Linda of Lindy "U", a drapery, design and dêcor consultancy, encourages her clients to move away from convention:

"It`s your day and should therefore be a reflection of your personality."

Many venues have their own function co-ordinators who will assist you in creating your special theme. Let your imagination run riot and you'll have lots of fun planning the event. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Awesome autumn:

This theme conjures up images of warmth and intimacy - perfect for those glorious saffron autumn evenings. Colour is an essential aspect here, so adhere to a palette of rich autumn shades, including burgundy, burnt orange, gold, sienna and jade. The wedding invitation can be designed in the shape of a maple leaf and sealed inside an envelope decorated with orange rind and raffia.

Sensational summer:

An outdoor wedding lends itself perfectly to a summery feel. The emphasis is natural, rather than constrained and formal. Think country setting, fresh sunflowers and a scattering of haystacks. Invitations are simple in design, with a wax seal and sprig of wheat making a focal point on the envelope.

For this theme, the bride wears a simple summery dress, preferably with no shoes or with ribbon wound around her feet. Her locks should be flowing and graceful, studded with tiny flowers. The groom opts for casual-smart attire, rather than a tux. If possible, the bride and groom should make an entrance on horseback. The reception can be held at either a scenic outdoor spot, or inside a marquee.

Tables are dressed with check-ered overlays, and adorned with tin jugs containing bold displays of daisies or sunflowers. Catering depends on the intended time of day, as this theme is ideal for both breakfast and lunch-time weddings.

Breakfast includes a wholesome selection of cereals, muffins, croissants and fruit, with champagne and orange juice in abundance, while lamb on the spit is great for an afternoon affair.

The ideal wedding cake would be a carrot cake or some other "natural" alternative, decorated with barley and sunflowers. Guests will be delighted by homemade gifts, such as honey or jam jars.

The retinue wears dresses in a similar style, but each in a different autumn shade. The bride opts for a subtle shade of ivory or champagne for her gown, rather than an icy white.

Choose a venue with an inviting fireplace, and scatter leaves lightly sprayed with gold along the floor. Table displays include beeswax candles, sprayed gold apples, sprigs of barley, pine cones and acorns. Food that suggests a feeling of warmth is ideal fare.

Think stews, cooked veggies, Belgian truffles, Irish coffee, gluwein, cognac and orange liqueur chocolates. For the wedding cake, consider a rich chocolate and walnut cake, decorated with gold maple leaves. Cigars for the men and potpourri sachets tied with raffia for the women make the ideal bonbonnieres.

Celestial spirit:

This is the traditional wedding with a heavenly twist.

Invitations are printed on transparent wax paper and tied with silver ribbon. The bride `floats` in shimmery white chiffon, and the retinue is adorned in shades of blue, lilac and silver.

Bouquets should be kept simple and dainty - try a bunch of arum lilies tied with silver ribbon for striking effect. For the flower girls, wings can be made in the fabric of choice, and a halo of delicate flowers can feature in their hair.

The groom also wears white. The venue is decorated with loads of drapery, with fairy lights twinkling through the fabric layers hanging from the ceiling. Candles, glitter and ornamental angels are dainty ethereal adornments, while crystals with short meaningful messages attached to them make charming gifts for the guests.

Most menus will be suitable for this theme, and a traditional wedding cake decorated with iced cherubs and silver balls will help project the right mood, as will the classical notes of a harp.

Ethnic enchantment:

This wedding preferably takes place at a boma, around a large bonfire. Everything reflects a distinctly African flavour. Invitations are sent out on a leopard- or skin-print card.

The bride chooses to wear traditional African-style attire or simply incorporate elements of Ndebele beadwork in her gown.

The venue is decorated with a variety of driftwood, dried grasses, wooden masks or animal sculptures, and faux animal skins. Tribal dancing adds a unique touch.

A selection of indigenous flowers can be used in the bouquets and to adorn the tables; try Proteas or Namaqualand daisies. Traditional African foods include mielies, pap and wors, as well as a range of potjies served in large cast-iron potjie pots. The wedding cake can be de-signed in the shape of a rondavel, and iced with geometric Ndebele images.

An Ndebele-style beaded brooch makes a sensational gift for the female guests, while a matching key-ring will be appreciated by the men.