A 50’s Inspired American Glamour Wedding to Rival Vegas: Charlie & Brent

It’s not often I shed a tear over someones wedding story, I am a pretty tough nut to crack, but there was something about Charlies description of her wedding day with Brent that got me. I love this girls raw honesty, I love that Brent wore his Grandads suit, I love that the couple had a friend carry out the ceremony and I adore that this couple were so passionate about adding their personality to their day – even the rubix cube cake played its part in commemorating a very special memory.

I asked Charlie to tell us a more…

“We had a long engagement, it wasn’t intentional but we wanted to emigrate and have a Vegas wedding – a little tradition in my husband’s family! Plans had to change and therefore the wedding was delayed, and we had to try and organise a day to rival a Vegas wedding. The venue was the most important decision we made. There was going to be no church, and the typical Cotswold country manor venue didn’t excite us at all. I love all things 50’s American glamour, and with an American fiancé, we needed somewhere our personalities wouldn’t seem alien. The Daffodil restaurant in Cheltenham was perfect. An art deco design and originally a movie theatre in the 20’s, The Daffodil had the character, glamour and drama we wanted.

With my love of bright colours, wedding dress shopping became a bit of a challenge. I wanted the ivory as well as colour and I realised that the only way i could get perfection was to design the dress myself. My dress maker, Annette Bell, was absolutely awesome. Brent’s outfit was his Grandad’s Jonny Carson suit in a gorgeous blue, fitting like a glove! The most important part of the day was of course the ceremony. We had very strong feeling that we did not want a stranger to lead our marriage. Therefore, one of our friends teamed up with the registrar to perform the ceremony, bringing a whole heap of personal touches. It was amazing, so personal and so memorable.

When thinking about a wedding, I would definitely recommend creating a scrapbook to represent your style, it is so useful when briefing suppliers! We wanted the day to be unique and reflect us – doesn’t everyone! We chose personalised decks of cards as our favours, as Brent is known as ‘games master’ to friends and we wanted to bring a little of Vegas to us. We also created a ‘playful pot’ on the table where people could choose games to play, and dares to take, bringing fun to table and this doubled up as an ice -breaker if required. We are straight talking people who wouldn’t appreciate a sentimental message in a guest book. Our guests were instructed at dinner, by their designated ‘table boss’, to write a word or phrase on a paper heart to describe the couple, and sign it. We provided novelty pens to do this with that reflected much of what we love and who we are; jewellery, fast cars, Arizona Cacti, guitars and lipstick to name a few. We now intend to create a ‘paper art’ picture for our home with these hearts, and the results of the messages we’re fantastic, some heart-felt and some humorous. We also had an interactive art canvas to be completed throughout the evening. Our guests were invited in leave their creative streak in one of the tessellated playing card suits so that we have a visual memory of them all. Of course, this is not the only visual memory, our photographer was incredible. A friend of a friend, but I knew he was the one when I read his website, and he shared a love of 50’s glamour. Our photos are incredible.

If I were to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing, it was the best day ever and a favourite moment is impossible to define from the day, however the de-brief the day after with friends and family was awesome. Receiving feedback that all your hard work had been noticed and enjoyed with vitality was the icing on the rubix cube cake! – a flirting tool Brent used in the early days of our relationship. If we were to give advice to newly engaged couples it would be to make decisions that reflect your personality, organise the little personal touches early to make sure every minute of the day is perfectly ‘you’.”

Super Suppliers – Photographer: Matt Willis Photography// Venue: The Daffodil// Hair & Make Up: Le Glow// Dress: Annette Bell Designs// Shoes: Nine West// Bridesmaids: Dessy// Flowers: Bumblebeez// Band: Dancin’ Easy//

I couldn’t have said it better myself Charlie!

That final photo of the first dance on that art deco dance floor is exquisite, what a great shot!! And who wouldn’t love a rubix cube wedding cake? Such a fab idea!

Why I LOVE The Idea of a 50’s Inspired American Glamour Wedding

Just look at the pictures above. This theme effortlessly transports us back to an era where Hollywood was golden, fashion was timeless, and love was celebrated with grandiose flair.

First off, the attire! Think Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, with brides donning tea-length dresses adorned with lace and pearls, and grooms looking dapper in tailored suits with sharp lapels. The fashion alone is a delightful homage to the glamour and sophistication of the 50’s, making everyone feel like a star.

Then there’s the décor. Picture your own wedding with a stunning venue decked out with vintage touches—crystal chandeliers, elegant candelabras, and plush, velvet accents. The color palette is rich and luxurious, featuring classic hues like ivory, gold, and deep red, creating an ambiance that feels both timeless and romantic.

The entertainment is equally as captivating. A live band playing swing and jazz tunes sets the perfect backdrop for guests to dance the night away, channeling their inner Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Vintage photo booths and classic cocktails, like martinis and old fashioneds, add to the overall charm and fun.

What truly makes a 50’s inspired American glamour wedding wonderful is its ability to blend nostalgia with elegance, creating a unique and memorable experience for the couple and their guests. It’s a celebration that honors the past while creating timeless memories, and who wouldn’t love that?