57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (2024)

We love the clean lines and simplicity of a contemporary wedding, but there’s something about vintage wedding styles that really make us swoon. Maybe it’s that there are so many different decades to take inspiration from.

Consider looking back at your favorite time period—the sparkle and dazzle of the roaring ‘20s, the Hollywood glamour of the ‘50s, or the hippie, boho vibes of the ‘60s. You could also draw inspiration from centuries past—the romance of the Victorian era, the colors of the Impressionist period, or the grandeur of the Renaissance.

No matter which historic moment you choose, there are so many ways to bring it to life in a vintage wedding. Look to your venue’s architecture when picking a ceremony backdrop, incorporate antique furniture into your reception area, or play up old-school drawings in your paper goods. You can even give your wedding look a vintage touch with a gown or hairstyle influenced by your favored era.

If you can’t decide how far to step back in time, these vintage wedding ideas will inspire you.

The Best Online and In-Store Shops for Vintage Wedding Dresses

01of 57

Go for Gold

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (1)

An invitation suite with botanical drawings in a dusty gold hue brings to mind an elegant wallpaper design, while a deckled edge softens the look. Just take this couple's romantic invite as your vintage inspiration.

02of 57

Use Calligraphy

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (2)

Beautiful calligraphy goes a long way in evoking a classic flair. Stamp all your paper goods, invitation suite included, with some scrawling script. For this timeless wedding in Napa Valley, this invitation set the tone for an event inspired by the South of France.

03of 57

Mix Old and New

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (3)

This fashion designer's guipure lace gown takes cues from the Victorian era with long sleeves and a high neck, while a sheath silhouette has a more modern touch. So do strappy sandals—the combination is the perfect mix of old and new.

04of 57

Borrow a Vintage Car

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (4)

Make your something borrowed a vintage car! This bride—who looked beyond chic in Oscar de la Renta—rolled up to her church wedding in a 1971 Rolls Royce.

05of 57

Channel Victorian Vibes

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (5)

This bride was inspired by Bridgit Bardot and the Victorian era, opting for a classy style that flaunted her curves. An ivory corset and peplum waist, corded lace, and blush silk ribbon straps in the back accomplished just that. She paired the look with a vintage Victorian silk lace veil and vintage Chanel earrings.

06of 57

Showcase Heirloom Jewelry

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (6)

Whether your engagement ring is an antique or you're borrowing precious jewels as your "something old" or "something borrowed," make sure to capture the special stones on camera. You're choosing to wear each piece for a reason, which means it is part of your wedding story.

07of 57

Wear a Juliet Veil

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (7)

The hallmark of a Juliet veil is its cloche-style cap followed by trailing tulle. Pair it with a silver-embroidered gown with pearl accents and cap sleeves for a glam 1920s look.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Veil Style for Your Dress

08of 57

Accessorize With Brooches

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (8)

Brooches make for the perfect "something borrowed" in a vintage wedding. Adorn your bouquet with two—one brooch from your side of the family, and one from your spouse’s.

09of 57

Carry a Wildflower Bouquet

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (9)

A bouquet of wildflowers comes alive in a flurry of purples, yellows, and pinks. It creates a laid back, bohemian bunch for some 1960s vibes.

10of 57

Have a Handkerchief on Hand

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (10)

Keep your *feelings* in check with a hanky on hand. Bonus points for a scalloped trim and embroidered message, which can either be sweet or funny. P.S. This pretty linen is from Etsy!

11of 57

Carry Lily of the Valley

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (11)

Lily of the valley is forever timeless, as this bride proved at her summer wedding in Maine.

12of 57

Add a Subtle Note

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (12)

Incorporate special quotes throughout the day-of details, as this couple did at their wedding in Detroit. Here, the bride's bouquet was wrapped in a light-peach ribboncalligraphed with the words“I will always choose you.”

13of 57

Pick Classic Boutonnières

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (13)

Classic white roses are both vintage and timeless, dating back centuries as the perfect final touch. Use them as boutonnières and pair them with calligraphy name cards to complete the vintage flair.

14of 57

Use Books as Props

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (14)

Even if you're not a book worm, you can add a touch of vintage vibes by incorporating worn books as photo props. Bonus points if they are the same palette as your florals.

15of 57

Dress Your Party in White

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (15)

This adorable wedding party complements the bride’s lace Claire Pettibone gown with white BHLDN dresses that have a hint of vintage, whether it’s lace, chiffon, or a ruched neckline. Olive-branch flower crowns top off the look.

16of 57

Provide Lace Parasols

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (16)

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, lace parasols not only make an ode to the 1800s but provide guests with a way to shade themselves from the sun. Place them in baskets at the entrance to the ceremony for guests to grab before sitting.

17of 57

Write Your Vows on Paper

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (17)

Write your vows on paper for a memento for years to come. After exchanging them at the wedding, display them in your home as a reminder of the promises you made.

18of 57

Frame a Vintage Door

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (18)

Whether you're marrying indoors or al fresco, a doorframe can help set the scene for a ceremony or reception. So, make like this Boulder couple, and mark the aisle with a vintage doorframe for your grand entrance and exit.

19of 57

Make a Grand Entrance

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (19)

A medieval gate adorned with lush flowers gives off old-world romance vibes that make. The result is a grand, fairytale entrance that every princess bride—even Kate Upton, as shown here—dreams of.

20of 57

Arrange Mismatched Chairs

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (20)

For an unexpected take on ceremony seating, consider mixing chairs of different styles and colors. Combined with a lush setting, these mismatched chairs make for a dreamy and elegant look.

21of 57

Accentuate Your Setting

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (21)

A destination villa is guaranteed to boast rich historic architecture for a dreamy wedding backdrop. Two renaissance sculptures flank an organic arch of eucalyptus and oak leaves stuffed with white roses and hydrangeas for a European-style altar.

22of 57

Make a Giant Scroll Backdrop

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (22)

Love letters come to life in this flowing ceremony backdrop. An oversized scroll featuring script in Italian evokes the elegance and romance of centuries past.

23of 57

Decorate an Arbor

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (23)

With a vision for a fairytale wedding, this couple decorated their ceremony site with a gazebo decorated in baby's breath by L’Atelier Rouge. How romantic is that?!

24of 57

Use Antique Furniture

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (24)

A weathered wooden mantle, candles in modern hurricanes, Persian rugs, and mid-century furniture recreate a living room outdoors. Top off the mantle with a eucalyptus garland of burgundy and blush dahlias, ranunculus, hellebores, and roses.

25of 57

Give Guests Flower Petals

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (25)

Paper cones filled with magenta flower petals give guests something to throw as you exit your ceremony. It also adds a touch of romance and makes for beautiful wedding photographs.

26of 57

Make a Grand Exit

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (26)

Mark your exit as a married duo with an epic photo-op moment. Want to add a special touch? Have guests toss flower petals or rice (an eco-friendly option!) as you recess.

27of 57

Have a Guest Book

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (27)

In lieu of a traditional guest book, this California couple asked their guests to sign the backs of oversized Scrabble tiles. We love how elevated vintage accents (goblet, signage, tray) are coupled with a nod to the couple's favorite game

28of 57

Incorporate Old Trunks

Solidify your theme (in a retro-chic way) by adding a few vintage suitcases as side tables, as designer Jenn Sanchez did at this California wedding. With this idea, the trick is to lean more chic than kitschy so stick to your wedding color palette.

29of 57

Set Up a Grazing Table

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (29)

Entertain guests at co*cktail hour by presenting them with a table of treats. Here, an antique table is wrapped in vines and topped with an array of cheeses for a station that's both beautiful and practical.

30of 57

Go for a Vintage Dress

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (30)

While you can always go vintage, we love the idea of switching up your look with a true vintage dress for the reception. Why not bring on the intricate beading and timeless silhouette with a fun party dress?! Talk about adreamy vintage look.

31of 57

Set Up a Bar Cart

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (31)

No vintage wedding is complete without an old-fashioned bar cart. At this wedding, the groom curated it with his favorite whiskey selections, but we think any drink will do. A nice co*cktail with a historic background—like the post-World War I sidecar or gimlet of the Roaring Twenties—would make a nice touch.

32of 57

Opt for Bistro Chairs

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (32)

Vintage ice cream parlor chairs with a twisted heart design take us back to the 1930s summers. Place them around circular tables in simple white linens for an outdoor bistro vibe.

33of 57

Decorate a Fountain

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (33)

Set the scene for co*cktails by enhancing an aged fountain with garden roses and strands of orchids spilled from each tier. Even better: Add a jazz trio and strings of café lights, as this North Carolina couple did.

34of 57

Fray Escort Cards

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (34)

Frayed edges and sprawling calligraphy make these escort cards look like they’re made of parchment. Typewriter font completes the old-school look. String them all through ribbon or twine to create a décor display.

35of 57

Incorporate Vintage Keys

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (35)

This couple transformed skeleton keys into escort cards by staining pieces of reclaimed wood and screwing teacup hooks into the wood. They then tied each name to a key with a natural string. The result is pure vintage magic.

36of 57

Appeal to the Senses

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (36)

Tuck escort cards into wooden boxes filled with fragrant lavender for not just a fresh, pretty look but a scented touch. Surround them by taper candles and clusters of fruit and nuts for an autumnal vibe.

37of 57

Mismatch Vases

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (37)

Mix and match vases for a cohesive, effortless look. Acrylic cylinders and metallic urns brimming with wild green branches create a canopy-like feeling while white blooms speak garden glam.

38of 57

Repurpose Antique Furniture

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (38)

Want a vintage look that's unexpected? Try repurposing a piece of antique furniture by filling it with an abundance of flowers in your wedding color palette. We love how this couple displayed their escort cards in a flower bar of ranunculus, roses, and sweet peas.

39of 57

Find a Stately Venue

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (39)

Marrying in a historic venue? Take inspiration for your surroundings, as this couple did at The High Line Hotel in New York City by filling the space with banquet tables and silver candelabras.

40of 57

Tent Your Reception

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (40)

A vast tent creates an elegant, timeless reception area with a hint of drama and flair. Surround the entrance with scattered votives filled with flickering candles and vines for a glowing ambiance.

36 Breathtaking Tent Ideas for Your Outdoor Wedding

41of 57

Create a Fairytale Tablescape

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (41)

A moody, romantic table setting is purely enchanting with lush centerpieces, glowing candles, and string lighting twinkling from the trees. This single reception table curves beneath the trees, seating 100 guests in an intimate environment.

42of 57

Select Vintage Tables

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (42)

Pastel tones make for a dreamy reception dinner. A long vintage wooden table sits underneath a pergola adorned with eucalyptus and romantic gold-rimmed lanterns that accent the tablescape’s white and gold flatware.

43of 57

Embrace a Floral Theme

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (43)

Theme your reception tables around flowers. Floral tablecloths and wildflower centerpieces accented with candles, crystals, and china have a "tea room meets ‘60s vibe."

44of 57

Create a Cozy Environment

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (44)

Layering can create the look (and feel!) of a well-loved tablescape, as shown here with linen runners, brass cutlery, vintage bottles filled with flowers,taper candles, and blue-and-white striped napkins from Stone Cold Fox.

45of 57

Be Inspired by the Countryside

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (45)

This U-shaped table setting has a strong Italian countryside feel. A garland of olive and oak branches intertwines among white tapered candles and slim vases housing olive branches, eucalyptus, and white delphinium.

46of 57

Add a Monogram

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (46)

Love a monogram? Consider personalizing linen dinner napkins with your new initials or guests' individual names. Take this attention to detail to the next level adding an antique silver sterling napkin ring and stunning calligraphed card at each place setting. (At this wedding, the couple even added a fruity punch with pears foraged from the orchards at their venue.)

47of 57

Highlight Family Traditions

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (47)

Whether incorporating family heirlooms or favorites recipes, it's important to honor your heritage on such a historic day. For example, at this at-home wedding in Rhode Island, the couple utilized the mother-of-the-brides tableware and gifted guests honey from their family farm as a favor.

48of 57

Go for Organic Centerpieces

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (48)

Elegance meets organic in an Italian countryside table setting featuring a gray runner, candelabras, and a textured centerpiece of piano roses, peonies, ranunculus, and Silverstone roses.

49of 57

Let Art Inspire You

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (49)

If you're a lover of art, look to your favorite artist, style, or era for inspiration for florals and colors. At this intimate wedding in Italy, the color palette came from the paintings in the Dutch Masters's style, while reception chairs played up the maximalist vibe with a garland of yellow ribbon and purple flowers.

50of 57

Get Glam Chandeliers

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (50)

Statement chandeliers hover over long wooden tables set with taper candles and low floral arrangements, exuding the perfect amount of romance with a grand vintage touch.

51of 57

Incorporate Lace Linens

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (51)

Lace tablecloths add romance to any room, but when paired with cloud-like tall arrangements of pastel-hued baby’s breath, they are pure vintage perfection.

52of 57

Set the Tone With Music

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (52)

It's no secret that music evokes memories of the past so play up the tunes on your big day. No matter your style—whether it's a big brass brand or electric guitar—we say embrace your inner rockstar, and maybe even hop on stage for a set!

53of 57

Have a Champagne Toast

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (53)

OK, we blame Gatsby for this one but there's something about a champagne toast that evokes a celebration from the past. Take this to the next level for your wedding-day toast, as this couple did, but making a tower of coupes—and adding twinkle lights above. Cheers!

54of 57

Source a Vintage Cake Topper

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (54)

Vintage wedding cakes are iconic for a reason. Those toppers! Those tiers! Play homage with yours by sourcing a vintage topper or family heirloom, as this couple did with a 1920s topper on a pleated fondant cake.

55of 57

Serve a Cheesecake

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (55)

Now this is a different kind of cheesecake. An indulgent display of various cheeses is just what a French-style wedding ordered. Accent them with berries and florals to soften the display’s look.

56of 57

Use Silver Heirlooms

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (56)

Lend your cake display a vintage look by accenting your confection with silver heirloom pieces. Here, the metallic gleam of the candelabra adds a glam feel to a rich single-layer chocolate drip cake.

57of 57

Exit in Style

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (57)

End the night on a high note by decorating your getaway with sweet, homemade decorations like tin cans tied to ribbon and a handwritten banner. There's nothing more special than a heartfelt (and DIY!) touch.

57 Vintage Wedding Ideas for a Timeless Look (2024)

FAQs

What is a timeless style wedding? ›

In contrast, a timeless wedding is one that stands the test of time and style!" So, if you want to plan a timeless ceremony and reception, it's best to choose color palettes, fashion, and décor that will still feel relevant in 20 years.

What are the colors for a vintage wedding? ›

Vintage-inspired weddings continue to be all the rage, so these retro wedding color ideas are sure to be perfect for a long time to come! From wine-colored reds to muted pinks and blues to dusty yellows and greens, these color combinations are perfectly whimsical yet classic.

What is modern vintage wedding theme? ›

Vintage is considered old-fashioned for many people. But it also works in a different way: The modern vintage wedding is a combination of the past and the present. If you like the old-fashioned style, but still want to integrate a modern touch, this wedding motto is perfect for you.

What makes a vintage wedding? ›

A vintage wedding offers bridal couples a wedding celebration that remembers of past decades. The decades of a vintage wedding run from 1920 to 1970. Thus, the motto "vintage wedding" is a theme for every bride and groom and allows an extraordinary and unique wedding that leaves plenty of room for interpretation.

What kind of decor is timeless? ›

Timeless interiors tend to resist the trends and focus on an understated, yet sophisticated, style. Don't rush to purchase furniture, especially big-ticket items, or cover walls in the 'colour of the year'. Instead, add these trendy colours and materials in accent pieces like tableware, lamps, cushions and bedding.

What colors look vintage? ›

Also, retro color palettes don't draw from primary colors like red, blue, and yellow, but more often from secondary colors like tangerine oranges, teal blues, and apple greens. They can even involve neutrals, like creams, yellows, yellow-browns, teal, pale peach, brownish oranges, and a range of pastel colors.

How to make a wedding dress look Vintage? ›

Vintage wedding dresses often featured intricate lacework and delicate embroidery. Look for dresses with lace sleeves, overlays, or appliqués to add a touch of vintage charm. Consider incorporating lace patterns inspired by the Victorian era, Art Nouveau, or the Edwardian period.

What does a classic wedding look like? ›

Classic weddings are rooted in tried-and-true ideas that will stand the test of time, such as traditional paper invitations, candlelit centerpieces, white tablecloths and formal venues, like ballrooms or mansions.

What is considered a vintage wedding dress? ›

Typically, a vintage wedding dress is at least 20 years old, dating back to a specific era, such as the 1920s, 1950s, or 1970s.

How to store a 60 year old wedding dress? ›

Warning – be sure to store your vintage wedding dress flat and loosely folded. Years of storing a wedding dress on a hanger will cause fabrics to pull away from each other at the bodice and shoulders of the gown, causing damage that professional cleaning and restoring cannot repair.

What is considered vintage style? ›

Definitions. "Vintage" is a colloquialism commonly used to refer to all old styles of clothing. A generally accepted industry standard is that items made between 20 and 100 years ago are considered "vintage" if they clearly reflect the styles and trends of the era they represent.

What does timeless style mean? ›

What is timeless fashion? Timeless fashion is clothing that is not influenced by current trends and will never go out of style. This means that timeless pieces are classic, elegant, and well-made. If you buy a timeless piece, you can wear it for years without looking outdated.

What are timeless designs? ›

Timeless design is, at its core, a creation that remains eternally relevant. It is a design that defies the limits of time, always resonating and inspiring, regardless of shifting trends. At its essence, timeless design marries function and aesthetics in a way that endures through generations.

What makes wedding photos timeless? ›

The singular element that manages to transcend all time is the emotional content of a photograph. Emotions cross all boundaries of time, place, and culture: they are timeless. Photojournalistic wedding photography excels at capturing the genuine emotions of momentous events.

What is the most classic style of wedding dress? ›

A –Line Wedding Dress

An A-line dress is by far the most classic style.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6417

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.