Giving your wedding a retro or antique vibe is a great way to show off your personality whilst ensuring your wedding photos stay in style. Retro weddings offer plenty of opportunities for quirky customs and cool décor reminiscent of bygone eras, and we want to share some of our favourites with you.
The Roaring 20s is a popular wedding theme thanks to its luxurious and sophisticated colour scheme of monochrome tones accented with pops of shimmering gold. This trend can lead to various cool venue décor ideas, such as stacking champagne saucers to create a fountain, feathers in vases, and stunning crystal chandeliers above you. You can decorate the chairs with strings of pearls and hire a live band to play jazz renditions of your favourite songs. The 1920s were all about parties and excess, so it’s impossible to make this theme too big – hire a classic car to take you to and from the venue and go all-out with beading and sparkles in your clothing. The rich sense of celebration in your photos will come through for years to come, making it the perfect option for your retro wedding.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines kitsch as “art, decorative objects, or design considered by man to be ugly, without style, or false but enjoyed by other people, often because they’re funny.”
Whilst this doesn’t immediately sound like a lovely idea for a wedding, kitsch is becoming increasingly popular, especially when looking at kitsch objects from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. 50s kitsch might see the bride wearing a short, A-line dress and sporting pin-curls, posing with the groom in a gaudy suit and sipping milkshakes through a straw, whilst a 60s kitsch wedding could involve shift dresses and a venue covered in wood panelling and floral accents. 70s kitsch weddings might see the groom wearing flares and wide collars, whilst the bride could opt for floaty sleeves and a straight skirt with vinyl records covering the walls or hanging from the ceiling.
These tongue-in-cheek wedding décor and outfit ideas are perfect for the couple who love vintage style and never take themselves too seriously. Look around online for examples of kitsch décor and themes and pick which ones speak to you for a wedding that’s truly unique and personal to your dramatic taste.
Pastel tones and décor running through your wedding are lovely for those who want to celebrate in the spring. The light and airy colours are perfect for antique aesthetics and pair beautifully with vintage florals, birdcage décor, teacups, and fine china. Scatter colourful confetti over long tables, and indulge in bright lace accents for a contemporary, shabby chic twist on the Victorian. Finish the look by serving cakes and canapes on tiered cake stands for a truly vintage feel with a romantic element. You can also tie pastel balloons and flowers to your getaway car to infuse every aspect of your wedding with pastel charm.
A simple and subtle way to bring retro style to your wedding is through your makeup. Dark, winged or cat-eye eyeliner is a brilliant choice for most vintage wedding themes and pairs beautifully with a sweep of dusky pink lipstick for something romantic or a coating of red for a bold look that’s perfect for brides who want a rock edge to their day. Gently brush a light layer of soft pink blusher over the apples of your cheeks and keep your eyebrows quite natural.
Once you’ve done your hair in pin-curls, waves, or curls to match, you’ve got a versatile, retro wedding look that will never fall from fashion. (Just be careful with this one if you’re a crier, and make sure all your makeup is waterproof or you’ve set it all well with setting spray!)
If you want more ideas for your upcoming wedding, why not browse the articles below or explore our full wedding collection?
