In 1840, the pageantry of the American wedding took off, thanks to
England’s Queen Victoria, who quickly captivated onlookers around the
world. She had thrown one of the most elaborate weddings the world had
ever seen up to that time, and it was only natural for her
contemporaries to emulate her. Weddings soon became events for everyone
to enjoy and were no longer limited to just the couple and their
families. They were extravagant celebrations of love, life, and
happiness.
Before Victoria, weddings were simpler affairs. The sweet strains of
Lohengrin were soon overpowered by DJs and bands, and beautiful,
handmade nose-gays were eclipsed by bursting, colorful bouquets, among
other things. For today’s bride, toning down what’s already an
over-the-top affair is made appealing with the resurgence of the vintage
wedding, a nod to nuptials of the past. Yet, there are multiple
avenues to take when considering a vintage wedding theme; fortunately,
there are also countless websites and books devoted to the subject.
As with anything, you can take inspiration from the past and
carefully intertwine it with modern ambience to create a blend of old
and new, or you can host a blowout vintage wedding bash that replicates
the past to a T. The choices are endless!
Refining the Vintage Wedding Theme
Dress/Accessories: Finding the perfect
dress is the goal of every bride. For those hoping to wear a vintage
wedding gown to their ceremony, the search can be somewhat more
complicated. If you live in large metropolitan city, there are likely
quite a few vintage clothing or consignment stores that you can check
out. Online browsing/shopping is always a good alternative, and if you
do purchase anything, your local tailor can easily handle most
alteration needs.
You can also opt for modern wedding dresses that have vintage vibes,
such as mermaid or trumpet styles. Though, of course, when the elegant
Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in 1956, she chose a beautiful,
full-skirted gown in ivory. The point here is to stick with flowing,
high quality fabrics and classic embellishments that keep with the
vintage wedding theme.
As far as shoes, jewelry, and veils, many of these items are also
available online, either in their original vintage form or as modern
reproductions. Your mother or grandmother may even have some pieces
lying around that you can use to round out the vintage wedding theme.
Music: Undoubtedly, there are bands in your
area that specialize in old-time hits or, at the very least, jazz
standards. Some larger cities might even have mock big bands that can
perform at your reception. There are a couple ways you can go about
this: consider having the band greet guests on the lawn, in the style
of an old garden party, or create a faux bandstand at the front of the
reception venue to feature the band in all its glory.
To get guests excited about the wedding theme, before the band comes
on, have a victrola or phonograph that you’ve rented or purchased
piping music throughout the reception venue. It will set the stage for
the coming attractions!
Food: Weddings in the past have
traditionally been sit-down dinners, though you don’t have to follow
this when planning a vintage wedding. Offerings weren’t nearly as
diversified as today, and the usual fare consisted of various meats,
salads, and fruits. Occasionally, brides also held pot-lucks, a way to
get everyone involved in the festivities.
Selecting your menu can certainly play off these more traditional
choices, but you can also mix and match. Pair old favorites with some
new choices, and be creative! In terms of the cake, the flavor of choice
was always buttercream. Obviously, white cake is still the reigning
champ of wedding cakes, but if you decide to go with chocolate, red
velvet, or the like, you can have your cake decorated with vintage flair
– pearls, beads, feathers, lace, and other trimmings that meld with
your wedding theme.
Pictures: As with your music, finding a
photographer who specializes in snapping pictures with an ‘old-timey’
feel is not necessarily vital, but a consideration in your search.
Certainly, the photographer can take pictures as usual, and revise
certain elements when he’s back at his studio. Perhaps you’d like black
and white or sepia-toned pictures – that’s doable. Maybe you want a
crackled finish – sure. Get to know your photographer and his
capabilities! Look at portfolios before hiring anyone, and you’re sure
to find a photographer who can carry out your wishes for great
‘vintage’ wedding pictures.
Lighting: The right light is important for
any wedding! Regardless of the time of day your reception takes place,
the lighting you choose should foster both warmth and invitation.
Elaborate chandeliers, candles housed in extravagant candelabras, and
other sources of ambient light are ideal for a vintage wedding theme.
Warm up reception tables with centerpieces surrounded by candles, or
purchase multiple mini-chandeliers and hang them around the appetizer
tables, gift tables, or in the bathrooms. Milk-glass lanterns/lamps were
also a popular choice of lighting; they provide a soft glow that’s
unequaled.
A New Take on the Classics
A vintage wedding theme allows you and your guests to re-discover the
beauty and elegance of the past. However you choose to incorporate
these elements into your vintage wedding, just remember — have fun!
From birdcage veils and quaint petit-fours to jazz standards and a
1940s getaway vehicle, there are multiple ways to make the ceremony and
reception unique to you. Plus, a vintage wedding theme can be a lot of
fun for everyone involved! They’re a great way to re-invent the past,
learn a little history, and infuse your ceremony and reception with
some wonderful, old-fashioned glamour.
About Cherie Johnson
Cherie Johnson is the founder and owner of Creative Wedding Favors, a one-stop shop for personalized, unique baby and bridal shower, graduation, quinceañera, anniversary, and wedding favors,
helping countless couples and families make their big events a success.
Cherie's wedding advice has appeared on several websites including
Little Wedding Guide, Wedding Lenox, and The Wedding Source. Before she
launched her company in 2006, Cherie worked as a professional wedding
photographer, capturing the most special moments of the bride and
groom's big day. For more information on Creative Wedding Favors or to
find a variety of colorful, customizable gifts and favors, please visit www.CreativeWeddingFavors.com.
