1920s Flapper Wedding: John & JoJo

Kaelyn Elizabeth Photography

April 24, 2013

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There’s been a lot of speculation around vintage weddings of late. In fact sometimes it feels like a debate that will never end. Are they over-done? Have they gone mainstream? Are we all bored of seeing the same ideas published here, there and everywhere? I’m not going to lie, vintage weddings usually aren’t my bag. I’m much more of a colourful, over-the-top and quirky wedding kinda gal. So why do I publish them at all?

It’s not about me. It never has been. Rock n Roll Bride has always been about sharing ‘the charm and unique nature of ordinary people’s extraordinary weddings.’ And as it’s always stated in my blog’s manifesto, “There is no ideal Rock n Roll Bride. What I love isn’t necessarily what floats your boat and what makes the weddings I feature so amazing is YOU!”

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With the release of The Great Gatsby movie imminent, it’s only a matter of time until we see more and more flapper style weddings and styled shoots coming though… Of course they may not all be to my taste but when done well, with an authentic voice and a unique spin, a vintage wedding can be utterly beautiful. One that I’m honoured to share on these pages. John & JoJo’s wedding certainly falls into that category.

The August wedding was held at Cloverdale Chapel in Creswell, OR. They had both their ceremony and reception within the same grounds. The couple put the entire wedding together themselves from the bride’s antique shop dress (which cost just $60) to all the décor ideas.

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“Our wedding was a a 1920s blue moon vintage celebration”, began the bride. “We wanted to have fun with it and to not stress over the details. To make it different and a reflection of us we were creative and playful with our choices which made for a unique experience for everyone. Our wedding was simple yet totally alive.”

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“We decorated the chapel ourselves. We had an old wagon, a claw foot tub by the old outhouse with fountain and candlelight wishing. We made old light strands with vintage Edison bulbs for over lighting at night. There was a fire pit and exposed element heaters for keeping people warm as night fell. There were mason jar candles, peacock feathers and vertically hung paper heart strands blowing in the wind. We hung old lacy lamps, clothes pins and twine. The venue was a one-room school house and an old barn all on the same properly as the chapel.”

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Are vintage weddings over-done? Honestly, who cares? What matters is that the couples I feature on these pages had a wedding that they loved, which was reflective of themselves and a symbol of the first day of the rest of their lives together. Mission accomplished!

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