Top Tips To Create a Stunning Vintage Style Wedding
Weddings are all about love and elegance and what better way to evoke the romantic feel than by spicing it up with a hint of nostalgia? Vintage style is forever, so if you are looking for a wedding theme that will never date or stop being classy, turn to a bygone era for inspiration. Whether you lean more to a contemporary aesthetic or have a tender spot in your heart for more simple times, adding a touch of yesterdays’ whimsy will make a huge difference to your wedding day in terms of both style and atmosphere.
If you are already dreaming about a vintage-inspired wedding, but don’t know where to start with sourcing the perfect vintage wedding pieces to pull off the theme, don’t worry.
We’ve got you covered!
Any Venue can be Vintage
A vintage style wedding will feel at home in almost any type of venue, but to avoid coming off as overly theme-y, make sure to weave vintage vibes in subtly. Whether you choose to have a backyard, ballroom or country wedding, a layered look will help you achieve the tasteful glam you are aiming for. Look for vintage statement pieces that make your heart sing and mix them with a few antique details and some weathered accents. Top that with a muted, dusty colour palette with lots of greys, creams and gold, and you will make any venue age in the most charming fashion.
Image source: Style Me Pretty
Old-School Hospitality
Welcome your guests in an old-fashioned way, surrounded by tasteful rustic wedding vignettes your kids will once look back on without cringe.
Start with a wedding sign. Make a big first impression by utilising a large golden antique mirror or a mirror stand to display a welcome message in a glamorous style.
Photography: Julia Park
Vintage Bentwood Mirror Stand £535.00
If you are planning an outdoor wedding, stack a set of pre-loved vintage suitcases near the reception entrance as props or use one of them as a card box.
Photographer: Katch Studios via My Domaine
Stunning Set Of 4 Leather Giovanni Beruccio Italian Vintage Suitcases 1960’s £265.00
To achieve the lavish luxury look, place oversized floral arrangements in a pair of antique urns.
Image source: Style Me Pretty
Pair Antique French Cast Iron Urns £750.00
Hardly any object we use to this day brings about feeling of nostalgia in the way a bicycle does. A match made in heaven, retro bikes give character to a vintage style wedding and make for brilliant props, especially when fully functional and ready for a ride (like the 1920s French Bicycle you can see below).
Photography: Andrea Ferrara
1920s French Bicycle £195.00
I Do (Love Vintage Style Weddings)
Frame the wedding ceremony with old screen doors and create a one-of-a-kind backdrop for saying your vows. You can later repurpose them as an entrance to a lounge area or as a place card holder.
Photographer: Green Door Photography
Impressive Pair Of Antique French Chateau Doors Solid Oak £850.00
A vintage-inspired wedding is all about the details, and one of the most surprising and versatile are undoubtedly antique birdcages. You can use them to add interest to the altar area, hang them over the branches nearby or simply put on a table as magical centrepieces. Fill them with flowers, candles or wedding cards; they won’t mind.
Photographer: Nicole Chatham Photography
Asian Vintage Rattan Bird Cage £85.00
Wine and Dine Like Back in the Old Days
For the ultimate rustic wedding reception opt for a Victorian-style farmhouse table and mismatched vintage dining chairs. Nest a cluster of antique chandeliers above the dining table to further nurture the turn of the century spirit.
Photographer: Heirlume Photography
210cm/7ft Rustic Reclaimed Farmhouse Table Handmade Bespoke, Farrow & Ball £495.00
Substantial Pair Of Pine Spindle Back Farmhouse Chairs With Shabby Paintwork In White £250.00
Painted Vintage Chair With Star Pattern Seat In Duck Egg Blue £125.00
Delicate Balloon Chandelier £1,295.00
Rustic Centerpiece Arrangements
Aged lanterns and shabby chic candlesticks are obvious go-to pieces of the vintage wedding theme. After all, what better way to evoke the yesterday’s charm than by holding a reception by candlelight?
But don’t stop there! Give a glamorous twist to the intimate family ambience by adding crystal wine glasses and Victorian silverware into the layout and place effortless flower arrangements in antique bottles and vintage vases to provide texture.
Photographer: Karen Sarai Photography
Photographer: Lauren Fair Photography
Wrought Iron Lantern In The Shape Of A Miniature Greenhouse £568.96
Crystal Wine Glasses Sets Of 4 £46.00
Three Antique Green Glass Burgundy Bottles £55.00
Vintage Water Bottles In Crate £95.00
Vase Ceramics, Krugvase, Red Vase, Ceramics And Pottery £17.51
Eye-catching Dessert Table
An eye candy vintage piece, such as a dresser, antique table or rustic kitchen island will impress everyone and create a magnificent focal point. Jam-pack the dessert station with yummy treats, nostalgic cookie jars, elegant cake stands and opulent flower bouquets to treat your guests’ interior taste buds to a wonderful experience.
Photographer: Carly M Photography via 100 layer cake
Vintage French Rustic Solid Wood Workbench / Counter / Kitchen Island / Butchers £590.00
Vintage Glass Cake Stand £31.00
Charming Lounge Area and Photo Booth Station
To make the ceremony more personal and heartfelt add a few trinkets from your own past to the lounge and photo booth area.
Fill the space with vintage love seats, comfy armchairs and daybeds to provide a more relaxed nook to those seeking privacy, but also as a backdrop for photo shoots. Frame the vignette with some fun ornate frames, and for extra cosiness, throw in a vintage rug and an heirloom gramophone.
Also, some garden games could come in handy while the guests are waiting to take the photos with the newlyweds.
Photographer: Mint Photography
Antique Victorian Mahogany Deep Seated Upholstered Wing Back Gentleman’s Chair £125.00
Vintage Chaise Lounge £800.00
Vintage Caucasian Karabagh Rug £1,250.00
19th Century Frame £130.00
Theatrical Costume Trunk, Antique Laundry Basket, Decorator’s Piece, Storage Basket, Coffee Table £250.00
Vintage Blue Cased May Fair Portable Gramophone £110.00
Wooden Boule Petanque Set £95.00
Feeling inspired and would like to see more interesting vintage finds you could incorporate into your wedding day? Browse through our carefully curated selection of furniture with character, and you’ll find everything your heart desires.