Retro Wedding Dresses for the Throwback Bride (2024)

DressesTips and Trends | February 20, 2024

Feeling a retro vibe for your big day? In honor of your vintage aesthetic, we’ve curated a gallery of retro wedding dresses and accessories — the perfect silhouettes to bring your chicest and loveliest “throwback wedding” vision to life. 1950s tea silhouettes, slinky Cher-inspired slips, Old Hollywood ballgowns — there’s nothing quite like timeless elegance to feel like an absolute icon for your big day. Curious about our inspo? Find your perfect style in the gallery below!And if vintage is totally your vibe, check out our vintage wedding dresses!

Why Choose a Retro Wedding Dress?

PC: Ellen Sear Photography

If you’re searching for vintage bridal gowns, you might not need much convincing… You probably embody the “throwback groove” in your everyday aesthetic already! Here are signs you’re made to be a vintage bride:

• Your wedding vision leans playful and unique… You’re looking for a wedding dress that stands out from the crowd.
• You love to tune into different ideas. Whether you’re planning a vacation or shopping for home decor, you have an eye for awesome details and experiences.
• You have a “sustainable chic” mindset. You’re into thrifting, antiquing, collecting, and upcycling. You plan on reusing other cool vintage finds for your wedding celebration.
• You’re obsessed with your mom’s (or her mom’s) wedding dress. You’ve always imagined wearing something similar to what she wore — classy and romantic, AKA an elevated style that will stand the test of time.
• You’re not a victim to trends and fads. Throughout every decade, who says what’s “in” or “out” anyway? You wear what you love and you’re totally yourself!
• You understand that fashion is cyclical. You want to be ahead of the curve when all your favorite retro vibes come back.

PC: Ellen Sear Photography

Groovy Wedding Inspo

If you’re eyeing retro wedding dresses, you’re likely planning a vintage theme for your wedding. Dive into our styled shoots for ideas for colors, florals, venues, and more! These vintage styled shoots are all about the groovy details… Here’s how to achieve the vibes:

Retro Wedding Dress Styled Shoot

PC: Ellen Sear Photography

• Play with the juxtaposition between vibrant and muted hues. Dusty green, pink, and taupe combine beautifully with emerald green, deep red, and gold. Think soft, nature-inspired hues punctuated with pops of jewel tones.

PC: Ellen Sear Photography

• Maximize your lighting: neon lights add whimsy to indoor-outdoor venues, low lamps add a moody and romantic vibe, and hanging Edison bulbs help accentuate any metallic accents.

PC: Ellen Sear Photography

• Strategize your wedding venue. Explore what your chosen city has to offer… Think historical building, library, museum, antique showroom, or lush botanical garden. We love the idea of renting out a classic skating rink — a perfect way to entertain your guests and get plenty of fab photos!

PC: Ellen Sear Photography

• Consider adding a statement piece for photo ops. A retro car, oversized letter lights, vintage furniture, disco-inspired decor, or a photobooth backdrop help to create a chic theme and all-around “cool girl” vibe.

Another Vintage Styled Shoot

PC: Mariah Bormann Photo

• Lean into the impact of florals. We adore this tropical-inspired greenery, bold blooms, and unique wispy flourishes. And mini bouquets for the bridesmaids? Be still our hearts!

PC: Mariah Bormann Photo

• Capture the mood with a vintage-inspired photography. Analog film, black and white portraits, and intentionally grainy and blurry filters help to honor the nostalgic atmosphere and “of the moment” emotions.

PC: Mariah Bormann Photo

• Have fun with the details. Think heart-shaped sunglasses, pearl accessories, brimmed hats, vintage roller skates, nontraditional “Second Look” and pre-celebration outfits, and throwback hair and makeup. These help to infuse an ultra-laid back and youthful feel throughout the occasion.

PC: Mariah Bormann Photo

And of course, the wedding dress! This bride is wearing Bellarose by Rebecca Ingram, featuring soft crepe and dreamy illusion lace.

Our Favorite Retro Wedding Dresses

Trendy Retro Wedding Dresses

Feeling extra whimsical for your vintage wedding theme? Get inspired by minimalist elegance. Charlize by Maggie Sottero is a beautiful vintage silhouette with lush, flowing lines and sexy details. It’s sophisticated yet sultry, fresh yet timeless, and great for a retro look.

If you’ve got an ultra-stylish boho streak, you’ll be smitten with Connor by Sottero and Midgley. This edgy yet glamorous design is all about the personalized corsetry options in the back:

• order with exposed boning in a sheer organza with lace
• a ribbon lace-up closure
• a removable panel with ribbon details on each side

This gown can also be styled with detachable sleeves, a chic way to add volume and visual interest.

Another sexy fit-and-flare is Bronson by Sottero and Midgley (also with the option of detachable sleeves for extra flourish). This fit-and-flare is a perfect blend of vintage aesthetics: a little red carpet, some 70s boho, and a touch of antique romance. The chic lace details are designed to make this silhouette pop!

A few ways to personalize this bridal gown:

• Change the glitter tulle to classic tulle
• Opt to shorten or remove the train through special request
• Also available with a lace-up closure
• Add the illusion lace cap-sleeves (sold separately)
• Add the long illusion lace bell-sleeve armbands (sold separately)

Etherial Options

For a luxe and irresistible take on retro wedding dresses, look to Mercury by Sottero and Midgley — a stunning ballgown with origami-inspired ruching and a sexy thigh-high slit in the skirt. Mercury is a gorgeous choice for a black-tie venue… Think elegant manor, luxe botanical greenhouse, modernist museum, or a romantic fairytale ballroom. (Fancy more volume? Add the detachable balloon sleeves for drama and dimension.)

Bailey by Sottero and Midgley is another sexy and slinky silhouette with exquisite lacework. Our real brides love this design; see their latest reviews for inspiration…

• “The sheer sides and deep V in the front were so flattering. The train is stunning. The dress had so much intricate detail that I felt a plain veil was perfect with it.” — Lorna
• “I loved the bead and lace detailing, sheer sides, open back, and beautiful train that was the perfect length. It looked just as gorgeous when bustled as well. The perfect dress!” — Lauren
• “Every little detail throughout the entire dress was perfect. [I felt] amazing, with enough room to still dance but form-fitting and so flattering.” — Mandy

Romantic Bell Sleeves

Illusion lace create a lovely ethereal effect in Quintyn by Maggie Sottero, a boho-inspired A-line with soft yet romantic details. We adore the delicate sleeves and elbow draping… It’s Renaissance meets fairy forest with the perfect dose of sexy.

A few ways to personalize Quintyn:

• Extend or shorten the train through special request
• Add covered buttons down the back
• Also available with lined sweetheart bodice for additional coverage

If you love the glamor of a fit-and-flare but effortless vibes of a sheath silhouette, we have the perfect fusion for you. Estella by Maggie Sottero features a relaxed silhouette that glides from bodice to hemline… It’s soft, romantic, and perfectly on trend, and so versatile for a range of vintage venues and themes. Style with the detachable bell sleeves for a extra boho flourish.

Figure-Hugging Retro Wedding Dresses

Star-like beading make a gorgeous vintage statement in Drew by Maggie Sottero. It’s 1920s enchantment meets modern muse — a chic and shimmery number with picture-perfect accessories. We adore the off-the-shoulder wrap for a sexy “undone” effect.

Another stunning vintage design is Yates by Maggie Sottero — a Victorian-esque gown with sexy yet sophisticated embellishments. We love the neckline and sleeves option… add the detachable jacket for this unique and glamorous flourish!

Brides love the fit and shimmer of Yates. Here are two reviews to inspire:

• “The beautiful Yates dress was everything I could have wanted. It was unique yet traditional and very flattering. I had so many compliments from guests saying they had never seen a dress quite like it!” — Katie
• “It’s so hard to pick a feature… The beading was SO beautiful!! It sparkled without having any sequins.. I swear I could look at those details for hours. I also loved the train with the lace detail and the buttons that went all the way down.” — Sorsha

Pearlcore is THE moment in Doritte by Maggie Sottero, a dreamy and shimmery crepe style with corsetry and illusion details. Style in strapless form for a chic mermaid vibe, or add the billowy illusion sleeves for a magical boho princess upgrade.

Our latest retro wedding dresses are all about flattering your figure… You’ll be looking seriously snatched in Iravati by Sottero and Midgley — a booty-hugging, waist-cinching, chic-as-heck fit-and-flare with stunning bead motifs. These lines are designed to amp up your curves and play up your silhouette — perfect for a black-tie or red-carpet celebration. (If you’re feeling extra whimsical, add the detachable jacket for an angelic flourish.)

Short Retro Wedding Dresses

Love the glamor of a Second Look for your reception? A short bridal dress like Jackie by Rebecca Ingram is an ideal combo of simplicity and charm. Think vintage. Think flirty. Think SO easy to reuse as a fab co*cktail dress after the big day!

Zoe by Rebecca Ingram is another dancefloor-ready option for a Second Look gown. It’s sexy, girly, and stylish — an effortless complement to your vintage wedding theme.

Love what we’ve curated for retro wedding dresses and vintage wedding themes? Find the latest inspo on our Pinterest page! We can’t wait to see your vintage wedding themes and gorgeous styling! Best wishes for your chic and stylish happily-ever-after.

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