How to make your 1960s themed wedding a reality

 Do you want to create a retro wedding that you and your guests will remember forever? Express your quirky individual style and create a Swinging Sixties wedding theme! 

The 1960s was a time for youth enthusiasm and the main objective was to have fun. Fashion icon Twiggy stepped into the limelight and the likes of The Beatles and The Beach Boys were born. 

The theme of the decade was to have fun and enjoy the new music – so what better theme is there for your wedding?

Swinging Sixties music

When you play music from a certain era, it instantly takes you back to that time. The clock may as well turn back in time as soon as you play that record. 

There probably wasn’t an era that changed music more than the 1960s did. It was a time where young, thriving people no longer looked to their parents for inspiration. They became free and wild, developing their own zest for life and taste in music.

The music from this era is varied so you can be sure that if you choose a 1960s themed wedding, you’ll be able to create various fun and romantic moods with music.

Hiring a wedding band

f you want to create the sound of fun, love and happiness at your wedding, then hiring a rock ‘n’ roll ’60s band would create just that for you and your guests. You can look into tribute bands or hire a wedding band specialising in ’60s music, so you can dance the night away to your favourite hits.

Have your chosen band spread love and flower power throughout your whole day. You could set the scene as guests arrive with The Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’, or any of your other favourite Beatles jams like ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’. After the vows, you can then rock into the evening with tracks from The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and other faces of the British Invasion.

’60s wedding dresses

When you think of 1960s fashion, it’s bright, beautiful, bold and full. The 1960s allowed people to find their own style with Mary Quant’s miniskirts and Vidal Sassoon’s hairstyles. Out went bland, frilled hand-me-downs from parents and in came the A-line skirt.

Thanks to the fashion revolution, there are many different styles to choose from and they are all easy to wear ensuring style and comfort on your big day! A-line wedding dresses have been popular for a long time and allow brides ease of movement and comfort throughout the day. These classic, simple dresses can be styled with flat pumps or heels for extra glamour. 

Meanwhile, lace and high necks dresses are perfect for those wanting to achieve a pretty look, whilst keeping to the classic style. 

In fact, if you look back at 1960s weddings, you’ll see a combination of A-line, maxi and lace. All of these can make your Swinging Sixties wedding theme a reality.

Retro wedding cars

When you think of 1960s cars, what springs to mind?

There are plenty of retro cars to choose from. If you are wanting glamour, then a Rolls Royce will be the perfect car for you. Do you want to create more of a laidback 1960s wedding theme? The classic VW will give a bohemian, pretty feel. Make it personal with fairy lights and flower features. If you’re after a mod theme, make an entrance with a Vespa!

Whichever form of transport you choose, you can be sure that the 1960s retro cars will get you to your wedding in style.

Themed bridesmaids & Groomsmen

Are you choosing a theme for the bridesmaids and groomsmen? The 1960s gives multiple options for you to choose from. 

Create a mod look with Chelsea boots, chinos and a parka coat. Or go for a more conservative look by choosing muted colours, a skinny tie and perhaps a trench coat. You could even make an entrance by choosing a suit with bright psychedelic colours and patterns.

The same applies for bridesmaid attire. Consider shorter hemlines with a petticoat for extra volume, and groovy patterns to fit in with your retro theme!

Time for tea

The 1960s were all about socialising with friends and having the best time possible. Mingling with friends was at the top of everyone’s agenda. What better way to socialise and eat than having a buffet! Make your food and drink area extra colourful with an alcoholic punch for your guests to enjoy.

Cocktail sticks at the ready. Bitesize food is a great way to incorporate food into your 1960s wedding theme. Our suggestions are:

• Cheese and pineapple on sticks
• Cheese and olives on sticks
• Cocktail sausages (use Quorn sausages for a vegetarian option)
• Cheese and walnuts on sticks

’60s wedding decor

You can be sure that your guests will remember your day when they think about the 1960s decor that you had. Think bright, bold, flowers, pretty and fun.

There is tons of flexibility with this era. 

Go for a mod theme and make your colour theme and patterns stand out. Start a DIY project and ask your guests to collect glass jars so you can create a romantic theme with tealight candles. When thinking of what patterns to go for, common themes from the 1960s would be polka dots, stripes, or floral. A floral backdrop would work wonders for yours and your guests’ photos. Create beautiful memories that last a lifetime. 

Conclusion

The Swinging Sixties was a time of fun and grooviness. When it comes to planning your special day, follow our list of top tips to make your 1960s themed wedding a reality.

Happy planning!

Author Bio:

Emily Walton is a Content and SEO Specialist for Digital Marketing Agency Tillison Consulting. From a young age, she has always dreamed of planning her perfect wedding. Writing for a broad spectrum of online clients sees Emily experienced in art, design, music and digital marketing related topics. When Emily is not crafting content she is actively driving organic traffic to client sites with her SEO expertise. Find Emily on Twitter @Tillison_Emily