10 Tasteful Wedding Ideas for Sports Fanatics

Teamwork makes the dream (wedding) work! Score major points with the hubs and knock your wedding plans out of the park by injecting a little team spirit into your big day — in the chicest way possible, of course. These sports-inspired wedding ideas are guaranteed to win over the crowd and give you and your guests something (else) to cheer about.
1. The Food
Skip the stuffy rehearsal dinner and model your pre-wedding party after a high-end tailgate — complete with your favorite food trucks, booze and sports team friendly decor, suggests Chancey Charm Richmondwedding planner and coordinator Alana Futcher. You can also incorporate your favorite game-time snacks by serving them up stadium style for your guests to enjoy as a late night treat before your send off, addsChancey Charm Charlotte planner Miranda Tassi. Um, nachos and sliders, anyone!?
2. The Program
Real bride Morgan Haile of Morgan Taylor Lacquer is tying the knot to former pro-baseball player Tony Gonzalez next year and definitely plans on tying in the whole sports theme. Instead of traditional wedding programs, theirs will be designed to look like a game program with pictures of the duo and bridal partymembers in them. So cute.
3. The Cake
The groom's cake is a given (score!), but if a full blown sports-themed cake won't make the cut, Jessica Janik, Founder of The Invisible Bridesmaid, has another, more understated idea. "Have the inside of your wedding cake dyed to match your team so that when you cut into it, it bleeds the team colors."
4. The Color Scheme
Rather than plaster your reception with team gear, Phoenix, Arizona-based wedding planner Chandra Keel, owner of Chandra Keel Events, advises couples to incorporate layers of subtly that show off their team loyalty. "For example, Packers fans can choose lots of greenery, like eucalyptus or tropical palm branches, for centerpieces and accent it with gold. Or, opt for bouquets of green and yellow mums." If your team colors aren't exactly wedding-friendly, she recommends using the colors as an accent to white, which always looks elegant.
5. The Guestbook
If you're a diehard fan of a baseball team, for instance, have your guests sign baseballs in place of a traditional guestbook, suggests Keel. "Hockey fan? Let them sign a hockey stick." One groom Lynn Jawitz, owner of Florisan Wedding and Event Design in NYC, worked with actually worked for the Cincinnati Reds and had guests sign his baseball jersey (later to be framed) with sharpies.
6. The Accessories
Think monogrammed cufflinks and colorful team socks for the guys. As for the bride, not many people will actually see your garter so if you want to have one that's in your favorite team's colors (or your husband's), go for it, urges wedding planner Kelli Corn of Kelli Corn Weddings & Events.
7. The Photo Booth
Take one for the team, and turn your photo booth into a game...well, sort of! Celebrity event designer Brett Galley of Hollywood POP recommends stocking your photo booth full of fun sports-themed props and/or having each guest create their own sports magazine cover as their photo favor.
8. The Wedding Monogram
If you both root for the same team, why not consider a subtle use of the logo for your wedding monogram? "While it's true that team logos are predominantly made up of thick block letters and wedding monograms are typically swirly and romantic, a combination of both design elements can successfully be achieved by a talented graphic designer," says Florida-based wedding planner Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner. And the applications for it are literally endless! "It can be utilized as a light projection on the dance floor or walls, on stationary items such as menus and seating cards, as well as beverage napkins and signage."
9. The Favors, Table Numbers, and Escort Cards
Mini basketballs, footballs, etc. branded with your team's name are always a fun idea for favors. As forescort cards, these can actually be designed to look like tickets to the big game. Get creative with your tables and use the jersey numbers of your favorite players (or their names) to label them.
10. The Signature Drinks

In the south (where college football reigns supreme), wedding planner Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events, tells us that rarely does a wedding go by without an alma mater somehow incorporated into it. One idea she's a big fan of is either naming your signature drinks after your favorite teams or having them served in your team colors, something your guests can definitely enjoy!