A rich garden dripping with fragrant spring blooms. An aristocratic ballroom decorated with arched ceilings and velvet draperies. An antique train car converted to a quaint quintessential diner.
What do each of these locations share in common? All three are unique, swellegant backdrops for your vintage wedding—and we’re going to help you decide on the right setting for your special day.
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to add vintage flair to your wedding is through your choice of location. The proper ceremony and reception site will lend a certain charm to your wedding, and help tie the theme together as a whole. The location you choose is up to you and your wedding style, and luckily, there should be a suitable option for everyone. You can be secure in the knowledge that many places, from the traditional to the more edgy, can all work well with proper planning and execution.
Some cities are a wealth of historical sites, offering up restored houses, elegant theaters, and grand ballrooms for your perusal. If you are faced with several suitable choices, think about the idea that you want to project. Are you planning a classic 1940s wedding? Then an old house with charming garden might be a lovely location. You say you are hoping to capture the grand feel of 1930s Hollywood? Then why not check out that newly restored movie theater—it may very well be rentable, and will certainly be unforgettable.
More unique, somewhat non-traditional locations can also work well, providing they have the necessary space and accommodations for weddings. For example, small parties can be held at elegant restaurants or supper clubs. Larger affairs might kick off in a museum. Many museums are becoming more interested in jumping on the wedding bandwagon, so be sure not to discount your local historical society or art museum.
Whether or not you hold the ceremony and reception in the same place is a matter of choice. Even if you prefer a church ceremony, you still have the option of holding the reception in the church hall, or at a local hotel or reception hall.
You may be seeking a garden setting for your ceremony, and again, some well-maintained mansions offer both lovely gardens and room for receptions. Don’t stop at older homes though—many public parks are excellent settings, and cost effective, too. Scenic and historic grounds tend to be popular with the "modern set", thus raising the overall rental price.
If you are marrying at a time when the weather is nice in your area, consider holding the entire event outside. But remember, inclement weather can occur at any time, so wisely plan a backup location in advance.
No access to a suitable vintage spot? Do not fear, for with proper decoration, a blank canvas can be painted with a perfect retro picture. Consider a classic hotel, or for those working with a smaller budget, look into renting a local VFW or American Legion hall. Most can be rented for a small fee, and oftentimes the location is not only appropriate, but also attractive and needing only a little decorating boost.
If your choices are limited and you just can’t seem to find an aesthetically pleasing locale, don’t worry. With a few quick touches, nearly any average spot can be transformed into a happening scene. And if cost is a factor, you needn’t worry about dropping a small fortune to achieve picture perfect results. Decorations can range from the simple to elaborate, with uniqueness the key to achieving great style without breaking the bank.
Floral decorations were discussed in a previous article, so let’s focus on a few other alternatives. Those of you who already have unique vintage collections can find creative waves to display them—for example, consider naming the reception tables after your favorite old movies, and display copies of various movie posters as your table number cards. Continue the movie theme by renting a projector and screening old movies on a blank wall. Even without sound, the ambient appeal of old images flashing for guests to see will add instant allure to your day.
Another factor in your decision process should be the convenience of the prospective location. Will guests have trouble finding it or have no place to park? The cutest beach home may become a source of frustration if your guests have difficulty traveling to it. Don’t forget to make sure there is enough space for your guests (estimate the number of prospective attendees ahead of time) to be comfortable. Cramped spaces certainly do not make for a relaxed party.
Also, make sure the site owners and event coordinators are organized and personable. Make sure that you get a good feel for the person who will be running your wedding—if you receive a funny vibe, take heed. Many a scatterbrained coordinator has slogged down an otherwise fun day, forgetting what goes where or refusing to meet your predetermined requests.
When it comes to a reception timeline, there are no hard and fast rules. However, make sure your guests are well attended to at all times—a smooth running wedding must move fairly quickly. It can be very uncomfortable to spend a cocktail hour—the most common time for the newly wedded couple to take photographs—with little or no food or drinks. It's a preposterous idea, I know, but trust me—bad planning does happen to good people. If money is an issue and you would like to forgo the added expense of the cocktail hour, then it would be wise to take pictures before the ceremony so that you can join the reception party as soon as possible.
And don’t forget—plan as early as your timeframe will allow. Many of the more unique and popular sites will book fast, some as many as one to two years in advance. Remember, "non-vintage" couples want beautiful wedding backdrops, too! Planning ahead will also give you bargaining power, and help you space out your payments.
For an extra dose of uniqueness, consider a non-traditional wedding site. For example, the Union Station Restaurant, housed in the beautifully restored train station in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a delightful replica of the original restaurant that once served travelers in grand style. Picture a sunny summer afternoon spent dining in the elegant restaurant, followed by a tour of the train station—what a charming celebration that would be!
Built in the late 1920s, the Fox Theatre of Atlanta, Georgia has been lovingly restored and now plays host to plenty of stylish weddings. The epitome of old school glamour, such a location will add panache and flair to your 1930s wedding in a manner like no other. For those living in other parts of the country, check around to see if similar locations are available. They may not currently host weddings, but it never hurts to ask.
Intimate weddings can be inspired by locations like The Wright House, a historic manor located in Mesa, Arizona. Victorian style gardens positively teem with romance, and the overall style lends an air of old-fashioned charm to an already momentous day. Look for historic homes and gardens in your neck of the woods, and see what turns up!
The classic 1950s wedding pays homage to the era of marriage traditions and grandeur. Select a stately ballroom along the lines of The Berkeley City Club, and your guests will receive a taste of the classic 50s. With delicate posy decorations and swags of lace, a large ballroom becomes both intimate and visually stunning at the same time. Many historic hotels still cater to weddings today, and many new hotels are have been built in styles reminiscent of the past. Your search will surely turn up several suitable locations.
Well, there you have it—your wedding is nearly planned and the big day is just around the corner. Keep your nerves calm and your spirits light while you wait for the last installment in this series, which will cover the fun stuff—The Vintage Honeymoon. See you soon!
| Check out the other articles in this series... |
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Dressing the Bride—While you consider each requisite bridal detail, pondering the virtues of taffeta versus satin, a tiny thought might suddenly surface. What if you chose to get married the way it used to be done? Dressing the Bridesmaids—Now that you've found the perfect bridal gown, your next thought turns to your bridesmaids. Here's how to make sure they have something equally as stunning! Dressing the Groom—At first glance, it is easy to overlook the many subtleties of men's formalwear. It wasn't until the 30s that the tuxedo made its way into acceptable wedding attire—and even then, it was very avant-garde. Flowers—Whenever you picture a wedding, vintage or modern, your fancy eventually turns to flowers. For even with the bride dressed all in white, her wardrobe is not complete without a bouquet of fresh spring blooms. Invitations—Think of the invitation as a sneak preview, letting your guests know what to expect on the big day. The right invitation will hint at your vintage theme without revealing any of the key details! The Reception—Perhaps one of the easiest ways to add vintage flair to your wedding is through your choice of location. The proper reception site will lend a certain charm to your wedding, and help tie the theme together. The Honeymoon—Because a vintage wedding is best followed with a vintage honeymoon, we've prepared this helpful honeymoonin' guide. We've done all the legwork, all you've got to do is make your choice, pack, and go! |
