Tips for Designing Your Speakeasy-Themed Wedding

Step back in time to the 1920s, an era when dapper gents and ladies clad in flapper dresses danced in speakeasies that thrived in the shadows. These clandestine venues were cloaked in an aura of sultriness and sophistication, with dimly-lit interiors, vibrant hues, and an unmistakable Gatsby energy — and we’re 100 percent here for it! While the days of Prohibition may be behind us, you can still capture the mood of this bygone era on your wedding day. Join us at WKF Weddings in St. Louis, Missouri, where we’ll guide you through a hidden door, down a flight of stairs, and into a swanky celebration brimming with timeless charm. Put on some jazz, sip classic cocktails, wear gorgeous vintage fashion, and enjoy elegant floral arrangements and effortlessly stylish decor.

Create a speakeasy vibe with floral arrangements with feather accents

Feathers were a hallmark of the Art Deco aesthetic popular during the Prohibition era, adding glamour to the period’s style. Embrace this vibe by adding feathers into your floral arrangements for your speakeasy-themed wedding. Whether you opt for cascading bouquets with ostrich feathers, introduce an iridescent shimmer with peacock feathers, or add extra fluffiness with marabou feathers, these accents bring movement and vibrant pops of color to your floral design. We love this look! The combination of flowing, soft feathers with the lush backdrop of flowers creates an interplay of textures that reminds us of the free-spiritedness of the Jazz Age.

Art deco flower arrangement

Wear vintage or vintage-inspired dresses and outfits

Vintage-inspired dresses blend nostalgia and modernity, drawing inspiration from various styles and silhouettes of the past. This creative freedom empowers you to tailor a look that combines the allure of speakeasy fashion with a contemporary twist and your unique fashion sensibilities. Authenticity is what it’s all about, after all! Picture the intricate beadwork reminiscent of a 1920s flapper dress meeting modern hemlines and design elements, curated with the modern bride in mind: you! By personalizing your speakeasy-inspired dress with bespoke embroidery, contemporary fabrics, and on-trend embellishments like a chic bow detail, you’ll serve fresh and youthful energy as you walk down the aisle.

Women buttoning bride into her dress

Accent with elegant flower decorations for the bar and dining tables

At any wedding venue, flower arrangements are the main focal point, leveling up the elegant energy. For your speakeasy-themed wedding, make sure that the floral decor embodies the sophisticated vibe of the era, from stylish pink anthuriums to classic roses that speak to your individual style. Bringing flowers into your decor seamlessly complements other elements of the speakeasy theme, too, such as vintage-inspired table settings, classic glassware, and the soft glow of candlelight. The combination creates an atmosphere that perfectly pays homage to the energy of the Roaring Twenties — which we high key love.

Elegant flowers on table with candelabras

Have plenty of comfy seating accented with flowers

While speakeasies buzzed with lively dancing, providing a chill place for guests to lounge and have intimate conversations was equally important. Relaxing on plush seating while surrounded by flowers gives guests the chance to recharge their social battery between dances. These lounge areas were where new friendships formed and simmering romances ignited, a mood we love. When re-creating these inviting spaces on your wedding day, remember the key role that flowers play in making the atmosphere feel posh. Whether you opt for the lush beauty of peonies, hydrangeas, or roses, each bloom adds elegance and fragrance, encouraging guests to linger and enjoy the moment a little longer.

Blue velvet sofa with elegant floral accents

Decorate cakes in with art deco accents

Going with Art Deco style when decorating your wedding cake nails the design energy of the speakeasy era, meaning your dessert will flawlessly harmonize with the spirit of your event. Have your baker zhuzh up the cake with intricate motifs, sharp lines, and geometric shapes that bring to mind the design and architecture of the time. Or, take a simpler approach with circular cake tiers surrounded by gold accents, greenery, and flickering candles. To add sophistication without detracting from the art deco mood, finish decorating the cake with large, fresh blooms such as roses.

Art deco cake with candles and greenery

Decorate antique cars with flower arrangements

Make your exit from the ceremony in style in a vintage vehicle decorated with custom floral designs; old school cars perfectly capture the spirit of the 1920s. Incorporating flowers is a hat tip to the luxe festivities of the era, where everything was meant to be lavish — right on point for your special day! Be sure the floral decor on the cars complements the bouquets carried by the wedding party, creating just the right look. This will turn your departure into an unforgettable — and yes, a little bit extra — exit.

Vintage car decorated with floral

Let WKF Weddings be your partner in creating unforgettable flower designs and decor for your speakeasy wedding. With our expertise, you can set the stage for a glamorous Gatsby-style celebration that will whisk you and your guests away to the dazzling era of the jazz age.

Speakeasy Wedding