Rules Of Engagement

As promised, we are revisiting the idea of vintage weddings because there is just so much that can be said about them and many ideas that we had to make it a 2-parter. As we discussed before, vintage weddings are also great for a bride (and groom) on a budget which makes it close to our hearts. Because there are so many variations that can be considered a vintage style, this is great for allowing you to integrate your own creative style into your wedding. So it’s important to answer these questions: what style/era am I going for? What style suits me? We would love to hear what your favorite vintage eras and styles are. Keep reading for ideas of how to get going on your vintage wedding!

Wedding attire and accessories. Vintage wedding attire is all around you, if you look carefully. Have you ever seen a gorgeous, flowy wedding dress that just made you think, geeze, that would make a gorgeous wedding dress? Now is your chance! The perfect thing about vintage style dresses is that back in their original time, they were very casual, often short, lacy affairs. They were usually not the big production that they are today. So even if you find a dress that is not classified as an actual wedding dress, add some lace and pearls, and you have yourself a vintage dress find. This can also save you a bundle on dresses. When doing your dress shopping, keep your eye open for any great pearl jewelry pieces to add as a bracelet or extra lace you may see on other dresses. These can make great, simple veils and can be easily tailored into birdcage style hairpieces. Check out this site for some great vintage dresses. Any local suggestions from our different readers for great local finds?

Don’t stop at just the wedding. Get your guests into the vintage feel by vintaging- up your save the dates and invitations. You can collect and antique-y looking paper at flea markets or even your local markets if you get your timing right. What’s great about this is your invitations don’t all have to be exactly the same print/design to match because they will all have the vintage feel in common. Plus, unless your guests go around comparing invitations, none will be the wiser. Vintage Wedding has some great ideas on how to make your invitations super vintage if you go here.

Accessorize your reception. Hatboxes, pillboxes, antique trunks, birdcages, etc can be used both as decoration and functionality at your reception. Of course, you do not need to buy all of these items or even more than one to give your guests a feel of the vintage era and add a fun, decorative touch to your reception. You can use an antique trunk or trunks as a holder for guests to put their gifts in as they enter the venue. You can find a trunk of this kind at any antique store or flea market for a great price and it can be used over again as a home decoration. Open the trunk lid, and you have a great holding space for gifts, umbrellas (for guests if it’s raining), or bigger favors you may have in store for guests. Pillboxes & hatboxes will make great stackers for centerpieces or space fillers around your reception venue. If you are able to find a good number of birdcages, they can be repainted (or left in their original condition) and used as your centerpieces. Throw in some candles & mirrors on the inside or you can add your favorite flowers in a vase and put those birdcages to good use.

Keep in mind when doing your vintage shopping that you don’t need to have everything match exactly. You likely will not be able to accomplish that goal, although some of you perfectionists may have? Vintage is the perfect plan to mix and match your antique finds and throw back to that old time era!

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