Some clothing items and decor elements are timeless, which is why we think recently engaged couples should take a look back at vintage weddings. “Vintage” encompasses a wide variety of aesthetics, not just those garish polyester suits. Older items are also usually crafted out of finer materials than what’s available to us in the modern markets. From the structured glamour of the 1950s to the chic minimalism of the 90s, you can find a wedding style that suits your own personality. Maybe you’ve always loved the handmade lace on wedding dresses from the 1920s. Or perhaps you envision a bedazzled gown fit for the dance floor in Studio 54. You can find it all at vintage shops, both in person and online!
Start creating a list of materials and styles that align with your wedding day vision. Searching for vintage wedding items isn’t for the last-minute bride. You’ll want to set aside plenty of time for hunting down all the unique vintage wedding pieces you dream of. We’ve compiled a helpful guide to vintage wedding ideas, including where to shop and what to search for.
Where to Find Vintage Wedding Dresses
Intricate hand-beading, custom details, and couture materials used to be the norm for wedding dresses. Plenty of vintage shops have been addressing a growing demand for vintage wedding dresses, sourcing them from around the world. Vintage sizing is quite different than today’s, so make sure you have precise measurements of your body before purchasing anything online. Here are a few of our favorite spots to find vintage wedding gowns:
- Happy Isles is a vintage bridal salon and designer vintage shop with locations in LA and NYC. They’re well known for a reason, due to their excellent curation of elegant statement pieces and archival items.
- Blossom Vintage specializes in pieces with delicate details and natural fabrics. They have a stunning array of antique wedding dresses for the Edwardian-inspired brides out there.
- Shop Gossamer offers vintage wedding gowns in ethereal fabrics and flowing designs. You’ll be able to find gowns from various decades, all possessing an aura of feminine grace.
- Cha Cha Linda Vintage will suit brides looking for playful and unique wedding gowns in line with some of the moder trends. They also have a great selection of chunky vintage jewelery.
When searching on other websites for vintage or archival dresses, such as therealreal, etsy, or ebay, don’t limit your search terms to just “wedding dresses.” You’ll want to look through all the white, cream, or off-white gown selections to increase your chances of finding your dream wedding dress.
Wedding Head Ware
People used to prefer more formal everyday outfits, including structured hats. Vintage head ware is the way to go if you’re looking for unique styles. You’ll have much more selection and the quality can’t be beat.
Tiaras/Crowns: There won’t be too many occasions in your life that you’ll be able to get away with wearing a crown. Why not go for it on your wedding day! A vintage or antique tiara will bring some old-world elegance to your celebration. You can always take it to a jeweler or metal smith to add some extra fastenings.
Wedding Hats/Fascinators: Modern brides don’t wear these too often, but we think they can bring a classic sophistication to the right wedding day outfit. It’s an especially great accessory for an outdoor wedding venue to keep your hair under control.
Bridal Headbands: Headbands are cycling back into trend, but we think they’ve always been an elegant wedding accessory! Vintage bridal headbands usually have intricate beading and add flattering volume to your crown.
For Invitations and Save the Dates
Use vintage floral stamps on your wedding invites if you’d like to introduce some old-school charm to your wedding stationary. Many vendors online sell old stamps in bulk in specific themes and colors. You’re allowed to place as many decorative stamps as you’d like on wedding invitations, as long as it meets the minimum postage requirement.
Another idea inspired by days gone by…announcing your wedding in the newspaper! This is a fun one to revive and will make you feel like a celebrity couple. Plus, you can keep the newspaper clipping as a sentimental piece of wedding ephemera.
Vintage Wedding Cake Ideas
Wedding cakes in decades prior usually had lots of swags, icing ribbons, and lacy piping. This is a classic look and can be done in a variety of colors. You can find plenty of vintage cake topper online, from the humorous to the romantic. You could also dig up old photos of your parents’ or grandparents’ weddings and ask a bakery to recreate one of their cakes. Just adjust the size to fit your celebration size!
Vintage Wedding Decor
Antique and vintage silver pieces will really make your wedding tablescapes shine. We love to include design elements that maximize the light in a space. Antique stores and the internet have no shortage of silver candlesticks and decor, you just have to decide what style suits your celebration best.
Vintage Wedding Inspiration
We hope that this wedding blog post inspired you! We love looking through old photographs and visiting vintage clothing stores to find one of a kind pieces. Drop a line if you have more vintage bridal shops to recommend to our readers!
Excited to start planning your vintage inspired wedding?
Fuld & Co. loves an old-school romance and we gather inspiration from every era. If you’re looking for help planning your wedding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We will work with you to find a style that suits you and your love story.
