This Groovy 1970s Bay Area Wedding Was a Romantic Blast From the Past

Prepare yourself for this total time machine of a 1970’s wedding day!

“To say that Kelsey + Nick love the seventies is an understatement,” says Kimberly of KLO Events, who was behind the day’s planning and event design. The couple gathered their friends and family together in Oakland, California at The Bridge Yard—a blank slate warehouse-style venue that they packed with vibrant and nostalgic pops of burnt orange, purple, and dusty rose. 

There were retro velvet textiles and funky florals, and you better believe there were plenty of disco balls!

If you love the idea of a vintage-inspired throwback 70’s celebration, this one’s definitely for you! Let’s get into Sarah Eichstedt Photography’s beautiful photos of Kelsey + Nick’s groovy day!

Sundown Paper created Kelsey + Nick’s fab and funky wedding invites. We’ve loving that retro font!

Kelsey looked absolutely stunning in the Gala dress by Helen Miller! We’re so into the simplicity of this low back cowl neck column gown and the way it balanced the colorful, funky energy of the rest of the day. Check out our list of our fave simple wedding dresses if you’re digging Kelsey’s bridal silhouette.

Ella Leyva is the hair and makeup mind behind Kelsey’s timeless textured low bun and winged eyeliner glam. Loving the romance that the fresh baby’s breath adds to her look!

This bridal party leaned into the day’s nostalgic color palette with a mismatched vibe in fun shades of purple! Look through our fave lavender bridesmaid dresses to find more wedding party style ideas in this color world.

Bride Kelsey absolutely loves flowers, and The Wild Fleur Co. totally nailed the playful 1970’s energy of Kelsey + Nick’s wedding day with tons of unforgettable funky florals in vivid purples and warm orange tones.

“Some of the bride’s favorite blooms, including ranunculus, sweet peas, and poppies, were featured prominently in the bouquets and arrangements,” says planner Kimberly. “Ranunculus, with their delicate layers of petals, brought an air of elegance and romance. Sweet peas, known for their fragrant and charming appearance, added a touch of nostalgia and sweetness. Poppies, with their bold and eye-catching hues, added a lively and modern twist to the overall design.”

A life size cutout of Kelsey + Nick’s pup Lou welcomed guests to the ceremony. Such a cute way to include your dog in your wedding!!

A 1970’s Ceremony

In a creative and humorous twist, instead of a flower girl, the couple had a “parmesan cheese boy” who playfully tossed parmesan cheese down the aisle, adding an unexpected element of fun. :)

Nick’s retro two-tone orange and camel look came from Klein Epstein & Parker. We love to see grooms go for a textured velvet jacket.

Even Kelsey + Nick’s officiant added some shimmer to the day!! Shop this show-stopping Andy Sequin Strapless Jumpsuit by Dress the Population at Nordstrom.

What a colorful crew!! Many of these vibrant wedding party style moments were scored at Lulus and Anthropologie Weddings.

If you’re digging this wedding’s vintage-inspired color palette as much as we are, it might be worth checking out this retro Colorado wedding and this 70’s boho desert wedding shoot as well!

A Retro Reception

How fun are these tiny canned cocktails! Kelsey + Nick’s guests kicked off cocktail hour by grabbing a Golden Rule Old Fashioned. Even the packaging fit the aesthetic of the day.

Simply Made by April’s steady hand created the calligraphy magic for Kelsey + Nick’s purple and orange mirrored seating chart.

Check out our collection of creative reception seating chart ideas to start brainstorming your own clever version!

Kelsey + Nick’s reception vibe was created with vintage-inspired tabletop decor and long banquet tables from Hensley Resources. Loving those retro amber tinted wine glasses!

Velvet tablecloths and napkins from BBJ La Tavola added tons of throwback-inspired texture to the tablescapes.

Sequoia Gold made sure Kelsey + Nick’s guests had plenty of fun and festive cocktails to sip.

Kelsey + Nick went for an audio guestbook from After the Tone. Friends and fam used this vintage telephone to leave tons of well wishes that the happy couple can listen back to whenever they want.

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Hire a professional planner. Working with an experienced wedding planner who has a vetted vendor network and utilizes effective systems and tools can greatly enhance the wedding planning process and make it a more stress-free experience.

Congratulations, Kelsey + Nick! We loved every vintage-inspired moment of your colorful 70’s celebration! GWS wishes the two of you all the very best!

photography: Sarah Eichstedt Photography // venue name: The Bridge Yard, Oakland, California, United States // event design: KLO Events // planning: KLO Events // florals: The Wild Fleur Co. // wedding dress: Helen Miller Bridal // wedding dress boutique: Helen Miller Bridal // bridesmaid dresses: Lulus Bridal Shop and Anthropologie Weddings // hair stylist: Ella Leyva // makeup artist: Ella Leyva // groom attire: Klein Epstein & Parker // paper goods: Sundown Paper // calligraphy: Simply Made By April // catering: Ring of Fire Napa // tabletop rentals: Hensley Resources // furniture rentals: Hensley Resources // linen rentals: BBJ La Tavola // specialty rentals: LA VIE POSH // music: DJ Vinnie Esparza // lighting: bluEdge Productions // cocktails: Sequoia Gold Hospitality Partners // audio guest book: After the Tone

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