This vintage-inspired styled shoot came together at Ormond House, a Melbourne address teeming with historic charm. If you’ve been searching for white wedding day styling, or for inspo that feels deeply old-school and beautifully abundant we’re convinced your moodboard will be full once you’re done with this one.
Get ready to see bountiful white blooms with lace details, elegant silverware, elevated stationery and nostalgic bridal, brought together by a unique, eye-catching ’S’ shaped dining layout that we just know you’re going to adore.
Without further ado, the pics! Plus, details of the Melbourne wedding creatives who collaborated on this concept, including photographer O Lemonade, stylist Pearl Bloom Events and bridal designers Inpira and Jennifer Bowden.
White wedding styling ideas with vintage and romantic details
“My concept was inspired by the venue’s vintage architecture,” explains Pearl Bloom Events, a Melbourne-based studio specialising in refined, timeless styling, floral design and creative direction. “We wanted to create a classic wedding with a timeless, romantic feel, using a refined palette of ivory and white.”
Pearl Bloom explains that white can conventionally feel quite minimal, which is why, for this collaboration, they leaned into texture and layers to add depth. Sculptural hydrangeas were used as the main flower, creating a clean, elegant and refined floral aesthetic. Satin fabric brought a soft sheen to the tablescape, while lace, florals and embroidered stationery introduced different dimensions of white.
“We incorporated delicate French embroidery into the vow cards to add an artisanal touch. Candlelight was used throughout the space to create a warm, romantic atmosphere. For the reception layout, we arranged round tables along soft curves, creating a more dynamic flow within the space. Overall, the design is timeless and romantic, allowing the architecture of the venue, florals and finer details to work together naturally.”
Timeless wedding photography at Ormond House in Melbourne
With a knack for both digital photography and film, O Lemonade feels like a natural fit for this heirloom-esque aesthetic. You might recognise their signature candid photography style from Megan and Justin’s Melbourne nuptials or Shelly and Chris’ contemporary elopement, featured in our Real Wedding Special issue 10.
“For this shoot, we wanted to create two different looks within Ormond Hall,” shares the Melbourne creative, who you can find via our handy supplier directory, FYI. “The first was inspired by a classic courthouse aesthetic, timeless, chic and minimal, using natural light and the architecture of the space as the backdrop. The second look was built around an S-shaped table setup, which allowed us to shoot from upstairs and capture the whole hall and its surroundings.
“We were mainly inspired by Ormond Hall itself and wanted to work with its architecture and historic details. We wanted the styling and photography to complement the space and its period character, while keeping the overall look simple and timeless.”
Vintage-inspired wedding dresses, pearl jewellery and bridal beauty
This shoot features a trio of bridal looks, each interpretation beautifully nostalgic in its own way. The first two two-piece masterpieces are from Inpira Bridal, a Fitzroy studio designing for brides seeking distinctive ensembles and accessories.
“Exploring vintage couture techniques through a modern lens, the considered construction and design of each piece is brought to life with a light touch,” Inpira shares, describing this duo of ‘fits.
Meanwhile, the wow-worthy reception gown moment is the work of east Melbourne atelier Jennifer Bowden Designs. “My work combines beautiful silhouettes and considered construction with sculptural corsetry, silk, draping, romantic volume and delicate hand finishing. I’m drawn to wedding dresses that feel timeless without being predictable,” Jennifer explains on the Hello May Directory. Explore more from their bridal offering here.
Completing each look is the artistry of Melbourne’s Tata Bridal Makeup, who embraced subtle, customised makeup that naturally enhances the model’s features to create a timeless, elegant finish. Pearl jewellery adds the final touch. “I paired it with pearl earrings and a matching necklace, as pearls bring a sense of softness, poise, and calm to a bride on her special day.”
More good stuff
Thank you to these Melbourne wedding creatives for sharing this absolute STUNNER with us. Click here for more modern wedding styling ideas. Then visit the real wedding section to explore elegant wedding days or weddings with a little retro edge.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer O Lemonade Stylist Pearl Bloom Events Florist Faded Garden Venue Ormond House Dresses Inpira, Jennifer Bowden Designs Hair & Makeup Tata Makeup Models Lucy Blakiston-Smith, Pirate Lloyd
FAQs
We get it. There are so many subtly different shades of white and ways to leverage this classic wedding tone. So how do you make sure the result matches your vision? You won’t be surprised by our primary advice: call on the wisdom and services of an excellent stylist like Pearl Bloom Events here. We’re big fans of their strategy to play with textures, and a plethora of materials to create visual interest, body and movement with these white and ivory details.
Rather than grabbing anything with a retro feel, start by incorporating just a couple of old-school elements that feel natural, personal and beautiful to you. Perhaps a vintage car reminiscent of one you grew up with, silverware passed down from Gran, heirloom jewellery or a cake piped in the very same style as your parents’ wedding cake. If you have a vintage-style venue, the space itself will also do a lot of the heavy lifting.
From there, build thoughtfully and intentionally, allowing each element to complement the next so the overall look feels cohesive, considered and, most importantly, uniquely yours as a couple. Finally, to reiterate our earlier advice, team up with a stylist who understands your vision. This is what they do best! To discover wedding stylists in your area, visit the Hello May directory.
Absolutely! But proceed with a little caution, consideration and consultation with your venue. Start by thinking about the kind of dinner you’re having (individual plated meals or shared feasting, for example) and what you’re hoping to achieve. Are you looking to encourage conversation, create a more intimate atmosphere or highlight a particular feature of your venue?
Most importantly, chat with your venue team, planner or stylist about your ideas before committing to a layout. Not only will they have experience to offer, but they’ll also have critical insights into what will work in terms of guest movement, service, accessibility and safety. An S-shaped table layout might look incredible in the moodboard, but it needs to work just as well on the night.
Before locking in their services, we recommend asking about their rescheduling and cancellation policies, what happens if they’re unexpectedly unavailable on the day, and exactly what’s included in each package. Does the fee cover travel, styling, decor hire, set-up and pack-down, or are some of these additional costs?
Other questions worth asking your wedding stylist include:
– What does your process look like when collaborating with couples, and how often will you update us on progress?
– Do you handle communication with other vendors, including coordinating hire items, cake deliveries and pick-ups?
– Our overall wedding budget is $____. Does this align with the budgets you typically work with?
– Can we work with any wedding suppliers, or do you have a recommended supplier list?
– Are you able to share testimonials from previous couples?
– Our desired wedding aesthetic is ____. Have you styled weddings with a similar vibe, and can we see examples?
– Do you manage the set-up of larger hire items, such as furniture, as well as the smaller decor details?
– Do you handle pack-down at the end of the wedding, and is this included in your fee?
For a comprehensive list of questions to ask your wedding vendors before booking, visit our planning guide.
