Vintage is still big news which is great for me because I just love it. But, now we've all got used to this look, we're starting to be a bit more daring about how we put it together. More colour, more layers and more developed ideas. It's like school - now we've learned the basics, we can get on to the really good stuff.
Tablescapes are a huge wedding trend - using more props and items on a table to create a story - and vintage works particularly well here because there are so many great props available. Fabrics, glassware, crockery, ribbons, unusual containers and other items like books and buttons, they all combine for a layered look that can be oh-so individual.
So, here are some ideas for vintage place settings to get your shabby chic loving hearts all aflutter...
Above - How gorgeous is this look? Coloured glass, old hardback books, pretty china, gorgeous 'just cut' garden flowers, a beribboned napkin, a vintage candlestick and on-trend 'nude' linen. By creating something like this at your own wedding, every table could look different which injects real interest. Image - The Sweetest Occasion
Above - A very elegant look (and check out the long table here, I told you they were becoming more and more popular!) I love the natual flowers here, the crisp white linen which doesn't compete against the paler flowers and those storm lanterns will be fabulous when lit. The delicate little table number card works perfectly too - something too big, too bold and too heavy would just ruin this delicately designed setting. Image - Stone Blue Productions
Above - There is something about mismatched china that I just adore. And mismatched china, layered on a place setting has even more impact. Easy to put together because it doesn't really matter what goes with what and you don't have to obsess about matching cups and saucers. The crisp white napkin sets the colours of the china off perfectly and the little tag tied to the cup's handle is a sugar-sweet place card. Image - Rosie Parsons
Above - a perfect example of an elegant vintage place setting showing you can stick to neutral colours and still work the vintage look. I adore the detailing on the napkin and the old style cutlery looks so much better than all silver would here. The sweet little rose floral arrangements would be relatively easy wedding DIY if you remembered to condition the stems properly, removed leaves that would sit below the water line and didn't mind risking your wedding manicure! Image - NSK Wood
Above - and we're back to colourful vintage place settings now. Again, I just love this - the sheet music placemat, the vintage cutlery bundled on the beautifully purple napkin, the little tag place card, the coloured glassware on the table and oh, the turquoise of that pot! The 'mix and match' flowers are great too - the varieties and the colours. Perfect. Image - Marry You Me
Above - hmm, more dreams of sunny outdoor days. Now this is a great place setting for a more unfussy vintage look. The bare table, tick, the crisp linen runner, tick, the mix and match flowers, tick, vintage cutlery, tick, a bright place mat, tick and oh, that charger plate and side plate combo is gorgeous. Proof that you can do vintage even if you don't want to do pastel florals. Image - Elizabeth Anne Designs
Above - just delightful with so many clever details. I think the small splash of coloured water in the bottom of the 'vases' is very sweet, I love the garden twine binding around the cutlery (cutlery bundles are almost a must for vintage weddings as they take away the formality of a 'laid' place setting) and the thread & button placecards are fabulous. And the buttons sprinkled on the table are a great quirky touch too. Image - Edyta Szyszlo
Above - just the colours in this image scream Lauduree! And as macarons are the delicate delight of choice right now, I had to include this image. The cut class bowl is a delight and the slightly haphazard piling of the macarons totally works - vintage isn't about regimented perfection. The old coloured tins behind are a great touch and would be fabulous unusual 'vases'. Image - Corbin Gurkin
Above - Homespun vintage at it's finest and the collection of different prints here really works. The patchwork style placemat is fab (and note the vintage cutlery again please dear readers!) The layering of the coloured crockery and the brightly wrapped favour complete with a 'straight from the garden' daisy detail. Homely does not mean dull! Image - Cocomale
Above - Lots of yummy goodness in this image but check the pink sugared doughnuts on the place settings - yes please!! The flowers are fab here with delicate roses and ranunculus (a personal favourite) in the coloured vintage jug. Check the layered crockery, the cut glass, the nude table runner and the cutlery - even though it's set, not bundled, there's not loads of it at each setting so the informality is retained. Adorable. Image - 100 Layer Cake
