Retro Wedding & Party Ideas
Retro wedding and party ideas bring personality and plenty of nostalgia to your celebration! Do you remember going to parties with your parents ‘back in the day’? Weddings and celebrations were rarely lavish affairs. In fact, the vast majority were held in backyards or the local community hall. And you know what? They were perfect.
Celebrations in a pre-internet and social media era had a feel all of their own. We had to come up with ideas all on our own with no Google or ChatGPT to help. Sure, trends like any era still develop. Ideas follow events around as friends and loved ones got inspired by each other’s creativity. However the ideas were inherently simple and cost effective. Families were more inclined to live within their means rather than reach for what celebrities or influencers told them they “needed”.
On the blog today we’re looking at a few of our favourite retro wedding and party ideas that bring back tonnes of nostalgia every time we see them. They’re enjoyed as much now as they were in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Retro wedding and celebration experiences are close to our hearts – after all that’s how we were inspired by photo booths in the first place.
Retro Wedding Getaway Cars
A decorated retro wedding getaway car is just fun. Picture the crowd following the bride and groom outside to have a good laugh at (usually the groomsmen’s) creation! A handmade sign and some cans tied to string around the bumper was all it took. The bride and groom are sure to get plenty of honks and attention on the way to their honeymoon suite!
Balloon Drops
Remember walking into a school dance and seeing the balloons set and ready? Balloons high above the dance floor not only make a great retro decoration but they build anticipation for what’s to come. Like the clock hitting midnight on New Year’s eve, everyone’s subconsciously waiting for the balloon drop during a dance floor banger.
Photo Collages
Remember the days of creating photo collages for your school binders and bedroom walls? Old school photo collages draw in the crowd and everyone loves spending time in front of a photo montage. They’re a great way to spend time together with loved ones prior to a celebration and also make a beautiful keepsake for the birthday boy or girl.
Recycled Decorations
Budgets are important. There, we said it. So many features of modern day events weren’t given a second through for retro weddings and events because the family budget simply couldn’t allow it. Think practical and go and have a chat to your Nan. Ask how they managed their budget back in the day and for ideas from your parents’ and grandparents’ weddings.
Simple Cakes
Simple retro and handmade cakes have made a comeback and we’re here for it. Cake gets eaten – it’s as simple as that. Something simple and handmade can be just as beautiful as a 4 tier iced confection. If you’re lucky enough to have a talented baker in your family, thank your lucky stars and book them in. Let’s face it, there’s nothing better than Nan’s sponge anyway.
An Official Exit
With the passing of time, some traditions have also faded away but there’s one we’d love to bring back. An official exit for the bride and groom used to be a feature at every retro wedding. Set a time for your celebration to wrap up and invite everyone onto the dance floor for a traditional archway exit and goodbye. It’s a magical part of the night that won’t be forgotten.
