Is there a more romantic vibe to celebrate two people’s love story than a vintage wedding theme? Not in my book! My wedding Pinterest board looked like I was going into the vintage furniture rental business. For all of the antique vanities turned welcome tables I pinned, there were equal amounts of reclaimed doors as ceremony backdrops.
So, if you’re like me, and are looking to infuse your celebration with timeless, old world charm, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’m sharing vintage wedding ideas that focus on DIY décor, thrifted details, and budget-friendly ways to create a timeless, romantic wedding aesthetic.
Curating a Timeless Vintage Wedding Ceremony Aesthetic
When it comes to planning a vintage-inspired wedding, the ceremony décor sets the stage for the entire celebration. Transforming your venue into a nostalgic haven can be achieved through careful attention to detail and the incorporation of DIY decorations and thrifted finds. Let’s explore some ideas to infuse your vintage wedding with that timeless charm and character you’re after.
Vintage Wedding Color Palette Ideas
Start with nailing down your color palette, and use that as your basis for floral and décor choices. For a timeless vintage aesthetic, choose 1-2 soft hues that you pair with neutrals. This will help keep everything cohesive and give you that understated, whimsical vintage vibe you’re after.
And when it comes to your floral, don’t be afraid to mix and match different varieties to create a whimsical and organic look.
Vintage Wedding Florals
Flowers play a vital role in creating a romantic ambiance for your vintage wedding ceremony. For a summer wedding like mine, opt for delicate blooms in soft pastel shades, such as blush pinks, creamy whites, pale blues, or gentle lavenders.
I wanted a natural, organic look, so along with amnesia roses for a pale/blush pink and silver brunia berries for a silvery blue, my florist also incorporated 3 different kinds of eucalyptus, dusty miller, and white roses, lisianthus, astrantia, and veronica. A swag over the simple, rustic wedding arch my husband DIYed gave it a soft romantic vibe.
Along with the swag over our wedding ceremony arch, I also used these same floral combinations in our bridal party flowers.
For my bridal bouquet, I added a special personal touch. My late grandmother’s brooch. Not only was this sentimental to me, gifted to me when my grandmother passed away, but it also was a beautiful way to incorporate a vintage element into my wedding bouquet.
If you’re planning a vintage wedding on a budget, florals are one of the areas where costs can add up quickly — which is why deciding whether to DIY your flowers or hire a florist is such an important early decision.
I break down the pros, cons, and cost considerations of both approaches in my DIY wedding flowers vs hiring a florist guide, so you can choose the option that fits your vision and your budget.
Vintage Wedding Ceremony Decor
OK, so we talked about color choices, next let’s talk about vintage elements you can incorporate that’ll give you a big bang for the buck in creating those vintage vibes. Integrating old doors into your wedding ceremony décor is a great way to add a touch of rustic elegance to your vintage wedding.
For my wedding ceremony, our old doors were a bit of an afterthought, actually. Though I was always drawn to them and wanted to incorporate them in some way, I also wanted our guests to have a view of our beautiful Koi pond.
That being the case, we used old vintage doors to cover up areas of our backyard that we didn’t want guests to see (like where the caterers were prepping the food RIGHT behind the ceremony…and behind our gift table). Between the flower choices and the antique door backdrop, I achieved the whimsical vintage vibe I was after for my wedding ceremony.
To incorporate this detail into your own wedding décor, look for weathered wooden doors with intricate carvings or vintage paint finishes. Decorate it with cascading greenery, delicate flowers, or draped fabric to create a stunning focal point for your vows.
If you’re into symbolism…incorporating antique doors into your wedding ceremony will not only provide a picturesque setting but also serve as a symbolic entrance to a new chapter in your lives. (Whoa)
Guestbook Ideas Using Thrifted Finds
Next up, your guestbook. This is a prime element to do something a bit more old world and non-traditional than your average store bought guestbook. With this being your guests’ first encounter with your vintage wedding aesthetic (other than the invitations you sent!), you’ll want to amp up the vintage vibes with this element of your wedding.
For mine, I used old unused postcards that I collected from various sellers on Ebay and Etsy. If you have the time, you might be able to find these in your thrift store runs.
To display them, I used the frame of an old room divider, twine and mini clothespins. On a vintage table, I set an old milk crate, and a sign using a vintage frame (ALL thrifted, of course!).
This was such a stunning statement piece at the entrance to our wedding ceremony, and was also a fun and interactive activity for guests to do as they arrived. We ended up with a ton of postcard notes hand written by our lovely friends and family that we cherish.
Vintage weddings are the perfect opportunity to step away from a traditional guestbook, and if you love this idea, you’ll also enjoy these unique wedding guestbook ideas that feel meaningful, interactive, and completely personal.
Thrifted DIY Wedding Signs for Timeless Elegance
Wedding signage is one of those details that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting — welcoming guests, directing them throughout the day, and reinforcing your overall wedding aesthetic. For a vintage wedding, signs are the perfect place to lean into thrifted finds and simple DIY upgrades.
For larger signs like your welcome sign or seating chart, start by thrifting ornate frames or old paintings you can repurpose. Sometimes you’ll even luck out and find loose frames that just need a little love.
Once you have your frames, clean them up, lightly sand any rough spots, and decide whether you want to keep the original patina or give them a subtle refresh with metallic or neutral spray paint. I painted mine a soft champagne tone to match our color palette.
Next, design or print custom signage to fit your frames — calligraphy fonts work especially well for a vintage look. Secure the printed signs inside the frames using hot glue or strong craft adhesive, then display them on easels or tabletop stands.
For smaller signs, the process is even easier. Look for vintage brass frames in varying sizes for gift tables, favors, or meaningful quotes. These little touches add warmth and character without requiring much DIY effort — and they’re one of the easiest ways to make a vintage wedding feel intentional and cohesive.
Thrifted frames and custom signage are one of the easiest ways to reinforce a vintage wedding aesthetic throughout your day, and there are so many ways to customize them for different spaces. I’ve shared even more DIY wedding sign ideas — including welcome signs, seating charts, and bar signage — if you want to keep that cohesive vintage look going.
Vintage Wedding Reception Decorations
Your wedding reception is ripe with opportunities to infuse a timeless vintage aesthetic. Here are ideas from my own backyard wedding for vintage wedding reception decorations.
Vintage Wedding Table Décor Ideas
Your reception tables are one of the best places to bring your vintage wedding theme to life. Instead of aiming for perfect symmetry, embrace a collected, eclectic look — it’s what gives vintage weddings their charm.
Mismatched vintage china and glassware instantly create visual interest and feel right at home in a vintage setting. Thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales, and even family basements are great places to source pieces. Mixing patterns, textures, and eras adds depth while still feeling cohesive when tied together with a consistent color palette.
To soften the look, layer in gauzy or lace table runners, embroidered napkins, or subtle textiles. Small details like handwritten place cards on vintage-style tags or postcards add personality without adding cost.
One of the biggest advantages of a vintage wedding style is that imperfection adds character. Mixing thrifted dishes, glassware, and décor pieces not only looks beautiful, it’s also incredibly budget-friendly. I share more practical tips and sourcing strategies in my guide to thrifted wedding table décor, especially if you’re planning to collect items over time instead of renting.
DIY Vintage Wedding Centerpieces
For centerpieces, less really is more. Greenery garlands paired with votive candles, vintage bud vases with delicate blooms, or stacks of antique books topped with a small floral arrangement all feel effortless and elegant. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s creating tables that feel warm, personal, and a little bit nostalgic.
Thrifted Wedding Décor Ideas
Vintage suitcases can serve multiple purposes in your wedding reception décor. And what’s more, they are really easy to come by at your local thrift stores, or estate sales. Opt for suitcases with weathered exteriors and worn leather straps to add an authentic vintage feel to your décor. And then, put them to use!
For my wedding, I used them to display flip flops next to the dance floor, but there are so many uses. Stack them to create an eye-catching display for your gift table or dessert bar. They can also be used as unique containers for your wedding card table, or displaying escort cards. Honestly, you can’t go wrong… so if you see one, snag it!
Dessert Table Ideas
The dessert table is a focal point of any wedding reception. And, for a vintage-inspired celebration, it’s an opportunity to showcase your creativity. Consider using a vintage dresser or a refurbished vanity as the backdrop for your cake display. Adorn it with cascading greenery garlands or floral arrangements, antique frames for signage, and vintage cake and dessert stands.
For mine, I also found an old kitchen scale that I fell in love with. At the time, I didn’t quite know how I would put it to use, but then I had the idea to incorporate it into our wedding dessert table.
We served pies in a variety of flavors, so my assortment of vintage cake stands, tiered dessert stands, and vintage kitchen scale each held a different pie flavor. Of course, we didn’t get any professional photos of the finished product, but these will give you an idea of how we used them.
More Vintage Wedding Inspiration
If you’re loving this vintage wedding style and want even more inspiration, there are so many beautiful ways to explore the look further — from historic venues to heirloom-inspired details.
Resources for Buying and Selling Thrifted Wedding Decor
An additional resource I recommend browsing for even more ideas is Brides.com’s roundup of vintage wedding inspiration, which showcases timeless aesthetics and real weddings from a variety of eras.
Use it as inspiration, then make the details your own with DIY projects, thrifted finds, and personal touches that tell your story.
Now, It’s Your Turn!
I hope this has left you inspired to plan your own vintage wedding. Through the artful integration of DIY decorations and thrifted finds, you can create an aesthetic that embraces the timeless elegance of that old world charm.
Planning a vintage wedding on a budget?
I’ve put together a step-by-step guide to finding affordable wedding vendors without sacrificing style — including florals, décor, and rentals.
Get my printable guide (plus more budget-friendly wedding ideas delivered right to your inbox) by subscribing below!
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