September 30, 2009
My wedding fascination started not with dreams of tiaras and glass slippers, but with a well-loved photo album filled with lime green bridesmaid dresses and thick sideburns. My parents were married at the height of disco glam, and my mother wore a hooded jersey gown lined with maribou feathers (very Halston). Now I find myself brushing up against racks of softly whispering tulle, analyzing the silhouettes of perfectly coiffed wedding toppers, and poring over photo albums of decades I've never known.
As such, I can't help but take that old wedding adage "something old, something new" into consideration for my oft-daydreamed wedding. The only question is which kind of vintage bride would I be: a dreamy 1920s flapper, coy and classic 1950s gal, or a beehived Rat Pack tagalong of Vegas in the 1960s? Today's Etsy Finds are inspired by the stylish decades that set the standard for bridal glamor.
If you're looking for vintage-infused nuptial eye candy, be sure to check out Once Wed's Real Weddings section. For more wedded bliss, check out Etsy's Wedding Attire style guide and the always inspirational Handmade Weddings series.
A 1920s inspired wedding wouldn't be complete without the requisite flapper details: intricate beading, antique lace, feathers, filigree, Art Deco details, jazz and knock-kneed Charleston frolicking. Check out Ed and Ginny's breathtaking wedding album on Once Wed for more twenties exaltation.
| La Carmaux  By Makool, $820. View Item | View Shop | Art Deco Diamond Ring - Circa 1920  From nouveaumotley, $185. View Item | View Shop |
| kelly earrings  By eliwill, $19. View Item | View Shop | Silk Wrap with Nuno Felted Flowers  By glamourjunkie, $120. View Item | View Shop |
| Wedding Headpiece  By quirkybeauty, $30. View Item | View Shop | Deco Ring  By thebeside, $175. View Item | View Shop |
| WISP capelet  By katetowers, $144. View Item | View Shop | 1920s Silk purse
 From Bellasoiree, $225. View Item | View Shop |
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The Helen  By austie, $225. View Item | View Shop |
Two heart lockets necklace  By worksandfinds, $22. View Item | View Shop |
Wedding / Cocktail Dress  By forEvaMore, $100. View Item | View Shop |
Antique 1920s headpiece
 By YuliaKunze, $98. View Item | View Shop |
The 1950s set the gold standard for the wedding silhouette: full circle skirts, crinolines, costume jewelry and an emphasis on demure glamor. If you're a traditional gal at heart, this is your decade: just put "Sleep Walk" on the hifi and sway the night away. Elizabeth Taylor's grandiose 1950 wedding to Conrad "Nicky" Hilton should help in the inspiration department.
| Kielle Veil  By veiledbeauty, $80. View Item | View Shop | La Femme  By LittleMissDressUp, $64. View Item | View Shop |
| Diamond Ring  By beyondtherockz, $1395. View Item | View Shop | Gold Garden Belt - Custom  By LittleWhiteDresser, $32. View Item | View Shop |
| Blue Fascinator With French Veil  By AtomicSweets, $25. View Item | View Shop | Josephine Earrings  By LostAndFawned, $20. View Item | View Shop |
| 1950's Embroidered Organza Dress  By TimelessVixenVintage, $390. View Item | View Shop | June - Tea Length Wedding Dress  By LizzieJayne, $650. View Item | View Shop |
| Vintage Crystal Teardrop Earrings  By ShySiren, $36. View Item | View Shop | Fingertip Veil (U.S Shipping Free)  By heknowsmyname, $69. View Item | View Shop |
| Fly Away With Me Clutch  By rejenerate, $79. View Item | View Shop | Vintage Floating Wedding Dress  From fabgabs, $225. View Item | View Shop |
If you have modern sensibilities with retro inclinations, this is the decade for you. A 1960s wedding is all about the tiny Las Vegas chapel, beehives, heavy eyeliner, nude lips, lucite jewelry, long sleeved gowns, and fitted sheaths. Break out the bubbly, turn up the Sinatra and peruse photos from the 1967 union of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu to get in the mood.
| Vintage Airy Chiffon Wedding Dress  From adVintagous, $125. View Item | View Shop | Rough Herkimer Solitaire - 14K
 By Onestonenewyork, $350. View Item | View Shop |
| Four Piece Mod 60s Suit  From DressUpDollVintage, $36. View Item | View Shop | White Flower Bouquets  By raquelcastillo, $26. View Item | View Shop |
| Silk Lined Silver and White Clutch  By BrianaEdelmanDesigns, $67. View Item | View Shop | Vintage 60s MOD wedding dress  From BetaBoutique, $56. View Item | View Shop |
| 1960s Pumps with Rhinestones  From VintageDarling, $38. View Item | View Shop | 60s Vintage Calmy Classic Dress  From DalenaVintage, $37. View Item | View Shop |
| Vintage Lace Wedding Gown  From hayleybritt, $160. View Item | View Shop | Large Enamel Daisy Earrings  By nycbird, $115. View Item | View Shop |
| I Do - Pair of Imperfection Bands  By bmjnyc, $755. View Item | View Shop | Vintage Lace 60s Mod Mini Dress  From oldage, $64. View Item | View Shop |
Planning a wedding? For inspired bridal party gift ideas, check out our post with Brides Local Magazines.
Which decade suits your vintage fancy? Let us know in the comments!
Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:
Wedding Attire Guide | The Handmade Weddings Series | Weddings Category
Search for "Vintage Wedding"
Know of any other great finds that fit today's theme? Then comment on Etsy's Blog and let us know.
