Creating a wedding day with all the elegance of yesteryear is very much in vogue. The wonderful thing about a vintage wedding theme is the endless choices available. You can have a uniquely individual celebration for your special day and it can also be a very eco-friendly affair when old items are reused.

When I think of vintage I see an old-fashioned church, a beautiful old-fashioned garden or castle, a delicate romantic setting with beautiful china, crystal glassware, masses of old-fashioned roses, antique furniture, vintage cars, and the bride dressed in beautiful recycled wedding gown originally worn by her mother or grandmother.

Introduction to the Term 'Vintage'

A vintage wedding theme could be based on the 1950s, 1960s, or 1970s eras. The terms vintage, antique, and retro are often used incorrectly. When buying clothing or items labeled as vintage, antique, and retro it is important to know the difference. I thought I would clarify the terms here.

Clothing created after the 1920s to early 1980 is considered vintage. Garments created before the 1920s are referred to as antiques. However, 1960s and 1970s casual wear is often referred to as retro clothing. Clothing created after the 1980s is just known as secondhand. As a rule of thumb, anything less than a quarter of a century old is not considered vintage.

The History Behind the Vintage Era

You can quickly identify a wedding dress to a particular era by remembering some key feature/s. For example the drop-waist dresses of the 1920s. Sleek full-length bias-cut silk gowns were popular in the 1930s. Nipped-waisted full-skirted dresses were in vogue in the 1950s.

During the 1960s psychedelic prints in man-made fabrics like polyester, miniskirts, and rounded Peter Pan collared shirts along with short-length empire line dresses were considered trendy. Bohemian, gypsy, peasant-style dresses were all the rage in the 1970s. Power suits with gilt buttons, wide shoulders, and nipped-in waists are from the 1980s and were also popular in the 80s with sequins, beads, and studs.

How to Create a Vintage Wedding

Creating a vintage wedding is like unlocking a hidden treasure chest filled with nostalgia, elegance, and timeless charm. To embark on this enchanting journey, start by infusing every aspect of the celebration with intricate details that pay homage to bygone eras.

Begin with the venue selection; opt for an old-world location such as a rustic barn adorned with delicate lace curtains or a stately manor brimming with antique furniture and ornate chandeliers. The bride's attire should exude grace and sophistication – think flowing lace gowns reminiscent of the 1920s or tea-length dresses adorned with dainty floral patterns from the 1950s.

Complement this dreamy ensemble with carefully chosen accessories like heirloom jewelry or delicate birdcage veils to complete the vintage vision. Immerse guests in an atmosphere that transcends time through decor choices such as mismatched china sets, antique candelabras draped in soft candlelight, and whimsical floral arrangements featuring roses, peonies, and baby's breath blossoms adorning every corner of the venue.

Music plays a pivotal role in setting the mood; consider hiring live musicians playing nostalgic tunes on instruments like pianos or violins to transport everyone back to simpler times. Delight your guests' taste buds by offering classic dishes inspired by different decades: perhaps serve retro cocktails like martinis or old-fashioned lemonades alongside delectable finger sandwiches filled with cucumber and cream cheese or miniature quiches straight out of grandma's recipe book.

To successfully create a vintage wedding it is best to select one particular era although you can add contemporary items. Often the wedding dress can dictate the theme for the whole wedding for example a drop-waist 1920s dress belonging to a family member may be offered.

Or a particular style of wedding dress may have appealed to the bride since she was a young girl. Although I did not have a vintage-themed wedding I had always loved the simple sweetheart neckline satin dress styles of the 1930s. I had my wedding dress designed and made in that style.

The setting, the cars, the style of cake, the bridesmaids, the groom’s suit, and the flowers will work best if they echo the selected theme be it 1920s, 1930s, 1950s, or 1970s. It will also make it easier to organize and make decisions if you stick to one era. I love the trend at the moment of using vintage china, silverware, and crystal.

Vintage-themed weddings do have a wonderful whimsical, nostalgic romantic elegance about them.

Author: Rosena MacFadzean for SampleBoard.com – concept creation online