The Vintage Wedding of an Interior Designer and Copywriter

Megan and Andrew’s vintage wedding vision started off as most do – with the help of Pinterest. The couple took a look at Megan’s wedding board, which had amassed over 3,500 pins throughout the years, and started looking for some commonalities to help them narrow down a few aesthetic options.

Dark Modern Victorian, Wes Anderson inspired, and 1970s Boho were all strong contenders, but a lightbulb moment came for the couple – why choose one when they could meld elements from each and create something truly unique?

Enter the final Pinterest board: 1970s Victorian Revival. Drawing inspiration from the Victorian and Edwardian revival that 70s fashion saw, Megan and Andrew set on creating an event that oozed with old world charm, a groovy 1970s color palette, and a Wes Anderson-level attention to detail.

VINTAGE WEDDING FLATLAY DETAILS

Megan did not miss a beat when it came to putting together a curated box of trinkets and goodies for us to photograph flatlays. Along with the basics, like their invitation suite, vow books, rings, and bouquet, the couple also included some unique, additional wedding day details. Andrew had a vintage hanky monogrammed with an “A”; Megan carried a vintage beaded clutch. Their flatlay set didn’t forget a ring box and perfume bottles – both vintage, of course. Megan’s green retro sunglasses provided a pop of color amongst the warm, orangey hues.

GETTING READY PICTURES

Megan wore a lace gown that was altered by her sister to include billowy bishop sleeves, an homage to their mother’s 1970s wedding dress. The green, velvet robe she wore over her European-vintage nightie was also crafted by her sister.

Her something old was her engagement ring, a one of a kind 1920s filigree ring Andrew bought her years before proposing because of how perfectly perfect it was for her. Her something new was her dress; something borrowed, the crucifix of a passed on loved one integrated into her bouquet; her something blue, a tiny pin the women of her family have worn for generations on their wedding day.

Andrew wore a 70s inspired floral shirt and a velvet blazer with caramel colored chinos. Lace up leather boots were worn by both the bride and groom instead of traditional wedding shoes.

Andrew, a photographer with a love for all things retro, brought his Super 8 film camera and his polaroid camera, both of which he used to document the day through his own eyes.

A RETRO CEREMONY

The ceremony space had vintage hankies for happy tears at the entrance, rolled and tied with velvet ribbon on an antique pedestal table. The aisle was lined with antique rugs collected by the couple. The altar included a vintage carved teak room divider with a floral arrangement, as well as Victorian chairs for the couple to sit in during the ceremony. During the ceremony, the couple asked their parents to the altar to partake in a special time capsule ceremony. Their parents, both sets married for over 40 years, placed marriage advice in a box with a bottle of wine. Each parent, along with the couple, took turns nailing the box shut. The couple will open this box on an anniversary to relive all the joy of their day.

After their kiss, the couple walked up the aisle, arms linked, to “The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan, a song Andrew covered and recorded for Megan as an anniversary present.

FORMAL VINTAGE WEDDING PHOTOS

Megan and Andrew couldn’t properly throw a retro wedding without including a Milwaukee tintype photographer. Immediately following the ceremony, the couple had a tintype taken of them both together and separately, before we jumped into some bride and groom portraits. Of course, the wedding party soon joined us – Andrew’s side wearing caramel chinos and green ties, and Megan’s side wearing dresses in a rusty color palette that they each chose.

A CIGAR BAR FOR SPEAKEASY VIBES

Megan and Andrew not only wanted their wedding to look a certain way, they also wanted it to feel a certain way. For this, they drew inspiration from one of their favorite local haunts: the cigar bar speakeasy they became “official” at. This meant that cocktail hour would include a full cigar bar, complete with antique table lighters that Andrew restored to working order.

A SPEAKEASY JAZZ BAND FOR COCKTAIL HOUR

This also meant the house band at the speakeasy simply had to be the cocktail hour entertainment, so a 6-piece early jazz and American roots band kicked up the livelihood of the cocktail hour. Vintage brass incense burners were scattered about, filling the air with the sweet aroma of bourbon and brown sugar as guests filled their glasses with the couple’s signature cocktails: Spiced Pear Whiskey Mules and Fig Gin and Jams.

RED VW BUS PHOTO BOOTH

While the aforementioned tin type photographer was a special treat for just the couple, they couldn’t throw a party without ensuring their guests had ample entertainment. A 1970s VW Microbus photo booth rolled up as cocktail hour began for the guests to climb into for a photo strip.

VINTAGE WEDDING rECEPTION DETAILS

Gilded mirrors, antique rugs, vintage oil lamps, and amber glassware all became integral parts in setting the vibe for the day. The bride works as an interior designer and sells vintage goods on the side, so collecting all these elements was a process that came quite naturally. Many of the items integrated into the design of the wedding were already a part of the couple’s home – a testament to how true to their style their big day was.

A velvet Victorian photo album turned guest book and a vintage suitcase for cards greeted guests as they entered the tented reception space. Lace tablecloths and gauzy rust-colored runners served as the base for each table, where vintage books, oil lamps, amber glass votives, floral arrangements in 70s chalices, and mirrored table numbers made by the bride all served as centerpieces

PHOTOS IN THE GARDENS

The couple toured only one venue but knew it was ‘the one’ right away – an immaculately cared for 1800s church and school surrounded by gardens. With an outdoor garden ceremony space, a tented reception space, seemingly endless greenery-filled areas to explore, and a side yard perfect for lawn games, their historic venue had it all.

LATE NIGHT SHENANIGANS

One visit to the photo booth was not going to be enough for Megan and Andrew. The couple made a stop back at the bus after dinner and drinks, when they were gifted a Bob Dylan hardcover book by the owner of the booth, who knew Megan’s love for the musician all too well. After getting a few photo strips for themselves, the couple cut their cake and danced the night away to their favorite 1970s tunes and mid-00s pop-punk jams.

A PERSONALIZED VINTAGE WEDDING DAY

A few other noteworthy touches that made Andrew and Megan’s day so “them”: all signage included classic rock lyrics, their ceremony was laid back and giggle-filled, and the dance included more pop punk and early 2000s bangers than anything else. One of their wedding vendors even surprised Megan with a book of Bob Dylan’s writings and drawings.

Megan and Andrew’s wedding day was the culmination of two years of planning, endless hours of DIYing, and an obsession with curating the perfect, most “Megan and Andrew” vibe the couple could. They had such a joy-filled, incredible day, thanks to their lovely friends and family, and a top-notch vendor team.

Photo & video: Simply Finn