A nostalgic retro romance with all the feels. This beautiful LGBTQ+ retro wedding set at Pelham House, Lewes is perfect for couples wanting an authentic vintage wedding in a modern world. It mixes Asian and Western cultures to perfection with its details and it’s ethical too! What more could you ask for? Led by planner Sage Kuo and a fabulous team, their vision for this inspirational shoot was crystal clear and perfectly aligned…
“The 40s-styled shoot came from the photographer Jessi’s impression of the 1940s and the Chinese heritage we share. The 1940s was when Western culture settled in Asia. It was a time of reinvention in lifestyle; from clothing to architecture. People had the chance to experiment and express themselves, and then it became a classic, marking the harmonious coexistence of Eastern and Western cultures. We also wanted to highlight the liberation of the formerly binary wedding styles, breaking the boundaries traditions have placed upon the LGBTQ+ community and cultural differences.”
THE VENUE
“Set in the heart of historic Lewes, Pelham House is a wedding venue with a difference. This historic townhouse has been carefully renovated to host guests on their unforgettable days. Despite its town centre location, Pelham House has extensive, tranquil gardens framed by the rolling hills of Sussex. This ultimate luxurious setting for the big day is filled with intimate spaces, sprawling suites, a sophisticated bar and endless manicured gardens.”
PHOTOGRAPHY
“My first impression of 40s-style wedding photos is elegant, magnificent, and pure. I researched various 40s movies to implant the “40s filter” in my head. Most of my inspiration came from the movie Casablanca. I’ve observed each frame on the lighting, details from the interior, and all the backdrops. We decided to use the wooden backdrop, bridal suite and bar as they gave us the most historic and cinematic feel. I went for a soft look, muted colour and black and white. Putting less contrast and sharpness is the key to achieving a film look for your wedding photography”
GET THE LOOK
“It is important to have all your requirements for the look in pictures. My suggestion would be to use Pinterest boards. After that, reach out to your local suppliers with the reference pictures. You would probably want a venue with more wooden interior decor and vintage furniture to create a natural background and save some spending by hiring props. If you are keen on following a specific era, find yourself a vintage wedding dress shop and make sure you are after the right style! As for the cultural elements, watching some Asian period films and having a walk in oriental shops would be very helpful! Perfection is in the details!”
THE DRESS
“Early 1940s wedding gowns have a far more figure-forgiving shape than the bias-cut dresses of the previous decade. Glowing candlelight satin, the ultimate in film star styling, was still a popular choice of fabric. Despite rationing, long trains were sometimes seen at grander weddings. If enough dress fabric could not be obtained, a cathedral-length veil with ethereal tambour embroidery or heirloom lace was worn. Long sleeves were gathered or pleated at the shoulder and then tapered to the wrist, finishing to a point at the back of the hand. Flowers made from wax-adorned tiara-like headdresses complemented the hairstyles of the day. For the evening, keep to the same fabric for continuity but change the style to a shorter, fuller skirt to show off your best dance moves.”
FLOWERS
“I kept the colours feminine with pinks, lilacs, white and creams, and the flower varieties ruffly and frothy to reflect the 1940s feel. In the 1940s, garden-grown blooms were a popular choice, as wedding planning time was usually limited in the war years while in post-war times austerity was biting. I used two-tone carnations, and garden-style lilac roses with delicate white gypsophila to add a bit of romance. The bouquet is pretty and delicate – a lovely complement to the stylish slimline dress. The table flowers were a collection of vintage bud vases with Chinese bowls and soy sauce containers full of flowers, to add to the East meets West theme. My advice for planning your themed/vintage wedding is to look back at the history of how flowers were used, and not limit yourself to traditional vessels – any decorative object that holds liquids can also hold flowers!”
CAKE
“Having a vintage Lambeth-style piped wedding cake will make a statement and evoke a timeless traditional feel at your vintage wedding. The bonus now is that you can have taller sponge cakes as opposed to the traditional fruit cake which also means that if you are not a fan of royal icing the look can be achieved with a soft frosting such as white chocolate ganache or buttercream. Find a cake designer who is skilled in Lambeth piping and even consider mixing it up for a more kitch look with pastel shades instead of white.”
HAIR AND MAKE UP
“If you want to rock this chic and timeless look for your big day, ask your hairstylist for a vintage Hollywood wave. A classic 40’s makeup look, is a light base, soft contour and of course, a bold lip, to make sure you’re the star of the show!” STATIONERY “To achieve a timeless elegance with your wedding stationery, mix soft, handwritten fonts and classic borders with deep colours. Burgundy and slate greys are a great choice for a 40s look. A sepia-colored photograph and an illustrated map of the wedding location will take your guests back in time, and why not hold your invitation set together with a lace cut-out wallet? To add a touch of luxury, choose textured papers and a heavyweight, coloured envelope.”
MUSIC
“Widely known as the most romantic instrument, the harp sets the scene and immediately elevates the mood of your 40s-style wedding. Whether playing classic swing music or modern songs with a vintage feel, the harp provides a stunning decorative backdrop and conversation piece that will have your guest talking for years to come.”
CELEBRANT
“A celebrant is a perfect choice for your 1940s-style wedding because you have the opportunity to completely personalise your ceremony and make it bespoke to you – era and all. You can include different nods to the decade within the ceremony itself in terms of theme and content. Including 1940s poetry, songs and music. You could also include touches like having your vows and order of service written as a telegram. If you had a family member get married in the 40s, you could use fabric from their wedding dress for a hand-fasting or ring warming. There are endless creative touches to include that would be beautiful nods to the decade and compliment your 40s themed day!”
IF YOU LOVED THIS 1940S RETRO WEDDING, PIN IT FOR LATER!
Credits – Romantic Retro Wedding With Ethical Details
Photographer and Stylist / Jessi Zou Film
Venue – Pelham House / Dress – Real Green Dress / Suit and Accessories – Vintage Adornments / Planner Styling and Model – Sage’s Event / Hair – Big Hair Energy / Makeup – Agata Midlands Makeup Artist / Cake – Emily’s Mixing Bowl / Music – Dorothy London Harpist / Florist – Bryony Mae Flowers / Stationery – The Wedding Prints Shop / Confetti – Petals and Roses / Candles – Cure and Cure / Celebrant – Roxy Loves Love / Phone – The Wedding Phone / Props – The Coordination Event Hire / Model – El Boy
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