Weddingbee Blog

I like to think that our wedding will be “retro inspired.” I don’t mean vintage, the most often overused/misused adjective in the wedding lexicon. I mean retro. When I think of “vintage,” I think of faded photographs, artfully aged furniture, and whimsical wild flowers in milk glass. When I think of “retro,” I think of beehive hairdos, polka dot shoes, red lipstick, and poufy skirts. I’m not sure what era I actually like. Believe me when I say history was my worst subject ever—I’d literally rather retake calculus, physics, philosophy, and even P.E. than ever take another history class. So I’m not sure if I like the ’50s or the ’60s, or some combination of the two. I’m not talking poodle skirts or flower power. Maybe mid-century is a good descriptor. Mad Men, Dior’s New Look, and rockabilly/pin-up styles all intrigue me. Again, I’m not sure if those all took place at the same general time or not. I’m more concerned with applying them to our very 2012 wedding. Instead of jabbering on, for once I’ll just show you a bunch of fun pictures.

Image via Divine Jewel on Etsy

Pearls that would make Betty Draper drool

Image via Mrs. Crepe on Weddingbee

Mrs. Crepe’s photo-booth backdrop looked retro to me. And I love it.

Image via Ruffled / Photo by Amanda Doublin

Are those miniature waffles under a bell jar??

Image via Ruffled / Photo by Ever Whim Photographs

Retro invitations!

Image via Queens and Bowl / Photo by Barber Photography

My bridesmaids wish they could look this cool!

Image via Retro to Go

I could wear these adorable shoes!

Image via Delightfully Engaged

I’ve featured this bride before. Even though her wedding was Nightmare Before Christmas themed, I’m still obsessed with it!

Image via Ruffled / Photo by Lilia Photography

Image via Ruffled / Photo by Ever Whim Photographs

This may be unashamedly copied by me.

Image via Style on a Shoestring

I want her mod lashes.

Image via ModCloth

Another shoe with a giant bow. Can’t. Get. Enough.

Image via The Sweetest Occasion / Photo by Kellie Kano Photography

If money were no object, I too would have an ice cream bar at my reception.

Image via Become Gorgeous

This might be a bit much for a wedding, but it still looks friggin’ cool.

Image via Ruffled / Photo by Amanda Doublin

I just really like this font. And the fringe. And the sparkles. And the polka dots.

Image via Ruffled / Photo by Stewart Leishman

I’m not sure I’d want to marry a guy with pants this tight (would he even be able to perform on the wedding night??), but I love everything else.

Image via Yesterday Girl

Adorable rockabilly-inspired ’do

Image via Retro Weddings / Photo by Matt Chappelle Photography

Another amazing hairdo

And here are three images I’ve already shown you:

Image via Design Public

Image via Stephanie James Couture

Image via Fifties Wedding

Sigh. If money/Mr. Unicycle’s opinion/my questionable history skills weren’t an issue, I would do a full-blown retro theme. I can’t wait to pull some of these ideas into our wedding, but I think I’ll save the themes for more dedicated brides like the Nightmare Before Christmas bride!

If you had to pick between “retro” and “vintage” (according to my definitions!), which would you choose? Did/does your wedding have a theme?