Era Weddings

By The Celebration Team 19 Sep, 2011

Themed weddings take on a new dimension when they are centred on a specific era. This takes time, preparation and research into all areas of that era to ensure that the clothing, wedding décor, wedding photographs and even menu reflect the style of a specific time period. However, if done properly with an added touch of fun and creativity, a spectacular event can be the result.

To get guests to ‘play along’ with the theme, it is important to make a clear reference to it in the invitation and, possibly, to add some suggestions for those who are not familiar with the era you have chosen. You may even include an example of the attire in the graphic design of your invites.

The following eras are iconic and make for great wedding themes. However, they are only suggestions to spark your imagination, as the look and feel of your wedding day should be created by your personalities, as a couple, and not simply a set of generic suggestions.

1920’s

This was a time in which fashion began to rebel against the restrictive women’s clothing of before and was far more comfortable, modern and daring. Women began to adopt more ‘masculine’ (in their view) looks by sporting shorter haircuts and clothing that flattered ‘boyish’ figures (flatter chests and narrow hips). Ironically, it remains one of the most elegant and feminine looks in modern history. To get great pieces of décor, ornaments and accessories from the 1920’s, visit a variety of antique stores and second-hand shops.

Suggestions:

Layers
Long pearl necklaces
Bejewelled head bands
Silk and artificial silk
Art Deco pieces
English driving caps
Wing tip shoes
Oriental lanterns
Feathers (in boas, hats and so on)
MUSIC: Glenn Miller, Mamie Smith (jazz and classical music)

1950's

This time period was one of fun and a degree of silliness in the fashion trends. The teens of the 1950’s were rebelling against all that was considered to be moral and right during a period in which their parents were recovering from World War II.

Suggestions:

Poodle skirts
Pony tails (ladies) and slicked-back hair (gentlemen)
Bobbie socks
Soda fountains
Cuffed jeans
LP’s
Root beer floats and milkshakes
Cheeseburgers
Coca-Cola
MUSIC: The Jitterbug, The Twist, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Fats Domino

1960's

This era was one of free love, peace and indulging in personal ideology. It was also one of major political uprisings and tension, fought against by the youth that held freedom of speech and unrestricted lifestyles as their ideal.

Suggestions:

Leather sandals
Long hair with head bands
Coloured giant sunglasses
Thin ties
Stovepipe trousers and mini skirts
Bell-bottom jeans
Tie-dye
Lots of colour (psychedelic)
Peace signs
Beaded curtains
Yellow smiley faces
Bean bags
Woodstock
Lava lamps
"Flower power" messages
Big, rounded lettering (as fonts for invitations, menus and so on)
MUSIC: Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Janis Joplin

1980’s

Often hailed as the worst time in history in terms of fashion and music, the 1980’s are particularly iconic. It is also an effective theme as many guests will have lived through it and can appreciate the style; possibly even wearing clothes that they have kept from that era.

Suggestions: