How To Style A Vintage Wedding (That Still Feels Modern)

'A very simple and affordable prop is a brass candlestick. Hiring these and using co-ordinating candles instantly uplifts your look. I try to avoid mixing metals for a classic feel.'

'I think flowers are a big part of the day and an important part of the budget, as they can really change the whole look. I like to incorporate as many flowers as possible within my wedding designs and absolutely love installations – a floral masterpiece hanging over the tables; a beautiful design on the walls of an industrial building; or flowers down the aisle.'

'If you don't have a huge flower budget, I suggest lots of loose flowers in vintage vessels dotted around the venue: think about where your guests will be for the longest period, like sitting at the tables for the wedding breakfast.'

'A village hall is often crying out for a 1950s-inspired day, whilst a stately hall with wood panelling allows for elegant, soft details, and elements from the 1930s work really well.'

'My clients tend to seek inspiration from earlier, more decadent eras: think stunning Victorian vintage lace and cut-glass decanters from the Art Deco period. These periods lend themselves well to be mixed with modern touches, so you do not end up with a themed or dated wedding.'

'I hate a cake on a silver base plonked on a square white creased-clothed table! I love to create 'dessert dressers' by using a vintage dressing table from my prop collection and allowing for beautiful desserts that work within your design. This creates a stand-out focal point for your guests – next on my list is a vintage bureau dessert station…'

'Instagram and Pinterest are wonderful starting points for a wedding. It can be overwhelming, though, so it's great to create separate boards on Pinterest, then come back later and whittle them all down. Also, remember it's inspiration: use it to inspire you but create your dream day. Don't forget the new 'saved' bookmark tab on Instagram. You can save posts you've loved and then go back to look at them – you'll soon see a running theme.'

'I like a soft, pale palette and I think this allows for the fresh approach I prefer, rather than a bright scheme that tends to make it feel more dated or themed. I love to use lots of neutral flowers, pale blush pinks and lots of foliage like eucalyptus. Mixed with stunning aged lace, lots of cut glass and brass details create a beautiful, elegant feel for your day.

'Add vintage brass candlesticks and vintage cutlery to a table, and pop the flowers into a vintage vessel. By placing them correctly and mixing them with modern pieces – stand-out luxurious stationery, exquisite quality glasses, high-end flowers – you instantly have a look that is fresh and contemporary. My current love is this look within an industrial venue – don't be afraid to work a softer, romantic design in this kind of venue, as it really works.'

'For example, you can pay an additional amount to upgrade the chairs to ones that are of higher quality, and that work within your design. I also love to change up the crockery, cutlery and glasses. There are so many prop and china hire companies out there now, mine included, so you can hire pieces rather than sourcing all of the items yourself, which often adds up.

'It's so important to remember this throughout and keep it personal to you as a couple. By adding certain elements that are vintage, but using them in a modern way, you will not have a twee or dated wedding. From chairs to china to flowers to your cake table, really think about all of those little details (and how you can incorporate vintage into them).'