Vintage themed weddings are becoming very popular nowadays, with many couples deciding that they would like something a little more personal than the traditional package offered by many hotels and venues. It is easy to add a vintage twist with a little time and imagination, so to begin, look at your theme or colour scheme and then relate this to your venue. What existing features can you use – maybe a pretty fireplace that could be decorated, or a lovely mirror that could be turned in to a focal point? Do the existing colours give you a head start with the decorating? Would pretty vintage style bunting look good around the walls or across the hall? Now is the time to discuss ideas with your partner, and enlist the help and enthusiasm of your best friends and bridesmaids.
For a simple vintage table, start with a lovely embroidered top cover, then use accents such as pretty china teacups & saucers to hold a single bloom or tea light. Buy some good old fashioned luggage tags (or make them yourself), decorate them and tie them to the handles as quirky place name holders. For table centres – buy or hire tiered china or glass cake stands, candlesticks & vases or white birdcages, and use them to set the scene. Remember cake stands don’t always have to hold cake – place a beautifully wrapped favour for each guest on the tiers, mixed with some lovely flowers & strings of pearls. Bird cages are really adaptable too – fill them with feather butterflies, a floral arrangement, or battery operated fairy lights with some matching feathers or baubles – use your imagination!
In place of traditional favours, another unusual idea is the good old fashioned sweet shop, sometimes known as a ‘Candy Bar’. Think back to the corner shop with the penny sweeties when you were young – this can be recreated on a side table at your venue with glass jars and bowls, metal scoops and spoons, and a stack of striped paper bags, cones or favour boxes – all ready for your guests to help themselves to a selection of sweeties (find them in your local supermarket or cash & carry). This is just as popular with the adults as the children and to finish off, you can hire a traditional ice-cream tricycle to impress your guests and make the day even more memorable!
Choosing a vintage theme will also allow you to involve older relatives and your future family-in-law in the planning for your big day – ask around for help with sourcing china and teapots, table covers and napkins. You will be astounded at the goodies that emerge from sideboards and china cabinets – and will lose track of how many times that you are told that ‘tea always tastes better out of a proper china cup’!
Enjoy your planning, and remember that when you create your own vintage style, you are making your day unique, special and very personal to you.
A big thanks to Fiona Hogwood at the Green Cockatoo for her fabulous guest post! Good luck creating your vintage theme – if you need any more info or suggestions then please visit www.thegreencockatoo.com or become a fan on her facebook page!
