Old Hollywood Wedding | Vintage Hollywood Wedding

For the decor, I have found through the years, it is much easier to form a plan of action if you break things down. For the reception, you could break things down something like this:

1. Entrance Decor
2. Cocktail Area Decor
3. Main Reception Room

Then, start thinking of the decor aspects for each section. Your list might look like this:

1. Entrance
   1. Outside Venue
   2. Foyer
   3. Guest Book Table
2. Cocktail Area
   1. Hors d'oeuvre Table(s)
   2. Wine and/or Champagne Table
   3. Escort Card Table or Seating Chart
   4. Room Decor
3. Main Reception
   1. Guest Table Centerpieces
   2. VIP or Head Table Centerpieces
   3. Buffet decor (if applicable)
   4. Room Decor

Now you have some idea of what you want to decorate. Let's look deeper into what you can use to decorate for an old Hollywood theme.

If you are lucky enough to book an old theatre for your old Hollywood wedding or event, make sure you can have them letter a message on their marquee for you! 

If you have a different type of venue without a real marquee, consider a DIY marquee project to hang outside or just inside the foyer. Your names (or name of the event) up in lights is a classic Hollywood must!

Image Credit: Mandee Sears

For one of the Hollywood themes I have hosted, we used an vintage Academy Awards theme. It was great. From the kids we used as paparazzi when guests arrived, to the cocktail area depicting the Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Sign and vintage movie stars, to the guest table names and themed centerpieces representing past winners of "Best Picture". I had an absolute blast planning this fundraising event and ended up with more than one bride adapting the ideas for their reception. 

Themed centerpieces are fun to design and actually become conversation starters. The list of "Best Picture" winners beginning in 1928, is where I started. I picked out titles that I thought could translate well into centerpieces. Some translations were more literal, while others evoked the feelings or ambiance of the film.

I used the movie "Titanic" (best pic

ture winner of 1997) as a must-include table. I made an iceberg out of paper mache, got

 a model replica of the ship itself and found a replica of the necklace "The Heart of the Ocean" from eBay. I placed a 4" x 6" copy of the movie poster in a clear acrylic frame and placed all this on top of a piece of satin, deep blue fabric that represented the ocean. It was a hit! 

Another themed centerpiece was from the movie "Amadeus" (best picture 1985).

I found a white grand piano figurine, used a beautiful silver candelabra, a small bust of Motzart as well as a small full bodies figurine and, of course, the 4" x 6" movie poster in the clear frame. I scattered votives and a couple more taper candles to addIt was a gorgeous table!

In addition to each table having a replica 4" x 6" of its' movie poster, they each had a director's clapboard.

The clapboard pertinent information was filled out in chalk and rested on a black acrylic plate holder.  

As you can see in the phot to the left, the Forrest Gump table's clapboard read:

Hollywood Production - Forrest Gump (Movie & Table name)

Director - Non-Profit's name blacked out on purpose (could be bride & groom names)

Camera - I used the type of fundraiser we held (auction) but could read "wedding" or your event type

Date: Pretty obvious

Scene & Take boxes: Whatever you want to write. Could even be a table number to go along with the name.

Image Credits: Mandee Sears

Whether you are using a vintage awards theme or not, Oscars® make great decor. You can place them all around the venue -- in dead areas, at the entrance, on either side of a stage or dias, in a photo area, etc... They are very versatile. 

The one pictured to the left has been with me for more than a decade. I have used him (and his friends) over and over through the years. He never fails to be the topic of conversation wherever he goes.

For DIY project instructions, visit DIY - Awards Night Statues. 

Try adding murals, posters or back drops as focal points or to fill a dead space. Have Paparazzi greet your guests as they enter the venue. Use tourist attractions like the Walk of Fame, Hollywood & Vine street signs, the Hollywood Hills or the old Grahman's Chinese Theatre on the walls or on easels. Cordon off an area and make it resemble a movie set with a backdrop, old movie camera, director's chair and megaphone. 

The possibilities abound! Put that thinking cap on -- draw a floor plan of your venue and get to making your decor plan. 

Image Credit: Mandee Sears

Vintage Hollywood Wedding Invitations
A wonderful assortment of old Hollywood style invitations, save the dates and other stationary.

Hollywood Themes | Entrance Decor
It starts at the beginning... make your theme come to life the minute your guests arrive.

Hollywood Themes | Cocktail Area Decor
Cocktails anyone? The cocktail hour area is prime for adding themed old Hollywood decor and continuing the vision.

Hollywood Themes
This article contains a collection of articles to assist in hosting your Hollywood Themes Wedding or Event. There are so many aspects to planning a themed event, wedding or fundraiser, you need to gather and research BEFORE you start purchasing decor.