Category Archive

retro

Need retro wedding ideas and inspiration? We’ve got archives for 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and even ’80s weddings! If you’re into retro wedding dresses, you might want to check out our tea-length wedding dresses or rockabilly weddings.

dd 1 alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

A retro musical wedding with 1960s revival & rock ‘n’ roll inspiration

Music is a huge part of our lives and I let the artists who inspire us most influence the design. We drank whiskey from tea cups and had the processional set to "Fawn" by Tom Waits. His lyrics were tucked in here and there. I weaved in my love of kitsch and vintage by collecting mix and match china for 200 people (it took almost two years!) and featured a unique, cool set of vintage salt and pepper shakers on every table. We had whiskey bottles (all enjoyed with friends and family) and vintage vases that we collected for flowers.

These two shy partners rocked their vintage bibliophile Stardust wedding

These two shy partners rocked their vintage bibliophile Stardust wedding

I wanted my wedding to have a classic old Hollywood style. Since we are both bibliophiles who bonded over a love of the stars and Neil Gaiman, we picked Stardust as our inspiration. I was inspired by the images of paper moon photo booths, which fit perfectly with the vintage and astronomical themes that we wanted. I'm also a burlesque dancer who can't image a wedding without glitter.

A 1950s-inspired rustic vintage craft beer wedding

A 1950s-inspired rustic vintage craft beer wedding

I love ’50s-inspired everything so my dress was tea-length and my makeup was more of a pin-up look with a birdcage veil and victory roll. We also really looked for an off-the-beaten-path location in New Jersey, which is not so easy! We settled on the Prallsville Mills in Stockton, NJ which is an old grist mill. Our ceremony was in the saw mill. We are also huge craft beer fans, so our tables were covered with hop leaves and our centerpieces were our own personal growlers. I tried to do a lot of DIY with decorating the pallets and using old windows for signs and the seating arrangement.

A retro drive-in meets cocktail party prom

A fabulous retro drive-in meets cocktail party prom

There wasn't a real theme for the wedding, other than "Let's Duerr It," based on our last name. It was our URL, hashtag, and was prominently displayed in large balloons on stage. One friend had made the comment that she felt like she was at a prom, "in the best possible way." We got married at an old drive-in hot dog stand called Superdawg, where we had one of our first dates. Our friends Kate and Pete chauffeured us in their '61 Lincoln Continental and the officiant was our friend Louie. The guest list was about 15 people (plus our dog, Stanley) and the ceremony lasted about five minutes.

Get a close-up on this film-loving gothic glam wedding in Victoria

Get a close-up on this film-loving gothic glam wedding in Victoria

A gothic setting (that had been used in films!), a gorgeous blue velvet homage corset dress, amazing music, film references everywhere, and a vibe that can’t be beat. This gothic glam Australian wedding is one to remember.

Don’t miss the epic ceremony space, all of the killer outfits, and the tiny references to Friday the 13th.

lead alternative wedding ideas from Offbeat Wed (formerly Offbeat Bride)

Throwback style and sweet moments all over this vintage eclectic wedding

Amy and Camilla took their vintage style and ran with it by incorporating it in their killer outfits and placecards (vintage photos!). Their friend officiated in drag(!), they got shoe tattoos instead of exchanging rings, and also gave out temporary tattoos as favors. The venue was ideal for them with its eclectic style of antique frames, glassware, furniture, and the glow of tons of twinkle lights.

Don’t miss their pink and mint dresses (the pink dress was made by Amy’s mom!), their fabulous retro hairstyles, and fun trivia game…