There’s no denying that Vintage style is enjoying its moment right now. Whether it’s on the catwalks or in the magazines, everyone is taking their fashion cues from yesteryear – and wedding style is no different. The popularity of vintage weddings is well documented on the pages of wedding magazines and on wedding websites. From the film adaptation of The Great Gatsby to the popular TV series Mad Men, there’s no shortage of pop culture references to keep adding fuel to this fire. If you’re planning to walk down the vintage aisle in the near future, follow these tips for adding some sparkle to your big day.

One of the most difficult aspects of vintage styling to get right is the Jewellery. When searching for antique and vintage jewellery, a lot of people get sucked in by replicas or cheap costume jewellery, believing it to be worth more than it is. If you’re on a budget, costume jewellery can be an easy way to get the look you want for a wallet-friendly price. As long as no one is planning to inspect your jewellery with a microscope, very few people will be able to tell the difference, but for some brides, this isn’t good enough. Follow these simple tips when shopping for vintage jewellery.

Get To Grips With Restoration

When embarking on your search for the perfect piece of vintage wedding jewellery, you will be able to make quicker decisions if you are familiar with restoration. This can be particularly helpful in an auction situation or when a seller is pushing you for an answer. Having an idea how ring shanks can be mended or how filigree can be repaired will help you to understand which pieces are worth shelling out for, and which pieces could turn out to be more expensive to restore.

Look for Setting Or Stones

If you find a piece of jewellery with the setting and stones in perfect condition, you can rest assured you will be paying a significant amount of money for it. When looking for vintage jewellery, either look for unique settings that can be restored with gems and loose diamonds, or look for high-quality gems that can be re-set in a replica setting.

Embrace Costume Jewellery

If you’re looking for everyday wear, you might be able to find some incredible vintage costume pieces. These are just cheaper pieces of jewellery made with semi-precious stones. For those on a budget, the right costume jewellery piece can be the perfect addition to an outfit. Some thrifty brides will even use costume jewellery as an on-trend alternative to glittering diamonds and other gemstones.

Set a Budget, and Stick To It

When trawling around auction houses and online auctions, it can be easy to let your emotions get the better of you. Make sure you go into the process with a strict budget in mind, or you could end up bidding with your heart instead of your head. Look for similar items that have recently sold if you are struggling to set a budget for the piece you want. Understanding the valuation process is also a key part of setting your budget.

So, there you have it! With a little perseverance and a lot of curiosity, you could soon be hoarding a jewellery box full of unique and interesting pieces, each on with a story and history to boot. Have you ever hunted for antique or vintage jewellery? What tips would you share with someone just starting out?