Ah, taking inspiration from the past...it's an idea that's beloved by historians and hipsters everywhere. It's also a popular part of weddings. But there is a lot more to nostalgia than just vintage wedding decor, it's also a wonderful way to honor a shared culture with your bride or groom and your guests.
From terrible hairstyles to absurd catch phrases, many couples share a list of slightly awkward, kinda embarrassing and hilariously adorable bits of history. Personalize your wedding and make your guests smile by incorporating the good old days into your wedding day. Here are five ideas to get you started.
1. Bust out the awkward school pictures. It's sort of amazing how kids from completely different states experienced the exact same cheesy backgrounds and bad haircuts during any given year. You can make them part of a photo table that features other childhood pics, but we love the idea of using school pictures of yourselves at each age as the corresponding table numbers. It's a great conversation starter and a fun way for more recent friends to learn a little more about the newlyweds.
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2. Have a totally 80s- or 90s-themed rehearsal dinner. If you want to have a good laugh the night before your wedding, throw a themed rehearsal dinner and celebrate the worst of weddings from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Let guests know they are welcome to dress for the theme, and hit a thrift store, eBay, or your parents garage a few months before the wedding to find formal wear from the past. Everyone will get a good laugh when you and your future spouse show up to the rehearsal wearing an 80s wedding dress with huge shoulder pads.
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3. Make fun nostalgic details part of your wedding decor. Think cassette tapes as escort cards, colorful sunnies at place settings, and slap bracelets for the bridal party. Nineties Nickelodeon shows are a treasure trove of inspiration. We can think of a few brides who would rather receive a glowing piece of the Aggro Crag than an engagement ring.
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4. Ask your DJ to play some of the most popular songs from your younger days. Nothing will get your friends on the dance floor faster than hearing that song they absolutely loved dancing to at prom. Ace of Base anyone? This is a particularly fun way to start the night off. And since choreographed wedding dances are still all the rage, we expect to see more ambitious couples and bridal parties planning dances that honor the best (and worst!) music of the 80s and 90s.
Photo by: Akimbo on Polka Dot Bride via Lover.ly
5. Incorporate personal pieces from your childhood into your ceremony and reception.Having your officiant read your thoughts on marriage from a second-grade school assignment or hearing your best friend share the embarrassing things you wrote together in your diaries about your dream weddings is funny and touching.
Photo by: Alejandra Vidal at Imaginale Design on Wedding Chicks via Lover.ly
6. Display photos of family members at their weddings. Looking back at weddings through the ages is usually guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face. (So many groomsmen in powder blue suits...) But it also adds a sentimental touch to your wedding -- honoring where you came from as you prepare for your future.
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