50's Style

cocolafluer

I am having a 50's style reception, I don't want it to be kitchy or anything but I need to know what vintage stuff I should look at. I am having an issue finding things that aren't found at a party city. My wedding dress is lace and my bridesmaids are wearing 50's style tea length dresses, so I am hoping to get some ideas

Thank you in advance

southernbelle0915

What are your colors? 

You could use black chargers and make them look like records. Rent a dance floor that's black and white checkered. Favors that are cookies in the shape of records. Play 50s music during cocktail hour and dinner. Have a 50s diner menu for cocktail hour (passed cheeseburger sliders, milkshake shooters, mini hot dogs, little things of french fries). 

I'd stay away from stuff that's too birthday party-ish though - like balloon arches and costume-y stuff. You'll know if it's tacky when you see it/think of it. Google images is your friend when trying to envision stuff.

You could do centerpieces like diner milkshakes:

cocolafluer

Brilliant!!! My colors are Lavender, Ivy green and Gold. Not sure how to incorporate those colors though. 

southernbelle0915

cocolafluer said:

Brilliant!!! My colors are Lavender, Ivy green and Gold. Not sure how to incorporate those colors though. 

Just use those colors in your linens, in your flowers, on your favors (add a juke box cookie), and your cake. 

Also, this cake topper is really cute:

If you're having a buffet, label the dishes like this:

cocolafluer

I love!!! Thanks!

hellohkb

Are you looking to have a 1950s diner theme or do you want a more soft 1950s traditional wedding look (like how weddings traditionally looked in the 50s)? Something more rockabilly? Or something softer and more indie? My FH and I want to have a midcentury vibe at our reception and want to encompass a 1950s and 1960s cocktail feel. As part of our centerpieces, we are going to include photos of famous couples who got married in the 1950-60s.

wrigleyville

Watergate? That was part of the 70s. :P

hellohkb

wrigleyville said:

Watergate? That was part of the 70s. :P

I'm not sure why they used that record in particular... There is a Watergate Records so it could've just been what they found at Goodwill and decided to roll with it.. Although it doesn't even look like a real record, so who knows what the thought behind that was lol.

wrigleyville

hellohkb said:

Watergate? That was part of the 70s. :P

I'm not sure why they used that record in particular... There is a Watergate Records so it could've just been what they found at Goodwill and decided to roll with it.. Although it doesn't even look like a real record, so who knows what the thought behind that was lol.

That's true.

I really like the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" table card.

MairePoppy

Good idea with the celebrity wedding pictures @hellokb.

.

MairePoppy

 

My favorite, Jacqueline and John Kennedy.

hellohkb

Thanks @MariePoppy! I have some of those in my centerpieces Pinterest board, I'm going to add Princess Grace too.

MairePoppy

I love this picture of Grace Kelly

How could I forget Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio

  .......and Arthur Miller

Cocolafleur and hellokb, I hope you share pics of your weddings on the CC board

hellohkb

@MariePoppy, I most certainly will

cocolafluer

OMG you guys are amazing! Thank you so much!!!

CMGragain

Just a style note:  tuxedos were not worn at weddings in the 1950's, and most weddings were in the daytime. Notice that all the guys in the photos are wearing two piece suits.