Themed events are increasingly popular and picking a decade to recreate is a fan favorite. This years annual Design Challenge hosted by The Wedding International Professional Association’s centered around just that! The Souther California chapter of WIPA hosted the friendly competition that evoked the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
1920
1920s-inspired design as "supper club glam meets Barneys New York window."
A collaboration with Three Petals Design, the elegant green and white space used rentals from MTB Event Rentals and Premiere Party Rents and linens from Luxe Linen.
Mannequins throughout the space wore 1920s-style wedding dresses.
1940
On the 1940s, designing a lush, flower-filled space. Additional collaborators included Shawna Yamamoto Event Design, Edge Design & Decor, Revelry Event Designers, and Premiere Party Rents.
A wall featured black-and-white photos of real women who had served their country during the decade.
Luxe Linen handled fabrics for the table, and Prim & Prixie handled the stationery. More photos of servicewomen, such as American spy Virginia Hall, sat at each place setting.
1950
Inspired in part by John and Jackie Kennedy's 1953 wedding. "I wanted to make sure I showcased the true glam of the 1950s decade," Brill explained. "As 'America’s Family,' there has never been a more iconic wedding that has influenced decades of other glamorous weddings."
As part of the design, the company's bridal stylist created a modern take on Jackie Kennedy's wedding gown; Brill also incorporated aspects of her husband's grandparents' wedding, such as their own vintage wedding cake server. For Your Party created custom matchbooks, while Vanilla Bake Shop provided a cake.
Lovesome Blossom Floral Design completed the look with a live hedge wall and a giant greenery chandelier, as well as floral centerpieces. Linens came from La Tavola Fine Linen, while Heidi Davidson Design handled calligraphy.
1970
"This groovy 1970s concept is a groom and bride split between major rock and roll vibes and psychedelic femme fatale," explained Lauren Montgomery, creative director for Collective Rentals Design House, which handled design and rentals for the space. Additional rentals came from La Piñata Party Rentals and Premiere Party Rents.
Inessa Nichols Design handled floral design, while Type J Creative handled the stationery.
The 1970s space also included a feather-filled ceremony set-up.
1980
Inspired by the cover of Prince's 1984 album Purple Rain. "The 80s was known as the 'decade that made us," she explained. "The people, the changes, and the inventions paved the way for the future. It was 10 years of glamour, ruthless ambition, and explosive technology, and produced the historic changes and global events that make us who we are today."
Bright purple balloons from Balloonzilla, along with flowers from Los Angeles Floral Couture, created a cloud-like shape that was "raining" over the table and ceremony backdrop.
Los Angeles Floral Couture also designed the purple and deep red floral centerpieces, while BBJ Linen provided a patterned tablecloth in similar jewel tones. For the place settings, Brown and Co. handled calligraphy and paper goods.
A flower- and balloon-covered Harley-Davidson motorcycle from Los Angeles Harley-Davidsonfurther evoked the Purple Rain album cover.
1990
A colorful Los Angeles-inspired space to represent the 1990s. "As a native myself growing up in this crazy city, I wanted to capture the spirit of my L.A. youth and share it with visitors," explained Gray. "City Market Social House, with its industrial floors, glass rolling doors, and 100-year-old brick, was the ideal framework to time travel back to one of the most controversial decades in Los Angeles."
Graffiti artist Odder created a colorful backdrop, and rentals came from Premiere Party Rentsand La Piñata Party Rentals. Signs of Our Lives created signage, and Sugar Studio designed a cake with the Los Angeles skyline.
Whit Hazen handled florals and BBJ Linen provided graffiti-inspired linens. Roseville Designshandled the stationery.
"Diversity is a huge part of why L.A. is so compelling and what makes L.A. so special," said Gray. "The menu and place cards showcase names and cuisines of Korean, African-American, Hispanic, Vietnamese, and Armenian cultures; all crucial in the makeup of our city and sadly, rarely showcased in mainstream wedding publications."
The space also had its own basketball court. "It wouldn't be truly L.A. without including graffiti artwork, basketball, chain link, concrete, brick, palm fronds, street signs, and a little bling," said Gray.