Planning a “vintage” wedding used to mean wearing your mother's or grand mother's wedding dress. Not anymore. Today's brides who dream of weddings reminiscent of yesterday step alt the way back in time, piecing together historical details for every aspect of the ceremony and reception. While dressing the part — with an antique or historically designed wedding gown — is still usually the first consideration, no detail is overlooked, from period clothing for the entire wedding party and sometimes even guests, to the flowers, rings, location, food and photography.

Modern brides can base their vintage weddings on a particular time period or historical theme, such as the Victorian era or the glamorous 1920s. Nancy Eaton, author of Your Vintage Wedding (HarperCollins), even suggests picking a time period that coincides with collecting hobbies or favorite movies. Other couples plan vintage weddings with a family history theme — re-creating a family event or ethnic traditions.