Long or short, playfully colorful or classically subdued, the dress you choose for your wedding will show off your retro style and your unique personality. Here's a rundown of our favorite looks by decade -- and how to make them yours.
Bell-Shaped Silhouette
Think Elizabeth Taylor in A Place in the Sun: The bell-shaped dress set the standard for 1950s-style femininity by combining a tiny waist with a full, billowing skirt to highlight curves.
Make It Yours: Update this traditionally conservative look by going sleeveless and sporting funky, chunky jewelry.
Tea-Length Dress
In the 1950s, brides embraced tea-length dresses, which stop at the ankle and are perfect for showing off those sexy white heels.
Make It Yours: Wear your hair in loose ringlets and pair your lace, nipped-waist gown with a circle veil, short gloves, and a bolero jacket to create a contemporary yet romantic style.
Appearance of the A-Line
The 1960s A-Line dress rebelled against the buttoned-up '50s, offering a liberating alternative to the repressive girdle. Opt for an A-line dress with flowing bell sleeves -- or without, depending on how retro you want to go.
Make It Yours: Pin fresh wildflowers in your updo and slip into leather sandals to add more hippie vibe to your style.
The Mini
When iconic British supermodel Twiggy brought the mini to the US, mod dresses with a high neckline and short skirt became a mainstream fashion staple. While you might hesitate at making such a daring statement at your own wedding, mini wedding dresses are super-chic for the bride who wants to stick with a genuine retro-'60s theme.
Make It Yours: Find a wedding dress with a removable lower skirt to take you from traditional floor-length ceremony gown to reception mini.
Groom's Fashion
Suspenders, wing tips, and argyle socks all add an element of classy retro-chic. Even the guys can take part in your '50s polka-dot motif: Have them wear polka dot ties and pocket squares.
Make It Yours: Colored suits (especially light blue or orange) would be fun for a '70s-style daytime garden reception, but make sure the rest of the bridal party attire fits the theme -- or the groom might look a few decades out of place.
-- Alex Hess