| Magazines and websites are bursting with the | | | | mood you're trying to convey before your |
| latest trends in wedding ideas and themes - | | | | guests even open the invitation envelope! |
| and just trying to sift through them can be | | | | (Some suggested examples: New York's Deco |
| as overwhelming as actually planning an | | | | Rockefeller Center or Empire State Building, |
| entire wedding! So take a deep breath, relax | | | | vintage cars, a yellow happy face icon, even |
| and consider this: some of the most unique | | | | a Grateful Dead logo) |
| wedding ideas can be found by looking back to | | | | |
| fashions and trends of days gone by. | | | | Dressing the Part … Retro Bridal Ware |
| | | | |
| If you're considering going the black-tie | | | | There's no need to wear a bandana or headband |
| route, how about an Art Deco 1930s look? It | | | | or go barefoot on your big day, but a lace |
| was an era that is reminiscent of elegant | | | | dress (mini in length if you dare!) will |
| Hollywood-style glamour, and you'd be | | | | evoke the hippie era nicely, as will a floral |
| surprised at how much you can accomplish on | | | | headpiece and bridesmaid dresses in pastels |
| any budget, large or small. | | | | or bright floral prints. If you want an early |
| | | | 60s look, consider a cocktail dress or Jackie |
| And for something completely different: what | | | | Kennedy-style sheath with a white pillbox hat |
| could be more fun than a wedding that evokes | | | | and a netted veil. For a Deco glamour wedding |
| the spirit of the groovy 1960s, a time of | | | | idea, sleek and satiny 1930s-era dresses can |
| "peace, love and understanding" - could there | | | | be found in vintage dress shops or even at |
| be a better theme to start off your married | | | | flea markets or thrift shops (there are |
| life? | | | | vintage clothes and used clothing boutiques |
| | | | all over!) They can also be custom made using |
| Whether you're going for funky or formal, | | | | new or vintage fabric and old patterns - |
| here are some suggestions to help plan your | | | | these are often reissued by pattern |
| idea of a retro wedding: | | | | manufacturers or easily found on eBay. |
| | | | |
| Polaroid Instant Photo Guest Books | | | | Hint: When planning your retro wedding, eBay |
| | | | and other shopping websites are terrific |
| Capture every moment of your wedding day with | | | | resources for all sorts of period bridal |
| Polaroid instant pictures and hand-written | | | | ware, decorations and inspirational wedding |
| sentiments from your guests! Polaroid instant | | | | ideas. |
| photo guest books buck the digital trend and | | | | |
| are all the rage among brides today. | | | | Flour Power … Wedding Day Cup Cakes |
| | | | |
| Polaroid cameras and photos are definitely | | | | Nothing says retro like a tasty, |
| retro, and they're making a 'new age' come | | | | frosting-topped cupcake. You loved them as a |
| back because unlike digital or 35mm photos, | | | | kid, and now they're back in vogue as the |
| the Polaroids develop instantly. When they're | | | | height of food fashion. Delicious, colorful |
| combined with notes from all your friends and | | | | cupcakes can be served as the main wedding |
| family the instant photo guest book becomes a | | | | dessert attraction, substituted for the |
| memento filled with memories that will last | | | | traditional wedding cake or in addition to a |
| forever! | | | | conventional wedding cake. Stack them like a |
| | | | skyscraper or arrange them in a circle to |
| Hint: Put a couple of outgoing friends in | | | | make a peace sign. Cupcakes can easily be |
| charge of taking the photos and making sure | | | | decorated in day-glo icing colors for your |
| that all your guests write something in your | | | | 1960s look or with silvery accents for a Deco |
| instant photo guest book. They can either | | | | finish. |
| circulate during the reception taking the | | | | |
| pictures and getting the notes or you can set | | | | Hint: Make sure there are enough cupcakes so |
| up a table for guests to visit. And be sure | | | | that your guests can take one home to enjoy |
| to have a back up camera and plenty of film | | | | later! |
| for "do-overs"! | | | | |
| | | | A Few of my Favor-ite Things … Retro |
| The Honor of Your Presence is Requested | | | | Wedding Favors |
| … Retro Wedding Invitations | | | | |
| | | | Since your wedding is the start of your own |
| Set the tone you're trying to create from the | | | | personal love-in, treat your guests to some |
| start with wedding invitations that reveal | | | | retro style wedding favors like love beads or |
| the theme you've chosen for your wedding. | | | | peace sign jewelry. Or how about putting |
| Custom designs can be easily accomplished | | | | together a custom-made CD of classic rock |
| with just a few keyboard strokes! Display | | | | tunes? For the 1930s wedding theme idea, |
| 1930s-era sophistication with heavy, | | | | linen handkerchiefs for both men and women |
| cream-colored paper stock and deco-style type | | | | will add a nice vintage touch. Or DVD copies |
| fonts which can be further accented with | | | | of your favorite old comedy movie are sure to |
| period clip art. For your 60s-style | | | | delight your guests - and the cover can |
| invitations, use paper stock in the pastel | | | | feature you and your groom in place of Cary |
| colors that were popular then - or go all-out | | | | Grant and Katharine Hepburn for a fun |
| and have tie dyed invitations! Think about | | | | reminder of your own classic romance! |
| including flowers in the design as well. | | | | |
| These can be printed on the invitation itself | | | | Hint: If you're making custom CDs as favors, |
| - or how about adding some dried wildflowers | | | | take a picture with you and your |
| inside the invitation envelope? | | | | husband-to-be in some vintage clothes to use |
| | | | as cover art to remember the day's unique |
| Hint: You can order custom-designed stamps | | | | wedding idea "old is new"! |
| from the Post Office that will reflect the | | | | |