7 Inspiring Vintage Wedding Decoration Ideas

1. Create an intimate seating area.
 

Not everyone likes to dance. Just because you're planning on spending your reception doing the Cha-Cha Slide doesn't mean you should ignore the guests that prefer to party in a more subdued manner. Make your introvert guests at ease with a comfy corner for quiet conversation. Set the mood with plush seating, vintage rugs to soften their footsteps, and atmospheric lighting, like (electric!) candles and low-hanging chandeliers.

Our recommendation: This Antique Mashad Distressed Carpet is the perfect centerpiece for a cozy corner. 

2. Skip the DJ and hire a gramophone.
 

If you want to get people dancing during cocktail hour, start the party grooving early with your favorite old-timey tunes played from a gramophone, readily available from most vintage wedding suppliers. Bring back the Roaring Twenties with The Ambassadors or get them waltzing with Blue Danube.
 

Image source: Justin & Mary

3. Make a unique guestbook from an old suitcase.
 

Transform an old silk-lined suitcase into a glamorous vintage guestbook. Place postcards inside and ask your guests to leave a note on their favorite. After the wedding, hang the cards in your home for a beautiful memory of your special day.

4. Drive off in your dream vintage car.
 

If you're dreaming of an unforgettable getaway, what could be better than driving off in a pristine vintage car? This California couple chose an old-school Ford that matched perfectly with their rustic farm wedding. You'll never have a better chance to get behind the wheel of such a seriously old — and seriously cool — car.
 

Image source: Brad Claypool

5. Decorate your archway chandeliers and vintage frames.
 

Even your trellis can get into the antique action. Hang a delicate crystal chandelier from its arch, directly above the spot where you and your beloved will say your "I do"s. Vintage frames or other personalized touches create a dramatic backdrop for your vows. For inspiration, see this lovely and timeless California wedding.
 

6. Create a personalized vignette that shows off your shared interests.
 

What brings you and your partner together? Style a vintage vignette that celebrates your favorite hobbies. Both writers? Try spelling out your names with Scrabble letters or on an old typewriter, like this vintage-chic couple did. Dig through an antique store to find unique pieces that perfectly fit your personalities.

Image source: Ashley Maxwell Photography

7. Decorate your tables with a lace runner.
 

Decorate your tables with a lace runner. Nothing's quite as elegant — or as definitively vintage — as a lace table runner. It's the perfect match for antique crystal glasses or copper mugs for Moscow Mules, and it looks fantastic draped over a simple wooden table and topped with your favorite colorful flowers.