Funky Vintage Bouquets

Here are a couple fun ideas for some vintage inspired bridal bouquets.

The first is an awesome bouquet made entirely of vintage brooches.  Breathtaking!:

Photo: Parsonage Events 


The second is a bouquet featuring a mix of white feathers, white roses, and a vintage brooch.  Lovely!: 

Photo: Nadean Bruehlman with Gene Ho photography

Alternatives to Traditional Engagement Rings

The tradition of the diamond engagement ring is, perhaps surprisingly, not a very old tradition.  Diamond engagement rings were popularized in the 1930s by the De Beers diamond company.  One of the marketing strategies was to have popular starlets of the time sport De Beers diamond rings in public.  I do believe their strategies worked, given the current popularity of diamond engagement rings.

Although diamond rings are beautiful, not everyone wants one.  Fortunately, there are many alternatives to the diamond engagement ring.  A popular idea is to create a ring centered around the bride-to-be's birthstone, such as garnet (January), emerald (May), sapphire (September), or topaz (November).  Some brides may even prefer to wear just a simple and elegant wedding band.

Here are a few alternative engagement rings I like:


Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring : 14K White Gold - 1.00 CT TGW


14K White Gold Square Created Emerald Engagement Ring - Size 6


14K White Gold Medium Oval Gemstone and Diamond Engagement Ring-Garnet, size7.5


1.11Ct Emerald Cut Garnet and Diamond Ring in 10Kt White Gold-7

Vintage Garden Summer Wedding

I am honored to have the first featured wedding on Red Shoes Bridal be that of my dear friend Jenna and her wonderful husband Alistair. Jenna and Alistair were married in August 2010. Their wedding featured many vintage and retro-inspired details, such as the antique blue mason jars, vintage bottles, and milk glass containers used as vases for the reception flowers. Jenna tells me that for the wedding “we created a mix of our favorite themes, including lovebird, vintage, garden, and simple elegance.” Many of the details were DIY, including the adorable bird’s nest created by Jenna that held the wedding bands. The fresh lemons on the reception tables were from a tree in Jenna’s grandparents’ backyard. The ceremony was held in a beautiful old church with stained glass windows and the reception was held in the garden of a local inn. All of these elements added up to an absolutely charming and intimate affair. Enjoy!

The beautiful photos are by Amy Hinden.

Product and Venue Information:

Ceremony Location:
First United Methodist Church (Santa Maria, CA)

Reception Venue:
The Kaleidoscope Inn (Nipomo, CA)

Photographer:
Amy Hinden

Fashion:
Bridal shop: Down The Aisle (Arroyo Grande, CA)
Bride’s dress: Mikaella
Bride’s hairpiece: Mikaella
Bride’s necklace: J.Crew
Bride’s bracelet: Ann Taylor
Bridesmaid dresses: Vera Wang
Matron of Honor’s dress: J.Crew

Two Dresses

Here are two retro inspired wedding dresses I just adore.  Both dresses are similar in style, strapless, with the champagne colored wide sash, and flower appliques.  Plus, both are tea-length and great for showing off your red shoes (or any other brightly colored heels)!

The first is a dress by Justin Alexander.

The second is a dress by Eugenia.

Welcome to Red Shoes Bridal!

I am a twenty-something hopeless romantic who loves the aesthetic of vintage and retro weddings.  I decided to take my love of weddings and vintage/retro attire and combine them in this blog.  Here you will find pictures from real vintage and indie weddings, retro bridal fashion and accessories, and anything else that peaks my fancy!  This blog is dedicated to creative, chic, retro, indie, DIY brides who want inspiration to create their own whimsical, magical wedding day.  I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I do! Cheers!