I love Art Deco. And I think it’s an incredibly glamorous direction to take your wedding. (In fact, after eating and breathing it for the last few days, I have this urge to dump my midcentury-modern vector and redo the whole house.)
Originally aimed at the jet set, Art Deco embodied the Jazz age and always looked forward, never back. And even though it’s oh-so-elegant, it’s hard to stumble into ’stuffy.’ There are just too many visual references to planes, trains and automobiles, Egyptian sphinxes, palm fronds and the like.
Of course, over time, this light-hearted style has acquired a beautiful vintage patina that makes it more gorgeous than ever. Plus, you can play it different ways: the neutrals of 1920’s clubs and ballrooms, say, or the Vice-style pastels of Miami Beach’s very own brand of deco.
Here’s some ways to bring an instantly-recognizable Art Deco flair to your own wedding:
Art Deco wedding inspirations.
Top to Bottom, L to R: Interior by ClothConnection; vintage ring by Fay Cullen; “Star” by Reem Acra; Deco pendant by Ben Amun. Antique drop earrings earrings by Ekantique Jewelry; fabulous deco bride by JuneBugWeddings; Deco cake by Ron Ben-Israel. Peep toes by Zanotti; Men’s acorn-motif deco ring by Van Craeynest. Deco calla/chocolate cake by Trifles; Taffeta and tulle a-line with flower appliqué by Lazaro; Miami’s Art Deco Weekend poster; blue Deco ring by Fay Cullen.
The motifs: Egyptian figures and aviation, palm trees and ferns, callas and triangles, sun rays and dragonflies. And of course, a classic Art Deco font. Click here for tons of free ones.
The frocks: drop-waisted glamour, sashes with buckle brooches, silk roses sewn to your gown or pinned in your hair. Or, a vampy old-hollywood style mermaid gown with lots of back action.
The accessories: Vintage chokers, toe peep pumps, feather fans, thigh-high stockings, chandelier earrings. Hair combs with feathers and netting.
The face: Glamour set to stun. Dark, full lips. Perfectly arched and shaded eyebrows. As for locks, shorter, swingy hair’s ideal. Go for updated (slightly more touseled) finger waves.
The tables: White Callas, or ruffly Casablanca lilies. Ostrich or peacock feathers. Tall candelabras topped with tiny, fringed lampshades, and draped with long, dangly crystal chains and pendants.
Deco could involve a pretty large number of palettes, so it’s fun to take a photo that caught your eye and run it through a palette generator.
A typical Art Deco color palette.
For example: these gorgeous earrings give rise to an incredibly sophisticated palette of heathers, golds and grays that definitely say “20s.” (Note that palette generators usually cough out more colors than you can use, so just self-select for the ones that call you, and play well together.)
Are you pondering a Deco wedding, or one that borrows some elements? And what have you dreamed up so far?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey, nice to see someone putting some thoughts on Art Deco in an informative way for those pondering the potential for their own event. I’ve loved Art Deco for as long as I remember.. so it will fittingly be the theme of my upcoming wedding. looking for a fun deco stylized dress for the reception? (or even wedding for those who don’t care for long dresses)..check out http://www.leluxeclothing.com
Yes, seeing this is great. I am doing a 1930s themed wedding for my wedding. I loved the site that xan suggested, great stuff. I also like http://www.unique-vintage.com. You can also find some good candles and such at http://www.victoriantradingco.com.
Hello, I’m having an Art Deco wedding in Laughlin on Dec 20.08! Very excited! I love my Art Deco reproduction. I ordered it online from LeLuxe vintage clothing. Thae vamp dress I choose is Gorgeous and the owner Jill helped me in every way possible. They even participated in the Queen Mary Art Deco event. They were a Pleasure to work with. Love My Dress!