One of the first steps in wedding planning for brides-to-be often involves researching the latest wedding trends. While in-vogue ideas can offer some fashionable cues to start, don’t forget to consider adding elements to your soiree that never go out of style. Meaningful touches like vintage pieces, antiques and family heirlooms are additions you will remember fondly years later.
Ashley Sawyer, owner of and wedding planner for Ashley-Adrien Events in Virginia Beach, says she loves to use antiques in wedding decor by mixing the “old” with the new.
“I like to find pieces that match the aesthetic of the venue,” she says. “Sometimes a venue can have a bit of a dated look or older looking carpets. By incorporating a few antique furniture pieces, antique vases, or glassware, it makes it looks like it’s all part of the greater decor scheme.”
What’s even better? When couples have heirloom pieces of their own. Sawyer says she often asks clients for things like Grandma’s wedding dress, jewelry, picture frames or old photos and trinkets like vintage cake toppers. Here are a few tips on easy ways to use them to give your wedding more personality:
• Incorporate them into your look: Add brooches to shoes, wrap your bouquet with a watch or bracelet or get creative with the boutonnieres by adding a grandparent or parent’s military insignia.
• Create a one-of-a-kind backdrop: Even if you can’t find the perfect use for a piece at your wedding, think about how you can use heirlooms like antique furniture that’s been in the family for years, a quilt or throw pillow or even a vintage car in your formal bridal portraits or wedding photos.
• Give them a place at your table: Set up smaller trinkets or photos on the guest book or cake table where all your guests will see them. “Tell a few of your guests or wedding party about the significance behind the items, and it will make for great talking points during the reception,” suggests Sawyer.
Melissa M. Stewart
Melissa M. Stewart was the former editor of Savor Virginia and Coastal Virginia Magazine. After she got her first story published in the second-grade school newsletter, she has since been an avid writer and word nerd for 20 years. She has served as production editor for AmeriForce Media and marketing communications manager for Volvo Penta. When she is not working, Melissa spends her time in Virginia Beach keeping up with her two spunky daughters, planning beach days, creating craft cocktails with garden ingredients and running to make up for all the wonderful food she discovers around Virginia.
