5 Vintage Wedding Themes for Modern Brides

From beach to rustic to glam, discover which theme will complement your vintage style.

Discover five vintage theme ideas, which offer a cohesive, complete wedding style from start to finish. We also explain how to narrow down the broad "vintage" category into manageable design aesthetics!

By Erin Migdol

wedding-table-in-front-of-window-with-vintage-curtains
Photo: Images by Berit, Inc.

If you tell your wedding planner you're interested in a vintage wedding, you'll probably be met with dubious stares. Why? The term "vintage" is actually quite broad. To you, it may signify design inspired by the turn-of-the-century Victorian era; to someone else, it may refer to the Jazz Age. Still others may dream of mid-century antiques found in their grandmother's home. So, once you've decide that you'd like to incorporate design elements inspired by past decades into your wedding, it's crucial to decide exactly which vintage style you're aiming for.

Discover five vintage themes below, which offer a cohesive, complete wedding style from start to finish. We explain how to narrow down the broad "vintage" category into manageable design aesthetics. Are you Great Gatsby or English Garden? Beach Antique or Vintage Glam? Find out!

Beach-Antique
Pastel blues, pinks, and greens paired with weathered wood and displays of antique accessories bring a vintage charm to a seaside wedding. At this Malibu celebration, mismatched wooden chairs and benches faced an arch festooned with flowers. The reception, held on a grassy lawn, featured a wooden bookcase filled with antique glass bottles labeled with guests' names, as well as an armoire displaying vintage glassware. White and pink flowers in glass bud vases adorned the dinner tables alongside pieces of coral, wood, and antique picture frames. Photos by Jana Williams Photography


Place large glass jars filled with flowers along the aisle.


Don't be afraid to mix and match glass vases and goblets for a more vintage look.


Top tables with a simple runner inspired by burlap and napkins in a simple shade of cream. 

English Garden
Kick off your antique English wedding with a vintage lace-and-pearl gown. Invite guests to your backyard for the ceremony, and exchange vows under a canopy constructed from branches and white and blue flowers. Choose a palette of blue, cream, and white for your reception, held in a historic estate or country club. Gold votives, vases, and chairs bring a royal touch to a celebration inspired by an English garden. Photos by Asya Photography


Pay homage to the women in your family by wearing your mother or grandmother's gown.


Keep the emphasis on your garden surroundings by constructing a natural canopy of birch branches and greenery.


Nineteenth century architecture + gold and white décor brings an English country theme to life.

Great Gatsby
Channel the Jazz Age with retro, Art Deco details! A flapper-inspired gown glistens with flirty beading, complementing a ballroom featruring classic 1920s architectural details. Utilize Art Deco lettering on invitations, menus, and seating charts, and serve a white and gold cake designed with the era's unmistakable geometric shapes. Don't forget to play 1920s jazz music and keep the cocktails flowing! Photos by Danny Baker for Epic Imagery


Choose an Art Deco ballroom and stick to a color palette of white and gold to let the glorious period details shine!


Bring 1920s-style fonts into all your printed materials, from invitations to seating charts to menus.


Get inspired by stylish flappers and choose a gown brimming with beads! Ask your cake decorator to take inspiration from the period's architecture. 

Vintage-Rustic
Rustic and vintage styles go together like cake and ice cream. The organic, nature-inspired details of rustic design is enhanced by delicate vintage accessories. An enchanting willow tree illuminated with string lights serves as a romantic ceremony site. Adorn farm tables with miniature silver lanterns, small glass vases, antique jars filled with dusty pink blooms, and votive candleholders. Photos by Laurie Bailey Photography 


A stately tree surrounded by hedges of ivy provides an enchanting backdrop to your vows.


Muted pinks and purples complement the natural wood elements of your rustic celebration.


Decorate tables with a variety of antique elements, from votives to china to lanterns to glass vases. Leave tables bare, save for a simple white runner, for a natural look.

Vintage Glam
Give antique, vintage details a touch of glitz with formal, traditional touches like crystals and luxurious linens. Tuck feathers into bouquets of white and purple blooms, and choose a lace dress that echoes mid-century style. Display flowers atop bronze stands, and utilize antique lamps as centerpieces. Pair decorations with crystal chandeliers for the ultimate mix of vintage and glam! Photos by Images by Berit, Inc.


Accessorize your bridal look with a string of timeless pearls – wear them down your back for a modern twist!


Feathers are an unexpectedly glamorous addition to your bouquet!


Delicate stands surrounded by pillar candles display elegant purple flowers.


Hints of grey bring out the vintage theme, while crystals add a glamorous twist!

For more ways to incorporate vintage wedding ideas, be inspired by these vintage-inspired wedding dresses.

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