A Stylish Vintage Style Wedding On A Budget?

I wanted to do something a little different on this weeks styling blog ... inspired by conversations with friends over whether its possible to have a really stylish wedding on a budget!
My answer of course was yes! Just look at this handmade vintage style bunting ....

photo courtesy of www.carelliarose.co.uk

And a vintage style wedding is the perfect way to go if you're on a budget as having a mix of the old and the new really works. Money can be saved with your choice of venue, buying a gorgeous vintage dress rather than brand new, and of course making some of the decorations yourself. My advice to Brides is always to save money where you can and spend money on the things that really do need to be done by a professional ... particularly your photography, the cake, the Brides bouquet and your stationery. I know, I know! I would say that you call! But honestly do you really want to be spending the last few days before your wedding making a 100 place cards?

Here's a few ideas I've found for you to make your wedding look gorgeous without spending a fortune...

Firstly of course there's the venue. Money can often be saved here by not using the usual suspects ... manor houses, hotels etc ... and having gorgeous small marquees or barns on local farms, a friends or neighbours garden or a beautiful country or town pub, such as the one below which can be dressed beautifully for very little money and will often be more accommodating to what you want to do.

The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London

Old trestle tables or long wooden pub tables can often be dressed quite simply and effectively with plain white table linen, beautiful vintage china .. which can be found easily and cheaply on ebay or in charity shops ... and old glass bottles filled with single stem inexpensive flowers.

photo courtesy of www.serendipitystreet.co.uk

Great favours can be made by creating homemade pots of jam and chutney with printed vintage style labels, or making your own shortbread biscuits and packaging up in little brown paper parcels. These chutney jars below are ones I made for friends this year as Christmas presents but could easily be adapted as favour ideas.

I also love the idea of a old vintage suitcase ( again these can be picked up quite cheaply on ebay ) with postcards or an old typewriter and beautiful paper for your guests to write their messages on for you, rather than a traditional guest book.  I've created these gorgeous postcards for one of the new ranges I'll be launching later this year on www.knotsandkisses.co.uk which would be perfect for this. If you are interested in these before its launched please don't hesitate to get in touch!

stationery design www.knotsandkisses.co.uk

photo courtesy of  http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/

Finally of course there is the dress! So many people think they have to spend over a £1000 on a dress for their wedding in order to look beautiful ... but honestly a good value vintage or high street dress can look stunning with the right flowers and some vintage jewellery and hair accessories! Monsoon are great for vintage style high street versions but why not try www.hummingbirdvintage.co.uk for fantastic dresses like the one below sourced for under £100!