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The Great Gatsby wedding
Thanks to the sensational fashion, Art Deco aesthetic and free-spirited flappers, the appeal of the 1920s has never waned.
Now that Baz Luhrmanns Great Gatsby is finally on our screens, this rich archive is ready to be tapped into for wedding season.
From the decadent dress to the grand reception venue, take your cue from Fitzgeralds movers and shakers for the ultimate wedding party.
Click through the gallery to discover how to pull together a Gatsby inspired wedding...
See the stars at 'The Great Gatsby' Cannes premiere
The Venue:
Claridge’s
It’s easy to imagine F. Scott Fitzgerald’s bright young things slinking through Claridge’s grand Oswald Milne main entrance and perching glamorously on a Fumoir Bar stool, casually surveying the engraved glass screens as they idly sip a champagne cocktail. Of all Claridge’s elegant private event rooms for hire, the most grand is the English Heritage listed Ballroom: its pillars and hand-engraved mirrors have borne witness to countless lavish society wedding breakfasts.
The Venue:
Huntsham Court
If you want to really channel the rebellious spirit of the era, you’re better off quitting town altogether for the countryside, where you can revive the classic English Country Party tradition. Deep in Devon, the imposing Huntsham Court has all the trappings of a stately home – chandeliered reception rooms, opulent bedrooms, manicured gardens – but peddles a free-spirited attitude, thanks to its lack of prescriptive wedding packages and corkage fees.
The Dress
Miucca Prada’s hand in designing the film’s costumes has ensured the most stylish ‘Gatsby revival yet. For wedding dress inspiration, play it like Daisy in Jazz-age gowns with lashings of flapper-style beading, avoiding voluminous bridal silhouettes and stiff fabrics. Embrace Jenny Packham’s soft lines and decadent embellishment, opting for silk bias-cut gowns, with dramatic open back details.
See the stars at 'The Great Gatsby' Cannes premiere
The Headpiece The standout accessory of the film is Carey Mulligan’s pearl and diamond Tiffany & Co. headpiece, but if this is out of-reach at well over £100,000, you’ll find more accessibly-priced offerings in the shape of bejewelled styles by Twigs & Honey or Donna Crain. Look out for pretty combs, clips and tiaras too, or, for something more ethereal, try Doloris Petunia’s soft tulle headband with Swarovski crystals and silk petals. If you’re on a budget, seek out up-and-coming designers on Etsy Weddings like Agnes Hart.
The First Dance
How to ensure your guests are as wide-eyed as Nick Caraway at his first Gatsby soiree? Add dazzle with some authentic Charleston moves. Book in for Claridge’s masterclass with ‘The Bee’s Knees’ (£125 per person), dip into the dressing-up box of 20s accessories and learn steps including the scarecrow, the bunny hop and the fish tail. Alternatively, book in with former Strictly Come Dancing champion Karen Hardy for a one-to-one bespoke wedding dance lesson at her West London studios – private dance lessons start at £99 for 45 minutes.
The Shoes
For true Jazz Age cool, it’s got to be T-bars and you’d be wise to follow model Jacquetta Wheeler’s lead, who chose Emmy Shoes for her wedding. Standout styles include the “Francesca”, with its metallic rose gold trim and crystal and mother of pearl shell embroidery. Alternatively, look to Rachel Simpson’s Art Deco inspired “Carmen” or try Freya Rose’s glistening “Maria” heels. For something a little more contemporary, go for delicate metallic sandals by Rupert Sanderson.
The Music
Baz Luhrmann may have enraged purists with his Jay Z score, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Add some 1920s flavour with a live Jazz band - like The Silver Ghosts, a 7-piece swing ensemble who frequent The Candlelight Club, The Nightjar and Ronnie Scott’s. Add a kitsch feel by hiring gramophone DJs to spin some vinyl – try the glamorously dressed Shellac Sisters, who play 78rpm records on 1920s wind-up gramophones, or other duos like It’s A Wind Up and Butler & Taylor.
The Photographer
1920s era photography was black and white or sepia toned, but let’s not be slavish. Instead, an alternative wedding photographer like Emma Case, who likes to play with filters and developing techniques, will give a fresh take. Go the extra mile by booking a Super 8 videographer too. This enduringly appealing, analogue format will imbue your wedding day footage with a hazy, dreamlike quality. Try Mark Brown Films or Cine8.
See the stars at 'The Great Gatsby' Cannes premiere
The Cake
In Jay Gatsby’s world, everything is overblown and extraordinary – and that includes the food. You might not want to be fussy with the wedding breakfast itself, but there’s plenty of license to be playful with the canapés and the cake. For the latter, go bespoke with an artisan bake by former fashion stylist Pomp de Franc. Her dreamlike creations – the coconut and pistachio swan cake is a particular highlight – are sure to impress your guests when it comes to that cake-cutting photo op.
See the stars at 'The Great Gatsby' Cannes premiere
The Cocktails
‘The Great Gatsby’ action may play out in Prohibition-era America, but that didn’t stop the alcohol flowing. Take inspiration from London’s ongoing fascination with retro speakeasies and hire a cocktail waiter to create 1920s-inspired cocktails. Serve Bee’s Knees, Mint Julep, Sidecar or Between The Sheets, or just lashings of fizz in elegant champagne saucers. For added authenticity, give your guests a password for special cocktails. Visit London’s Nightjar for inspiration.
See the stars at 'The Great Gatsby' Cannes premiere
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