Wedding Week: Vintage wedding inspiration

As some very dear friends of mine are getting hitched this weekend – in a gorgeous outdoor Humanist ceremony – I thought I’d finally do what I’ve been pondering all summer… have a wedding week on Rarely Wears Lipstick! Aside from one guest post that’s already been scheduled in, the rest of this week’s content will be all about weddings and marriage. I thought I’d start us off with a few tips for anyone planning on creating/attending a vintage-style or alternative wedding.

For those of you who are planning a wedding…
Check out sites like Rock N Roll Bride, Green Wedding Shoes and Rustic Wedding Chic for inspiration. It’s always useful to look at what other people have done for their big day, even if it just means you get a big list of things you definitely don’t want! For eco or sustainable options, check out the Green Union directory or search the web to find out how other people planned their green wedding. Write a list of the things that matter most to you and see how they could be incorporated into your ceremony or party to add a personal touch. Getting friends together to bake cakes or make bunting isn’t just a money-saving exercise, it’s also a great way of spending time with the people you love in the lead up to the big day and means that those who can’t attend can also contribute by donating fabric or recipes.

For brides who are looking to somewhere like Abigail’s Vintage Bridal or Heavenly Vintage Brides for a stunning unique vintage wedding dress, make sure you head to What Katie Did to get some lingerie for underneath that has the right shape. It would be a shame to find the perfect 50s frock and then spoil the lines with a 21st century bra. There are plenty of options for grooms who want to rock a vintage look too – check out these tips from Offbeat Bride, Far From The Wedding Crowd and Tweedman’s Vintage.

For those of you who are attending a wedding…
If you’re attending a vintage style wedding and are in need of a bit of outfit inspiration, Gemma Seager’s new blog We Want All The Dresses is a great place to do some research and, for the fellas, The Chap Magazine has a nice online reference section devoted to vintage clothing. Check out places like Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair, eBay and ASOS Marketplace for genuine vintage, or Vivien of Holloway and Heyday for reproduction garments.

If you have any other suggestions for great websites to find vintage wedding inspiration, or fantastic boutiques to source that perfect wedding outfit, please let everyone know in the comments. If you have attended a fantastic vintage/alternative wedding lately, I want to hear your stories.