Vintage Love Story Wedding Inspiration with Prohibition Era Style

When turning to the past to tell a vintage love story, the romantic fine art Virginia weddings team of Lieb Photographic and Gatherings by Mercer chose a historic setting for their venue! The 1920’s era bank turned bridal boutique at Ava Laurénne Bride offered a truly stunning location for this hybrid bridal session. With two couture wedding dresses to choose from, romantic vintage bridal styling, and exquisite garden flowers accenting the space, it was easy to step into the past, to the era of Old Hollywood, Prohibition, and Spanish Romanticism!

Wedding ideas inspired by a vintage love story

To tell a beautifully styled vintage love story, the team selected antique pieces that brought in a touch of romance, from elegantly lettered love quotes from Noted Calligraphy to 1920’s era picture frames and cameos along with 2021 must-haves like geode slice escort cards!

Fine art photographer Lieb Photographic shared some of the inspiration that went into bringing this vintage love story to life! –

There are many lovely personal details to create a vintage love story. The grandmother’s cameo pin and the vintage looking glass bring the love letter to life, created by Noted Calligraphy. The vintage French beveled ring box and the velvet box compliment the rose gold and morganite Edwardian style ring. The personalized escort tokens on both acrylic and geodes give the bride and groom names to go along with the love story.

The overarching aesthetic of the Prohibition Era bridal shoot was inspired by the setting! The unique wedding venue at Ava Laurénne Bride in Fredericksburg, VA, set the scene with historic flair – the stunning focal point was an antique vault door that created a memorable ceremony backdrop!

 The building was first built as a bank in 1927 and was since renovated with the original steel vault still intact. The florals add a warmth to the cool steel of the vault and compliment the natural sunlight that flows in from the side windows. The asymmetrical arbor over the vault entrance is laced with lush greens and garden roses and the orchids add a touch of the exotic to the roses in loose bouquet.

As Ava Laurénne Bride is a bridal boutique, we saw it fitting to have our model don two dresses to continue the vintage Prohibition Era look. The first dress by Ava Laurénne’s private label boasts tiny pearls throughout the gown and the flowing transparent long sleeves.

The gilded gold plates from The Globe boutique and the the gold candlesticks and rose colored wine flutes from Bride and Joy add a touch of refinery to the long vintage sweetheart table from Bella Villa Antiques and Vintage Rentals. The floral centerpiece pulls the details together to create an intimate setting that the bride prepares for her fiancé after her bridal portrait session.

Karen with Cakes in Art created a tiered cake with intricate bas relief lace designs intended to turn the cake into a sculpture with raised surfaces reflecting the roses in the florals.  The delicate details and texture that perfectly reflect the texture of the pearls and tulle in the private label gown from Ava Laurenne The peach, blush and ivory tones add additional warmth to the vignette. Even the cake table is a vintage era piece, framed here by the arbor above the fault.

The second Ava Laurénne Private Label dress and cathedral veil flow with an ethereal glow as our model graces the open space.

WEDDING VENDORS –

Photography: Lieb Photographic | Bridal Salon and Portrait Venue: Ava Laurénne Bride | Event Planning and Floral Design: Gatherings by Mercer | Wedding Cake: Cakes In Art | Engagement Ring: Coast Diamond | Wedding Ring: Coast Diamond | Bridal Headpiece: Blushing Gold Brides | Vintage Rentals: Bella Villa Antiques & Vintage Rentals | Event Rentals: Bride and Joy | Makeup Artist: Miss Jordan Simpson | Decor Items: The Globe | Stationery: Noted Calligraphy | Film Processing: The FIND Lab | Submitted via: Matchology