When Preloved member Kirsty Stevenson set about planning her wedding she was determined to give it some vintage romance. “I researched the internet and bridal magazines relentlessly for months. I fell in love with the idea of having a vintage themed wedding almost instantly.”
It was the unique appeal of a vintage-style wedding that caught the Staffordshire bride-to-be’s imagination. “I think vintage weddings have such an air of sophistication about them.”
Once she had chosen her venue and started to build her overall colour scheme for her big day, Kirsty began to explore a vintage theme. “In January 2010 I finally found my perfect Ian Stuart wedding dress.” She continues, “The dress was exactly what I was looking for with the most gorgeous vintage-style flower detail on it. It was eye-catching without being too over the top.”
After purchasing the dress it quickly served as the catalyst for her wedding’s vintage theme. “The dress is the main focus of the day so it has to be perfect. I decided that I would use the vintage flower theme throughout the wedding. You don’t always know what you want in your theme, you tend to build your own ideas as you go along.”
The resulting plans lived up to all her hopes and expectations. “We got married on 12th May this year and it was definitely the best day of our lives. Our guests were stunned by how striking our venue and vintage theme was. Everybody comment that they had genuinely never been to a wedding like ours.”
Now, some months after her big day, Kirsty has decided that the time has come to sell her dress to a new bride-to-be. Was it a difficult decision? “It was so difficult making the decision to part with it! It was such an important part of my wedding, but I feel that another bride will cherish it and love it as much as I did.” She continues, “I will always have my photographs from the wedding day to remember how lovely it was. I have also made the decision to sell my wedding centrepieces on Preloved. These were vintage fabric-covered mannequins that were personally made for my wedding day.”
Want the vintage look for your Big Day? Kirsty shares her tips for some vintage-inspired wedding style.
- Chose several vintage items to run throughout your theme. Mine were vintage flowers, lace and pearls.
- Make your wedding extra special by hand making as many things as you can. I handmade my invitations, order of service, favour boxes, etc. I used some beautiful vintage craft paper on my favour boxes along with lace and pearls. I was surprised how stunning they looked and I received loads of compliments, and it was very simple to do too.
- Try to use pastel colours for a vintage theme, it gives a more subtle and romantic feel to your wedding.
- The venue is hugely important in achieving the look. I chose a stately home for my venue so it already had a very vintage feel. I matched all of my centrepieces and wedding items to the colours within the venue. If you are not having a stately home style of venue try to choose a venue with a neutral colour scheme.
- Consider giving guests something vintage themed as their favour. My mum hand made some vintage fabric hearts filled with Lavender for our female guests and my dad made Sloe Gin which we placed in mini glass bottles for our male guests.
Best Vintage Buys for your Big Day
Add some romance while keeping that wedding budget in check by choosing some vintage-style and nearly new wedding items that are bargain buys for your big day.
Dress with Fizz
Beautiful champagne colour dress with lace and pearl detail across the bust, and lace on the train.
Rock n Roll Bride
This much-loved vintage style white wedding dress has a 1950s’ style, including a sweetheart neckline with lace over the bodice. Very simple, elegant design with the length cut just below the knee
Golden Oldie Bag
Still in its original box with tissue wrapping paper this vintage gold bag oozes timeless style.
Fifties Glamour
A short 1950s style dress with full circle skirt and a sweetheart neckline, overlaid in handmade french lace. Also has delicate button detailing and satin waist belt fastening with vintage replica brooch and three built-in petticoats.
Jewel in the Gown
An eye-catching vintage brooch that would set off any classic wedding dress.
Top Tiara
A beautiful Leigh-Anne McCague vintage side tiara with large freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal on a silk velvet band in dark brown.
Starlet Style
Give your wedding day some 1930s’ vintage Hollywood glamour with this starlet style wedding dress from Suzanne Neville. Can also include caribou feather shawl.
