, Part I

This week, I’m dedicating my wedding dream palettes to the very dynamic and exciting theatre styles from across the globe.  Performing Arts speak to a dear place in my heart (from experience and pure fascination) so it’s no surprise that I’d give this wonderful art form a seat at Wedding Nouveau’s table.

We begin with one of the oldest froms of performance art that still thrives today – Kabuki.  Not to be confused with the chains of themed/franchised restaurants that you may or may not have dined at, Kabuki Theatre is the art of song and dance.

The word ‘kabuki’ is made of three characters in Japanese: ‘ka’ meaning ‘songs’, ‘bu’ meaning ‘dance’ and ‘ki’ meaning ‘skill’.  Dating back to the 1600s, this highly stylized theatre art form incorporated dramatic make up, detailed costumes,  revolving stage/ trap doors (innovative for it’s time) and hours of music and physically demanding poses.  For more background info, you can read here.

For today’s purposes, we will focus on how a bride or wedding planner can evoke the spirit of old-world Kabuki into a today’s modern wedding.

Inspiration: KABUKI THEATRE – JAPAN

(ABOVE: Image by CanadaGood)

Dream Palette #24: VINTAGE KABUKI WEDDING

Colors: Fallow Brown, Tan, Tea Rose Pink and Celadon.

(ABOVE L to R: Japanese Tea House by Okinawa Soba; Flower by © i.Anton; Sandalwood Fan; Katsura Hair piece from Hanami Web; Bridal Gown; Wooden Wish Tags by Eric Flex YourHead; Kimochi Illustration by © Stella Im Hultberg; Manju Dessert photo by BananaGranola; Pink Blush Make Up; Winter Cherry Blossoms by © Kaiendres; Kabuki Lipstick by contrejour; Handmade Vegan Flat Shoes by HydraHeart via Craftzine; Vintage Japanese Lamp Shade; Bridal Hairstyle; Fan and Shoes by © i. Anton.)

Challenge? How do you design a vintage Kabuki-inspired Japanese wedding, that’s more play than performance. A little less intense and a little more flirty.

How you do it?  1) Choose Spring colors, since they always evoke a feeling of romance and lightness .  2) Go with simplicity in decor, accents, centerpieces, etc.  3) The details should be in textures: wood carvings, cherry blossom inserts, petals on shoes, hair pins, etc. 4) Work with the environment, not the other way around.  If you can find an outdoor garden with water (ideally, a Japanese tea garden), then you’re set.  5) Although you’re maintaining a simple decor, don’t be afraid to have one or two strong/ bold choices such as lipstick, bouquet or wedding sash.