Tag: heirloom

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Timeless Romance: 10 Inspired Ideas for Planning Your Dream Vintage Wedding!

vintage wedding

This generation has a penchant for everything vintage. Our obsession with history makes it impossible to separate our lives from nostalgia. There is an endearing charm and unparalleled appeal attached to anything vintage, as the very term denotes high quality, and represents the best of its time. So, this interest in all things of a bygone age is acceptable.

This is why vintage style weddings never go out of fashion. Vintage weddings are high on style, and are the perfect choice for a couple to have a meaningful wedding with elements that reflect their personality. Another attractive factor about vintage weddings is that it allows you to mix and match various styles, ideas and create a signature of your own. It is no wonder that couples find it thrilling when they work with history to bring the old world charm into their modern day weddings.

Before we look at some good ideas for your vintage wedding, let us first help you decide whether you are indeed the couple who would love this theme. To find out, ask yourselves these questions.

  • Are you drawn to items that belong to bygone eras?
  • Does your idea of a perfect holiday include visits to antique shops and historical sites?
  • Do you think that the best fashion belongs to decades in the past, and nothing today competes with the style and grace of weddings of the last century?
  • Is your personal decorating style timeless and classic?
  • Are you drawn to elegant neutral and pastel palettes and do you love metallic items with beautiful details that are definitely not modern?

If you answer yes to some or most of these questions, you will most likely enjoy putting together a vintage wedding.

Now, many brides are scared of planning a vintage wedding, as they think it is hard work or they can screw up the details. Let us bust some of the common vintage wedding planning myths to put your fears to rest.

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#Myth 1

All your wedding details should fit into one era, or your wedding will look wrong

Your wedding is not a history exam. It is about what you love. There are no rules that say every detail should be right, or that you cannot mix ‘n’ match all the ideas you borrowed from the past, when planning your wedding. You can work around a specific theme, but it isn’t always necessary. The idea is to be inspired by the past and plan your own unique style by borrowing what you love, not copy it entirely.

#Myth 2

For a wedding to be vintage, you should stick to very specific color palettes

Your wedding is all about you, and trust us, it is possible to have glamorous dark colors in your wedding and it will still be vintage-style. It is all about experimenting and finding what you like most. Remember that it is not a single element, but the harmony of various elements in your wedding brings out the style. So, do not limit yourself to pastels and muted neutrals for a vintage wedding. Instead, work around your choice of colors and find the ones that work for you.

#Myth 3

You must love a vintage era, or you will be lost when planning your wedding

Absolutely not! If you just chanced upon the vintage wedding style when you started researching wedding styles, you can still have a vintage wedding. All the details and inspiration you want are online, and you do not need to look any further to plan the perfectly vintage wedding.

Now that we have all these doubts out of the way, let us look at the most popular vintage wedding styles and find the one that you like most.

Rustic Vintage or Classic Vintage

Rustic vintage refers to a style that is personal, where the couple interweave and bring together all that conjures up nostalgia, to create their own signature style. It is entirely different from a classic white ballroom wedding, and can be quirky, casual, relaxed, joyous and fun. The couple usually choose to have a relaxed ambiance that is warm and welcoming. There is immense scope for personalization, and this wedding style has continuously evolved. This article on the Special Events blog suggests that present day rustic vintage weddings are moving towards mixing classic elements like lace and gold-rimmed china tea cups in place of the older favorites like burlap and Mason jars.

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Classic Vintage is rather defined and specific to a particular era. This is popular among brides who are die-hard fans of a specific decade in history, and wish to recreate the same scene at their weddings. Popular eras include the 1920’s and 50’s. Brides choose wedding dresses that were the fashion at that time, and also stick to various details like the exact getaway car, style of dress and hairstyle that were trademarks of that decade. One word of caution when planning a classic vintage wedding: be inspired by the era, and don’t try to entirely copy the look. Or you will have a fancy dress or costume party ambiance for your wedding. A few authentic details from the era are all it takes to recreate the effect, so do it in moderation.

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As you may have guessed by now, rustic vintage is the more popular style today, as it offers plenty of scope for personalization and is still nostalgic.

Next, let us look at some ideas that are great for a vintage wedding.

1.Wedding venue

Have a style in mind, and find a venue that matches it. It is a bonus if the venue you choose has vintage furniture that is relevant to the theme you have in mind. It will allow you to reduce the number of things to bring in, to build the look. A barn is a perfect location for a rustic wedding, while a Gatsby-inspired classic vintage wedding would work better in a historical house or ballroom.

2.Invitations and wedding stationery

Have a specific theme in mind? Let your invitations give a sneak peek into it. So, choose designs with a retro charm for classic vintage weddings. For your rustic wedding, highlight the main colors of your wedding by adding them to your stationery suite and matching them to the event’s tone. This is the perfect way to create that first impression, so plan your paper suite around it.

3.Add family history

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If you have a vintage heirloom like a birdcage veil or earrings that will add to your attire, it is the perfect way to go. You can borrow lace from your mother’s wedding gown and add it to your bouquet, or even find a talented dressmaker who can rework it and make it yours. Displaying family details through photographs or using generations-old antique décor items at your wedding can add a special sentimental touch to your special day.

4.Decor

The options are endless, but our genuine suggestion is to limit the details so your guests do not feel overwhelmed. Remember it is a wedding and not a museum tour, so stick to few but striking vintage elements and build your theme around it. Here are some ideas to consider

  • Stacks of old books, birdcages and mercury glass votives make interesting centrepiece and décor elements
  • Embellished and gold-rimmed china cups to either serve afternoon tea or as display pieces for your tables
  • Freshly painted vintage bicycles dressed with flower baskets as display elements
  • Typewriters, leather suitcases, trunks and record players as décor elements

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  • For shabby chic décor, include burlap, twine and frayed ribbon on your tables and in the decorations
  • Folding wooden chairs for functionality and to contribute to the overall look
  • Old picture frames and black-and-white photo walls or backdrops to bring back old memories
  • Working ice cream bike complete with chalkboard display to serve ice creams and lollies for dessert
  • Dessert buffet with traditional sweets in classic-style tall glass jars and antique silver and white platters
  • Decorative doilies for the dessert and dinner tables

5.Wedding dress

You have two options here: either get hold of a vintage wedding dress and restyle it to match and fit you, or buy a brand new dress that has elements that are vintage-inspired. This wedding dress from Best for Bride, for example, will easily fit the vintage theme.

If your mother or grandmother has handed down their wedding dress, consider seeking the services of a talented dress maker who can rework it to fit your size and your taste. If you are confused about what to look for, so your wedding dress is vintage, here are some features to suit your need.

  • Lace is a definite vintage style, and the more the merrier.
  • Scoop necklines, jewel necklines and Queen Anne necklines
  • Butterfly sleeves, T-shirt sleeves and three-fourth or full sleeves
  • For the 50’s look, consider tea-length frocks with plenty of pouf to them
  • Maxi dresses with sheath silhouettes and a natural drape that falls freely

You can also read more on the evolution of wedding dresses here and get an idea of what was in vogue in each era of the past.

6.Accessories

Each vintage era had its signature jewelry designs. The most popular ones include

  • Georgian jewelry featuring white sapphires and red rubies
  • Victorian jewelry with floral designs. Also used sapphires and garnets
  • Art deco jewelry with large, flashy chains and chandelier pendants
  • Late 20th century featured pearls
  • Blue sapphire earrings and bracelets

The trademark accessories also included birdcage veils and rhinestone studded elaborate hair combs.

For the groom, replace the standard boutonniere with a photo brooch.

7.Flowers

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Toss out the round bouquets and go with loosely bundled bouquets of wildflowers, baby’s breath, and blushing roses. You can also go with a single statement flower like hydrangea for your entire bouquet, to hone the vintage style. Add a lace handkerchief to your bouquet for an interesting twist.

8.Entertainment

A live band is a must-have, to nail the vintage feel. For fun at the wedding, consider adding games like ‘hook-a-duck’ or a photo booth with vintage props and Polaroid film photos. You can also have entertainers at your wedding that remind you of popular icons from the past. This couple chose to have a chimney sweep. Brilliant, I must say!  If you decide to go with a DJ, make sure that your playlist includes songs from the era that you have focused on. Music sets the mood of the event, so make sure that the background music is chosen with care, so you can rekindle nostalgia, right from the beginning of the event.

9.Wedding cake

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Choose traditional flavors like fruit cake, sponge and chocolate for a truly old-age style. Nude cakes decorated with fresh fruit and cream are very welcoming. You can also have it dusted with soft glitter for added bling. Other interesting designs include cakes embellished with lace prints and with pillars between the tiers.

10.Wedding favors

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Edible favors are the best. You could also consider photo mint tins or old-style photograph frames. Use brown paper bags with stamps or vintage prints for an authentic touch. Tie it up with lace, or if you are a big fan of burlap, go with it instead.

Weddings mark a beginning to a lifetime of happiness. And is there a better way to do it, than remember the best from the past, through history itself, as you step into a new future? What do you say? We hope that we have given you enough ideas and inspiration to put together your vintage wedding today.

Come visit us on Best for Bride today to choose the wedding dress that is perfect for your big celebration. Please browse through our extensive bridal gallery and you are bound to find a wedding dress that is perfect for your wedding, whether it is rustic vintage or classic vintage. Also choose your bridesmaids dresses and find everything you need for your décor, flower needs, cakes and more, all at Best for Bride.

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Honor your parents on your wedding day with these great ideas

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If you are like most couples, you are proud of your parents and would like to honor their love and support with a special gesture on your wedding day. It doesn’t take too much to show your appreciation for all that your parents have done for you, as you step into a new chapter of your life. Here are some ideas to include in your wedding, and show your parents how much you value them.

Add a family heirloom to your wedding

This can be your mother’s veil, a family ornament or even your mother’s wedding dress. You can use this as your “something old” and bring together tradition and something of sentimental value. If you do not want to use the same element as it is, consider upcycling it to fit your wedding theme and personal style. For example, you can take your mother’s wedding dress and restyle it to match your wedding dress vision. Or if the dress isn’t in perfect condition, you could pick some lace from it and add it to your bouquet or make a kerchief from it to carry with you on your wedding day.

Replicate something from your parents’ wedding at your own

Take a look at your parents wedding albums and find something that you would like to incorporate in your own. You could have your own bouquet designed in the same design as that of your mother’s, or choose a cake topper similar to the one on your parents’ wedding cake. You could also add precious family mementos into the wedding décor. If there is something that your parents have saved from their wedding, ask them if you could display it at your wedding and make sure you place it in a deserving spot.

Mention them in a special way during your wedding speech

On your big day, thank both sets of parents through a short speech. Spend some time to create a short and special note of thanks as a nice tribute to your parents. Rehearse it well, and surprise them with it on your wedding day. They will certainly appreciate the gesture.

Get them a meaningful token to cherish forever

Use this occasion to gift your parents a special wedding favor. Let it be one that they will greatly cherish and hold close to your heart. Photo charms with you and your parents can be added to your wedding bouquet, or you could wear it as a locket. Alternately, consider getting charms engraved with your names and gift it to them. You could also consider getting personalized favors for your parents based on their tastes and preferences. How about a personalized wine glass for the fathers and a bracelet or pendant in sterling silver for the mothers? Remember that it is not the cost, but the thought that counts. So, choose a gift that they will appreciate and hold close to their hearts. You could even do a handmade gift, as this will be the more heartfelt.

For more help with wedding favors and other gifts that will be perfect for your parents, visit our list of options on Best for Bride and find one that is just perfect for you.

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Make your wedding truly memorable by adding your own personal touches to it

Wedding planning is one of the most stressful tasks anyone can undertake. There are a zillion details to take care of, and it can overwhelm even the most level-headed bride. This is why most couples choose to go with a wedding planner or delegate part of the wedding planning process to someone so they can stay sane.

There is no issue with this as long as you still do your part to ensure your wedding is unique. One of the main problems with delegating party planning and other details is that it can easily become impersonal. If the weddings in your planner’s portfolio look pretty much the same, this should be what your wedding will also end up like.

It is alright if you don’t mind having a wedding that people will soon forget. But, if you want a memorable wedding, which is one that everyone will remember long after the event, you need to inject some personality into your wedding plans. Only then will the memories linger, and you can say that your wedding was a grand success.

Even if you work with a wedding planner or book an all-inclusive wedding package, here are some details you can focus on and add your personal touches to.

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Personalize your wedding favours

This is one easy way to ensure your guests will remember your wedding for years. Choose a wedding favour that is representative of the people you are. It could be anything like a traveller’s kit if both of you love travelling, or a CD with your favourite songs if you are avid music fans. Ensure it is not just another pretty-looking favour that matches the party’s theme and can be tossed after use. Instead, choose a practical gift to remind the receiver of the two of you whenever they see it. Personalize it to match the theme of your party, and Voila! You have a gift that makes your wedding all the more memorable.

Involve the guests in an incredibly fun activity

Your wedding is all about you. Nevertheless, make it an exciting and entertaining occasion for your wedding guests by adding an exciting element to it. This could be an instant photo booth that ties to the theme of the wedding. Or it could be a variation to the traditional guest signing booth. You could use our petal wishes kit to have the guests leave their special message for the couple, and they will likely remember spending some time with jotting down a small note for you.

Use your creativity to plan unique additions to your wedding

Think out of the box, and find ideas to inject a unique message into your wedding décor. Display pictures or interesting messages that you can identify with. This is the opportunity to proudly bring forth your family’s traditions, and display it creatively with it. Bring out family heirlooms, add portraits to your décor, or incorporate family dishes into the menu. Some couples choose to even include their furry friends in their ceremony, and even this can be interesting. Just remember to keep it meaningful and well-planned, and you will do it right.

If you want more interesting ideas to make your wedding one-of-a-kind, we suggest you head over to the offbeat bride website, which is chock-full of winning ideas.

Visit us on Best for Bride, and we can help you realize your wedding vision in the most unique and interesting way.

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Prepare for your wedding dress appointment: 5 Things to take along

via Best for Bride

Wedding dress shopping is exciting and finding the right wedding dress is something every bride eagerly looks forward to. However, before you begin wedding shopping, you need to do some research.

This will help you shortlist the desired silhouettes, dress patterns, fabric choices and most importantly, allow you to fix your budget. Once you have a good picture of what you want and what you don’t, you are set to go shopping. Call up the bridal boutique and fix your appointment, rope in your best friends to accompany you, and get set to attend your appointment.

Now, do you just walk in on the day of your appointment? Not quite. It isn’t a good idea to simply go for your appointment without a few essential items. Let us look at what these are.

Photos for inspiration

You may have seen a fabulous gown in a magazine or on the internet, that you are dying to try. Print out a picture, and better still take down the dress number and other information pertaining to the gown. This will allow your bridal consultant to locate that dress for you. When possible, inform the boutique of the dresses that you would like to check out, when you fix your appointment. This way, it is likely they will have it in their inventory in time for your appointment.

If your vision of “the dress” includes bits and pieces from various other gowns, take prints of all these gowns along, and share your ideas with your consultant. She will be able to help you find one that matches your expectations.

Suitable inner wear

A strapless bra is absolutely necessary for your bridal appointment, since it is the only one that works with strapless gowns, spaghetti straps, deep cut necklines or halter style dresses. Without this, you may not be able to visualize the actual look of the gown. If you will be wearing inner shape-wear on your big day, make sure you take this along as well.

A camera

Looking at yourself in the mirror is not good enough. Snap a few pictures on a camera or your phone and look at it to understand how you actually look from different angles, before you finalize your dress.

Shoes

Although you may not have your wedding shoes yet, it is a good idea to wear shoes with the same heel height that you will be wearing to your wedding. This will allow you to see how the dress falls, and determine the length to which the hemline should be altered.

Heirlooms, accessories and hairstyle

Will you be wearing a family heirloom such as a veil or a headpiece? Or perhaps, you have already decided on the jewelry that you will be wearing on your wedding day. If so, bring these along, so you can decide whether it goes well with the dress you chose, or you have to continue looking. Also wear a hairstyle similar to what you will don on your wedding day, so you can see if a dress matches your look.

With these essential things in hand, you are all set for your wedding dress shopping. So, get ready to have the best time shopping. Check out our wedding dress collection for inspiration, and fix your appointment with Best for Bride to have the best wedding shopping experience ever.