Gone are the days when every bridal couple followed a precise formula and look for their big day. In the world of weddings, one of the hottest trends around is to have a themed occasion. And why not? By choosing a particular look and feel to your day, it makes the whole event as individual as you are and gives it even more meaning.

For example, you or your partner may have a particular heritage you could draw on to give an overall flavour and look to the day, such as a Scottish, Irish or Welsh background - or from even further afield. There may be a place, season or interest you and your partner share, but whatever it is - there'll be something out there for you.

A beach theme, a seasonal theme, way out West, wiccan, hallowe'en - these are just a few of the ways weddings have been celebrated by couples but, if you decide you are going to theme your day, make sure you're absolutely certain that it's what you want.

Planning any wedding should really be treated like planning a military campaign and by giving it a specific theme - well that's just one more consideration so really make sure that you're committed to getting married as Cinderella and Prince Charming or turning a small corner of rural Middle England into a Hawaiian beach paradise!

OK, so you are going to theme your wedding, so let's think about how to go about it.

It doesn't have to apply to absolutely everything but it's worth considering whether you expect the guests to dress in style too - is it possible to rig out 150 people in full cowboy outfits, including your much-loved but rather large 85 year-old great aunt?

You're probably better off theming the things you really can control, such as yourselves and immediate wedding party, stationery and table decorations and if you are going to include the guests, keep the theme simple because, if it is a complicated one, you just don't know how they're likely to interpret it with their outfits.

Also remember the budget - keeping it simple should keep the price down, not only on the overall cost of your wedding but on your guests' outfit expenses.

The wedding cake can, of course continue the theme of your day - but discuss it at length with your cake maker and ensure what ever ideas you have are not beyond his/her individual talents!

Whatever you choose, there are plenty of places out there to help you and the internet is not a bad place to start.

A few clicks of the mouse can bring you to lengthy lists of links and sites just waiting to help your imagination take flight.