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50s Brooklyn Bridal Shower

50s Brooklyn Bridal Shower

I can admit it: I have a bit of a girl crush on Zooey Deschanel. From “500 Days of Summer” to She & Him to the New Girl, I never tire of her cute and quirky retro style. So naturally, when I heard Jessica Schmitt Photography and ever swoon wanted to construct a styled shoot with Zooey in mind, I couldn’t wait to see the result. Not only that, but these images are also filled to the brim with great ideas to throw a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or a small wedding.

retro wedding ideas

From the photographer, Jessica Schmitt: Our photo shoot was inspired by Zooey Deschanel and her playfully pretty style with a retro 50’s flair. The project united a team of wedding vendors that were emphatic about bringing together fresh and free spirited styles to give brides original and off-beat ideas for their own special day. The challenge: How to make an “adorkable” wedding chic, pretty and a little kooky!


pink teal invitations

retro wedding ideas

retro wedding ideas

retro wedding ideas

string art table numbers

Starting with a lively color palette of hot pink and turquoise with dashes of gold, soft pink, and tangerine and mixing in a common graphic motif of polka dots we created a visual theme that carries through all the elements of a quirky, cool wedding day. This thread was carried through the style of the dress with its muted pink dot appliqués all the way to the homemade coconut crusted snowballs. Other retro desserts surround a polka-dotted cake studded with sweet tarts. Edible shot glasses hold His & Hers cocktails. Home sewn garland and mesh pinwheels dangle over tables. Circular notecards for guests to hang transforms a blank wall into a decorative element. Bright bunches of vibrant flowers in lemon yellow and magenta create big balls of fluffy bouquets.


boxed wedding favors

retro wedding ideas

retro wedding invitations

retro wedding ideas

retro wedding ideas

confetti guest books

retro wedding ideas

pinwheel backdrop

The invitation, printed on canvas and mounted on wood, evokes a throwback flair with line art silhouettes of the bride and groom that carry throughout all the paper goods. Colonie, a quaint restaurant in Brooklyn Heights, provided the perfect canvas for all the vivid decor, desserts, and sparkling bridal accessories. With its exposed brick walls, deep wood hues, original paned windows, and metal topped bar the venue conveys a personality that is vintage and friendly, but familiar in modern-day Brooklyn. Just like Zooey!

See Also
Oceancliffhotel Wedding


beaded table numbers

retro wedding ideas

retro wedding ideas

retro wedding desserts
brooklyn wedding signs

View all images from this shoot in the gallery

Shoot Location: Brooklyn, NY / Photographer: Jessica Schmitt Photography / Shoot Venue: Colonie / Event Coordinator and Stylist: ever swoon / Wedding Flowers: G! Designs / Wedding Dress: Dolly Couture / Jewelry: I Do Jour / Makeup: Face the Day NY / Desserts and Styling: Alison Dulaney / Cups: Loliware / Wedding Invitations: Shindig Invites / Videographer: Love + Brain Films / Model: Alessandra Perez-Rubio

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