The old money aesthetic encompasses an elegant, tasteful, and timeless look that works great for weddings. I like it for its versatility; it works well at a variety of wedding venues and translates well from day to night. To really capture this aesthetic, you need to commit to quality materials and thoughtful details. Keep on reading for a guide to cultivating old money vibes at your wedding celebration!
Old Money Aesthetic Wedding Gowns
Old money style is usually well tailored with quality natural materials, such as silk or linen. For a wedding gown, you’ll want to focus on finding an elegant silhouette with a structured torso. This is your moment to channel Grace Kelley and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. A couple favorites are the (insert dresses here) Perfect tailoring is a must!
Old Money Wedding Venues
You all know by now how much I love historic venues! For an old money aesthetic wedding venue, look for a space with stone details, statement staircases, carved wooden interiors, and perhaps some vines growing on the outside walls. Statues in the garden is a plus! An old estate, historic country club or classical art museum is a perfect choice. You can find a variety of venues throughout the world that suit this aesthetic at a variety of price points. For New England venues, some of my favorites include the Lindsey Chapel at Emmanuel Church in Boston and the Boston Public Library.
Old Money Lighting
The key to that old money glow is to scatter indirect warm lighting throughout your wedding venue. This creates visual movement and a romantic atmosphere. Some venues already come perfectly lit with gorgeous chandeliers, but for most venues you will have to supplement with candles and lamps for the desired effect. Bonus points if your family actually has some heirloom candelabras sitting in storage. And please, avoid fluorescent bulbs at all costs! Opt for led bulbs with adjustable warmth and real candles if the venue allows.
Old Money Aesthetic Decor
You’ll want to keep your wedding decor fairly neutral, but you can include some contrasting pops of deeper colors, such as burgundy or navy. Old money decor masters the art refined restraint. Don’t get too gaudy with bedazzled tables and colorful backdrops. Natural materials, the best food ingredients, and a select few well-built components will make more of an impact than any maximalist displays.
Old Money Wedding Photography
Choose a wedding photographer who is great at capturing those small details that others might overlook. An old money wedding photography aesthetic should be inspired by cinema and old school glamour. The vibe: slightly blurred movement shots in black and white, people laughing over clinking champagne glasses, delicate side profile portraits, and elegant dance poses.
Old Money Entertainment
For old money wedding entertainment, I recommend hiring live entertainment. This could take the form of a band, a cigar bar, fireworks, ballet performers, or even a poker dealer for later in the evening. Take some time vetting the previous events they’ve worked at to determine if they will be a good match for your wedding. I also recommend giving your performers a dress code if you want to create a cohesive overall look.
Old Money Wedding Aesthetic
I hope this guided you in the right direction for your very own old money wedding! It’s all about creating an atmosphere of effortless elegance. Refined details, quality materials, and social grace will leave you and your guests with lasting memories. If you’d like some more advice on how to achieve this look for your wedding, reach out to me for a wedding power hour!
