Incorporating Heirlooms into your Wedding

Heirlooms are mementos or objects with sentimental value, usually passed down through generations and treasured by the owner. They can be borrowed or gifted to the bride or groom, and by including them intentionally in your wedding, they can represent and honor a story, family legacy, or person's heritage. Choosing your "something old" or "something borrowed" is a great place to start.

An heirloom or two included in a couple's wedding day is the ultimate tribute to their family legacy and those they treasure most. Utilize pieces carefully and wisely to keep them safe. Be sure to document the heirlooms and photograph how you used them in your day for future generations to see and incorporate themselves. If something feels dated, it's okay to respectfully modernize the way you bring it into your wedding, like replating a recipe into a bite-size version for cocktail hour or pairing a vintage piece of jewelry with your new wedding dress. This is one of the reasons why something old so perfectly pairs with something new.

WAYS TO INCORPORATE HEIRLOOMS INTO YOUR WEDDING

The most common or easiest way to incorporate a treasured heirloom is by wearing or carrying an article of clothing or accessory. For brides, we've seen heirloom attire include veils, wraps or shawls, and wedding gowns, either in their original state or re-fashioned. Accessories include jewelry of all kinds, shoes, and clutches. For the groom, bowties, cufflinks, flasks, tie bars, and pocket squares are all ways to subtly honor a father or grandfather on the wedding day.
Displaying family photos or generational wedding photography has become more and more commonplace at weddings and the surrounding celebrations. These treasured snapshots into family history capture a sense of nostalgia and become a showpiece or installation of sorts for guests to admire. We've incorporated framed photos into welcome tables or escort boards, but always try to keep frame colors and aesthetics in line with the overall wedding design. Some of the most touching memory tables allow the couple to honor those who cannot be physically present on the day through photographs.
Thinking of having a lounge during your cocktail hour or wedding reception? If you feel comfortable forgiving a possible spill or stain, why not add an heirloom furniture piece into the grouping. Bar carts, accent tables, and even grandmother's vintage settee would be perfect mixed with some neutral pieces.

If not a piece of furniture, a throw, quilt, or lace linen could add a beautiful touch. The altar draped with grandmother's lace runner or a small blanket to snuggle under for winter wedding portraits - the perfect ways to carefully pull linens into the day. And if not linens, decor accents like a set of candlesticks, cake knife & server, or toasting flutes are sentimental heirlooms that could easily be used on wedding day, before being safely tucked away, of course.

From bibles to vow books, photo albums to coffee table periodicals, we've helped our couples find the most beautiful ways to carry on their legacy and bring the most meaningful words to their wedding day. This momentous occasion takes on a new sense of tradition when reciting the same vows as the generations of love stories before them. Or including a religious passage out of the antique text that's been in the family for years. Don't have any heirloom books? Seek an antique coffee table book to use as your guest book, with the intention of passing it down to future generations. Heirlooms all begin somewhere.

Not a tangible heirloom, though some are lucky to have their great aunt's recipes in her beautiful penmanship, and choosing a family dish to include in the wedding menu is such a sweet nod to those who came before. Carrying on the tradition of wedding cake flavors (yum!) or even a signature cocktail, which brings a whole new meaning to Old Fashioned. Food is one of the most popular ways to infuse culture (the ultimate inheritance) into the wedding celebration. All senses are enlightened when the meal is served, especially when family recipes are involved.

An heirloom or two included in a couple's wedding day is the ultimate tribute to their family legacy and those they treasure most. Utilize pieces carefully and wisely to keep them safe. Be sure to document the heirlooms and photograph how you used them in your day for future generations to see and incorporate themselves. If something feels dated, it's okay to respectfully modernize the way you bring it into your wedding, like re-plating a recipe into a bite-size version for cocktail hour or pairing a vintage piece of jewelry with your new wedding dress. This is one of the reasons why something old so perfectly pairs with something new.

Real Weddings, Tips & AdviceKristine CookeFebruary 8, 2021wedding heirlooms, vintage wedding, heirlooms