We all want to know how to achieve the perfect vintage wedding, I know you do too because you love reading about vintage wedding ideas on LMW. The 1920′s vintage wedding shoot is one of my most popular posts, which has had me thinking for a while that I need to find a specialist or two who can help me out in this area. I have to admit I’ve got a lot to learn when it comes to talking vintage. So I was over the moon to find Lynsey Le Keux, a Vintage Wedding Planner for LeKeux Events who is going to blog on all things vintage from now on – Happy Days.

So you want to go vintage? You won’t regret it! The perfect vintage wedding can be achieved by anyone; it just needs some careful planning and lots of research around your inspiration! The challenge you face in successfully creating a tasteful era-inspired and unique celebration, is to not make it seem like a ‘themed’ wedding. A vintage wedding isn’t a costume party, but instead a nod to the glamour of eras gone by and a chance to have fun with fashion and styling for your big day. But fear not, this article will give you all the tips you need to get started.
Your first stop in creating a vintage wedding will be your original inspiration. As a wedding planner, I always ask brides to bring a photograph, movie or book that represents the fashion, era, backdrop and feel of the vintage wedding they are dreaming of. From this we create the entire wedding design from the dress (which is often the centre of the inspiration), to the decor, transport and well…everything really.

You don’t have to get original pieces from your chosen era to get the look you want (although this is, of course amazing if achievable), but I would recommend at least some vintage items. For example, if you have a new dress in a period style, choose a vintage hair piece or millinery. You could even get a veil made from some old lace from your chosen era. For the backdrop to your day, think about hiring vintage crockery, at least for the cake and other food on display, or mirror the beading in your accessories through the table decorations to achieve a consistent look. Little, and actually quite inexpensive details, such as vintage mirrors around the venue, can also really pull the look together. For details on vintage suppliers please contact me (details at end of post)

Consistency is also key to truly achieving a vintage styled wedding that feels authentic. For example choose a car or transport reflective of the era. A classic Ford Mustang is perfect for 1950s/60s styled weddings. During one of our weddings, the car actually got nicknamed the fourth bridesmaid because it was the same beautiful shade of electric teal as the bridesmaids’ dresses.

Music is also a fabulous way to celebrate an era and there are lots of authentic bands out there from 1960′s Motown to big brass bands. If you can’t afford a band, style the DJ and equipment as vintage as possible to keep with the style. Always choose something your guests can dance to and playing pre-recorded popular music in between the band sessions will get everyone dancing – even those who are not familiar with the music of that era. Modern music has replicated genres such as Swing Jazz and songs such as Candyman by Christina Aguilera are perfect for a 1940′s wedding and will get all the young ones dancing too.

I often get asked how to bring guests into the wedding design; whilst I don’t recommend asking everyone to go out and buy a 1930′s outfit for an art deco wedding. I think your wedding photos and more importantly the feel on the day, will benefit from your guests taking consideration over what to wear at your vintage wedding. You can invite your guests to join the look by using your inspiration on the invites. For example take a still from a movie from your chosen era, one which encompasses the fashion you are inspired by and use this to make a card with the words ‘join us in our 1950′s inspired wedding…’ inside. Politely mention to friends how lovely it would be to have authentic photos together if they wore 1950s dresses – but remember no costumes… many high street stores stock clothes inspired by the 20′s, 50′s, 60′s and 70′s. Shops stocking fabulous vintage style dresses at the moment include Cath Kidston for summer informal florals, Ghost for a fabulous modern take on 1920′s glamour and for ultimate 1940′s and 1950′s style try Rose and Co. in Leeds.

In my next articles I’ll introduce how to achieve the perfect vintage hair and make-up for your wedding, how to style vintage bridesmaids and vintage décor. If you’d like to find out more about our vintage wedding services contact us on info@lekeuxevents.co.uk or visit our website at Lekeux Events.

All the pics on this post were taken by Andy Doherty of Doherty Photography

Oh and before you forget did you get to check out the post on the vintage caravan for hire. It looks fab!