X

50 Ideas for a Vintage-Inspired Wedding

What's old is new again with a wedding that captures the glamour of the '20s, the rock 'n roll energy of the '50s, or the free spirited vibe of the '70s. From retro-inspired gowns to decorating with antiques, here are some of our favorite ideas we've spotted.

By: Kristen Klein

Enter Slideshow
  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Mercury glass goblets beckon a turn-of-the-century appeal.

  • Bouquet

    Bouquet

    Add a piece of heirloom jewelry to your bouquet.

  • Attire

    Attire

    You know you need something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue... but don't forget the end of the rhyme: "a silver sixpence in her shoe." This British currency was last minted in 1970, so your best bet is to order one online.

    Photo Credit: BTW Photography

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Display your engagement photos on a reclaimed wooden door.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Antique bird cages at varying heights add a throwback aesthetic to the table.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Bring the indoors out by suspending unique vintage lanterns above your tables.

    Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina

  • Transportation

    Transportation

    Step back into the 1920s with this Gatsby-esque car.

    Photo Credit: Thurston Photography

  • Transportation

    Transportation

    Take a ride in the classic Ford Thunderbird.

  • Attire

    Attire

    Long-sleeved gowns and floral crowns are lovely throwbacks that look just as gorgeous today.

  • Guest Book

    Guest Book

    Travel back to a simpler time and have your guests sign your guest book by quill and ink.

  • Bouquet

    Bouquet

    Attach a cameo to your bouquet.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Hit up local estate sales for antique furniture you can repurpose; use a dresser or desk to display your desserts and favors at an outdoor wedding. 

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Repurpose vintage fruit baskets to hold your floral arrangements.

  • Card Box

    Card Box

    Or, collect them in a vintage suitcase.

  • Photo Inspiration

    Photo Inspiration

    A lace parasol makes a wonderful vintage photo prop.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Having an outdoor wedding? Hang old family wedding photos on a tree for a true "family tree."

  • Place Settings & Table Décor

    Place Settings & Table Décor

    Peruse your local thrift stores for mix-and-match china to use as your cake plates.

  • Photo Inspiration

    Photo Inspiration

    Join your sweetheart on a retro-inspired picnic.

  • Bouquet

    Bouquet

    Accentuate a fabric flower bouquet with pearls and antique brooches.

    Photo Credit: Jewels Photography

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Transform the timeless Mason jar into a unique candelabra.

    Photo Credit: Orange Photographie

  • Ceremony

    Ceremony

    Wearing a newsboy cap, the ring bearer carries a needlepoint sign down the aisle.

    Photo Credit: Orange Photographie

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Accent a vintage tea set with contrasting flowers.

  • Ceremony

    Ceremony

    Reminiscent of an ancient scroll, have your vows hand-calligraphed onto your aisle runner. 

    Photo Credit: This Modern Romance

  • Escort Cards

    Escort Cards

    Attach each escort card to an antique key adorned with some fringe.

    Photo Credit: Your Lovely Wedding

  • Bouquet

    Bouquet

    You can't go wrong with classic roses and peonies. Cascading greenery adds a vintage vibe.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Popularized in the 1960s, baby's breath is a staple at vintage-inspired weddings.

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Mini floral arrangements look even more darling when paired with vintage crystal glasses, antique pearl necklaces, and lace table cloths.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Picture frames aren't just for holding pictures! Suspend small groupings of flowers from old frames for a unique twist.

  • Ceremony

    Ceremony

    Utilize old-fashioned urns and classic pillars to hold oversized arrangements of hydrangeas and roses.

  • Transportation

    Transportation

    Zip away from your ceremony on a vintage Vespa.

    Photo Credit: The Melideos

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Display thrift store china under a glass dome.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Decorate your reception entrance with a stack of vintage suitcases.

    Photo Credit: Choco Studio

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Place a stack of leather-bound books on each table, topped with a framed quote from one of the classic literary picks.

    Photo Credit: Nadia D. Photography

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Milk glass vessels lend a retro vibe.

  • Ceremony

    Ceremony

    Decorate your ceremony space with vintage lanterns surrounded by hydrangeas and roses. 

    Photo Credit: POPography

  • Cake

    Cake

    Fabric roses adorned with jewels and tea-dyed paper add to the vintage vibe of this classic cake.

    Photo Credit: POPography

  • Attire

    Attire

    Complete your look with a modern take on the Juliet headdress, popularized in the 1920s.

  • Place Settings & Table Décor

    Place Settings & Table Décor

    Vintage meets the modern era: We love the contrast between the traditional camera (with film!) and the iPhone on this table. 

  • Card Box

    Card Box

    Collect your guests' cards in an antique bird cage.

    Photo Credit: Dana Grant Photography

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    A reception held by candlelight reflects a time before the modern era.

    Photo Credit: JoPhoto

  • Place Settings & Table Décor

    Place Settings & Table Décor

    Antique china looks even more elegant when placed on gold chargers.

    Photo Credit: JoPhoto

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Place your flowers in antique gold vessels.

    Photo Credit: JoPhoto

  • Bouquet

    Bouquet

    Complement a fresh-from-the-garden bouquet with an heirloom brooch.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Repurpose antique table runners as custom banners for your sweetheart table chairs.

  • Photo Inspiration

    Photo Inspiration

    Incorporate some of your favorite antiques in your photos.

    Photo Credit: Revival Photography

  • Photo Inspiration

    Photo Inspiration

    Toss a few (plastic!) records for a fun photo op.

    Photo Credit: Revival Photography

  • Attire

    Attire

    Weave a vintage-inspired hair comb through your updo.

    Photo Credit: Revival Photography

  • Cake

    Cake

    Dress up your cake with pearls, flowers, and ruffles.

    Photo Credit: Jewels Photography

  • Guest Book

    Guest Book

    Ask your guests to type their well wishes for you on a retro typewriter.

    Photo Credit: Choco Studio

  • Attire

    Attire

    A lace wedding dress exudes vintage glamour.

    Photo Credit: JoPhoto

50 Ideas for a Vintage-Inspired Wedding

X

June 5th

Photo credit: A Brit & A Blonde

Tip of the Day: "Everyone wants a great meal for their celebration, but sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. If you have dinner and dancing, consider how long it takes to serve and clear each course. A four-course meal may sound lovely, it's a long time to be sitting, and it's a lot of food to consume before guests shake their booties. Consider trimming the number of courses down to a starter and a main course, and offer cake later in the evening," says Larissa Banting of Weddings Costa Rica.

Plus, check out our Complete Wedding-Day Timeline.

June 4th

Photo credit: Braedon Flynn Photography

Tip of the Day: "People always ask us what our favorite theme, wedding colors and décor are. Hands down, the only 'theme' we suggest is whatever resonates best with the couple. We want this wedding to scream your name and have guests walk away saying, ‘that was SO them!’ Personalize details, big and small, subtle and dramatic. You want your wedding to be one of a kind, and the only way to accomplish that is to make it be a celebration of the two of you," says Vikki Marsee from All You Need is Love Events.

Plus, check out our Wedding Theme section for inspiration.

Ask the Experts: "Do I Really Need to Have a Wedding Cake?"

Welcome to our latest installment of "Ask the Experts," where our contributor team of wedding planners solves readers' most pressing wedding-planning dilemmas! This week, Dora Manuel from Viva Bella Events, William Parkinson from William Parkinson Events and Sara Geiss from Something Events weigh in on a reader's wedding cake debate.

Pages

Subscribe to BridalGuide RSS