Getting Married the Vintage Way

The wedding day is that special day in a couple's life, when every bride wishes to be like a beautiful princess waiting to tie the knot with a handsome and charming prince. Every couple desires their wedding day to be the most memorable, meaningful and magical moment of their lives .Some prefer keeping the affair simple while others indulge in elaborate preparations several days before the D-day and handle every detail with perfection. It is, therefore, entirely a matter of personal choice and taste and if there are no financial constraints then, well, the sky is the limit. One can get as innovative and adventurous as possible and choose to marry on a plane, a cruise line, an island or a grand palace. Wedding planners provide a wide of variety of themed weddings like beach weddings, Disney weddings, Oriental weddings and Vintage Weddings , only to name a few, to choose from.

So what are Vintage Weddings? The term ‘vintage’ means ‘old-fashioned’, ‘classical’ and ‘from another time’. It means rediscovering the past and organizing every aspect of the wedding that is, clothing, jewellery, décor, entertainment and gifts in vintage-style. This reminds me of the famous song, ‘Everything old is new again’, composed by Peter Allen in the movie ‘All that Jazz’ (1979). The lyrics are as follows;

• Dancin at church, Long Island jazzy parties
• Waiter bring us some more Baccardi
• We'll order now what they ordered then
• Cause everything old is new again...

These lyrics written way back in the 70’s seem relevant even in the 21st century. Perhaps the easiest way to visualize and plan out a vintage wedding is to brush up one’s memories of classic Hollywood movies like The Philadelphia Story (1940), Father of the Bride (1950), It Happened One Night (1938), The Godfather (1972).

Organizing a 20’s decade vintage wedding would mean playing the jazz, decorating the venue with beaded curtains, orchids, crystal vases, ostrich feathers and strings of pearls. A typical 20’s bride would be dressed in a flapper dress or a dropped waistline gown with rather elaborate headpieces and yards of silk veil. The groom would probably be dressed double-breasted 4 button jacket, cuffed trousers, ascot tie, white gloves, black top hat and a walking stick.

Likewise, the 40’s decade vintage theme would be marked by an actual band making music and a slow turning disco ball. Clearly influenced by the powerful military backdrop, the wedding gown best remembered in the forties is a luminous satin gown with broad shoulders and slim waist and pin-striped suit or army uniforms for the groom.

A low budget vintage wedding can be planned by digging into your grandma’s old wedding gown, decorating the place with beautiful white and pink roses, using simple but stylish candles and tableware bought from online portals like eBay or Amazon and hiring a vintage car. All these arrangements together with the vows of a lifetime of togetherness would then create a moment truly magical and unforgettable.