Vintage Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

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In a time when extravagance rules everything we see on television, and “bridezillas” set the standard for acceptable behavior, many couples planning their weddings strive to achieve the antithesis for their big day. We look to our histories and the weddings and lasting relationships of our parents and grandparents for inspiration, creating a matchless vintage wedding that is remembered for years to come.


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One of the major benefits of having a vintage wedding is that it can be done on a low budget, while emulating the feel of a much more expensive affair. Décor is found in grandma’s attic, or the dusty shelves of a local thrift boutique. Eclectic gives the vintage wedding its feel.


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Choosing to have a vintage wedding means you, as the bride, have come to terms with the fact that everything isn’t going to match perfectly. And that’s where your eclectic, one of a kind, day shines through. Collect old bandanas and kerchiefs to create garland. Serve drinks out of garage sale mason jars. Tie an antique pin onto your bouquet.


Source: Simplysuzannes.blogspot.com

Centerpieces aren’t mass produced in a line of 14 little clones. Finding 14 identical retro vases isn’t going to happen. Let each centerpiece follow a central theme, but be unique in its self. Old liquor bottles, a collection of picture frames, even antique books can all create a visually appealing centerpiece without being identical to one another.


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The shade of green in the bridesmaid dresses isn’t going to be the same as the napkins and that is absolutely fine. The girls in the bridal party all have different barrettes and jewelry that they found scouring antique shops. The cake knife may have been your in-law’s, and the server may have been your great aunt’s. One is silver plated. The other is gold. And that is entirely okay.


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We reminisce to these times when it wasn’t about the wedding glamour, it was about a lasting marriage. The items gathered for your vintage wedding have stood up to the test of time. Sounds like a pretty good thing to create a wedding around, doesn’t it?

 

 

 

Keys to Planning a Wedding on a Budget

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They say money is the root of all evil, so when it comes to planning a budget wedding, don’t let it get the best of you. Determine the most important aspects of your wedding day and budget them first. Once that’s out of the way, decide what you are willing to trim.


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If the meal is number one, then focus your efforts on presenting a great and memorable dinner instead of wowing everyone in the ballroom of a five star hotel. If dancing the night away is a must, then make sure the DJ or band is precedence. Don’t stretch yourself thin by trying to have a little bit of everything. Priorities are the key to a budget wedding.


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Even then, making cuts isn’t always the most desirable option, and you don’t have to cut anything. The budget bride can enlist the help of her nearest and dearest. Instead of giving you material gifts off the registry that will soon be forgotten, your friends and family can use their skills to contribute to your wedding day in a most meaningful way.


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Ask your artistic aunt to arrange flowers for you instead of hiring an outrageously priced florist. Your grandma always made a mean cherry cobbler, so share that with your guests for dessert instead of the typical cake. Solicit your brother, who always aced woodshop, to help with centerpieces. Your friend who enjoys spare time on Photoshop might be happy to design invites and programs. Plenty of women you know have married before you, so ask about buying and tailoring their dresses. Your little sis in beauty school would probably love the opportunity to do your hair and makeup.


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And in the end, don’t forget why you’re having a wedding. Because you’re getting married, and that is what the day is truly about. Don’t let your happily ever after become getting out of debt, never.

Starting the Reception off Right: Cocktail Hour for Guests

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Ah, cocktail hour. The moment everyone has been waiting for on your wedding day. Truthfully, they thought the ceremony was beautiful, and the vows brought a tear to many an eye, and everyone knows the wedding is really about a marriage and the start of a new life together, but that’s not to say they’re not looking forward to throwing back a cold one. Or few… you know, through the course of the night. All in honor of you. Cheers to the happy couple.



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The cocktail hour is a great time to transition guests from ceremony mode to party time, aka the reception. This is your chance to do a little something special for your guests, while you’re off gazing into the eyes of your beloved or having photos snapped. Sure, anyone can have the typical bar, offering an array of delicious beverages to get the blood flowing. But why not personalize the cocktail hour too, just as you have the rest of the celebration?



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Offer guests a few different beverages that have significance to you. Your hubby hails from wine country? Give guests the selection of wine from some local vineyards. Share with guests the story of the first beer he bought you, and how much you loved it by introducing them to it as well. You can even use cute chalk signs let guests know the significance of each wine selected.



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Instead of having a full bar, have a few signature cocktails, favorites of the couple or their friends and family. A popular trend right now is premixing drinks in mason jars, ready for grab it and go, ultimately giving guests more time to dance instead of waiting in line to have a drink mixed.



Image: A Little Happy!

Small appetizer options to complement the beverages are a must, to keep tummies from growling and keeping old Aunt Edna from getting a little too tipsy off the fuzzy navels, offered as a reminder of your first vacation together to Georgia. Keep it fun, let everyone socialize a little before dinner, and everyone will be quick to RSVP to any future fiestas you may be hosting.

 

 

Susan writes from Australia

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Graham and I would dearly love to thank your company for our Wedding Favors. They arrived this afternoon just after I sent the email to you. We are totally delighted and I am sure that our Guests will enjoy our Wedding gift to them and the Theme of our Wedding is Christmas In July.

Many Thanks once again
Susan and Graham
Brisbane, Australia.