Planning a retro wedding can be a fun and exciting experience, and with the proper planning and design, you can create an authentic vintage wedding that will be remembered for a lifetime. A few key elements will help you create a beautiful and unique vintage, mid-century, or retro wedding, from finding the perfect dress to choosing the right decorations. In this wedding planning guide, the experts at Marco Island Florist will discuss how to curate and design an authentic vintage wedding that will make your special day truly memorable.
Finding Inspiration From the Past
To make your wedding special, genuine, and authentic, you need to find the right inspiration to influence your design. Start by gathering inspiration from the past. Look at old wedding photos from your parents and grandparents to get an idea of what a real 1960s or 1980s wedding was like. Another brilliant place to find inspiration is from movies and television, think of classic romantic films like ‘Gone with the Wind’ and their gorgeous wedding scenes or the wedding episodes of The Brady Bunch, M*A*S*H, and Happy Days. You can also take cues from books and old magazines, especially wedding magazines from your favorite decade. They are sure to provide a wealth of knowledge about the wedding trends from that specific time, such as decor, flowers, venue, attire, and more.
Narrowing Down Your Theme
Narrowing down your vintage wedding theme and choosing a style from one decade can take time and effort. With so many trends, colors, decor options, and directions to go in, where do you begin? First and foremost, decide what era you’d like to represent. From the Rock ‘N’ Roll 50s to the groovy 60s and the rustic 70s to the electric 80s, choose a time period that represents your taste. Once you have settled on a decade, it’s time to narrow down what type of vintage wedding style appeals most to you and your fiancé. If you have decided on the 70s, will you plan an earthy-toned bohemian wedding or a funky disco wedding? Next, take a look at your venue. Some spaces lend themselves better to specific vintage wedding themes than others. For example, while showing love for the 60s can be ideal in a garden, it may not work as well for a classic 1950s sock hop. Then, you’ll need to decide on colors. Whether cool neutrals or warm hues, the color palette of your retro wedding theme should reflect the era you’ve chosen. Researching the decade’s history and trends can help you narrow down which colors you’ll use to bring your vintage wedding to life.
Thrift Shopping Through History
If you want a unique and memorable way to add an authentic vintage touch to your wedding, thrift shopping is the way to go. Vintage items can bring a timeless and romantic feel to your special day, and your local shops, flea markets, and antique stores will have retro treasures at an affordable price. Before setting off on your adventure, research your local thrift stores and ask around to find out which stores stock vintage items from your decade of choice. It is essential to start your search early, as you may need to shop around or visit these stores a few times to find the exact items you are looking for. It’s also a good idea to bring someone with you for an extra set of eyes and to perhaps see some hidden potential in old items that could use some love or upcycling. Be patient when searching through old pieces, take your time, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box to incorporate some mid-century wedding theme decor.
Popular Wedding Flowers Through the Decades
Popular Blooms of the 1950s
A classic 1950s wedding featured a variety of blooms such as white orchids, bouvardia, and gardenias. In the 1950s, these thick-petal blooms were a favorite way to add elegance, grace, and refinement to any wedding. Whether you thought of yourself as a cool cat or not, these “ginchy” flowers elevated your big day to another level of sophistication.
Popular Blooms of the 1960s
Wedding flowers in the 1960s were a groovy way to bring flower power to such a special day. Popular varieties included chrysanthemums, alstroemeria, carnations, and daisies for an added touch of whimsy. Couples in the 1960s surely took the chance to make their wedding day bloom with beauty during the hippie and mod era.
Popular Blooms of the 1970s
The 1970s were a time of discos as well as bohemian trends. Popular 1970s wedding flowers often included anemones, poppies, daisies, sunflowers, and wildflowers. Hip, cool, and outta sight, these blooms brought an element of both rustic and funky styles, especially when paired with oversized floral prints or naturally, earthy color palettes.
Popular Blooms of the 1980s
As weddings in the 1980s were about all things glam and flamboyant, popular wedding flowers of the time include roses, lilacs, stargazer lilies, and, for added texture, babies breath. Chosen for their large blooms and beautiful vibrant colors, they paired nicely with the electric and neon trends of the decade and made a flashy statement.
If you are planning an authentic vintage wedding, one of the best tips is to consult the professionals at Marco Island Florist. Our design team has the knowledge and experience to help you create a seamless, authentic vintage theme for your special day. Between selecting the right flowers and matching the perfect décor to your chosen vintage decade, your retro wedding will be nothing less than flawless.
