Going Through Hoops - A March Madness Inspired Basketball Themed Wedding

Photo credit: here

To say that I am uninterested in basketball would be an understatement.  So, when I saw that this week's EcoEtsy theme challenge was March Madness, I almost skipped it.  Then I reminded myself that I'm trying to establish a new blog and possibly a loyal reader or two so I decided the show must go on. 

And I'm so glad I did!  I only found a few picks in my TeamEcoEtsy search for anything even remotely basketball related, but it did spur a broader search for vintage and  eco-minded basketball themed wedding ideas that I've pulled together for you to enjoy!  

CHUCK TAYLOR WEDDING FASHION

I'm particularly smitten with brides and grooms who wear Chuck Taylors.  They are a subtle (and comfortable!) nod to basketball's heritage. They come in tons of fun colors and did you know you can even customize your own pair? 

Be sure to check out my gallery on Flickr where you can view more of my favorite Chuck Taylor Brides.

  

Photo credits: kissing couple here, red chucks here

HERE'S THE TICKET

Give guests a hint of what's to come with a custom printed ticket invite...these would be fun for a save-the-date or rehearsal dinner.

And don't forget the postage...

BASKETBALL GREATNESS ON ETSY

If you are looking for some great bridal party gifts check out these stylish options found on Etsy:

 *Recycled basketball cufflinks for the groom and his men from QACreate.

*Personalized hand-painted pilsner glasses from FizzyArtist

 *Hand-stamped basketball necklace from TrueTomboy

*And my absolute favorite...TeamEcoEtsy find...VeraVague's poncho that looks just like the net! (wink wink.)

*Hand-sewn basketball guest book anyone?

 *You'll also need thank you notes...how cute would these cards be filled in with various wedding gifts...leading to the gift giver's gift as the winner?  Tongue in cheek, but oh so sweet.

BASKETBALL WEDDING DECOR

For this, I'm loving vintage sports memorabilia!  Why not embrace "something old" in your wedding decor?  Do you have a sporty older relative who may be able to share some treasured photos or momentos?  If not, you may be able to find some treasures on Ebay, Etsy, or in local thrift and antique shops.  After the wedding you'll have a wonderful collection to display in your home...or give away your props as thank you gifts to your bridal party.

Credits: antique photo here, vintage whistle here, antique basketball here, vintage trophy cups here

This repurposed basketball hoop would be a great focal point for a guest book table display or head table centerpiece. Or how cute for a small seating card display??  If you could find more of these, they would also be great to hold table numbers or photos on each table.  Can't find old ones?  Use new ones and then donate them to a school or kid's sports league after the wedding.

Vintage Basketball Hoop by Etsy seller birdie1

I'm feeling special love for vintage trophy cups...these versatile pieces would be great as vases for your table flowers or even as a cake topper!  Again, you gotta love thrifting or antiquing to find these things...but if you don't, feel free to drop me a line and maybe I can help you out.  :)

Photo credits from left to right: here, here and here.

DON'T FORGET THE POM POMS!!!

What would a basket ball game be without the cheerleaders?  Give a subtle nod with flower pomanders or tissue pom poms.  The color combinations are endless so you can coordinate with your team colors or stick to something neutral.  I love them for flower girls, hung on chairs or suspended "en masse" from the ceiling.

Photos: white anemones here, gold mums here, orange roses here, floral spheres here.

BASKETBALL WEDDING FAVORS

Be sure to thank your guests for coming with these playful favor ideas...useful and/or consumable is my favorite way to go...

*Biodegradable water bottles made of recycled plastic...custom printing included!  Find them here. Try filling them with chocolate basketballs found here.

*Referee whistles are fun with a color coordinated lanyard. Have a uniformed referee pass them out to guests as they leave or try tying one to each favor...just be sure to hand them out at the end of the reception unless you want to be listening to whistles blow all night.  These are really inexpensive and can be found here. 

*Customize jersey and basketball cookies with your names and team colors.  Etsy seller TSCookies has them fresh here.

YES VIRGINIA...THERE'S EVEN MORE BASKETBALL WEDDING INSPIRATION:

If you're still looking for ideas...there is actually a Brides and Basketball Wedding Show!  Someone had the great idea to pair up local wedding professionals with the NBA to put on pre-game wedding shows at stadiums across the country.  Tickets include a basketball game after the show!

And last, but not least, the lovely folks at The Knot have created a special website just for sports fans dedicated to all things Sports Weddings.

Thanks so much for sticking around for the show!  And thanks to my friends at EcoEtsy for the inspiration this week! I hope you enjoyed this collection of ideas and found one or two you can use.  You are invited to share your own ideas in the comments section below and feel free to share photos if you decide to adapt any of these ideas for your own basketball themed wedding or event.

XOXO

Cindi

Comments

[Bird-in-Hand Laurie]

Love everything about this post! Almost makes me want a wedding do-over! And thank you for including my Vintage Rescued Basketball Hoop in such an unexpected and creative way!

[needleplusthread]

wow! nice work compiling all that inspiration. that they're usable AND baseketball related... amazing. i'm in love with the trophies as vases! and having been a chuck taylor bride myself (it was an act of rebellion AND i am an amazing clutz, heels could have been a nightmare) i love seeing all these photos!

[tina]

Holy Moly! this is a whole world I know nothing of... very comprehensive reporting. :)

[Jane aka zJayne]

What a FUN post and so much put into it! Enjoyed! ...I am a CAVS fan... so might I just be adding GO CAVS!!

~waving

[Stephanie Norris]

Thanks so much for pulling this together. There are so many really cute ideas here. I love the stamps and the hand sewn basketball guest book is amazing! On the ticket, you might take a look at sportsthemedweddings.com. They did a set of tickets for me and my fiancee that look like gameday tickets, but includes a photo of us designed into the ticket. It's really incredible.

Thanks for one's marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you're a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back down the road. I want to encourage you continue your great work, have a nice day!