Retro Vegas Wedding (Old Money Style)

Diamonds & Desert Dreams

This isn’t about cheesy Elvis impersonators (unless that’s your jam, in which case, go for it!). This is about channeling the feeling of a Vegas wedding – the high-rolling energy, the vintage glamour, the sheer, unadulterated fun – wherever you are.

I’m talking champagne towers that rival Gatsby’s, high-end luxury disco, glitz, glamour, and a touch of wild abandon.

Aesthetic & Decor

This isn’t about recreating a specific decade, but rather capturing the essence of old Vegas glamour – the kind that whispers of Sinatra and high rollers, of fortunes built on risk and a touch of danger.

Color Palette: Embrace classic retro colors like coral, golden yellow, burgundy, and turquoise. Alternatively, think of 1970’s tones like mint green, burnt orange, and poppy red.

Neon Signs: Incorporate custom neon signs with phrases like “Just Married”

Vintage Decor: Use vintage trays and glassware, records, playing cards, dice, and old-school Vegas memorabilia as decor.

Lighting: Create a retro ambiance with string lights, disco balls, unique table numbers, fringe table lamps, vintage chandeliers, and colorful spotlights.

Shop The Aesthetic

Venue

Imagine a private estate nestled in the desert foothills, a historic hotel with a storied past, or even a meticulously restored vintage casino. The key is exclusivity and a sense of history. Like the Ace Hotel, in Palm Springs or the Silverado Resort, in Napa for an old money feel.

While Vegas might be the ‘spiritual home’ of this theme, you can recreate the magic anywhere. A swanky hotel ballroom, a retro-inspired restaurant, or even a transformed warehouse can become your personal casino royale. The key is to focus on the details like drapery, vintage furniture finds, and of course, plenty of mood lighting.

The Photoshoot: Lights, Camera, Romance!

The photoshoot is where you can really let loose and capture the spirit of your retro Vegas wedding. Think beyond the traditional posed shots.

Not to be missed photos:

Running down hotel hallway
Everyone (or just you two) in an elevator!
Late-night snacks
Drinking champagne on a bar top
Vintage car moment
Champagne tower (pouring + drinking)

The photography should capture the spirit of Vegas, and the understated elegance of the celebration.

Photographer: Choose a photographer with a cinematic eye, someone who can capture the mood and atmosphere of the wedding. Think dramatic lighting, candid shots, and a touch of vintage film grain.

Food and Drinks: A Taste of the High Life

The food and drinks should be as luxurious and memorable as the rest of the celebration. Classic cocktails are a must! Martinis, Manhattans, and of course, a champagne tower is a must-have, a symbol of abundance and celebration.

For food, picture a gourmet meal featuring locally sourced ingredients and exquisite presentation.

Think caviar with potato chips, shrimp cocktail, french onion soup, oysters Rockefeller, and filet mignon with a béarnaise sauce.

The menu should be sophisticated and refined, a culinary experience that reflects the overall luxury of the wedding.

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Entertainment: High-Stakes Fun

Music

The music should be the heartbeat of your celebration, no matter the atmosphere you envision. For an “old money” wedding, the entertainment should be sophisticated and captivating. Imagine a live jazz band evoking the Rat Pack era, a blues singer serenading guests beneath the desert stars, or a DJ spinning vinyl classics reminiscent of Vegas’s golden age. Let the music move you, and dance the night away.

Casino Games

Set up a private casino with blackjack tables, poker, and roulette. This is a chance for guests to indulge in a little high-stakes fun.

Focus on high-quality materials and impeccable craftsmanship. Think rich jewel tones, gold accents, and touches of black. Incorporate vintage casino memorabilia – antique roulette wheels, vintage playing cards, perhaps even a restored slot machine – but use them sparingly, as art pieces rather than clutter.