Everything Old is New Again - 5 Fun Tips for a Retro Wedding
Magazines and websites are bursting with the latest trends in wedding ideas and themes — and just trying to sift through them can be just as overwhelming as actually planning your wedding.
So take a deep breath, relax and consider: some of the most unique wedding ideas can be found with a backward glance at fashions of days gone by.
If you're considering going the black-tie route, how about an Art Deco 1930s
look? It's an era reminiscent of elegant Hollywood-style glamour, and
you'd be surprised at how much you can accomplish on any budget, large or
small.
Or for something completely different: what could be more fun than a wedding that evokes the spirit of the groovy 1960s, a time of "peace, love and understanding?" Could there be a better theme for launching your married life?
Whether you're going for funky or formal, here are some suggestions to help plan your idea of a retro wedding:
Polaroid Instant Photo Guest Books
Capture every moment of your wedding day with Polaroid instant pictures and hand-written sentiments from your guests. Polaroid instant photo guest books are a fun way to buck the digital trend, and they're all the rage among brides today.Polaroid cameras and photos are definitely retro, and they're making a 'new age' come back. Why? Because unlike digital or 35mm photos, Polaroids develop instantly (and don't require lugging around an army of pricey accessories, like a digital photo printer). When combined with notes from all your friends and family, the instant photo guest book becomes an enduring memento.
Hint: Put a couple of outgoing friends in charge of snapping the photos and helping your guests jot a memory or kind wish in your instant photo guest book. Your friends can circulate during the reception, taking the pictures and getting the notes, or you can set up a table for guests to visit. Be sure to have a back-up camera and plenty of film for "do-overs."
The Honor of Your Presence is Requested "¦ Retro Wedding Invitations
Display 1930s-era sophistication with heavy, cream-colored paper stock and deco-style type fonts — which you can further accent with period clip art.
For 60s-style invitations, start with paper stock in the pastel colors so popular then — or go all out and have tie-dyed invitations. Think about including stylistic signatures like flowers, too. You can print them on the invitation itself — or even tuck some dried wildflowers inside the envelope.
Hint: Don't forget you can order custom-designed stamps from the Post Office that reflects the mood you're trying to convey before your guests even open the envelope! (Some key examples: New York's Deco Rockefeller Center or Empire State Building, vintage cars, a yellow happy face icon — even a Grateful Dead logo.)
Dressing the Part "¦ Retro Bridal Wear
There's no need to wear a bandana or headband or go barefoot on your big day. But a lace dress (with a short hemline if you dare!) will evoke the hippie era nicely, as will a floral headpiece and bridesmaid dresses in pastels or bright floral prints.If you want an early 60s look, consider a cocktail dress or Jackie Kennedy-style sheath with a white pillbox hat and a netted veil.
Or for a glamorous Deco wedding, hunt for sleek and satiny 1930s-era dresses in vintage dress shops, or even flea markets or thrift shops (you'll find them in vintage clothes and used clothing boutiques all over). Easier for many of us in these days of taller women are having these dresses custom-made using new or vintage fabric and old patterns — popular styles from days gone by are often reissued by pattern sellers or easily found on eBay.
Hint: When planning your retro wedding, eBay and other shopping sites are great sources for all sorts of period bridal ware, decorations and inspirational wedding ideas.
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Flour Power "¦ Wedding Day Cup Cakes
Nothing says retro like a tasty, frosting-topped cupcake. You loved them as a kid, and now they're back in vogue as the height of food fashion. Serve up delicious, colorful cupcakes as the main dessert attraction. Swap them out for the traditional wedding cake, or serve along with. Stack your cupcakes vertically on a pastry tray, or arrange them in a circle to make a peace sign. It's child's play to frost them in day-glo icing for your 1960s look, or glam them up with a silvery Deco finish.Hint: Make sure you've got enough cupcakes so guests can to grab one for the road!
A Few of my Favor-ite Things "¦ Retro Wedding Favors
Since your wedding is the start of your own personal love-in, treat your guests to some retro style wedding favors, like love beads or peace sign jewelry. Or how about putting together a custom-made CD of classic rock tunes?For the 1930s wedding theme idea, linen handkerchiefs for both men and women adds a nice vintage touch. Or DVD copies of your favorite old comedy movie are sure to delight your guests — and the cover can feature you and your groom in place of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn for a fun reminder of your own classic romance.
Hint: Making custom CDs as favors? Snap some photos of you and your husband-to-be in vintage attire. Voila, you've got your cover art, and a great way to remember the day's unique concept that "old is new."
hey!!! im having a sweet 16 party and my theme is 1930’s italian mafia and i wanted to know how i can decorate it… if anyone has any ideas i would apprieciate it if u could answer me!!! thank u.. xoxo
brigitte,
*1930’s gangster theme
*1930’s gangster themed party
*raise a glass tothe 1920’s favor ideas ( this is for the 20’s but there are plenty of ideas here too)
i hope all these links help! i wish a very happy sweet 16th!!
Hello, My best friend is having a 1930’s wedding theme and we are tryin to come up with ideas on how to decorate for it, Any ideas will be greatly appreciated! feel free to email me!!
My niece is getting married in June. We’re trying to fine a cake topper of “HIPPIES”. Maybe dressed in jeans and tie died shirts? We did find one that was customed made out of clay but was $500.00. As beautiful as they are a little much when they are on a limited budget. Any help would be appreciated! Jen
I am looking for some ideas for save the date, thank you’s and favors using the “Old Time Photo Booth Pictures”… I’m going to have a photo booth machine at my wedding & scrapbook but I want more themed ideas. COuld you make any suggestions>
You might do the Save the Date with photo booth pictures of yourself and your fiance..
Sometimes scrapbook stores have stickers, or accessories that have a camera or “film” theme. I would look there…
I am trying to incorporate two very different ideas into my wedding. One being retro mod and the other being late 19th century England. My colors are black and white, so there a lot of places I am sure I can go with this, but I can’t seem to think of any. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Favor Ideas for 1930’s theme ~ Mini Champagne Bottles with a mini music sheet (inside of the music sheet have the couple’s name & date) rolled up with a satin ribbon and tied to the bottle.
Other cute ideas for retro favors: Bazooka bubblegum in pink or black favor boxes, black jelly beans wrapped in pink tulle, silver mint julep cups, coasters made from real 45s (records), any kind of retro candy like Necco wafers, Bit O’Honey, Sugar Daddies, candy cigarettes. This is one of the best themes out there for a truly great candy buffet.