Sometimes setting a vintage mood for your wedding reception can simply involve color and collection.  Let me explain – as you can see in this beautiful outdoor setting, subtle, rich color and sumptuous fabrics draped freely over the table set the perfect tableaux for a burst of soft, heirloom flowers and large, ornate candelabra.  Casual, yet inviting and glamorous.

Does someone in your family (or his) have a few of your great-grandmother’s pieces?  A victorian table set with an antique vase from a family collection makes the perfect wedding book table.   Slip the pens into a vintage creamer for that extra-special touch!

Your caterer or bakery can provide you with vintage-look cake stands.

Don’t match!  Find different textures and color collections to add to your vintage feel, like this aged terra-cotta planter bursting, yet again, with heirloom blooms.  Tier your delicious food by stacking up various levels of styrofoam tiers, then draping with more vintage-colored fabrics.

You know how people dress their outdoor trees in lights at Christmas?  Use the same concept to hang chandeliers outside! (you know how I am about chandeliers)

And of course, scatter your venue with lovely vintage wedding favors for your guests, so the memories fondly linger on.

Vintage wishes for happy planning!

Fabulous Favors by Kate Aspen

My friend Jenn just took up a new hobby – sewing! That got me thinking — why can’t creative brides with a knack for sewing use their talents to add a little vintage twist to their weddings, and save some money along the way?  I found these patterns for dresses and veils that would be the perfect way to add “vintage glamour” to your special day!

Talk about a unique and personal touch! If you want to explore more of these fabulous vintage patterns, go to sovintagepatterns.com – it’s fascinating!

You don’t need to be able to sew to incorporate a vintage style into your wedding.  You can give your entire day a retro feel by simply incorporating a few small elements (rings, invitations, dresses, veils, hairpieces, cake toppers) into the wedding.  I love the idea of taking an antique-style ring and modernizing it with a colored gemstone or black diamond.

As for the dress, you can find a true vintage piece, like the 1950s lace strapless dress, or a vintage-inspired dress with a more modern feel, like those found on Junebug Weddings fashion report.

My favorite wedding trend? The birdcage veil! Katherine Heigl wore this style at her wedding to Josh Kelley in December of 2007.  So soft and flattering!

You don’t have to invest a lot in a vintage look.  Check out sites like Etsy.com, or better yet, borrow your mom’s or grandma’s wedding dress, use your Aunt Claire’s cake topper or vintage jewelry to make your wedding extra-memorable!

Oh! And a few vintage-inpspired favors to complete your classic vintage look!

Happy planning!