If there is a wedding theme that never goes out of fashion, it is a vintage wedding. And of course it doesn’t! Because there are endless decades to inspire it.
We love the sparkle and craziness of the 20’s, the glamour and luxury of the 50’s, and the bohemian and hippie style of the 60’s. And, without a doubt, we love the Impressionist era, the Victorian era and the Renaissance era. Which is your favourite?
Grab some paper and a pen and write down your favourites!
1. The colour gold
If there is a colour that without a doubt evokes the past, it is gold. It is very easy to incorporate it because there is silverware in gold, cutlery, and decorative objects… but you can also incorporate it into your invitations so that your guests will have an idea that the day will have vintage airs.
2. Cursive calligraphy
The beautiful calligraphy hugely contributes to creating a vintage style, above all, cursive. So, let loose and write in your invitations, menu or seating plan with this type of writing.
3. Mix old and new
Combining old and new is without a doubt a key element of a vintage wedding. You can mix a huge vintage lace dress with some pretty new gold shoes, or some earrings and a tiara with a family history accompanied with a tube silhouette. A good choice!
4. Hire an antique car
Make your ‘something borrowed’ a vintage car! Surprise all your guests at your vintage wedding by arriving to the ceremony in a Rolls Royce, in a Morgan, a Citroen, in a Volkswagen car or in an authentic Ford Lincoln.
5. Victorian age styles
This is not the first time a bride has been inspired by Bridgit Bardot and the Victorian age, opting for an elegant style that combines an ivory corset and a peplum waist, with lace, laces and strips of silk ribbon.
6. Jewels that are a relic
Whether your engagement ring is an antique or you borrow precious jewellery for your “something old” or “something new”, ensure that your earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces are very old, either passed down from family or from a luxury market.
7. Embroidered veils
A unique stamp for the bride at a vintage wedding is the veil. So don’t hesitate to get a Julieta style veil, where the top is in a hooded style and also has tulle and embroidery. There is nothing more stylish!
8. Brooches
Brooches are the ‘something borrowed’ at a vintage wedding. You can adorn your bouquet with your grandmother’s or your great grandmother’s brooch or even that of the groom’s family. Even better if it has sentimental value!
9. Wild flowers
A bouquet of wildflowers brings life in purples, yellows and pinks. You can create a bohemian and relaxed floral arrangement that alludes to the 60s or you can opt for a bouquet inspired by the 20s in pinks and plums.
10. Handkerchiefs and lace gloves
Keep your emotions under control with a handkerchief, undoubtedly: full of lace and pointelle, just like the gloves in white. So classic in the past!
11. Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley is a plant made up of white flowers whose petals, that can be white or pink, give off a sweet scent. In the 16th century, King Carlos IX started the tradition of gifting this flower to the ladies of the court. Ever since then, it has become the flower of the First of May celebration.
12. Special quotes
Incorporate special quotes in the small details, for example, you could have a ribbon with a phrase wrapped around the bouquet of the bride, on the handkerchief of the groom, posters in the venue or even on the guests’ wedding favours.
13. Classic corsage
Classic white roses are really vintage and timeless, and have been used for centuries. Using this type of boutonniere is a safe bet, and even more so if the same flowers are found on the arch of the altar, carved onto the silverware or hand-painted onto the invitations.
14. Decorate with old books
Even if you are not a bookworm, you can bring an antique style to the wedding by incorporating old books as table centrepieces, covering the welcome table or decorating the food corner. How original!
15. Record players and jukeboxes
If there is a particular musical element that reminds us of the past, it is record players and jukeboxes. You can use them in the reception of the guests to liven up the cocktail hour or even as decorative elements in the photo shoot.
16. Lace parasols
If you are going to celebrate the wedding outside, lace parasols are not only an ode to the 19th century, but they also give the guests some protection from the sun. Place them in baskets at the entrance of the ceremony so that the guests can pick one up before taking their seats.
17. Handwritten vows
Write your vows on paper like they did in the past, and even better if it is with pen and ink! Additionally, it is a special memory to mark the occasion and keep at home so that you never forget the promises that you made to each other.
18. A vintage door frame
Whether you are marrying inside or outside, a door frame can help to prepare the perfect scene for a vintage ceremony or reception. How about putting the door at the start of the aisle so that your guests have to walk through it? And how about the option of placing it at the ceremony to walk through it on the way to the altar? We love this idea!
19. An entrance full of flowers
Every bride dreams of arriving at her wedding and finding a glamorous entrance. Well, thi is the perfect idea: cover the entrance with an endless amount of romantic flowers in the purest fairytale style. You will end up in a different century!
20. A hodgepodge of chairs
For a different style of seating at the ceremony, why not mix chairs of distinct styles and colours. Chairs that don’t match create an elegant and dreamy appearance. Do a mix and match and add a cool vibe to your vintage wedding.
21. Renaissance sculptures
The venue at a vintage wedding is extremely important when choosing, since it has to have a rich architectural history for a backdrop. Try to get some renaissance statues that will create an altar in a 19th century style.
22. Giant parchments
Love letters bring life to any wedding, but writing them on giant parchment paper in cursive is perfect for a vintage wedding, because parchment evokes the elegance and romance of the past centuries.
23. Metal arbour
You can decorate the ceremony space with an arbour, or an arch, covered in flowers. Because these features were very popular in grand gardens in the 18th and 19th centuries. The plants were round or octagonal and the purpose was, as well as decorating the venue, to have a place to rest and get away from your worries.
24. Antique furniture
Worn down furniture, persian armchairs, golden knobs, sofas, drawers and mid-century furniture, everything creating an antique environment. And the charm of antique furniture is ideal to embellish any room in a wedding.
25. Confetti of petals
Paper cones filled with petals of magenta, white and pale pink petals are perfect for substituting traditional rice for the newlyweds and also go with the theme of the wedding.
26. Crystals
Bottles, lamps, candelabras, vases… you can include any crystal objects in the decoration of the vintage wedding. Those who have a night wedding can include chandeliers and candelabras to add a sophisticated touch.
27. A worn down guest book
Instead of a traditional guestbook, you can make an old book, in which your guests can sign their names. Don’t forget to get more books, bags, frames and any other antique objects.
28. Old chests
In the rebirth, the most elegant chests were known as wedding chests because they were only sent by the husband to his fiancée on the eve of his wedding. Nowadays, we use them for storage and decoration, so get one of these 15th-century chests to decorate a space at your wedding.
29. Antique tables for corners
Whether the table is for desserts, cheeses or beers, the corners of the rooms have to have antique tables, either made from wood or glass. And don’t forget to cover it with vines and flowers!
30. Vintage dresses
Vintage wedding dresses are outfits that have a lot of detail in their designs, they are very popular and continue to give people something to talk about in recent times because they are simple and elegant. Wedding fashion brands have been inspired by these dresses since the 1900s, when they were made with great detail, and the fabrics and cuts were treated with delicacy.
31. A trolley
No vintage wedding is complete without an antique bar trolley. You can fill it with a selection of your favourite whiskeys, or whichever drinks you will serve. A good cocktail with a historical background, like the Sidecar after WW1 or the Gimlet cocktail from the crazy 20s would be a good touch.
32. Bistro chairs
Bistro chairs are a well-loved design which transport you to the summers of the 1930s. Place them around circular tables with simple, white tablecloths to create an outdoor bistro vibe. It’s like eating breakfast in the historic gardens of Casa de Campo!
33. Decorated fountains
If you are lucky, the venue you choose might have fountains, so don’t forget to cover them with garden roses and bouquets of orchids. Furthermore, around it you can have a jazz trio and tall tables to serve cocktails in this charming environment.
34. A “frayed” seating plan
Frayed edges and large calligraphy make it look like the paper was made of parchment. So get paper with this type of style and place it on a ribbon or string to create a decorative display.
35. Old keys
You can include bottles with ribbon, laces or cords. If the key is flat, you can also stick it to the glass. With glass bottles, lace, sackcloth, or decoupage paper, you can create lovely decorations. How about decorating the tree trunks with windchimes made of antique keys.
36. Candles and candelabras
If you want your wedding setting to be full of romance and have a vintage touch, there is nothing better than using candelabras. As well as their decorative element, they are also useful, fitting in various atmospheres and adding a note of character. They have it all!
37. Different vases
Mix and match vases to create the most vintage decor. Acrylic cylinders and metallic vases overflowing with wild green flowers create an ancient feeling, while white flowers evoke glamour of the garden.
38. Second-hand furniture
The charm of old-fashioned furniture is ideal for filling every corner of the wedding venue. From sofas, chairs and draws, to benches, screens and many other options. This type of furniture, which is usually made of durable and very resistant materials like wood and metal, has become a fantastic decorative option because of its warm colours, its conservative aesthetic and its nostalgic essence.
39. Historical Venues
Getting married at a historic site? Yes! And definitely if your wedding has a vintage theme. There are farmhouses, country houses, villas, palaces, castles… The venue of your dreams exists!
40. Large vines and climber plants
Climber plants and vines are a decorative solution for many gardens, patios or terraces. With these, you can cover outdoor walls or even indoor walls, adding a natural and fresh aspect… ideal for a wedding with a vintage feeling!
41. Majestic marquee
A large marquee creates an elegant and timeless reception area of style. Furthermore, they are the perfect option for a Plan B on your wedding day. We don’t want any weather mishaps!
42. Lush tables
A vintage table is very charming and requires exuberance. This is why you should use retro silverware, crystal glasses, silver cutlery, porcelain and glass dishes, candlesticks etc.
43. Pastel tones
Pastel tones create a dreamy dinner reception. A large old wooden table under an ornate trellis with eucalyptus and romantic.
44. Wooden materials
trunks, wood logs, wooden tables, boxes, pallets, the seating plan, various signalling arrows… Do you like any of these options? Wood is the ideal material for decorating vintage weddings!
45. Floral tablecloths
Decorate your dinner tables with floral motifs. Tablecloths with this print and table centres of wild flowers accented with candles, crystals and porcelain imitate the typical tearooms from the past.
46. Porcelain dinner set
Wedding crockery is one of the elements that seems invisible and that doesn’t need to be paid much attention, but all the guests will see it. So this is why you should choose a good vintage style dinnerware set. Porcelain crockery with floral motifs in pastel colours will be perfect alongside laced edges and dry flowers.
47. Linen fabrics
In the past, linen fabrics were reserved only for towels, tablecloths and bed sheets, which were preserved like family treasures. But, a few years ago, this thousand year old fabric “came out of the closet” to decorate every corner of the house with curtains, upholstery, cushions and pillowcases. Well now they also decorate weddings. We love altars that are covered in linen!
48. U-shaped tables
U-shaped tables are very attractive, pleasing and can seat lots of guests. It is perfect for having more people on the wedding table and not only your closest friends and family. And it evokes the big feasts of the Italian countryside!
49. Embroidered serviettes
Think about personalising serviettes with your initials or with the names of each guest. Take this attention to detail to the next level adding a serviette holder made of sterling silver and a beautiful handwritten card for each seat.
50. Silverware from your ancestors
Old and used is what we look for for this wedding theme, and for this reason, using old silverware, either from the mother of the bride or the grandmother of the groom, brings sentimental value, tradition and history to your wedding.
51. Artisan gifts
Is there anything more charming than gifting a gift made with love to your guests? No! Gift honey from your family farm, small bags filled with aromatic plants as a draw freshener, artisan soaps, homemade marmalade, packets of cookies, artisan cider… because at vintage weddings, artisan products fit perfectly.
52. Organic table centrepieces
Does a table centrepiece made with organic materials exist? Of course! Inspire yourself by mixing elements like earth, water and air. So, old wooden tables, old copper candelabras, wild flowers in pink and organic materials like gardens, roots and seeds create a beautiful and unique setting.
53. Lace tablecloths
Lace tablecloths evoke romance in any form, but when they are combined with arranged flowers in pastel colours and porcelain silverware, they are pure vintage perfection with Provincial airs.
54. Music: an ode to the past
It is no secret that music evokes memories of the past, so it doesn’t matter which style you prefer, we invite you to play music that has made history, like the melodies of the crazy 20s, cabaret, charleston, jazz or soul… Anything goes!
55. Toasts with champagne
Toasting with champagne is all thanks to the Great Gatsby, but toasting with champagne reminds us of the past no matter what. Take it to the next level for the toasts of the wedding day by making a tower of champagne glasses and lighting twinkling lights.
56. An iconic cake
One of the obligatory photos for your wedding day is the cake cut with the bride and groom. For this reason, it is not only for eating, but also a very important visual element, so your cake has to be iconic and in line with your theme. Opt for various tiers with edible decor, pearls, rose flowers and golden chocolates.
57. Golden cutlery
Cutlery is, along with the dishes, one of the principal elements in the makeup of a good table. Beyond their undoubted usefulness, they add to a clear decorative criterion which is crucial when organising an exclusive and quality event. And at a vintage wedding, the colour gold is synonymous with success. Place cutlery in this style on your tables!
58. Brass and copper to decorate
Complements of copper and brass are key elements for a vintage setting. Just like the lamps, that are made entirely of brass or even combined with other colours like white, are a typical decorative element. The same thing applies to brass bins, copper trays and watering cans and candle holders made from these materials.
59. French cheeses
Preparing a cheese table is exactly what evokes a vintage wedding in French style. Because let’s be honest, there are few people that don’t like cheese. Did you know that a cheese corner is one of the most demanded requests at weddings? Don’t forget to decorate it with berries and flowers!
60. Photo frames
A photo frame has an infinity of uses, and at a vintage wedding it is a clear part of the decoration. Either presenting the names of the guests on the seating plan, labelling the drinks tables or dessert table, hanging from tree branches or with inspirational quotes at the wedding entrance. Even better if they are aged and worn!
How do all these ideas seem for your vintage wedding? We’re sure that now you are filled with inspiration! But if you still need help with the preparations of your vintage wedding, at Perfect Venue we can help you. Contact us: +34 722 476 027.
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