Wedding Blog
Alright everyone I need your help. If we look back at the whole theme for our wedding, we’re going for a vintage glam (40s) inspired wedding, combined with the movies of that era. All seems swell when describing it… but less than 80 days to the wedding, and the elements seem to be all glam and no movie.
I want to be able to incorporate movie elements in our whole theme, because that’s what represents Mr. Flamingo. I’m looking for original ideas… something other than fake Oscars and paper movie clappers. So I need all the suggestions I can get.
This is what we have so far:
What’s left (and not really figured out yet):
Ideas to incorporate the movie aspect:
I desperately need your help awesome weddingbee readers. What would you do to make my wedding more movie worthy?
(Sources: Chandelier, Movie Reel)
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Share this post: Help Needed - Movies Anyone?
Have you thought of table names? They could be named after old movies.
I like the idea of the photo corner with props, you could have a photo booth type set up and have guests use the props in their pictures, cute! or yes you can always use movie names as the table names. or name them after old movie stars. or you could use movie film as part of the decor.
My husband worked in the movies when we met - we made our program looks like a movie poster - Bee might still have it up from the DIY contest for you to look at. Then I got them printed in 12×18 format so they were like mini posters and then 3 large ones (one for each set of parents and ourselves) and we had the wedding party sign them…
maybe the placecards could incorporate the old film-strip look?
Could you do your placecards into movie tickets?
Like this:
http://moviepatron.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/movie-ticket.jpg
and instead where it says “Admit One” have your guests names there. And where the numbers are printed on the side, place the table name there.
how about a candy bar with vintage coloured chocolates (eg black, white, pink) and film strips running around the jars? You could add a “take-1-action” movie board with the title of the “movie” as “Mr and Mrs Flamingo”?
Menus could be made with categories like “Best Supporting Actor Award” (for appetisers), “Best Actor and Actress” (for mains)…
That’s all I can think of at this late hour! 
Maybe for the place cards you can use mini slates. The guest names can be shown as if they were written in chalk. Not sure if this goes with vintage movie theme but movie theme for sure.
Just in case you don’t know what I mean by slates: http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/23/73/22427323.jpg
I really think that when it comes to a theme- less is more… so try not to go overboard.
I think that projecting a silent movie is a lovely and tasteful idea.
As far as the “guest book”… perhaps consider combining some of your ideas- why not save a little money by renting a 8mm camera (I am at a loss for who does this but I know that Stylemepretty.com has featured them several times)… and have a few “props” (MODERATION) for guests to say what they may to the two of you- (which the 8mm company will edit for you)…. don’t the “guest books” just gather dust anyhow?
Rather than decorating with the cinema- perhaps simply adding a “candy counter” would do the trick… serve hot pretzels, popcorn, and movie-style snowcaps, goobers, etc. (I think that this would be money better spent and appreciated by your guests)
I once did a wedding for a couple that worked for Lionsgate- and they were all into the movie theme. We held their wedding at an old Theater…. we rolled out a red carpet and as guests arrived, the photographers stole a shot to be printed onsite and handed out as favors at the end of the evening. They had some wonderfully talented graphic-artist friends who altered old movie posters to include the bride and groom… they did the silent movie during dinner…. and then allowed the rest of the decor to be simply elegant- the message was there for the guests but it was not “in their face”…. perhaps just a few small touches here and there will be enough to get your message across without seeming too over the top.
I love the idea of tables named affter your favorite movies. Maybe using vintage (or made to look vintage) movie posters in your reception decor? Or by the entrance to your reception site like they would be in a movie theater?
I love the idea of the photo corner with props - you could incorporate this into a polaroid guestbook as well.
What about buying/renting a small “red carpet” for the entranceway to your reception? There are several sites if you google “rent red carpet”.
Your theme is so cool! Good luck with everything!
Ooh, it sounds lovely! Can I rent your wedding when you are done with it?
What about a guest book with a B&W pic of you guys (to look aged) on the front and secrured with those vintage photocorners? Then have the inside be filled with black pages (reminiscent of old photo albums) and people can sign in white or silver pen?
If you’re having a sweetheart table, maybe use two director’s chairs (they can be purchased quite cheaply at Target or IKEA) and label the backs with your new married names and a star? You could also make ‘dressing room’ signs for the men’s & ladies’ rooms…I also like the photo corner w/ props idea, esp. if you use black and white film or process the digital images in B&W or sepia. Could you incorporate a mini-red carpet there?
How about making the cover of your program or guest book look like a movie poster?
How about place/escort cards/ table numbers that look like a film strip ?
Also perhaps a popcorn midnight snack will help carry out the theme a bit ?
Love the photo station with props idea BTW.
I like the movie guest book idea. that was my first thought also. YOu could set it up similar to a photo booth with props. Make it a silent movie and have a couple of large chalk boards that they can write a message to cou on and hold up in front of the camera. You could use anyones digital video camera and then edit it down or have someone man it so it is on only when someone is using it or they even have a motion sensor for them if you set up a photobooth style area, mabe curtian off a large square area. You could edit it and have it playing at home or you can pull stills from it to create a collage or guest book after wedding.
If you set your flowers on old film reals and/or canisters to decorate the tables with maybe a bit of filmstrip woven into them.
If you are going more new movie you can do the popcorn machine and vintage candy bar at the end and maybe a hotdog cart to send everyone on thier way.
The silent movie would be amazing if it was projected by an old 8mm film projector. I lucked out one time at a thrift store and scored an old super 8 camera AND projector in their original box with instructions. I took a Super 8 class in college and I want to shoot some film of us this summer and edit it down and have it playing at the reception. I am not sure he will love the idea, but I sure do!
I am also considering buying a couple rolls of 8mm film (right now as a student I can buy through the film department and get a discount) and encouraging my bridal party to have fun filming different things throughout the day. The rolls only last for 3 minutes each, but I think it will be a fun way to capture different moments throughout the day.
If you want your wedding to look like an old movie then you should definitely have it shot on Super 8mm.
Here’s some other ideas (some take a lot of work):
- If you have an edit saavy friend, cut together love and kissing scenes from your favorite old movies (Hitchcock films area always great). Project then on the wall or in a lounge if you are doing a lounge. Or run them on a tv.
- Name your tables after notable old hollywood couples “Ginger & Fred” and have a great B&W image of them.
- Serve popcorn in vintage popcorn theatre bags
Maybe making your menu as a list of coming attractions with those tantalizing summaries?
I love the idea of a movie guestbook, and other small touches like a snack stand.
I don’t know if you like movie decor enough to commit to having it in your new home, but you might do a fresh take on the photo mat guestbook and frame one of your favorite movie posters and let guests sign the matting around it. I suppose you could remove the poster and put in a wedding picture after the big day?
The “red carpet”, table names and directors’ chairs sound like great touches along the “less is more” lines.
If you can’t do the silent movie projection, maybe you could just show old movies on television screens? I know the rental companies in our area rent out beautiful flat screens for pretty reasonable prices. We’re considering setting a couple up on the guest table, cake table, etc. and using them for slide show, video from our first wedding (yes, we’re having two!), etc. Silent movies are certainly available at the video store and you could hook them up to these TVs. I think this would be beautiful!
My FI is a film maker and every time they get ready to make a new flick he and the DP get together and make extensive story boards. Basically little stick type figures to represent each and every shot in the whole film. They thing is sometimes they are really quite cool looking, especially when there is a shot with a lot of emotion and close-ups and all the angle and shot names listed in chicken scratch around each little box. It almost looks like a camic strip or graphic novel… but cooler. What about “storyboarding” your wedding? or engagement for everyone to see? it would make a GREAT picture for evryone to sign around for your guest book… or a different mini-story as table numbers…
Actually, nevermind. I am suddenly VERY in love with this idea… I am keeping it for my own wedding! 
also, making movie poster thank you cards would be really cute. You could have a picture of you guys “riding off into the sunset” and photo shop (or something) The End over top… send them off in those cool mailing tubes!
Wow thanks everyone for the responses… there are great ideas. I really like the idea of the whole storyboard and the movie poster program. Even the table numbers….
Thank you for making my creative juices flow again… I was losing hope
@Autumn:
I forgot to mention… I made storyboards in design school… just completely forgot about them. Thanks!
Lots of great ideas there. Guestbook - Autographs. Each page could have a star (ala chinese place in Hollywood) and ask them for “autographs”.
The tin film container would hold votives really well for a centerpiece
You could use a movie film can as your card box. There is one on ebay that is the size and shape I was thinking, but it is in nasty condition. http://tinyurl.com/2k6xu5
http://www.hollywoodmegastore.com/
has some good not too cheesy decor like film reels, strips of movie film, clap boards
ooo, place cards that look like little clap boards would be cute. They would probably have to be a DIY thing unless you went with the picture frames and they doubled as favors
I second the following:
-movie film can as cardbox (may want to make something that looks like a stack of them to make it work better as a cardbox)
-placecards - movie/photography film that has been exposed till black with the names and table numbers in silver/white pen. (Probably would have to mount on cardboard - or you could combine this idea with votive placecards)
-you could use the same idea as above for your “guest book” A long roll of blank film that guests sign along the strip.
For the Guest Book, I immediately thought of the ultimate guest book - Grohman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. While I don’t think your guest’s would go for inking their palms to place a handprint next to their names in a guest book, I do think that you could use the spirit of the idea. You and your future hubby could pour yourselves a little concrete slab and add your hand and footprints, and write your names. Even better, have a photographer (or crazy camera wielding aunt!) take pictures of guests with their hands/ feet in your prints. Place it by the guest book, and you could include a cheesy tie-in like “thank you for touching our lives! Please leave your mark in our guest book”
I’m a part time filmmaker, so I thought I’d weigh in!
Projecting an old movie would be very cool, some Bee’s suggested using 8mm projectors… but those will only show films that are quite short and there is a danger of the bulb burning out or actually melting the film, if you wanted to run it continually or often. 16mm (think school movies) projection would work too but it might be best to use modern technology for the projection, and perhaps project things onto an old “home movie” style screen.
You should be able to find 8mm projectors, 16mm reels, and “home movie” screens at thrift stores or antique stores for a reasonable amount. Old canisters and tins are available on ebay and some reels, which have a classic/timeless look.
You could also look into buying some old films (16mm would maybe work best, size wise) and cutting them into strips and having them be a part of your centerpiece, sort of looping around an arrangement.
You can also make bows and boutonnieres out of strips of old film… or use the film as streamers.
For a guest book, you could have guests scratch on a piece of exposed 8mm or 16mm film, (again, 16mm would work best because of the size) and then you could wind the film up onto a reel and when you projected it, you’d have a film version of a guest book. Sorta like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-8KZ0TlsDE&feature=related
or this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-8KZ0TlsDE&feature=related
it would be very unique.
You could use a vintage autograph album for your guest book. There’s this one from ebay as an example.
or this one from Etsy:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8433763
You could also have guests trace their hands and sign in the spirit of the walk of fame.
Then to spotlight the album, you could use this very cool table lamp:
http://lifeseventful.com/20080103/inspiration-pottery-barn-catalog/
Here are a few more ideas on this thread:
you can produce a sillent film - all you need is a video camera that can film in black anf white or one that has a program with/for it that can change it into black and white - then you take the sound away, add sub tittles to your liking and waalaa!!! you have your very own custome silent film i hope this helps and i hope your wedding goes well
[...] to go with. I desperately need your help with this, awesome Weddingbee readers. Because I’ve had issues with incorporating movie elements in the wedding, maybe having movie escort cards is the perfect [...]
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Mrs. Flamingo, Montreal, Canada
Age and Occupation: 25, Graphic Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Nursing Student
Engagement Date: December 2004
Wedding Date: June 21, 2008
Venue: Imperia Hotel (modern chic hotel)
About Me: I am a passionate designer who loves anything pretty. I heart all paper products (eco-friendly of course). My passion revolves around anything considered glamour; vintage and modern. In my free time, I love reading Martha mags, designing jewelry and making a pit-stop at Starbucks for a chai latte. I'm also a chocoholic at heart and my family drools over my homemade truffles.
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