If the bride in your life is all about “something old,” throw her a vintage bridal shower. It’s a lovely way for you and the other bridesmaids to honor her in a small, intimate setting. Or, if you’re the vintage-loving bride and you’d like to thank your bridesmaids for their support, let them be your guests at a vintage shower that celebrates the “old” friendships you’ll take with you into your new life.

If you’re the bridesmaid

Want to fete the bride with an intimate gathering of her best friends? Set a vintage table, then gift her with all the accoutrement that went into it: tablecloth, vases, serving pieces and candlesticks. Decorate with a vintage collectible that relates to something she loves: a pair of horses’ head bookends if she rides, or a vintage tennis racket.

If you’re the bride

Throw your girls a “shower” to thank them for supporting you. If you’ve just chosen your maid/matron of honor and bridesmaids, this is a great way to kick off the wedding plans, talk about dresses (be sure to have stacks of brides’ magazines on hand) and present each girl with a piece of vintage jewelry to wear on the Big Day.

Shower décor

Invest in table decorations that you can also use for the wedding. Or borrow vintage décor and serving pieces from moms and grandmas to get an authentic retro look.

Vintage style: Milk glass is very popular for weddings right now, since it’s fresh, affordable and works with any color scheme. If you’re a rustic, flowery kind of girl, use a vintage tea set, mismatched candlesticks, floral table linens and vases of garden flowers. Give everyone a vintage apron to wear at the party and keep as a remembrance.

Retro style: If you’re more of a mid-century Mad Men kind of girl, throw a cocktail shower. Go retro with food, too: serve deviled eggs and rumaki on sixties snack trays. Mix up a batch of old-fashioneds with chrome cocktail shakers and swanky barware. Tease your hair and wear sheath dresses. Give the girls rhinestone pins or vintage handbags to be worn at the wedding.

Something old and something new, showers combine the best of long-time friendships with the excitement of new beginnings!

thank you, sunny day vintage!  we can’t wait to see and hear about your vintage showers, inspired by this post!  xo, all across the paige