Vintage Weddings | Themes and Centerpieces
Continuing the theme of ideas for vintage weddings, let's take a look at some suggestions for vintage themes and centerpieces. Most brides are drawn to the vintage theme because it evokes a sense of romance, style, elegance and sometimes glamor. All these ingredients fit perfectly with a wedding since it's all about love. The first thing you need to do is determine the era you want to use as your theme.
Vintage Themes
Narrowing your vintage theme to a certain time period or era will assist you greatly once you start to make decor decisions. Both the Victorian era and the 1940's are considered vintage but the decor for each of these events would be very different. Virtually any theme can be given a vintage twist. In addition to the obvious decades, you could opt for a more cultural or past trend as your vintage theme. Below is a list of vintage themes to get your creative mind flowing with possibilities.
- Vintage Travel Themed (when traveling by train was chic and air travel was new)
- The Golden Age of Hollywood (1930's through the 1940's)
- Vintage English Garden
- Vintage Havana
- Vintage Vegas
To have vintage touches for your wedding or event does not mean you have to have an all out vintage theme either. You can incorporate vintage into your wedding by using vintage items for your centerpieces. Consider the centerpiece idea below:
Vintage Cameras
Although you would never call a theme "Vintage Cameras", a theme can be built around them. If you or someone you know collects vintage cameras, use them along with some other items to create a unique theme all your own.
Example:
Each table is given a vintage camera as the centerpiece and then, using photoshop or paintshop pro, copy pictures of you and your fiance through the years (baby, child, teen, college, dating, vacations, etc...) and apply a black and white or sepia tone to them (vintage look). Add a border like the old photos used to have for a more authentic look.
Below is an original photo and then the same photo with a vintage look. I used the "Time Machine" effect in paint shop pro to age the photo. Then I can print it out and use it in my centerpiece.
I might make this table the "childhood" table. Add a few more photos, some framed, one leaning against the camera that is on a riser and even add a small childhood toy or the hat or bow from the photo.
Another centerpiece might be about a trip to Paris the couple took. Centerpiece items could include an Eiffel Tower, vintage camera and photos of the happy couple at different tourist attractions in Paris.
Sources for vintage cameras could include family members, friends, eBay, garage and yard sales, auctions, flea markets and more. They wouldn't have to be in pristine condition since the "old" or "vintage" feel is what you are after.
Using Collections to Make Vintage Centerpieces
Another great way to incorporate a vintage feel is to use collections. I had a bride that used her grandmother's pink Depression glass collection as centerpieces for her reception and another bride that asked both sides of the family to let her borrow a piece of their silver collection (candelabras, pitchers, bowls, candle stick holders, etc...) for her rehearsal dinner. She arranged them on tables along with a tent card that explained the family story of each silver piece.
Lots of people collect something. Consider borrowing a collection to use as centerpieces. What you are missing you can find at thrift stores, eBay or garage sales. Below are some ideas of collections that could be used in this way to give off a vintage feel...
- Fostoria Dishes
- Jewel Tea Dish Collection
- Snow Globe Collection
- Stamp Collection
- Camera Collection
- Figurine Collection
- Vase collection
At my sister-in-law's shower, we used my mother-in-law's Fostoria vases on the tables and dishes for food. Talk with your parents, grandparents or an aunt and uncle. Family and friends can be a treasure trove of items you can use for vintage inspired weddings.
Sylvestermouse
BuckHawk
Mandee
