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Updated Mar 06, 202525 Great Gatsby-Themed Wedding Ideas
Step into the roaring '20s.
When you close your eyes and picture your wedding day, how do you see it? Aside from your partner being there, of course, is there a wedding vision that comes to mind? If you're a sucker for a roaring '20s party or you love the grandeur of art-deco style, you might want to consider a Great Gatsby-themed wedding.
We tapped experts for their advice on everything from fashion and decor to budget and music to match this wedding theme. When you're ready to bring it to life, head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find a team to make it happen.
In this article:
How to Plan a Great Gatsby Wedding
In order to create a modern Great Gatsby wedding, there are a few things to consider. "Focus on creating an atmosphere of lavishness through shimmering fabrics, art-deco patterns, geometric shapes and metallic accents," recommends Alejandra Carvajal of Always Be Creative Flowers and Events based in Miami.
No matter how you lean into the theme, do it whole-heartedly. "Go all in. From invite, website and design to the day-of details (favors, fun music surprises, etc.), embrace all aspects of the Gatsby wedding," encourages Stephanie Cook, owner and planner of Chicago-based The Creative Planners. One thing's for sure: The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great place to start when looking for a team to bring your big day to life.
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Venue
When it comes to a Gatsby wedding theme, vintage wedding venues and luxury wedding venues are the name of the game. "The venue should reflect the grandeur of the era," Carvajal advises. "Historic mansions, ballrooms with high ceilings or even elegant outdoor spaces can work, as long as they provide a sense of opulence." However, if these kinds of venues aren't available or feasible, you can take a blank slate venue and use decor and other elements to create a 1920s wedding theme. "Any venue can be transformed into a theme that would be fitting of the old Gatsby vision," Cook explains. "Lighting, draping and decor can transform any room."
Budget
Glamorous and opulent venues can sometimes come at a higher cost, so be mindful of where you can cut costs in other areas of your wedding budget. "Mansions and other period-appropriate venues often come at a higher price, so we suggest couples consider off-season dates," Carvajal encourages. "Keep the size of the guest list on the shorter side, use seasonal flowers and incorporate less expensive fillers to reduce cost. Instead of a band, consider hiring a DJ who specializes in 1920s music and consider DIY projects for favors and decor." Use our budget tool to get started.
Fashion
For couples looking for Great Gatsby wedding outfit inspiration, consider a 1920s wedding dress with sequins, beading, embellishment and/or fringe. For a groom, go for black-tie attire with a tuxedo and accessories like suspenders, tuxedo ties or a cummerbund. When it comes to wedding guest attire, it's all about commitment. "Encouraging your guests to dress the part will really help to evoke a feeling of the Great Gatsby era," recommends Heather Allen, president of Table 6 Productions in Centennial, Colorado. "Flapper dresses for women, and men should consider dressing in something vintage or even a tuxedo with tails. Guests should consider accessorizing as well with things like pearls, feathers, pocket watches or spatterdashes."
Music
Music was a huge part of the '20s, so vintage love songs should also be a big part of your wedding day. "Dancing was a large focal point in the Great Gatsby era, so make sure to consider the proper entertainment to set the tone for your wedding," Allen advises.
25 1920s Great Gatsby Vibe Ideas for Your Wedding
Find your Great Gatsby vintage wedding ideas below, including '20s-inspired cakes, art deco wedding invitations and opulent tablescapes.
1. Black and Gold Art Deco Cake
Consider serving a black and gold vintage wedding cake that's too pretty to eat. "Even the food presentation should reflect the theme. Consider serving elegant hors d'oeuvres and decadent desserts," Carvajal says.
2. Elegant Dance Floor Monogram
While monograms aren't specific to a 1920s-themed wedding, art deco-style geometric patterns are, and they totally set the vibe of this dance floor.
3. Art Deco Champagne Servers
The bar isn't the only way to serve up champagne, a classic drink from the Great Gatsby era. Serving it from a staff member's 1920s-inspired attire really takes your theme up a notch.
4. Elegant Gatsby-Inspired Invites
Photo: Lisa Boggs Photography
,Stationery: paperzest
Invitations are the first thing about your wedding that a guest sees. "Start with the invitation to set the stage. Think striking black and gold invites with dramatic style," Cook suggests.
5. Black and Gold Bridesmaid Dress
Photo: The Grays Photography
,Dress design: Aidan Mattox
,Saks Fifth Avenue
While it's tradition to have the wedding party match the overall color scheme, with a vibe as bold as the Great Gatsby, it's even more important to have them lean in.
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6. Gatsby-Inspired Ceremony Sign
Photo: ALICIA PYNE PHOTOGRAPHY
Extend the art-deco vibes throughout your wedding, even down to the signs. Doing so will help bring the Great Gatsby wedding theme to life in every single aspect.
7. Art Deco Brooch Bouquet
The name of the game when it comes to Great Gatsby theme ideas is opulence and decadence, so instead of opting for florals, why not go full sparkle and shine with a brooch bouquet? If you want it to be extra special, your bridesmaids can carry florals and you can hold the brooches.
8. Sparkly Black and Gold Tablescape
Photo: ALICIA PYNE PHOTOGRAPHY
Nothing says 1920s opulence quite like a sparkling and shimmering tablescape. The vintage frames add a touch of old-world glamour.
9. Feathered Escort Cards
Feathers are a big part of Great Gatsby attire thanks to boas and headpieces, but you can also easily incorporate them into other aspects of your wedding, like your escort cards.
10. Opulent Reception Space
"If planning a Great Gatsby-themed wedding, the venue is going to be key since this era was in the roaring '20s," Allen says. "So you will want to pay close attention to making sure the venue captures the elegance and luxuriousness of this era. So think of a grand ballroom, a historic mansion or a venue that has an art-deco feel."
11. Black and White Tuxedo Jackets
For a wedding with two grooms, consider dressing in black and white tuxedos to really lean into the glamour and opulence of a 1920s era. Want to take it to the next level? "Tweed, pinstripes and herringbone patterns were big in the 20's," Allen says. "Suspenders add a fun touch for men, as well as a hat, pocket watch, mustache, cane and a pipe."
12. Signature Cocktails in Coup Glasses
If you've seen any movie or television show that takes place in the roaring '20s, they're usually drinking out of coup glasses. Embrace this preferred vessel and service signature drinks and champagne out of them.
13. Black and White Checkered Dance Floor
Nothing says swanky and luxurious quite like a black and white checkered dance floor. If your venue doesn't come with one, there are event rental services available to make it happen for your roaring '20s wedding.
14. Champagne Tower
Champagne towers are peak Great Gatsby and just plain fun. Set one up upon entrance to your reception so they can have something to sip on while they watch speeches and first dances.
15. Jazz Trio
"A jazz band of some kind is a must," Allen says. "You could even consider hiring some experts to teach your guests the very famous Charleston or other famous dances of that era."
16. Gatsby Quotes
An easy way to lean into the Gatsby era? Display your favorite quotes from the book or movie itself. You can put a quote at each table, put them near the guest book or have them framed and sitting at the bar.
17. Art Deco Bar
You'll want to make sure your bar is dressed to the nines like you and your guests. Feel free to make it a centerpiece of the reception or adorn it in classic hues that match your tablescapes.
18. Pearl Accessories
Pearls were a big accessory in the Gatsby era. Headpieces, necklaces and wedding dress embellishments are all ways to incorporate this classic jewel.
19. Chandelier Centerpiece
"Make sure the venue has features like crystal chandeliers," Allen says. And they don't have to be hanging from the ceiling. Using them as inspiration for your table centerpieces works well, especially since most venues don't come with luxury chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
20. Feather and Crystal Centerpieces
Great creative with your Gatsby decoration ideas by bringing things you might find on a dress to your table's centerpiece. If you know you want to incorporate specific elements like this but aren't sure how, find an event planner on The Knot Vendor Marketplace to make it a reality.
21. Vintage Typewriter Decor
Photo: ALICIA PYNE PHOTOGRAPHY
Lean into Great Gatsby inspiration by displaying vintage items. And what better vintage item to display than a typewriter? If you have one that still works, encourage guests to use it to write well wishes, versus a traditional guest book.
22. Sapphire Engagement Ring
Photo: Rachel Goble Photography
,Ring: Dianne's Estate Jewelry
While you likely have your engagement ring already, consider frosting yourself in sapphire jewels and opting for vintage-shaped gemstones like ovals.
23. Black and Gold Candle Holders
For a more subtle nod to the Gatsby time period, opt for gilded candle holders with black candles inside. It's a tasteful way to remind guests what era you're celebrating.
24. Embellished Wedding Gown
Your wedding gown is an easy way to celebrate the 1920s. Opting for a dress with jeweled embellishments, pearls, lace or a combination of all three will encompass the fashion sense of that time.
25. 1920s Hair Styles
Refined curled hairstyles, bejeweled headpieces, bold red lips—these are just a few more ways to zhuzh up a wedding look and make it Gatsby.
