1920s themed wedding: 100+ ideas (Art Deco)

Planning a 1920s themed wedding? Fantastic!
I want to help you infuse passion into your special day.
To make your research easier, I have gathered and created over 100 ideas (from details to big decisions) covering: 

• 1920s themed wedding invitations,
• colors, decors and centerpieces,
• Art Deco themed favors,
• ceremony and clothes,
• party details, cake toppers,
• and much more!

All you need to create an unforgettable 1920s wedding / Art Deco wedding / Great Gatsby wedding!

This article contains affiliate Links (see Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Venue and colors

After the end of the first world war, the 1920s were a glamorous period with Art Deco decors, music, dancing, new drinks. A period to live life to the fullest.
It is also the period associated with the Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Special venue ideas

You can have a 20s themed wedding anywhere. It is all in the decor.
However, you can consider venues with flair that fit best with your theme, such as:

• Art Deco buildings
• Vintage style hotel 
• Venues with abstract flooring, candlelight, geometric designs

Colors

One of the first decision to make it the color scheme since stationery, flowers, decors and all will be relating to that decision.
If you don't have any ideas, I recommend you look at invitations in the next section and see what appeals to you most.

Otherwise consider:

• Black with gold accents
• White with gold accents
• Some deep blue / dark teal can also be found
• And if you want a pop of color, consider jewel tones such as intense rubies red, emerald or purple sapphire. 

It requires dramatic contrast.

Careful: I list a lot of ideas, but don't go overboard with your theme!

1920s themed wedding invitations

The invitations and the stationery are some of the most important ways to convey the Art Deco theme of your wedding and how special it will be.
Design Elements to take into consideration to be in accordance with your theme are:

• The drawings or pictures - 
  Art Deco is flamboyant with geometric patterns, mirrors, natural motifs, jazz scene, pearl, dancers...
  A classic is also the bow tie, with the imagery of the Great Gatsby.
• The font - 
  You can find many Art deco inspired font - It general they have straight lines and simple geometric embellishments
  And Croatoan typography
• The shape -
  Better to stay with the classic square shapes for the stationery, avoid the heart and circle.
• Special 1920s theme related words - 
  The 1920s slang is only understood by initiated people.
  It is best to stay with classic sentences so that everyone understands.
  Or you can also refer to Charleston dancing and jazz, as 2 activities very specific to the period. "Come dance the Charleston with us!"

You can opt for original options.
Most have complete suites of 1920s themed wedding stationery.
Here are some fun examples. Once opened, click on personalize to add your wedding's information :

Or you can opt for themed but classic stationery options with a picture of you in classic 1920s costumes.
Here are some beautiful examples :

Don't forget to consider, as applicable, the:

• Save the date
• Wedding invitation
• RSVP cards
• Bridal shower invitation
• Rehearsal dinner invitation

Other fun elements

The details can also be important.
When the person received the invitation, seeing a special themed sticker or a wax sealed at the back of the envelope can already trigger excitement!
Here are some examples:

Other formal invitations

You can also have fun in relation to your proposal to be groomsmen, bridesmaids, best man, maid of honour, ring bearer...
Here are some examples: 

1920s Art Deco wedding decors

Art Deco 20s themed centerpieces ideas

It is with centerpieces that you can have a lot of fun around your theme.
Decors were glamorous.
I have tried to collect ideas that you can order, personalize or make yourself.
Consider:

• Ostrich feathers (even with a light in the vase to have them glow
• Lower centerpieces made with pearls and feathers
• Small mirrors or golden mirror frames
• A period black hat
• Candles (see next section)

Candles

You can also add candles to add to the ambiance.
You can consider 3 types of candles to decorate your wedding:

• Candles with Art deco theme drawings, and your wedding date
• Candles with a picture of you dressed in 1920s period, and your wedding date
• Simple candles just for lighting and mood

And if you don't want to risk of fire, but do want the ambiance, consider some flameless candles:

Other table decor elements

The rest of the elements on the table can also be chosen around your theme.
But don't go overboard.
Always remember to remove one accessory when you are finished.

Consider choosing themed:

• Napkins
• Name card holder
• Gold photo holder for table number or table name or menu
• Silverware
• Wine bottle labels
• Table runners with gold accents
• ...

Other decor elements

The table is not the only place where you can have fun with the decor.
All around the events, you can include small touches of 1920s decor such as:

• Blackboard for your wedding entrance to welcome all guests - with gold drawings
• Geometric backdrops at strategic locations if you are not in a vintage venue
• Mirrors with black frames
• Old 1920s photos with golden frames
• ...

Flowers

There is already a lot with the feather, the pearls and the gold.
Stay simple with the flowers, or don't add flowers.
Green leaves and plants, will bring some fresh air without competing with the rest of the decor.

Lighting

Once again, this was a glamorous period.
You can add fixtures with crystals, chandeliers... with pearls over them.

Favors for 20s wedding theme

1920s themed favors

It can be really fun to create favors that are products related to your xx theme or at least decorated with art deco designs or pictures.
Consider:

Classic personalized favors

Or you can opt for the more traditional favors but that you personalize around the theme or just with pictures of you and the date of the wedding.
For example:

• stickers
• mug
• keychain
• magnet
• glass
• match box (the perfect match)
• photo block
• hand sanitizer (spread love not germs)
• candy box
• mint box (mint to be)
• liquor bottle
• chocolate bar
• ...

Favor boxes and tags

Once again, you can personalize with a picture of your (themed or not) and find a box with decors related to your theme.
Here are some examples:

The Ceremony

Officiant & program

If you are not going the traditional religious route, you can have fun with the officiant and the ceremony program.
Here are some ideas:

• Officiant also in period costume - or as Charlie Chaplin or as Coco Chanel
• Hand fans with the program on it, if it is plan during hot weather
• With Charleston dancing interludes to entertain the guests

1920s theme vows - fun ideas

If you are writing your own vows, you can include some 1920s related words or sentences, to make the audience smile and your partner swoon.
However, with the 1920s slang, most of the audience will not understand. You can still include it if both partners are into it.
Here are some ideas:

• Whether we have the bees or not (richer or poorer)
• You are such a looker
• I will keep dancing and listening to music with you
• Or you can find more 1920s slang on this page

Dress and clothes

WEDDING DRESS

Choose the dress you really want. This should not be about the theme but about you.
Now, if you want to select something that fits the theme, consider:

• A Charleston inspired dress
• A dress in silk or satin
• Lace, fringe, metallic, beading embellishments - especially around the neckline
• cap sleeves and scalloped skirts
• drop-waist gowns
• flapper-styled dress (straight, loose-fitting, and sleeveless)

But don't forget that the 1920s were famous for music and dancing! Choose something that you can move in and dance with your guests!
Have a look at this one.

GROOM SUIT

Typical costumes for men were:

•  flat-fronted, high-waisted pants without pleats
• wide or classic fit
• button-down shirt
• big, over-the-top art deco patterns
• grey slacks and suspender

Wedding Party CLOTHES

Above the knee flapper dresses are great for bridesmaids.
The 1920s were theatrical and rich. You can dress each bridesmaid differently.

For the others, accessories are your best options to give the 1920s look. See next section.

Accessories

With the 1920s, you can really have fun with the accessories both for men and women.
Here are some ideas to consider:

• short birdcage veil covering one eye - iconic
• embellished headband
• high heels with sparkle
• a faux fur wrap
• Pearls, lots of them
• Cloche-style hats
• Simple feathers
• Bow-ties
• Capes over the shoulder for women or cover up
• linen newsboy cap
• Fedora hats
• ...

Bouquet

The rest of the wedding is already full of embellishment.
Stay simple with the bouquet.
Simple elegant flowers without too much color. Lots of green brings balance to the heavy touches of gold.

Ring

No special suggestions here.

Fun 1920s wedding photo ideas

Now, it's time to take pictures of the couple and the wedding party.
You will, of course, start with the classic pictures, but then you can also have fun.
Here are some ideas:

• Everyone dancing
• Attached with pearls
• Do some in black and white
• With a vintage car
• With your bridesmaids faking smoking with olders
• ...

1920s wedding ideas for the party

Transportation

Transportation between the events or just for the last 500 yards can be related to your theme. You can make a grand entrance!
You can consider some famous cars

• the 1929 Ford Model A Roadster 
• 1920 Rolls Royce Phantom Limousine
• 1927 Willys overland whippet
• 1928 Falcon Knight Roadster
• See photos of those car on this page (after all the text)

Seating chart

Creating a fun seating chart is one of the easiest way to include your theme in your wedding.
Here are some ideas for 1920s themed seating charts:

• Name the tables after famous people from the 1920s
• Decorate your seating chart with geometric patterns

Cake shapes and Art Deco / 1920s cake toppers

With the cake, you can also have a lot of fun around your theme:

Option 1 - Traditional cake with decor

You can have traditional cakes but with:

•  a few Art Deco related decors such as Gold and sivlver beads, Gatsby cake toppers, gold decors
• a fun cake toppers with bride and groom  dancing!
• Or you can personalize a traditional cake topper with your photo, names or art deco themed designs

Option 2 - Theme-shaped cake

You can have a cake in a fun shape but with a much simpler topper so that it is not overwhelming:

• Art Deco styled cakes with zigzags, sunbursts and many dramatic geometric shapes
• edible glitters and pearls
• In the form of an art deco building
• decorated with feathers and pearls
• ...

Food / Menu

No specific suggestions in terms of food. Nothing that really stands out for a wedding and please most guest...
Maybe the French duchess potatoes are one item you can consider.

However, since the period was defined by the prohibition of alcohol, you should consider a unique bar with interesting drinks and in Mason jars to avoid being discovered!

A big classic is the Champagne Tower from a scene of The Great Gatsby: Champagne glasses are stacked in a pyramid and the couple overpours over the top, creating a waterfall - see picture

The menu can be printed on beautiful themed stationery:

Speech jokes

If you are a bridesmaid, groomsman, or a parent of the happy couple, you may have to give a speech.
A great wedding speech makes people say ohhhhhh and laugh.
The ohhhh part will come from personal stories about the couple.

But to make the audience laugh, the theme can be very useful.
Here are some 1920 slags you could include:

• Sap: a dumb guy - the advantage of a 1920s wedding is that if I say 'the groom is such a sap" most of you don't understand that I said he is dumb. You will just laugh and nod
• Tomato: pretty woman - " and if I say that the bride is a tomato - you will all booo me, when I actually said that she is pretty..."
• Don't get smoked (meaning drunk)
• I will be square with you (meaning honest)
• Or you can find more 1920s slang on this page

Guest book

Don't forget to have a guest book for people to write you special message you will enjoy reading and re-reading later in life.
You can go with a traditional guest book, pick an art deco one or you can imagine something more unique and creative such as have guests write on coasters and create a tower with them

Activities - Entertainment - Music

And finally, to keep everyone entertain, you can plan for fun activities during the wedding.
Not all of them have to be related to your theme, but a few could be.
Here are some examples;

• A trivia challenge around The Great Gatsby or the 1920s
• A unique bar
• Lots of music and dancing - a live band would be more period-like
• A fun photo booth with props to be even more 1920s

Registry / wedding gift ideas

A registry is a curated list of gifts that a couple creates to make the wedding gift experience easier and more guided for their guests.
It is rarely related to the wedding theme and is more focused on building a home together.
You can create a traditional registry, including:

• tableware
• cookware
• bakeware
• appliances
• entertaining furniture or tools (bar cart, wine decanter...)
• linen
• home decor
• garden and outdoor cooking supply
• luggages
• ...

These can be created at:

• traditional shops
• on Amazon - see their Wedding registry system (which allows you to list from everything on the store!)
• online registries with cash options
• honeymoon registries

Don't forget to select products with various price points.

Or you can register for cash.

Or you can ask for a few gifts specific to your passion / theme:

• art deco furniture
• a stay at a hotel with 1920s vibe

Other wedding events

Bridal showers and Bachelor Parties

The showers and parties don't have to be related to your theme.
But if you want to carry out the theme, you could consider:

• Charleston Party with the Bridesmaid
• A Great Gatsby party with the boys
• Drink tastings

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner doesn't have to be related to your theme.
But if you want to apply for it as well, you can use all the ideas already listed in this article.

Honeymoon

Once again, the honeymoon doesn't have to be related to your theme.
But you can keep enjoying your passion.
You could consider:

• New Orleans - staying at the Roosevelt Hotel
• Waikiki - the Royal Hawaiian hotel
• New York city - staying at the Plaza Hotel
• New Zealand - visiting the Art Deco town of Napier
• ...

Other period weddings:

• Medieval / Renaissance
• Baroque
• Disco
• Victorian
• Viking
• Ancient Greece
• Ancient Egypt
• WWII
• See all

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