Vintage Weddings: Dress to Impress

With vintage weddings, small details and accessories for gowns and formalwear play a large part in setting the tone. While some brides will choose to wear an authentic, vintage gown, there are many modern options that can be altered and accented to fit the bill.

Visuelle Productions recently organized a vintage wedding photography shoot at Gardens of the Fox Cities, Appleton, to give couples ideas. Lu Ann Vander Zanden, owner of Bridal Elegance & Formalwear, Kaukauna, chose 20 gowns for the vintage wedding shoot to represent the many options for brides, grooms and attendants.

“Rhinestones, brooches and floral patterns are hallmarks of a vintage look,” she says. “Headpieces with feathers and cage veils, as well as cathedral veils with lace edging, also fit the tone.”

Vander Zanden chose all floor-length bridal gowns. One, however, features a tear-away option. “You can go full length for the ceremony, but the piece comes off to make it tea-length for the reception.”

“One of the gowns I selected has silver embroidery throughout the gown and tulle at the knee,” she continues. “It’s a fit and flare style with silver embroidery, which makes it look very vintage and old.”

“Belts with rhinestones are really in right now, which works great for modern brides and those who want a vintage feel,” she says. “Many women want clean, simple lines in their dress, but they want to add a bit of bling. We also get requests for removable lace straps with rhinestones. But you can also accessorize with jewelry, hats and shawls. I do a lot of rhinestone tipped edging on the veiling – that’s my most popular look – edging veil, waistbands, and bottoms of dresses even on mother’s gowns. There are many options.”

While the bride’s dress may get most of the attention, vintage-looking tuxedos are effortlessly elegant for men. Silver is very popular color in tuxedos right now, as well as satin-edged collars, Vander Zanden says. Pocket squares, ties and vests can be coordinated with the bridal party’s colors. The Parisian tuxedo, which has a stripe running through it, is also a good choice.

Vendor Participants:
Gardens of the Fox Cities
Seize the Day Events
The Flower Girl
Bridal Elegance
DuBois Formalwear
Artistic Cakes and Cookies
Debbie Daanen Photography
Picture This Photography
Advanced Entertainment
Visuelle Productions
Vintique