How to Bring the Perfect Retro Wedding Theme to Life

Are you dreaming of an authentic vintage wedding? Planning and designing a vintage, retro, or mid-century wedding can be an exciting and creative experience. With research, out-of-the-box thinking, and inspiration from the past, you can create a unique and memorable wedding day that you and your guests will cherish for decades to come. The experts at Griffin’s Floral Design are sharing the best guide for how to plan and design a vintage wedding, from choosing the perfect decade to finding genuine décor and accessories and selecting the best flowers to pay homage to the past. 

Close Up of a Person Inserting a VHS Cassette in a Player with Nostalgic Wedding Footage from Home Video Camera. Retro Nineties Technology Concept. Old VCR with Shallow Depth of Field and Bokeh.

Finding Inspiration

Travel back in time as you immerse yourself in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s during your vintage wedding research. Inspiration and ideas for retro wedding theme decor might be right in your own home! More specifically, in your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding albums or wedding videos. These real weddings are the ideal place to pull from, and you may even spot something that your family has kept tucked away from their wedding that you can incorporate into yours as “something borrowed.” Another source of inspiration can come from pop culture, such as books, TV shows, and even old wedding magazines.  After a day of reading, organizing, and planning, you might begin to feel overwhelmed. This is the perfect time to tune in to popular sitcoms like M*A*S*H, The Brady Bunch, and Happy Days and rewatch those wedding episodes for even more real wedding inspo.

Vintage Wedding Car Decorated with Flowers.

Narrowing Down Your Theme

Your wedding is one of the most special days in your life, and you want to ensure your chosen theme reflects your love story, style, and personality. With so many decades to choose from, you can truly create a one-of-a-kind vintage wedding. Before you begin making hard decisions or purchasing mid-century wedding theme decor, it is critical that you determine a specific decade to focus on. Start by considering your style. Then, once you have a general idea, you can look into details like decorations, colors, etc. For example, if you love the glamour and glitz of the 1950s, maybe poodle skirts, tiki bars, and jukeboxes will make an appearance in your wedding decor. If you’re more of a rustic couple, you could opt for a shabby chic barn-style wedding inspired by the 1970s. Think mason jars, aged wood, and pastel colors. Retro weddings also allow you to be creative with your décor. You can choose from vintage items such as velvet couches, antique furniture with gold accents, novelty props, and textured fabrics. You can also mix vintage accessories with everyday items to create a more modern look with vintage elements sprinkled in. Finally, consider the music you’d like to play during your wedding. From classic rock to classic jazz and everything in between, there are plenty of fun and authentic options to choose from that will fit your ideal wedding theme.

gardenia wild drink - flower ice cubes with lavender syrup.

Going Thrifting

Thrift shopping can be a great way to find unique and authentic vintage pieces for your wedding in an economical way. Local thrift shops and antique stores usually carry a variety of vintage furniture, tableware, clothing, decor, and accessories that can be used to create the ultimate genuine vintage wedding design. Visiting flea markets for one-of-a-kind finds is also a great way to bring vintage charm to your wedding. Consider using popular materials from the decades, like antique china or crystal, linens, tablecloths, and chair covers to inspire that genuine retro feel. You can also search for vintage stationery, decorations, and wedding favors to set the perfect tone for your wedding as soon as your guests receive their invitations. Creating an original vintage wedding style doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of time, antique shopping, and creativity, you’ll be able to design a vintage masterpiece in no time.

A wedding bouquet in bride hand

Identifying Flowers Through the Decades

Timeless Flowers of the 1950s

In the 1950s, wedding flowers were an essential part of wedding decor. From vibrant colors to romantic florals, couples had many options to create a beautiful and memorable day. Popular 1950s wedding flowers included elegant and refined gardenias, bouvardia, and white orchids. These blooms offer a sophisticated look with thick petals and a “ginchy” style. Wedding flowers in the 1950s were sure to create a memorable day, combining romance, beauty, and vintage charm.

Classic Flowers of the 1960s

In the 1960s, weddings were often far less formal than they are today, and couples were open to experimenting with different kinds of flowers for their wedding decoration. Popular wedding flowers from the 1960s included groovy carnations, daisies, alstroemeria, and chrysanthemums. These popular 1960s wedding flowers remain popular today, and many couples continue to use them to create mod, retro, “far out,” and youthful wedding styles.

Famous Flowers of the 1970s

As the 1970s was an age of disco, it is no surprise that many couples chose cool and funky flowers for their big day. Popular 1970s wedding flowers were usually chosen to reflect the couple’s energetic or bohemian personalities. Sunflowers, anemones, poppies, and daisies were common choices, although the shade of blooms could vary. For example, brides often opted for pale pinks and whites for a more traditional look, while grooms opted for brighter yellows, reds, and oranges for a more modern affair. The 1970s also saw the emergence of wildflower bouquets, which were a great way to express a bride’s free-spirited nature. 

 Popular Flowers of the 1980s

Wedding flowers from the 1980s remain popular choices for weddings today. Couples who want to incorporate a grandiose 1980s feel into their wedding can look to the classic blooms of that era. Popular wedding flowers from the 80s include captivating roses, lilacs, stargazer lilies, and babies breath to add dimension and texture. These flowers had bright and vibrant colors that reflected the neon and electric style of the flashy decade. 

If you are planning an authentic vintage wedding, one of the best tips is to consult the professionals at Griffin’s Floral Design. Our design team has the knowledge and experience to help you create a seamless, authentic vintage theme for your special day. Between selecting the right flowers and matching the perfect décor to your chosen vintage decade, your retreo wedding will be nothing less than flawless.

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