How to Plan a Vintage Inspired Wedding | NEW ENGLAND FILM PHOTOGRAPHER

Let's face it; wedding planning is overwhelming the moment your ring hits your finger. With so many different aesthetics and trends to keep up with, it is hard to decide what style fits your love story. If you and your other half enjoy a more vintage aesthetic, love the same things your grandmother, gravitate towards pre-loved treasures and want your wedding guests to feel as though they have been transported to a period drama- a vintage style wedding might be just what your special day needs.

As someone who basically lives in the past (I wish I was writing this with a quill) a lot of couples who hire me recognize my love of all things old and hire me to shoot their weddings. This has led to me gathering ideas for the perfectly curated, slightly antique wedding that not only feels like the past but photographs beautifully.

These tips can fit into any budget and season. Please remember, there is no right way and wrong way to ever plan a wedding. Cohesiveness is surely appreciated for photo purposes (typically a mid century modern wedding with excessive florals wouldn't work with rustic barn venues) but the true beauty of a vintage wedding is the personal and unique touches that usually come with them.

1. CHOOSE A HISTORICAL VENUE

No, you do not need to rent out the entirey of the Newport Mansions, but choosing a venue that has history, architecture, gardens and a romantic landscape helps paint the picture of your wedding. These buildings tend to have fire places and oil paintings, as well as antique furniture that makes the day feel like a movie set; rather than a place that was built only to sustain cookie cutter weddings. If you are eloping instead, places like the Las Vegas Strip, a castle ruin in Scotland, or even city hall can add a storytelling backdrop. Some of my favorite historical venues are Glen Manor (Portsmouth, RI), Linden Place (Bristol, RI), the Broadmoor (Colorado Springs), Kilmartin Castle (Scotland), Powerscourt Castle (Ireland) and Grant Humphries Mansion (Denver). When researching these venues, please check to see if there are any restrictions for photography. Sometimes to protect the integrity of the buildings, certain areas are off limits or flash or real candles are not permitted.

2. HIRE A FILM PHOTOGRAPHER

Well, obviously I might be a bit bias on this one but hiring a film photographer for your weddings is the most authentic way to get that vintage feel. Since analogue photography was around since the late 1800's, it is truly the first medium for capturing important events. With digital photography, it is perfect, easy to manipulate and "clean". Film photography has tones that reflect the photography your parents and grand parents used at their weddings, has dreamy grain, creative double exposure options and due to the expense of development and processing, each moment is carefully curated with intent rather than clicking away. If you also want nostalgic videos to go along with your film photographer, a camcorder or super 8 videographer is the peanut butter to the jelly of film photography.

3. THRIFT, ANTIQUE & REPURPOSE

This is probably the most fun and most creative part of planning a vintage inspired wedding. Sure, you can buy vintage looking things that were made in China on Amazon but it is so much more personal to go looking for trinkets and treasures yourself. Facebook marketplace is also a huge resource; I once had a bride buy mismatched china for her reception and even a chandelier for her wedding and then re-sell it to recoup some of her expenses. Perhaps one of the most sentimental things you can do is re-use a family members gown, veil, brooch or shoes from their wedding day on yours. Not only are they designs from the past, but are heirlooms that can be passed down again and again. Things like old books, candle stick holders and mismatched vases are perfect for center pieces and add old world charm.

4. USE CANDLELIGHT

A good photographer (hey there) can efficiently shoot using just candle light and higher ISO film stocks. For thousands of years weddings in great halls were lit by candle light. It adds romance to your photos. Let the candles drip, let the candles blow out. Let them illuminate your guests reactions. They can be purchased in bulk online, or handmade if you really want to go for it. Please, check with your venues if real candlelight is allowed. While artificial tapers do exist and can be a great alternative, you simply can not replicate the romanticism of real candle light.

5. PICK AN ERA

If you need a guide for styling your wedding, choosing an era and what was popular at the time might help. Doing this first might help you narrow down a venue, a dress, invitations and even what photographer you choose. Renting a classic car from that era, if that era had cars, adds a perfect touch to the day and makes for a great getaway. Whatever fashion and design from the past that speaks to you can always be brought into your wedding day. Doing the research might inspire you and other vendors as well. One time I had a florist make a Georgian era bouquet for me and it tied in so well with my flat lay and photo theme!

6. USE THE NATURE AROUND YOU

Couples of the past used to forage for their florals, incorporate the seasons into their decor and even things such as fruits to decorate their tables. Not only is using nature sustainable, it brings the outside in. When it is time for couples portraits, I like to take my clients outdoors no matter what the weather. Rain and wind can be extremely romantic! The elements always add a vintage touch. The rain hitting a big white tent on a lawn, the moon on a stone patio, and even bonfires are all things that used to be present at weddings in the past.

7. PLAYLISTS SET THE TONE

Yes, I know you need "Hot in Here" by Nelly towards the end of the evening, but choosing music from a specific era adds so much ambiance for your guests. Soft violins or classical music, 1940's crooners, even modern music with a live string band can immerse you and your guests in the past. Even when I am shooting in a studio or have set up a vintage styled shoot, I always have classical music playing.

8. MAKE SURE ALL VENDORS ARE ON BOARD

While having a vintage inspired wedding is getting more popular it is still quite out of the box. Make a collage or mood board to share with all your vendors so they completely understand the vibe an aesthetic you are trying to achieve. You'll want a planner who can ensure the day flows smoothly and all your vintage details are where they are supposed to be, a florist who can design in the era, even a calligraphist who can add special fonts to your menus and invitations. Having one shared vision is very important, especially when it comes to photography.

9. OPT OUT OF MAKEUP

Alright, this one could be a bit controversial. Up until recent times, makeup was not a major expense for brides. There was no spray tans, spray foundation, highlighter. Brides used to pinch their cheeks for rouge and perhaps put some rose colored lipstick on their lips. Embracing traditions of the past when it comes to your era not only will save you and your bridesmaids money, but will encouraged more women to be bare faced and full of self love on their wedding days. If you want a 1960's era wedding, makeup was heavier back then and a DIY wing tip eyeliner and bold lip might just do the trick. Braids, wild hair and flower crowns are great vintage hair ideas as well.

I hope that these tips help you plan the vintage wedding of your dreams, that will feel timeless and emotional forever. Perhaps by reading this, you have stumbled upon your dream film photographer! Vintage weddings, big and small, are my whole heart and my books are open. Send an e-mail inquiry to thistleandpinephoto@gmail.com to secure your date and we can get started on making your dream come true, together.