We like that, following European countries, the fashion for organizing beautiful, stylistic weddings has come to Ukraine. Take inspiration from our articles, choose a style that is close to your spirit and turn your holiday into a bright film! Today we will talk about a wedding trend that is quite popular among newlyweds - Retro. If you are inspired by the drive, romance and sophistication of the last century, the option of holding a wedding in Retro style is definitely worth your attention!
A little about style
Retro style in the wedding industry appeared not so long ago, but many newlyweds are already turning to it with pleasure. The time frame of this style is the 20-70s of the 20th century. Retro is characterized by various details in the interior, clothes, music, cars.
Fashion trends in Retro style:
- 20-30s of the 20th century , America, Chicago and comics
- 40s of the 20th century, film "The Great Gatsby"
- 50s of the 20th century, rock and roll and Elvis Presley
- 60-70s of the 20th century, dudes and disco
To choose a certain direction of retro style, you should watch feature films and documentaries about a given time period: this will help you “get used to” the era.
Menu and cake design examples
Wedding decorations for a similar theme should differ from the usual format. A treat like baked pig with apples will help highlight the theme of the holiday. The fact is that this particular dish in the retro era symbolized a big event and celebration. An appropriate addition to the menu would be Olivier salad, herring under a fur coat, as well as sandwiches and various pickles.
Drinks can be represented by an assortment of lemonade in distinctive glass bottles, as well as compote in jugs. The alcoholic palette can be represented by wine or vodka, or Soviet brands. The cake can be made in the shape of a gramophone or a car in the style of that time. If the couple prefers the classic version, then you can make a two-tier model with an abundance of cream decor.
Color spectrum
Everything will depend on the time in which you want to hold your wedding.
The beginning of the century was the time of black and white silent films and comics. Accordingly, the color scheme should be in the following tones: white, warm shades of Ivory, small elements of black. For a Chicago style wedding, it would be appropriate to use a combination of white, black and red colors.
The middle of the century is a bright, colorful, eventful time of dudes and disco. This is a special stage in the life of our society - a period of rebels who rejected cliches and standards.
Polka dot fabrics were very popular in the 50s.
Bride Image
For a wedding of the 20-30s
Characteristic dresses are just below the knee, with an open back, and with fringe. Any classic outfits with a low waist, a long train, complemented by all kinds of details (drapery, trim) are also suitable. Expensive, thin, “flowing” fabrics are suitable: chiffon, silk, matte or shiny satin.
Finishing plays a very important role: embroidery with beads, stones, pearls to match the dress.
As an accessory, you can use a feather boa or a fur boa.
A wonderful accessory would be long strands of pearl beads entwined around the neck and hanging down to the waist.
The most ideal dress style is “hourglass”.
Shoes – ideally, shoes with a rounded toe and a low, medium-thick heel. Can be decorated with ribbon ruffles, bows, beads and stones.
For a 40s wedding
Dresses of this era are characterized by closed, wide shoulders, a V-shaped neckline, wide, puffy sleeves with high cuffs.
The decor and finishing of the dresses are minimal, delicate, unobtrusive.
Instead of a traditional veil, you can wear a miniature veil. As for accessories, it is better to give preference to classic jewelry. The heel of the shoes is preferably high. You can wear shoes with wedges (by the way, wedges first appeared in the 40s of the 20th century).
The “godet” style is more suitable for the dress.
For a 50's wedding
The extraordinary simplicity of the image, turning into childish naivety, is a characteristic feature of this time. During this period, Christian Dior, the creator of the new look style, became the king of fashion.
Fully covered shoulders, a boat neckline, a narrow waist, a full skirt just below the knees or ankle length - this is what a dress of this period should be like.
A fluffy bell skirt adds extraordinary grace and lightness to the outfit. This is the period when pumps came into fashion, so it is simply necessary to reflect such an accessory in the bride’s image.
For a 60s wedding
You can use a dress with a wide belt and a fluffy, multi-layered skirt. The petticoat can be colored, bright orange, purple or green, for example. Length – knee-length or slightly higher. The best style is considered to be “empire”, and the ideal material is guipure.
All accessories - clips, hair ribbon and glasses - should match the color of the petticoat. By the way, this color can be used in the groom’s shirt, shoes, tie and suspenders.
For a 70s wedding
This is the time when traditional classics came back into fashion: open shoulders, flowing silhouette, a combination of matte, shiny and transparent textures, an elongated train.
Very rich, chic decoration with lace, beads, pearls, stones, rhinestones.
The image of the 70s bride is that of a sophisticated, sexy lady.
What should you pay attention to?
The bride’s hairstyle plays a very important role in conveying the spirit of the times:
- The “Cold Wave” was typical for the 20-40s
- "Babette" is a popular hairstyle of the 60s. By the way, thanks to the famous actress Brigitte Bardot.
Don't forget about makeup either. A minimum of cosmetics (only expressive, “deep” eyes) - in the image of the beginning of the century, and a bright, rich make-up for the era of the 50-60s.
Retro style wedding: 5 brilliant ideas
A “traditional” wedding with a three-tiered cake, a bride price and buzzing white limousines with fake gold rings on the roof is, of course, a classic to some extent, but as many couples as there are, there are so many opinions on how exactly this one of the most important holidays in your life should be spent , about which you will have not only memories, but also documentary evidence.
In order for the photo and video archive to turn out as bright and impressive as desired, we suggest taking a risk and choosing one of the wedding options in a retro style, which will set the original tone for the entire wedding, and then solemnly “throw” a champagne cork into the sky, because risk is a noble cause!
Boogie-woogie: a wedding in the spirit of dudes
Betrothed-mummers: we promise: it will be fun for everyone, and also bright, beautiful and unusual! Take note of the signs of the era of dudes that have sunk into oblivion and turn them into trends of our time: give instructions to the bridesmaids to come to the celebration in multi-colored dresses with flared flared skirts, wide headbands and with noticeable arrows in the spirit of the 60s, and the groomsmen wear bow ties and tapered trousers in checks and stripes. The heroes of the occasion can be dressed less radically: keep the general attributes in the image (as an option - a colored ribbon in the hair and a bright belt on the dress for the bride and a “butterfly” with colored polka dots for the groom), and do not go into details.
Paraphernalia: funny inscriptions on colored balloons, cardboard “lips” and “mustaches” on sticks, confetti, vinyl jazz records and a rented photo booth for instant photos in retro style.
Soundtrack: arrange a competition to know the differences between jazz-funk and hard bop, or play a playlist from the film “Hipsters” by Valery Todorovsky.
Stars and Stripes: American Retro Style Wedding
The betrothed-mummers: a celebration inspired by the “roaring 20s” and the subsequent years of cultural modernization and economic takeoff is not such an incredible idea to implement. Do you have a copy of The Great Gatsby nestled on your bedside table? Then “retro-America” is exactly what you need. You can inspire all guests with the atmosphere of Fitzgerald and add a dress code to the invitations: boas, sequins, fur boas, headbands with feathers and strings of pearls for women, tailcoats, hats, canes, fake cigars, white gloves and artificial roses attached to the lapels of jackets for men. The outfits of the bride and groom may correspond as much as possible to the spirit of “expensive and rich”, but they will also be stylized and in keeping with the “theme”.
Attributes: a street orchestra, a poker table, themed invitations (in black, white and gold), a magician and an invited doorman to greet each guest.
Soundtrack: A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) - GoonRock, Q-Tip, Fergie; Crazy In Love (Kid Koala Version) - The Bryan Ferry Orchestra, Emeli Sandé and the first dance of the young people to Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey.
Russian soul: wedding “a la russe”
Betrothed-mummers: we propose to pay tribute to traditions in a free form - why not look at the images for the main characters from a Russian classic? Let the bride become Natasha Rostova for one evening, and the groom boast of the proud bearing of Andrei Bolkonsky. According to the rules of the genre, the dress of the “heroine of a novel” should be delicate, feminine, made of chiffon and lace, with a trapezoidal cut, a high waistline, a wide satin ribbon under the bust, a round neckline and puffed sleeves. From Bolkonsky you can borrow, if not a real jacket with shoulder straps, then at least a modernized imitation of it - many companies will be happy to rent it to you or sew it to order. Give your guests an invitation “yellowed by time” with the word “ball”, decorated with monograms - the general style should be clear.
Attributes: classic interiors of an old manor, candelabra and silver cutlery; a rented carriage with three bay horses, opening its doors to everyone who wants to take a ride through the lands of the newly minted master and lady.
Soundtrack: romance of romance, as well as polka and mazurka motifs. It would also be nice to invite an accordionist or a gypsy round dance - after a protocol social event, the public will want bread and circuses in the best traditions of the Russian hinterland.
My Fair Lady: Audrey Hepburn style wedding
The betrothed-mummers: Audrey Hepburn was once called a real revolutionary in terms of choosing a wedding dress, because at the wedding ceremony with Andrea Dotti she appeared in a pink mini-dress and a scarf on her head instead of a traditional veil. Why not be inspired by the creation of Hubert de Givenchy and wear his replica, if not for the celebration itself, then at least for a trip to the registry office? A wedding in the spirit of the 60s, despite the fashionable “mini” of the bride, everything literally breathes elegance. Let the groom remember to pin the boutonniere to his jacket. Send invitations to your guests ahead of time, ordered at the photo salon, in the form of a retro Vogue cover with Twiggy flapping her thick eyelashes: inside there may be a spread with a detailed photo guide on the desired dress code for your event.
Attributes: forget about limousines and order “best seen” retro cars. Let's give some tips: the most impressive ones in the photo are the Dodge D2, Chrysler DeSoto, FORD T, Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, red Cadillac Fleetwood and Bentley (1953-1954). For wedding decorations, use fresh flowers and crystal; on the plasma screen in the hall, instead of the boring romantic photo walk in the park, show guests a stylized silent movie film, shot on black and white film with “noise”. The main roles, of course, are you.
Soundtrack: let the Elvis Presley record spin on repeat on the gramophone: go out for the first waltz to Love Me Tender, pair up the bravest guests for a slow dance with Burning Love, and let Blue Suede Shoes be the very “lighter” to which you hit the dance floor Even the most timid will run out.
Felicita: wedding in Sanremo style
The betrothed-mummers: Yes, the 80s are also retro, and the closest and most understandable to us, but we suggest abandoning the disco theme firmly associated with them in favor of “love and music festivals” in Italian San Remo, which in those years constituted a decent competition to today's Eurovision in terms of the number of viewers gathered at the TV screens. Are you ready to dress up for the ceremony “in the image and likeness” of the sweet-voiced Al Bano and Romina Power? For a detailed resemblance, the groom should wear a white two-piece suit, and the bride should wear a long dress that fits her figure, ideally with one shoulder playfully exposed. She should leave her hair loose, with a fresh flower pinned to the side: remember that Romina’s style is one big ode to femininity, youth and what the Italians call amore.
Attributes:
dance floor, disco balls, “SANREMO 2017” banners, “award figurines” purchased at the “For the Holiday” gift shop. On an improvised “stage”, organize a competition among guests for the best performance of your favorite hits, or rent a party bus - a roomy bus equipped with a karaoke system, a minibar and comfortable soft sofas: you can arrange a real “holiday on wheels” and stop for memorable moments along the way photos of city landmarks.
Soundtrack: expected: the legendary “Felicità”, the famous “Ci sarà”, as well as “Libertà” and “Sharazan”, which even complete ignorance of the words does not prevent the Russian listener from singing along with.
Which wedding celebration option would you choose and why? Let's discuss in the comments!
Groom image
For the era of the 20-30s, two options are possible:
- Classic : tuxedo or tailcoat and elegant top hat
- Gangster : a plain or white vertical striped black suit, a bow tie or skinny tie and a stylish hat.
Accessories: Hawaiian cigar, cufflinks and pocket watch chain.
The era of the 50s suggests:
- Suit with skinny trousers
- Vest with suspenders and stylish cap
Shoes for the groom in Retro style - patent leather shoes with a narrow toe or stylish loafers.
A very important role is played by the hairstyle - “cok” - the hair is combed back, raised high and secured with hairspray.
Location
Young people can choose the location of their wedding according to their taste; There are no special restrictions here. An ordinary restaurant hall will do (the main thing is that it is bright enough), a garden or any open area, cafe or restaurant in a retro style. The most important condition is that there must be a place for dancing!
Many modern people prefer to spend time on social networks, and smartphones and other gadgets have replaced real friends for some of us. Try to take away your guests' phones at the entrance to the restaurant hall - let them enjoy the wedding fun and the luxury of live communication!
Marriage registration
Recently, it has become fashionable to arrange marriage registration on location. However, we must not forget that brides and grooms of the 50s did not have such an opportunity, because then marriages were concluded only in wedding palaces. Therefore, the newlyweds will have to become husband and wife according to tradition, walking along the red carpet of the registry office to the Mendelssohn march.
Automobile
For a retro wedding, only a retro car is suitable. This could be either an old Volga or Moskvich model, or a BMW, Bentley, Ford, or Fiat. The ideal option is to get a pink Cadillac for your wedding!
Hall decor
The hall should look not so much luxurious as bright and cheerful: be sure to use balls, sparkles and tinsel. It is best to decorate the walls with large black and white photographs or posters, vinyl record sleeves.
You can find other uses for records - for example, using them as coasters for dishes. The presence of a radio or an old record player will give the room a special charm.
The room can be decorated with fabrics that were fashionable in those years: for example, polka dot chintz or with a bright cherry print. It’s also a good idea to hang garlands around and arrange bright compositions of fresh flowers in vases. It is enough to watch films recreating the era of the 50s to see how it was customary to decorate the premises for the holiday at that time.
Banquet hall decor
Of course, the most ideal option would be to find a cafe or restaurant stylized for a given era. If this is not possible, then you need to use accessories and surroundings that can convey the spirit of the times.
It can be:
- Matching furniture (sofas, chairs, cabinets, bookcases, coffee tables)
- Photos of Hollywood or Soviet cinema artists
- Gramophones, gramophones, reel-to-reel tape recorders, tape recorders
- Antique clocks, mirrors, lampshades, suitcases, candlesticks
- Porcelain dishes and all kinds of figurines
- Posters in the style of bygone eras
- Colorful labels for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Typewriters, old telephones, an inkwell with a fountain pen, with which you can leave your congratulations in the Book of Wishes.
Just don’t overdo it: everything should be harmonious, not intrusive, not overloaded.
Automobile
Of course, it must be an old vehicle, the so-called “retro car”. You can find such a car in special showrooms or from private collectors in almost all major cities of Ukraine. Use our Catalog to find a car that suits your wedding format!
- One of the first cars is a Benz Velo, a cool convertible passenger car is a BMW 315, a Wikov 40 car - choose if your wedding is in the traditions of the turn of the century.
- Auto-symbol Cadillac 1959, Lamborghini 350 GTV, 1963, ZIM GAZ 12 - if you are planning a wedding style of the 50s-70s.
The cost of renting a retro car varies from 150 to 950 UAH per hour. It all depends on the brand of the car, its technical condition and the uniqueness of the vehicle.
Advice from a couple
Choose a theme that suits you, that sets you apart from everyone else, and everything will go swimmingly! I loved doing everything: from finding a dress to choosing a shade of lipstick. The main thing is to enjoy the wedding and the preparation for it!
Save Saved
Save Saved
Save Saved
Save Saved
Save Saved
Floristics
In the Soviet Union, bouquets began to appear only in the 60s. Basically, these were the following flowers: mimosa, tulips, gladioli and, of course, the irreplaceable carnation. This situation was associated with a constant shortage.
Today, if you are planning a retro wedding in the style of the 50s-70s, you can use the traditions of our mothers and grandmothers by making a triangular or pyramidal bouquet, but using a variety of colors, bright and rich shades.
A trendy version of a retro bouquet is considered to be a bouquet made entirely of fabric. It is he who will help create the appropriate spirit of the times.
Summary
A wedding in the retro style of the 50s will be a fun and memorable holiday that will undoubtedly appeal to all guests. The main thing is to carefully think through all the details in order to correspond to the spirit of that time, and of course, come to this holiday in a good mood! After all, people of the 50s knew how to have fun!
Elena Piterova
Master of Cool Weddings
Previous article
Sweet taste of love - honey wedding: tips for organization and decoration
Next article
First dance
Of course, your first dance simply must be in the style of your chosen era. Just like all the music that will be played at your wedding celebration. Of course, only “live” music, no need to invite a DJ. YesYes has brought together musicians for every taste - choose from our Catalog and take part in the Cash Prize Draw!
The following dance styles can convey the spirit of the times:
- Foxtrot, rumba, Charleston or tango - if you are passionate about the era of the 20-40s.
- Rock 'n' roll, cha-cha-cha, twist, boogie-woogie or disco - if you're looking for a wedding from the 50s to the 70s.
This dance should ONLY be performed by a professional choreographer.
Guest clothing
If witnesses from the bride and groom can still be “organized” so that they are dressed in costumes of the reconstructed era, then it is difficult to expect this from all guests.
Of course, it is better to warn all guests in advance, but there will definitely be someone who ignores the dress code. Therefore, for a group photograph, you can prepare some small toiletries that will turn ordinary clothes into a “historical costume”. For men at an “American” wedding these could be white scarves, for women – tiaras or headbands.
Cake
Even the main ambience of a wedding celebration - the cake - should reflect the era and create the appropriate mood.
- Cake from the era of the 20-40s: delicate, pastel (white, beige, ivory, light gilding) tones, lace decoration, decoration with flowers, birds. The cupcakes should match the cake.
- In the 50-60s in the West, it was very fashionable to make three or more tiered cakes. For example, at the wedding of Prince Rainier in 1954 there was an openwork, six-tiered “giant”. The cake at Elvis Presley's wedding was almost the same. Thus, to reflect the era, the cake should be multi-tiered, with lots of flowers, such as roses and orange blossom, and lace. And most importantly – fruit and berry taste!
50s
THEN: The 1950s were the antithesis of the heavy 40s. Voluminous shoulders and other nods to military uniforms are a thing of the past. In their place came a delicate feminine silhouette with a thin waist and a fluffy skirt reminiscent of a half-blooming flower. Fashionistas were much more willing to expose their décolleté and often their shoulders.
Brides of the 50s also liked this airy “floral” look. Wedding dresses of this period were not much different from evening or cocktail dresses - color does not count. The wedding outfit was complemented by a set of high snow-white gloves and elegant pointed pumps.
Are you getting ready for your wedding? We know where the widest selection of engagement rings is >>>>>
and jewelry >>>>> for a fabulously beautiful bride
Now: modern wedding fashion most actively borrows lush floral skirts from the 50s, making them even more lush and airy - a real princess dress, as in the current Hayley Paige collection.
Invitations
- For the 20-40s - stylish minimalism, not flashy shades of colors, mainly white and black colors. The time of the beginning of the century - the advent of cinema, cars, airplanes, the birth of Hollywood - all this can be reflected stylistically in your invitations.
- For the 50-70s - bright, catchy independence and emancipation: brilliance, chic, rich colors in clothes, new trends in music, the appearance of vinyl records. The same can be true for your wedding invitations.
For invitations, it is better to use artificially aged sheets, wax seals or newsprint.
Ideas for a photo shoot
The most popular images today among modern newlyweds are considered to be “Chicago Gangsters” and “Moscow Dudes”. For a photo shoot, you can use the plots of the most popular films “Some Like It Hot” and “Hipsters”.
There are many similarities between Retro and Vintage style weddings. We recommend that you additionally read our article Wedding in Vintage style.
Retro style is a special holiday format. For us, the last century is full of mysteries and romance; it is a time of bright and great personalities, extraordinary music and constant technical progress. If movies with Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn make you sigh dreamily, a Retro wedding will be your ideal opportunity to travel back in time!
How to choose accessories for a retro wedding dress - tips
Retro-style accessories are a separate and carefully selected element of a bride’s outfit.
To understand what decorations and bouquets will be appropriate, you also need to divide the periods and consider what compositions were popular at that time.
Each decade is characterized by its own trends, but often the bride’s bouquet was quite modest in size. An important component of the look were gloves, which varied in length and material. If in the fifties they were small, only covering the wrist, then by the 80s they reached the elbow and above.
If at the beginning of the era they preferred cotton or satin, then by the end, lace was the best option.
To completely restore that style, it is important to choose the right hairstyle - it will give the image completeness. People aged 50–60 are characterized by short hair that does not extend below the middle of the neck.
At the same time, they made waves that lasted all day. By the end of the 60s, the trend of backcombing appeared, and the babette hairstyle became popular. In the 80s, hair was carefully styled so that a rather voluminous veil could be installed on it.
At the same time, a lot of varnish was used, which made it possible to give the combed bangs a bend. And due to the fact that the side parting was common, it turned out to be quite large. It is also important to focus on decorations that differed depending on the era.
If in the 1950s and early 1960s, pearl jewelry was popular, then such jewelry gave way to more diverse additions. At first, pearls were worn on the neck and wrist. Moreover, it began to be believed that several turns are needed to obtain a beautiful image. The outfit was completed with round clip-on earrings.
After the end of the 60s, it became popular to use different decorations, so there were both ordinary droplets and small imitations of flowers.
In this video - graceful wedding dresses in retro style:
But at the same time, modest jewelry was chosen, because the whole dress was quite elaborate due to the sleeves or veil. Often limited to a small bracelet or earrings.
Retro wedding dresses are perfect for those brides who want an unusual, sophisticated look. Such a variety of fabrics and styles will allow you to achieve complete harmony between the girl’s character and her outfit. Which decade would you choose a dress from?
