Can't decide which past era to recreate for your vintage wedding? Find out how to create a cohesive retro aesthetic with items from the most iconic decades in this Vintage Wedding Guide from Afarose.

While there are many different themes to choose from for your wedding—boho, romantic, modern, or traditional—more and more brides are turning to the past for inspiration.

A vintage-themed wedding offers many iconic looks to pull inspiration from: from the glitz and glam of the roaring '20s to the Hollywood glamor of the '50s. There are numerous ways to incorporate elements from these eras into your wedding.

However, having abundant options can present its own set of challenges. Should you center your wedding around antiques from a specific time period? Or mix and match different eras? Maybe you’re asking yourself, what separates one era from another stylistically?

From the location to the decor to (of course) the dress, there are so many factors to consider when planning your vintage wedding.

Vintage Wedding Locations

Considering all the time period options, vintage weddings offer a lot of venue versatility. Couples can plan a throwback ceremony whether it’s a formal estate wedding or a shabby chic affair.

For the bride who wants to maintain some traditional wedding influence, scout out older chapels. With the stained glass windows, soaring arches, and influential art—nothing screams vintage like a church with some historical flare.

But if you’re looking to move away from a traditional church vibe, there are still plenty of options. For example, country clubs exude rich, historic energy. The walls and the furniture have lived through several generations of romance, so it’s a perfect location for tying the knot. Say your I Dos surrounded by exposed brick, detailed archways, ornate fountains, grand fireplaces, and courtyards.

For a more rustic feel, try a vineyard—where nature dictates a sumptuous color palette, with grapes draping in rich cherry reds and midnight blues, and wine crates and cases can serve as original props. A countryside garden wedding is also a charming outdoorsy option for a vintage wedding, surrounded by serene greenery. If you and your spouse-to-be live in a city, this could also serve as a welcomed escape and preamble for a relaxed, unplugged honeymoon, away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

A barn offers another similar nature theme. Spacious yet intimate, barns are perfect venues for just about every kind of wedding. They provide a flexible canvas, customizable however couples see fit for their wedding theme. As an added benefit, you can also pair any color scheme with natural-colored walls and floors.

Vintage Wedding Decor

A vintage wedding theme is all about the details. If you're going for a specific era, the best way to nail it is to find authentic pieces from that particular period or use close replicas. Antique stores are everywhere, and vintage furniture and designs are readily available or being upcycled and recycled as the vintage style is a trend coming back into fashion.

Adorn your wedding venue with antique centerpiece furniture to add some retro oomph. Deck it out with candles and garlands for an extra accent. Add rich romance to your wedding decor with embossed damask tablecloths or old-world glasses and candle stands as well.

While, like with the furniture, the color palette can vary depending on the era, but don’t fret too much. Soft pastels are an easy way to inject some color into your vintage wedding without being too bold. Intersperse your pastel accents throughout your wedding decor for a subtle touch.

But even if your vintage wedding is inspired by a specific decade, it's important to strike a balance between old and new decor. Stay true to the tradition of something old, something new. Mix contemporary and vintage elements so it feels like an homage to an era, rather than a costume party.

For an extra showstopper, perhaps make your something borrowed a vintage car! A vintage car is a perfect backdrop for any vintage barn or outdoor wedding style. Vintage weddings offer plenty of opportunities to get creative with the decorations and make a lasting impression that your guests will leave raving about.

Vintage Wedding Dresses

The most important visual, though, is always the dress.

How do you find the perfect dress for your vintage wedding? You may go for a ‘20s stylish chic, an elegant midcentury Hollywood glamor, or the carefree vibes of the 60s. Or perhaps you just want a general vintage feel—sleek and sophisticated without too much era-specific paraphernalia. Do your research, find some inspiration, and then get to shopping!

Afarose offers a number of luxurious vintage-inspired wedding dresses, all made to order to nail the details for your perfect dress.

For example, the Marjorie with its sweetheart bardot neckline and full ball silhouette is a beautiful vintage style option. Nothing says vintage like a full ballgown silhouette! With their ample fabric and long trains, these wedding gowns pay homage to the 1930s and have a regal flair.

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Regina’s tumbling chapel-length train and mermaid silhouette also delivers sleek Old World glamor while keeping it feeling fresh. The intricate embroidery and beading is a feast for the eyes, but never overwhelming. If you want to feel like a queen on your wedding day, this dress is for you! Consider pairing a Tila birdcage veil or tasteful sheer Zoe wrap for an extra vintage touch.

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Meanwhile, Evangeline combines a lacy off-the-shoulder illusion neckline with flowing tulle to make a versatile sheath silhouette that works well for most wedding scenes. The white lace and short sleeves offer an antique look harkening back to the early 20th century. For brides who want a dress that is modest, mysterious, and magical, this is the dress.

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Your Dream Wedding

Nailing a vintage-themed wedding is all about the details.

Whether it’s a specific era or a general atmosphere, intersperse antique accents throughout your ceremony. The cake, shoes, jewelry, attire, furniture, photography—these are all important details to get your vintage theme right!

And of course, you have to pick the perfect dress.

Afarose’s collection of vintage wedding dresses offers a wide range of options. All Afarose dresses are made to order to ensure you achieve your desired aesthetic. Afarose also offers a try-at-home program, so you can test various dress styles for your wedding location before the big day. Book a virtual consultation today and get to planning!