Wedding Wednesdays: Vintage Weddings Part I

For this Wedding Wednesday, we’ll be covering one of the newest, most popular trends for engaged couples everywhere—the vintage wedding. Tiffany, a blogger for the well-known Los Angeles vintage rockabilly store Stop Staring Clothing, has some really great ideas when it comes to a vintage look. Here’s part one, which features how to get a classic vintage look when it comes to dressing up the entire wedding party:

I love vintage style. A vintage look is a sure-fire way to look and feel classic and feminine. And of all occasions, your wedding is definitely a time that you want to feel gorgeous and glamorous!

Vintage weddings are fairly popular these days, and for good reason. A vintage look is defined by its timeless, sophisticated and romantic look that hails back to a former time. There are often whimsical or modern elements thrown in to update the look. When creating a vintage wedding, perhaps the most important part is to get your own look right. The bride and groom are the centerpiece of the event, after all!

Photos by Lisa Devlin. Dresses by Sophomode.

Women

For a vintage look in both wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses, the shape of a dress should hug your figure, accentuating the waist and giving an hourglass silhouette. Sweetheart necklines, boat necks and collars are great for this look. Skirts can be long and flowing for an elegant look, or short and flared for more fun. Lace was used all over in vintage styles, and creates a lovely, feminine look. Other materials that may look great are taffeta, satin, silk and even cotton.

There are many places that you can look for and purchase vintage wedding dresses online. Many antique, consignment or thrift stores may also have a selection of vintage wedding dresses, which typically run anywhere from $50-500 and up. If you find a vintage wedding dress that you like but maybe has a small detail you’re not crazy about (shoulder pads, anyone?), consider buying it and getting it altered to update its style. There are also many designers who are willing to make custom dresses, which may run anywhere from $500-1000 and up. It’s worth it to check out bridal stores, too, as many commercial bridal stores have some vintage-inspired dresses that might be close to what you want. Easier to find are dresses for your bridesmaid, since there are many semi-custom boutiques offering vintage wedding dresses that would look great on any bridesmaid and compliment the theme of your wedding.

Love all the different colors. Dresses are custom-made by Sohomode! Pictures by Lisa Devlin.

Men

For a dressier look, groomsmen should wear tailored suits or tuxes with patent leather shoes. Check out tweed or pinstripe suits for more options in texture and color. If your man is really adventurous, you might want to suggest a zoot suit to him! It is pretty common, in modern vintage weddings, to forgo a cumberbund for a vest paired with a bow- or necktie.  A sports coat or blazer can create an even more casual look. To create some whimsy, pair with saddle shoes or oxfords. A fedora, bowler or cap can be a great way to top off the look.

Different materials for groomsmen adds interest and detail! (photos courtesy of Lisa Devlin)

What do you think about vintage flair? Let us know in the comments.

Stay tuned for next week, where Tiffany will be discussing hair, accessories, and more in vintage style!