by Sharon Auld

I am so pleased to be able to share with you some beautiful photos, taken by Tara Whittaker, that are featured in the Calgary Bridal Guide (on newstands in and around Calgary). We are so honored to have our table design featured! Back in the spring, I shared a sneak peek, but have a few more photos to share as well as my inspiration for the table design.

When I  was first asked to participate in the Table Top Design Challenge at the Vintage Wedding Showcase put on by A Spoonful of Vintage this past spring, I wasn’t sure what theme to choose for my vintage table inspiration. I really wasn’t particularly familiar with Downtown Abbey, Breakfast at Tiffany’s or even the Great Gatsby. I decided to do a little research like watching “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” to see if this glamorous period was a good fit. I also considered the “Mad Men” 1960’s era, because in every picture I had ever seen of sixties interiors, there was a lot of wood. Since wood is one of my favorite mediums to work with, I thought this might be a good fit! I actually had never  watched “Mad Men” prior to the Vintage Wedding Showcase Challenge. I’ve since caught up on all the Seasons and was instantly drawn to the show and the period.

I then started researching sixties design and decor and became very fond of the works of Scandinavian furniture designers, Eames and Saarinen. These Scandinavian designers had a huge influence on the era with their clean, mid-century designs. The whole era was actually an exciting time of change, not only in fashion and design, but in politics, human rights and other world issues.

If you’ve ever watched the “Mad Men” television series about advertising executives in the 1960’s, the show transitioned from the late 1950’s into the early sixties, followed by a more hip, mod period of the later 1960’s, where bright colors and geometric patterns prevailed!

For our table design, I didn’t want to just recreate a sixties interior; I wanted to reinterpret the era with a modern sensibility. I chose avocado green and orange as my main color palette, with accents of gold  because these colors were so prevailent in sixties interiors and fashion. I scoured thrift stores to find vintage accessories and paired it with family heirlooms. It was surprisingly easy to find modern pieces to work into the design scheme, just walk into any Ikea store!

I think incorporating a “Mad Men” theme of 1960’s design, fashion and culture would be so fun for couples to incorporate into their wedding day. Think sixties fashion, a vintage typewriter as your guestbook, swing dancing and of course, the well-appointed bar complete with classic cocktails!

Classic cocktails were all the rage in the 1960’s and are become increasingly popular in modern day weddings, with the classic drink bar starting to replace the “signature cocktail” which has been so popular at weddings over the past few years.

In researching flowers that were popular in the sixties, I found that unstructured, loose flowers were really popular, much the same as today! This gorgeous arrangment was created by talented Calgary florist, Sarah Mayerson Design. I had actually just been given some vintage crystal bowls and thought they would be a perfect vessel for flowers because crystal was so popular in the sixties. Apparently cyrstal was popular to give as a wedding gift too!

For this table setting, I used classic sixties candle holders with white taper candles that were popular during this time. I made cocktail menus from walnut wood veneer and accented with gold foil. The cocktails were classic cocktails popular in the sixties: Old Fashioned; Manhattan; Vodka Gimlet; Whiskey Sour, Blue Hawaiian etc.

For our place settings, I chose two different place settings, but with coordinating napkins in a geometric pattern. I used vintage silverware and vintage gold rimmed glasses that I found at various thrift stores. For the menu I again used wood veneer in a classic walnut with gold accents, and a gold chain as a nod to the popular fashion trend of gold chains worn during the sixties.

For “place cards” I used small pieces of reclaimed walnut and an engraved gold plate to mimic the classic name plates that were commonly seen on the desks of advertising executives on the television show “Mad Men“, but also on the desk of most executives in the sixties.

I chose to use a matchbox as a wedding favor as that was a common favor found at real weddings in the 1960’s and 70’s. I updated my favor with engraved wood veneer and the couple’s monogram (again a nod to the television show Mad Men).

Engraved wood match box 60’s wedding favor by Naturally Chic | Photo by Tara Whittaker Photography.

Here’s another few looks at the table!

Mad Men inspired wedding table by Naturally Chic | Photo by Tara Whittaker Photography.

I had to include breadsticks which seemed to be on every table in every restaurant or venue in the 1960’s.

A vintage men’s fedora that perhaps Don Draper or Roger Sterling would wear!

A “Hang-over Kit” would be fun to incorporate into a modern day wedding! We made these little kits and added things like aspirin, breath mints, rolaids etc. You could also add a bottle of water or sports drink and leave in each of your guests’ rooms.

What Sixties story would be complete without the classic “Slinky” toy! This would be a fun wedding favor!

Here’s a shot of our booth! I made the Naturally Chic sign to mimic the signs found on the doors to the Sterling Cooper Agency (from the show). The table was made by Don from Naturally Chic and the chairs were Ikea chairs I painted in avocado green and white for a hip mod look!

Let us know if you are planning a Vintage or 60’s themed, Mad Men Wedding!! Contact Naturally Chic at 1.888.679.9056 or email us at hello@naturallychic.ca.  

Happy Planning!

 Credits:

Publication: Calgary Bridal Guide; Designer and stylist: Sharon of Naturally Chic 

Photographer:  Tara Whitakker Photography ; Florist: Sarah Mayerson Design

 Show Creator:   A Spoonful of Vintage; Host Venue: Mount Pleasant Community Association