What Is A Classic Style Wedding?

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Our comprehensive guide on classic wedding styles can help you plan a wedding that is elegant down to the last detail.

One of the finest ways to make your wedding unique is to pick a theme or a style. Having a clear aesthetic in mind can make it easier to settle on the details of your wedding, such as the colour scheme, the decorations for the wedding and reception, and the general atmosphere you want to create. There are countless options for wedding themes, making it difficult to choose just one. We've got you covered whether you've been planning your wedding on Pinterest for years or whether it's your first time. Professionals in the field were consulted in order to provide insight into what to consider when deciding on a dream wedding or style and how to personalise the big day for you and your partner.

If you're having trouble deciding between a modern, bohemian, or rustic wedding and a traditional one, it may help to look at how your prefered style stacks up against the others. If you're not into these well-liked but overdone wedding ideas, a traditional wedding is a great option. Elegant and polished, a traditional wedding is the epitome of white and green blooms, muted tones, crisp, uninterrupted lines, and a formal atmosphere.

A wedding with a classic theme is a surefire way to make your big day elegant, stylish, and memorable for generations to come. Forget what's trendy in wedding decorations; this look is all about classic touches like muted colour palettes, monogrammed stationery, formal clothes, and plenty of bubbly. Our comprehensive guide on classic wedding styles can help you plan a wedding that is elegant down to the last detail.

Having a timeless wedding theme does not mean your big day will be uninteresting. You would like to be able to remember every detail of your classic wedding with as much fondness as you felt on your big day.

Table of Contents

A Soft Colour Scheme

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Instead of utilising bright colours for the wedding itself, save those for the bachelor party and bridal shower, and stick to more subdued tones for the rest of the event, like pink, cream, and white.

Simple Stationery

Guests' initial inkling as to the kind of the party being held is typically conveyed through the invitation. Beautiful calligraphy on pure white paper creates the atmosphere of a traditional wedding. And here is the everything you need to know about calligraphy before you start using it to help you capture the spirit of your traditional theme.

A Classic Dress

Put your hand up if you know the era of a wedding photo just by looking at the bride's attire. Consider the puffy sleeves of the 1980s and the high-neck, free-flowing dresses of the 1970s. Put down your arms and resist the urge to follow the latest wedding fads. Choose a dress that is timeless and reflective of who you are.

A Charming Updo Featuring A Veil And Natural Makeup

Looking like the most polished version of yourself on your wedding day is the definition of a classic hair and makeup look. Choose a sophisticated updo that will hold up for the final dance and natural-looking bridal makeup. A traditional, flowing veil completes the look beautifully.

Basic Bridesmaid Gowns

You want your attendants to look stunning in their outfits, but you don't want them to steal the spotlight from the bride or make them appear too mature in photographs. Choose a textured fabric in a subdued hue.

Beautiful Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

Nowadays, less and fewer couples even bother with traditional wedding traditions like flower girls and ring bearers. However, these adorable attendants are an essential part of any traditional wedding, so don't worry if they don't get it down the aisle with the bride and groom. It makes them even cuter than they already are.

A Customary Ceremony

If you're planning a traditional wedding, you probably won't be exchanging poems on the sand. Instead, select a place that fits in with the ideas you've established, such as a church or an elegant mansion or well-kept park.

Incredible Settings Like a Ballroom or Country Club

Avoid trendy urban flats or outdoor venues if you're going for a traditional wedding theme (but they can be excellent for the rehearsal dinner). Instead, impress your guests with a grand ballroom that has seen better days, or a country club with views of a gorgeous golf course, to maintain that old-school feel.

Flowers Confidently Arranged

Loose bouquets of wildflowers and greenery, while beautiful in and of themselves, won't mesh well with your traditional wedding aesthetic. Use classic bridal flowers like roses, peonies, and hydrangeas to create round centrepieces that exude symmetry and order.

A Beautiful Cake

When wild cupcake flavours are all the rage, traditional white wedding cakes are a safe bet. Stick to a limited colour scheme and use your bouquet to reflect the lace on your dress. Having a server ready to cut the cake and a special souvenir knife are also essential.

A Toast of Champagne

In the grand scheme of things, the champagne toast might be an easy place to save money, but it's a lovely tradition that's lacking from many modern weddings. Create a signature cocktail that also serves as a party favour by adding in delightful flavours like lavender. Make sure you have enough of champagne glasses on hand.

A Sweet Finish To The Night

Although favours, like many other aspects of traditional weddings, are becoming less common, they are still a lovely way to show your gratitude to guests for coming and completing the atmosphere of a timeless celebration. Favors like sweets and mints wrapped in personalised ribbons or engraved votives can go a long way without breaking the bank. Go wedding-dress shopping!

Venue

Classic wedding themes may be made to work in virtually any location with the correct decorations, but they are especially well suited to private clubs, resorts, farms, dance halls, and banquet halls. These locations tend to be more classic and high-end, so you won't have to do any decoration work.

If you'd want to have your event outside, think about renting a garden, courtyard, or mansion in the European style. Avoid anything that seems too rough or rustic. You can put a modern spin on traditional wedding decor by holding your ceremony and reception in a museum, conservatories, or other venue with tasteful furnishings.

Season

A timeless wedding theme will never go out of style, which is why it's perfect for any time of year. The basic elements of this style make it appropriate for any season. You may also, but it is not required, update your wardrobe, desk supplies, and flower arrangements to reflect the season.

Colour Palette

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To pull off this look, your wedding palette must be sophisticated and consistent. This usually entails avoiding neon or really bright colours, but it doesn't have to mean you stick to a bland colour scheme.

It's recommended that you inspect the current furniture at your location before making any decisions (the carpet, wallpaper, lighting, etc.). Avoid standing out too much by choosing colours that aren't present in the venue, if possible.

One of the best ways to set the tone for a timeless wedding is with a colour palette of neutrals. Wedding colour schemes can be as simple as using grey, white, black, ivory, and beige, or as elaborate as using all of those colours together. Use contrasting colours and materials to create a dramatic effect, or add colour with bold hues like red, turquoise, pink, green, or burgundy.

Additionally, you can modify your wedding's colour scheme to fit the time of year. In the colder months, silver, gold, royal black, and blue are excellent choices for clothing. Pastel colours are a trendy choice for the seasons of summer and spring. Favorite colours of ours are peach, yellow, lavander, sage green, peach, and blue.

Stationeries

In general, a more formal tone is appropriate for classic wedding stationery. The wedding logo or foil, stripes, laser-cut filigrees, or letterpress lettering can be used to lend a special touch to your invitation suite. Add a touch of royalty to your invitations by having the envelopes hand-calligraphed.

Decor

You don't want future generations to look at your wedding photos and wonder if you're crazy for following the latest trends. Think about how your wedding decorations will appear in 20 to 40 years before making any decisions. Your best bet is to pass if you're on the fence.

In your search, keep an eye out for classic touches like elegant dinnerware, candlesticks, ribbons for the chairs, and lavish tablecloths. It's also a good idea to stick to understated decorations rather than employing a lot of flash. However, timeless wedding decorations need not be boring. Place sequinned table runners on unadorned banquet tables, swap out wooden chairs for upholstered ones, and drape fabric from the ceiling. You'll have more success in the long run if you shoot for nothing less than a sophisticated air of class and sophistication.

Throwing in a lot of mismatched decor would make a traditional wedding look sloppy. When planning your wedding, keep the colour palette to just two or three shades, and use the same accessories throughout.

Florals

Flowers come and go, but roses will always be a classic symbol of beauty and grace. Roses are a perennial favourite of ours because of their classic beauty and enduring romantic allure. Roses exist in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colours, and they also have a delightfully diverse range of scents. Peonies, like roses, are a timeless classic, but because they bloom for such a brief period each year, they tend being pricey compared to other bouquet options for the bride.

Don't carry a bouquet of overly trendy flowers or a bunch of random plants. In its place, you should ask the florist to create a symmetrical bouquet using only a small number of flower varieties and no more than a handful of decorative elements. Add a special touch by tying on satin lace, bows, or a dazzling brooch to the flower arrangement.

Don't forget to consider the venue when planning your wedding. Spreading rose petals across the aisle or erecting floral arches over the altar can help set a sentimental tone for the ceremony. Warning: Too many flowers can detract from the beauty of the venue and the two of you sharing it.

Table centrepieces for a reception should be uniform in size and shape, but height variation between tables can offer visual intrigue. Selecting suitable centrepiece vessels is also essential. The beauty of your flower arrangements will be lost if you surround them with too many extras that aren't flowers.

Attire

Expect a dress code that is on the more formal side, depending on the setting. Black tie is typically expected for weddings held in venues like dance hall and country clubs, however guests in outdoor venues like gardens, museums, and vineyards may be more relaxed.

Those brides who wish to look timeless and elegant might don't discount the possibility of a formal gown. You can go simple in a silk dress, or go all out with tulle, beads, and lace. Fitted gowns and sheath dresses are two classic variations to the ball dress silhouette. Polish off your look with pearl jewellery (always in trend), low-key sandals, and a neat hairdo. Add a bow to your bridal ensemble by tying a sash around your hips.

Men should wear tuxedos if the event has a black necktie dress code. Don't be afraid to branch out from the typical black suit for your casual clothes by choosing a deeper shade. Both navy and dark grey are timeless hues with modern undertones.

Pastry and Sweets

A vintage wedding just isn't complete without an old-fashioned wedding cake. You can have your cake decorated simply with icing and a topping, or you can ask the baker to add some subtle ornamental touches. Some of our favourite cake decorations are hand-piped frosting, Swiss dots, lettering, and flowers. Although a wedding cake iced with fondant will have a more polished appearance, a buttercream cake decorated with a few delicate blooms might be just as elegant.

A wedding with a retro theme needs a vintage-style cake. Inquire about having your cake adorned with basic fondant and topping, or specify that you'd want some subtle embellishments. Hand-piped icing, typography, and flowers are a few of our favourite cake decorations. It's true that a wedding cake frosted with fondant will look more polished, but a buttercream cake adorned with a few tiny blossoms could be just as exquisite.

Black tie events typically necessitate tuxedos for male attendees. If you're going for a more relaxed look, opt with a darker-colored suit rather than the typical black. Both navy and lined with a gray are timelessly stylish with a modern edge.

If executed well, a wedding themed in the classic romance aesthetic will result in a celebration that will not seem old even fifty years from now. Flowers and muted hues are staples of the traditional romantic wedding. Extras that complement this wedding theme include lavish use of candlelight and glittering gold accents. The right atmosphere can be created with the help of a stunning bride in a breathtaking gown and an elegant white wedding cake.

The emphasis on white drapery and the addition of colourful, high-end accents create an opulent atmosphere characteristic of this design style. Every couple wants to add their own distinctive touches to their wedding day, so they can remember it forever. A few examples include white dance floors, bespoke decals, and white mirrors with seating arrangements, welcome signs, and drink menus.

Conclusion

Having a specific style in mind will help you choose other elements of your wedding more quickly. It's not easy to pick a wedding theme from all the available possibilities. Our guide to traditional wedding themes can help you organise a beautiful ceremony and reception. The use of white paper and calligraphy to set the mood for a traditional wedding. If you want to capture the essence of your theme, traditional calligraphy is the way to go.

A traditional wedding appearance consists of a long, flowing veil and minimal makeup. The classic wedding gown will never go out of style and should always be an expression of the bride. A wedding with a classic, enduring theme can be enjoyed in any year. By hosting the ceremony and reception in a setting with elegant furnishings, such as a museum or a conservatory, you can put a contemporary spin on traditional wedding decor. You may achieve this appearance in a variety of low-cost ways.

Grays, whites, blacks, ivories, and beiges are all lovely and understated options for wedding colours. Splash on some colour using bright hues like red, turquoise, pink, green, or burgundy. In the warmer months of spring and summer, pastel tones are increasingly popular. We love roses year after year because of their timeless elegance and romantic attractiveness. Don't show up with a bouquet of wildflowers or a haphazard assortment of houseplants.

The florist should be asked to make a symmetrical arrangement with a limited number of flower types. Tuxedos are the standard attire for men attending black tie events. Choose a darker-hued suit if you're trying for a more laid-back appearance. Navy, especially when lined in grey, is a classic colour with a contemporary flair. The classic, romantic wedding is synonymous with floral arrangements and subdued colour palettes.

FAQS ABOUT CLASSIC WEDDING

Classic wedding style is ideal if you're looking to evoke timeless elegance and the utmost sophistication on your wedding day. This style steers away from over-the-top trends and vivid details, opting for a perfectly-coordinated aesthetic with chic and refined decor.

Rustic. Typically more relaxed, natural and full of local, homespun touches (like handmade wooden tables and chairs in a barn venue), rustic weddings have been number one on this list for a few years now.

Delicate white florals, plenty of lush greenery, light linens, and minimal decor: These tried and true wedding details will never go out of style. And if you're a couple that prefers timelessness over trends, we suggest planning your ceremony and reception in a classic wedding style.

Bohemian weddings are all about channelling effortless, elegant style. The elegance of this gown—paired with a soft, loose updo and a delicate flower crown—evokes a free-spirited nature.

Intimate weddings (also called micro-weddings) are intentionally small celebrations with only a handful of guests in attendance. It might surprise those who've been following our photography for a while, but HALF of Adventure Instead, couples bring their family along on their wedding day.

CONTENT SUMMARY

  • Our comprehensive guide on classic wedding styles can help you plan a wedding that is elegant down to the last detail.
  • One of the finest ways to make your wedding unique is to pick a theme or a style.
  • Having a clear aesthetic in mind can make it easier to settle on the details of your wedding, such as the colour scheme, the decorations for the wedding and reception, and the general atmosphere you want to create.
  • A wedding with a classic theme is a surefire way to make your big day elegant, stylish, and memorable for generations to come.
  • Having a timeless wedding theme does not mean your big day will be uninteresting.
  • Beautiful calligraphy on pure white paper creates the atmosphere of a traditional wedding.
  • Choose a dress that is timeless and reflective of who you are.
  • Looking like the most polished version of yourself on your wedding day is the definition of a classic hair and makeup look.
  • Instead, impress your guests with a grand ballroom that has seen better days, or a country club with views of a gorgeous golf course, to maintain that old-school feel.
  • When wild cupcake flavours are all the rage, traditional white wedding cakes are a safe bet.
  • Stick to a limited colour scheme and use your bouquet to reflect the lace on your dress.
  • Classic wedding themes may be made to work in virtually any location with the correct decorations, but they are especially well suited to private clubs, resorts, farms, dance halls, and banquet halls.
  • You can put a modern spin on traditional wedding decor by holding your ceremony and reception in a museum, conservatories, or other venue with tasteful furnishings.
  • A timeless wedding theme will never go out of style, which is why it's perfect for any time of year.
  • One of the best ways to set the tone for a timeless wedding is with a colour palette of neutrals.
  • Additionally, you can modify your wedding's colour scheme to fit the time of year.
  • In general, a more formal tone is appropriate for classic wedding stationery.
  • Think about how your wedding decorations will appear in 20 to 40 years before making any decisions.
  • Don't carry a bouquet of overly trendy flowers or a bunch of random plants.
  • Don't forget to consider the venue when planning your wedding.
  • Warning: Too many flowers can detract from the beauty of the venue and the two of you sharing it.
  • Expect a dress code that is on the more formal side, depending on the setting.
  • Men should wear tuxedos if the event has a black necktie dress code.
  • A vintage wedding just isn't complete without an old-fashioned wedding cake.
  • A wedding with a retro theme needs a vintage-style cake.
  • Black tie events typically necessitate tuxedos for male attendees.
  • If you're going for a more relaxed look, opt with a darker-colored suit rather than the typical black.

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