A guide to planning a vintage-inspired wedding
For couples who value tradition, a vintage-inspired wedding is a wonderful way to pay homage to generations past. However, bringing this theme to life in the present day can be tricky, particularly when it comes down to the details, like finding the perfect venue, decor, and entertainment for your big day – not to mention, the all-important wedding dress. Luckily, we’ve put together a simple guide to help you to plan the perfect vintage-inspired wedding.
Pick your decade
First, you’ll want to identify which vintage decade or style you want to be the focal point of your wedding. Time periods that fit the vintage aesthetic are debated, but a good rule of thumb is to choose a time over 50 but less than 100 years in the past. This leaves you with lots of fabulous decades to choose from, from the glitz and glamour of the roaring 20s, up until the vibrant, bohemian energy of the swinging sixties and early 70s.
It’s important not to rush the decision of picking an era for your wedding. However, your choice of theme will influence many other elements of your wedding day, from outfits to entertainment, so it’s best not to leave it until the last minute either.
Choose a venue
It’s pretty easy to dress up a venue to fit your vintage theme, particularly if it's a historical building. However, when on the hunt, it’s best to avoid modern venues that were built after your chosen time period – these may be a little too futuristic for your vintage-inspired wedding.
For a top tip to stay on theme, consider your venue’s architecture. You’ll want to think about which design style is appropriate for your chosen time period – perhaps mid-century modern, or something more art deco if you’re going way back.
Alternatively, you may want to forgo a sheltered venue altogether, and focus your hunt on outdoor spaces. For a fun spin on the 70s, you could make your wedding reception a hippie disco on the beach. Or, you could opt for a garden tea party adorned with colourful bunting and flowers to bring the 1940s back to life.
When making your final decision, you’ll want to consider whether or not your chosen entertainment would suit your venue. For example, an old-style radio or record player may not be heard across a large hall, whereas an evening of swing dancing will require a venue with plenty of open space.
Shop for decor
Lastly, we get to the fun part of purchasing all of your vintage nick nacks, in order to really bring your wedding vision to life. While you could find a vendor to fill your requirements, it’s best to shop around for trinkets if you want your vintage theme to feel truly authentic.
There are lots of fun ways to create your desired aesthetic. For example, you could use old tea cups as candle holders, and purchase your table runners from a secondhand store to make a stunning centrepiece. Or you could make use of old family photos and heirlooms for a personal, sentimental display.
Get creative
Ultimately, if you’re looking to host a vintage wedding with your partner, you’ve probably got a vision in mind, and an idea of what would look and work best. Don’t forget, vintage-inspired doesn’t mean that you have to feel like you’re stuck in a time warp (unless you want it to). In fact, many couples opt to get creative, and play on their classic wedding theme with the addition of just a few little vintage twists. There’s no hard and fast rule here, so you can be as up to date or retro as you wish.