How to Create a Retro Inspired Wedding with Vibrant Colors and Groovy Details

Hey! We're Josh & Alisha Croghan, a husband and wife wedding photography team based in the Carolinas. We love camping, nerding out, and telling your love story.

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If you’re a bride looking to create a retro inspired wedding with vibrant colors there are many ways to do so. Here are some tips to help you create the wedding of your dreams.

Consider Your Venue

Choosing your venue is the first step to creating a fun, retro-inspired wedding. It will set the mood for the entire event. For this shoot, the Providence Cotton Mill in Maiden, NC was chosen because of its versatility. It is a wide open space full of beautiful natural light, essentially a blank canvas for almost any wedding design. When searching for a venue, there is a wide variety of places that can transform into a groovy wedding space of your dreams. Open spaces with natural light, like the Providence Cotton Mill create a beautiful backdrop for your design inspiration and photograph well. 

Retro Inspired Wedding at The Providence Cotton Mill
Retro Inspired Wedding at The Providence Cotton Mill
North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Retro Inspired Wedding at The Providence Cotton Mill
North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Retro Inspired Wedding at The Providence Cotton Mill
Retro Inspired Wedding at The Providence Cotton Mill
Retro Inspired Wedding at The Providence Cotton Mill
Retro Inspired Wedding at The Providence Cotton Mill
North Carolina Wedding Photographer

Choosing a Bold and Vibrant Color Scheme

A bright and vibrant color palette is the key to creating a groovy and retro-inspired wedding. Choose a few bold colors, such as fuchsia, orange, and turquoise, and use them throughout your wedding design and decor. A key place to add color in your floral design. The bouquets and floral arrangements designed for this inspiration by Seeded Events and Design are vibrant and fun. The flowers chosen range from classic roses, daisies, and sweet peas to dyed baby’s breath, orchids, and anthurium. 

Color of the Year Viva Magenta
Wedding at the Providence Cotton Mill
Bright and Bold Wedding Colors
70's Disco Inspired Wedding
Color of the Year Viva Magenta
Bright and Bold Wedding Colors

Incorporate Retro Details into Your Decor

Retro design elements, such as geometric patterns and bold graphics, can add a groovy touch to your wedding decor. Use these elements on your invitations, place cards, and other wedding stationery to set the tone for your wedding. Disco balls and neon signs add a fun retro touch and are incorporated throughout the shoot. Geometric arches and wave patterns bring back a playful, nostalgic vibe. These design elements can be seen in the cake, paperie, and ceremony arch. 

Color of the Year Viva Magenta
Bright and Bold Wedding Colors
Wedding at the Providence Cotton Mill
Color of the Year Viva Magenta

Choose a Retro-Inspired Wedding Look

A retro-inspired wedding dress can add a touch of glamor and sophistication to your wedding. Look for dresses with bold and beautiful details, such as a high neckline, A-line silhouette, and detailed lace, to create a vintage-inspired look. Hair and makeup are also a big part of a retro inspired look. Braids and big curls can take a look back to the 70’s and 80’s. Beauty by Haley Garber carefully completed each of these bridal hair looks. Once again, don’t be afraid of bright colors! Bright colors can easily be incorporated into your bridal makeup. The bold, bright pinks and corals were a key part of the makeup looks by Brooke Gualdin Hair and Christen Makeup Artistry. More places to easily add a pop of color can be your nails, shoes, or accessories. A colored veil, anyone? 

Grooms can keep it classic, or go bold and add some color as well! Don’t forget to add plenty of sparkle.

Viva Magenta Color of the Year Wedding Inspiration
North Carolina Wedding Venue The Providence Cotton Mill
North Carolina Wedding Venue The Providence Cotton Mill
Viva Magenta Color of the Year Wedding Inspiration
Groom Outfit Inspiration
Viva Magenta Color of the Year Wedding Inspiration
North Carolina Wedding Venue The Providence Cotton Mill
North Carolina Wedding Venue The Providence Cotton Mill
Viva Magenta Color of the Year Wedding Inspiration
Wedding Bridal Makeup Inspiration
Viva Magenta Color of the Year Wedding Inspiration
North Carolina Wedding Venue The Providence Cotton Mill
North Carolina Wedding Venue The Providence Cotton Mill
Viva Magenta Color of the Year Wedding Inspiration
Wedding Bridal Makeup Inspiration
Viva Magenta Color of the Year Wedding Inspiration
Wedding Bridal Suit Look

Use Vintage and Retro Props in Your Wedding Photos

Vintage and retro props, such as disco balls, roller skates, or a record player, can add a unique and nostalgic touch to your wedding photos. Use these props, along with a vintage getaway car, to create beautiful and memorable photos that reflect your retro-inspired theme. 

For some added color and texture, the Posh Balloon created an awesome golden balloon arch. Balloon arches are still very on trend right now and can be a nostalgic addition to your wedding decor! 

Retro Inspired Wedding Vintage Car Figgy Figaro
Wedding Inspiration Neon Sign
Roller Rink Wedding Vintage Retro Disco
Wedding Inspiration Neon Sign
Retro Inspired Wedding Vintage Car Figgy Figaro
Fun Flirty Wedding Dress
Retro Inspired Wedding Vintage Car Figgy Figaro
Wedding Inspiration Neon Sign
Retro Inspired Wedding Vintage Car Figgy Figaro
Wedding Inspiration Neon Sign
Retro Inspired Wedding Vintage Car Figgy Figaro
Wedding Inspiration Neon Sign
Roller Rink Wedding Vintage Retro Disco
Wedding Bridal Suit Look
Retro Inspired Wedding Vintage Car Figgy Figaro
Roller Rink Wedding Vintage Retro Disco
Retro Inspired Wedding Vintage Car Figgy Figaro

Serve Retro-Inspired Food and Drinks

The food and drinks at your wedding should also reflect your bright and vibrant color palette and retro design elements. Consider serving colorful cocktails and retro-inspired appetizers and desserts, such as mini fruit tarts and macarons. Your wedding cake can be a show-stopper! This adorable cake  by Cake Expressions by Lisa fit the groovy retro theme beautifully! 

Retro Inspired Arch Wedding Cake Viva Magenta Disco Ball
Bright and Bold Wedding Colors

By following these tips, you can create a retro-inspired wedding with vibrant colors and groovy details. With a little creativity and attention to detail, you can create the wedding of your dreams.

If you want to see more colorful inspiration from our favorite venue, the Providence Cotton Mill, check out this Tropical Boho Wedding Inspiration

Here is a full vendor list of all the amazing talent that came together to create this Retro-Inspired Wedding with Vibrant Colors and Groovy Details:

Photographer: @himherphoto

Planning and Design: @samanthagriggphotography @studioplaxco

Venue: @theprovidencecottonmill

Floral: @seededeventsanddesign

Rentals: @rawgoldenrentals

Car: @charlottethefiggy

Hair: @beautybyhaleygarber

Makeup: @brookegauldinhair @christen.muartistry

Balloon: @theposhballoon

Cake: @cakeexpressionsbylisa

Arches, Neon Signs, Decor: @samanthagriggphotography

We're Josh & Alisha

Just two lovebirds, enjoying everyday life.

Photographers. Artists. Creatives. Parents to two. Nerds. Foodies. Lovers. Friends.

We have been friends since 2006, married since 2008, and capturing memories through photography since 2010. The years of experience in all three make us uniquely qualified to tell your budding love story. If the years have taught us anything, its that fulfilling, long-lasting marriages have a foundation of friendship, and are built with joy - and perhaps quite a few carbs! 

We strive to help you feel confident during your big day, and not awkward or stressed - so you can look back on joyful memories that tell your love story.

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Hi! I'm Alisha!

I'm so excited you're here! 

In addition to being a lady-boss photographer, I am a wife, a mom, a teacher and a follower of Jesus. Those things are the center of everything about who I am, what I do, and how I do it. That means I believe in how important family is, whether you are just starting your own, or are celebrating all of those special milestones. Josh and I have been married for over 12 years and photographing weddings and families for over 10 of those years. Our style has evolved over time, but we love capturing images that are bright, colorful, and tell the most important story - yours!

When we are not shooting, I love going on adventures with our two beautiful girls, trying new recipes, or catching up on my favorite shows with my hubby.

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Hi! I'm Josh!

I want to capture your day!

Having the opportunity to live in a town as beautiful as Kernersville, NC is great. Being able to be here with Alisha is even better. I've been married over twelve years to the love of my life and for most of that time we have worked closely as wedding photographers. Because of this, we have a unique outlook on the wedding experience. Having the opportunity to find the joy and love in that special day and share it with you and your family and friends is the best thing about what I do. That's why I never miss getting a photo of the groom's face when he sees his bride for the first time.

When I don't have a camera in my hands, I enjoy coffee dates and car-sushi with my bride, board games before bed, and binge watching Netflix.

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capturing Authentic Love Stories

Winston-Salem • North Carolina • Worldwide

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Him & Her Photography is a husband and wife Winston Salem wedding photography duo who value

They photograph weddings, engagements, and elopements in Winston Salem, North Carolina, as well as destination weddings worldwide.

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