5 Tips for Planning a Vintage Wedding
Vintage weddings are becoming more and more popular (old is the new new after all), and a lot of couples decide to go for retro chic. Planning a vintage wedding might be a bit harder than planning a more traditional one, but it is not so hard as it seems. Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to plan your vintage-themed wedding.#1. Choose a time period. The term “vintage” originated in the fashion industry, it is a generic term for garments which were produced from the 1920s to 20 years before the present day. And you probably know that, for example, clothing from the 1930s is very different from garments from the 1960s. If you don’t want your vintage wedding to seem too eclectic, choose a time period and stick to it when choosing wedding colors, clothes, accessories, venue décor, etc. Use movies, books and Pinterest as your source of inspiration.
#2. Find your venue. Finding the right venue is one of the hardest tasks when planning any kind of wedding, but it becomes even a bigger headache when you’re planning a retro themed wedding. The more the existing venue décor is reminiscent of your time period and style choice, the less décor you will need to bring in and the more time and money you will save. So don’t content yourself with the first venue available for your wedding and try to find the one that’s just right for you. #3. Say yes to the dress. A vintage wedding means a vintage wedding dress, that’s non-negotiable (unless you’ve decided to be original and wear a Marlene Dietrich-style pant suit or tuxedo, because why the hell not?). A vintage dress is hard to buy off the rack, so you’ll have to look for it anywhere you can: at thrift stores, on sites such as etsy and Modcloth, in your mother’s or even grandmother’s closet. One more tip: you don’t have to buy a wedding gown. Just find a dress that you like and that seems occasion appropriate. Shoes, accessories, makeup and hairstyle will do the rest. #4. Details are important. They say that God (or the devil, whichever variant you like best) is in the detail. And it is true as far as vintage weddings are concerned. Paper suite (save the dates, invitations, place cards, etc), lighting, décor items, flowers are extremely important because they create the retro atmosphere you’re going for. Remember that you have to choose the details very carefully because too many isn’t good. A few tasteful details are definitely better than a paraphernalia of kitschy knick-knacks. #5. Warn your guests ahead of time. If you want your guests to observe the vintage dress code, you should warn them in advance so that they have enough time to find an appropriate outfit. Wedding dress code is typically included on invitations. However, it is important to keep in mind that enforcing a dress code is probably not a good idea. You should encourage your guests to wear vintage clothing, but are you really going to kick them out of your wedding if they choose not to?