Vintage Wedding Decor: Diy Guide To A Timeless Celebration

Planning a wedding can be a stressful and expensive affair. One way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day is to make your own decorations. If you're planning a vintage wedding, there are endless creative DIY ideas to choose from, whether you're after a fun rockabilly vibe, cool Gatsby glamour, or classic rustic charm.

Vintage is an eclectic and broad theme, so feel free to mix and match different styles and patterns. You can scour antique shops and charity stores for hidden treasures, such as old books, jewel-toned glasses, and vintage furniture, to use as unique decorative touches. You can also upcycle everyday items like mason jars and wine bottles to create magical lighting and romantic floral displays.

If you're feeling extra creative, you could even make your own photo booth backdrop, seating chart, or wedding arch. The possibilities are endless!

Vintage furniture and decor

Vintage is a broad term, and there are many creative ideas to explore when it comes to vintage furniture and decor for a wedding. Here are some suggestions to achieve a timeless and romantic vintage look:

• Mix and match: Combine treasures from your grandparents' era with finds from junk shops or modern vintage-inspired pieces for an eclectic and contemporary feel.
• Antique furniture: Create a lounge area with vintage or vintage-style furniture, such as sofas, chairs, or loveseats, for guests to relax. You can hire these from prop and chair hire companies, or invest in a piece you'd like to keep in your home.
• Gramophones: Prop antique gramophones, which you can hire or find on sites like eBay, on card tables or flank your band or DJ booth. You can also fill the horn with flowers as a unique centrepiece.
• Birdcages: Birdcages are a popular choice for vintage weddings. They can be hung as ornaments or used as table decorations with candles and flowers.
• Bunting: Add a cute and colourful touch with bunting. For a shabby-chic feel, make your own using various fabric swatches. Hang bunting in a barn or open space for a Victorian music hall vibe.
• Antique dressers: Use antique dressers or vanity tables for vintage displays, such as Americana-style lemonade stands. Pull out the drawers and fill them with old postcards or flowers for extra charm.
• Vintage trunks: For a travel-themed wedding, use vintage trunks and suitcases as decor. They can also be used for guests to leave cards in or as a table for drinks.
• Vintage vehicles: Rent a vintage car, such as a Rolls Royce or a VW camper van, for a special touch. They make for great photo props and provide a fun getaway car at the end of the event.
• Whiskey and cigar bar: For a Gatsby-inspired wedding, set up a whiskey and cigar bar with alternatives like brandy, mezcal, or rum.
• Teacups: Source patterned teacups from online stores or vintage shops. Use them for an afternoon tea party reception or as DIY centrepieces by adding flowers or turning them into candles.
• Old-style cameras: Couples who love photography and travel can use old cameras as centrepieces. These can often be found on eBay for a few pounds.
• Typewriters: Place a typewriter on the card table as a unique guest book or as a classic vintage decor piece.
• Lace: Lace is a timeless material that complements a lace wedding dress. Add cuts of lace to your bouquet or centrepieces, or go big with lace hoop decor as a backdrop.
• Pastel colour scheme: For an ultra-romantic vintage feel, choose soft pastel tones for your decor. Include a retro sweet arrangement for a playful touch.
• Old family photos: Create a personalised photo display using old family photos, including those of grandparents' wedding days. Mix with vintage details like crystals, pearls, and fairy lights.
• Doilies: Doilies add a charming vintage touch to your reception decor. Use them as plate decorations, underneath centrepieces, or as table runners.
• Bar carts: Stock up a vintage shelf unit with booze and accompaniments. Your guests can mix their own drinks, adding a fun interactive element to the event.
• Vintage mirrors: Use ornate Rococo mirrors with ornate frames as wedding signs. Write menus, directions, or timings on them for a glamorous touch.
• Old books: Visit second-hand bookshops and charity shops to find classic literary works as centrepieces. Choose romantic classics with battered hardcovers, such as Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and Emma.

These ideas will help you create a beautiful, timeless, and romantic vintage atmosphere for your wedding.

DIY vintage centrepieces

Vintage Vases and Containers

Give a nod to the past by using vintage vases, bottles, or even kettles as centrepieces. Fill them with beautiful flowers to create a simple yet stylish display. For a rustic touch, use vintage birdcages or collect jam jars and wine bottles to use as vases. You can also spray paint wine bottles with glitter or metallic colours and fill them with single-stem flowers or candles.

Eucalyptus and Foliage

Eucalyptus is a popular choice for wedding centrepieces as it is affordable and versatile. Drape eucalyptus garlands across your tables or fill glass vases with water and float candles on top for a chic look. For a more rustic feel, use long tables and drape eucalyptus across them as a foliage runner. You can also opt for dried foliage and preserved blooms for a unique, textured look.

Lanterns and Candles

Metal-rimmed lanterns with votive candles inside make for elegant centrepieces and are easy to source. For a vintage twist, use wooden lanterns and add candles and greenery or flowers to the base. You can also use paper lanterns around vases to make it look like your flowers are planted inside. For a whimsical touch, add a little LED light to make the lantern glow.

Books and China

For a literary-themed wedding, stack hardback books as centrepieces, especially if you're a literature-loving couple. You can also use heirloom china, such as chinoiserie-style vases, to add a charming and sentimental touch to your vintage wedding.

Vintage lighting and lamps

Vintage lighting is a great way to add a whimsical and romantic feel to your wedding. Here are some ideas for vintage lighting and lamps to create a beautiful and timelessly chic atmosphere for your big day:

Vintage Light Bulbs and Fixtures

Vintage-style light bulbs and fixtures can be a great way to set the tone for your wedding. Look for bulbs with an old-fashioned, Edison-style shape and warm, soft lighting. You can hang them from the ceiling, use them to line family-style tables, or incorporate them into centrepieces for a unique touch.

Lanterns and Pom-Poms

Lanterns are a popular choice for vintage weddings, providing a brilliant canopy for guests to dance under. Tissue paper pom-poms can also add a whimsical and colourful touch to your vintage wedding. Hang them from the ceiling, along the aisle, or anywhere your guests will be mingling.

Vintage Lamps and Chandeliers

For a truly vintage feel, incorporate some antique or vintage lamps and chandeliers into your decor. Look for styles with ornate details, such as brass or crystal accents. You can often find these at antique shops or online. They can be used to create a cosy lounge area for guests or to illuminate a dark corner.

String Lights and Bistro Lights

String lights and bistro lights are a simple and effective way to add a touch of vintage charm to your wedding. Hang them horizontally or vertically for a whimsical effect. You can even create a light curtain by clustering them together.

Candles and Candleholders

Candles and candleholders can add a romantic and elegant touch to your vintage wedding. Mix and match different sizes and styles of candleholders, and play with textures like brass, wood, or polished metal. Place them on tables, hang them from the ceiling, or use them to line the aisle for a magical effect.

Fairy Lights

Fairy lights can be used to create a whimsical and magical atmosphere at your vintage wedding. Wrap them around trees, drape them over tables, or use them to spell out words or phrases. They can also be used to illuminate outdoor spaces, such as a dance floor or dining area.

Vintage photo backdrops

Vintage Props

Incorporate vintage props such as antique gramophones, old-style cameras, and vintage suitcases into your backdrop. These props will add a unique touch to your photos and can be easily sourced from thrift stores or online marketplaces.

Floral Backdrops

Create a floral photo backdrop by using flowers, dried flowers, or pampas grass. You can hang flowers from a wooden arch or frame, or create a flower wall. For a more budget-friendly option, consider using paper flowers or fabric florals.

Backdrops with Greenery

If you're looking for a more natural look, consider a backdrop with greenery. You can use eucalyptus, baby's breath, or even wheat to create a beautiful and organic backdrop. This is a great option for outdoor weddings.

Vintage-Inspired Backdrops

Etsy and Amazon offer a variety of vintage-inspired backdrops that you can purchase or rent. These backdrops often feature rustic wooden panels, vintage floral prints, or elegant lace details. You can also find customisable options to match your wedding colour scheme.

Backdrops with Personalised Touches

Add a personal touch to your vintage backdrop by incorporating meaningful items. Display old family photos, use a typewriter as a prop, or hang a neon sign with your new last name. These details will make your backdrop even more special.

Remember, when creating your vintage photo backdrop, don't be afraid to mix and match different elements to create an eclectic and whimsical space that reflects your unique style.

Vintage table settings

Table Linens and Runners

Vintage-style table linens can add a touch of whimsy and charm to your tablescape. Opt for fabrics like vintage lace, rustic hessian or gingham, or even book pages for a unique look. You can also experiment with table runners made from gauzy fabrics, moss and ivy vines, or floral petals for a dramatic and elegant touch.

Centrepieces and Flowers

Vintage centrepieces can be creative and eclectic. For a literary-themed wedding, stack some old books and top them with flowers or a glass cloche filled with greenery. You can also fill vintage teacups with flowers or suspend vintage umbrellas above the tables for a unique twist. For a rustic touch, use wooden slabs as charger plates or bases for centrepiece displays.

Place Settings and Decorations

For place settings, mix and match vintage-style crockery in pastel colours or floral patterns. You can also incorporate vintage details like doilies as plate decorations or macrame napkin holders. For a whimsical touch, create natural name holders by writing guests' names on leaf-shaped recycled paper and poking them through small twigs or branches.

Lighting and Candles

Add some vintage charm with taper candles in gilded candleholders. For a whimsical touch, experiment with hanging string lights vertically to create a magical, fairy-light curtain effect. For a rustic vibe, drape garlands of greenery over the tables, or use vintage rugs to anchor the tablespace.

Frequently asked questions