Get To Know: Jessica Hearing of A Vintage Affair

It's Vintage Week on the Little White Dress Bridal Shop blog and we are sharing with you two vintage rental businesses that are helping Colorado brides throw the most beautiful and special vintage-themed weddings.

Up first is Jessica Hearing, the founder of A Vintage Affair Rentals. We asked Jessica to share a little bit about her business, as well as fill us in on her thoughts on all things vintage.

LWD: Tell us a bit more about your business, how it started, why?

Jessica: When planning my own wedding, I became dismayed at the lack of vintage resources available for brides that wanted to add a vintage feeling to a portion or all of their wedding. I thought the traditional cycle of buy and attempt to resell was burdensome for brides and made the entire process more difficult. As a result, I started A Vintage Affair with an eye towards providing brides with the option to rent vintage items and add that special touch to their weddings.

LWD: What is your philosophy when it comes to working with a bride?

Jessica: I try to understand who they are before we start taking about what they want. When I design a wedding, I want it to reflect the couple's personality and relationship. If you do that then their wedding will stand the test of time.

LWD: I assume you had a "vintage" wedding yourself?  Tell us about it.

Jessica: I did! I was married this summer at Devil's Thumb Ranch. I wanted it to be romantic, vintage, and fun with lots of personal touches. It was recently featured on Martha Stewart Weddings.

LWD: What are some of the vintage accessories brides are clamoring for most?

Jessica: They love to create a vintage lounge area for their guests. It's a good way for guests to relax from dancing and also creates another conversation area for guests to catch up with one another. A bonus of having a lounge is you can "borrow" a couch or chair from the room and later use it during your bride and groom photos.

LWD: What trends in your space do you see for 2013?

Jessica:  I see it going for more of a French vintage look. Very elegant and timeless.

LWD: How does a wedding gown fit into a vintage-themed wedding? What designers do you like at Little White Dress that fit nicely into the vintage-chic style?

Jessica: You would not want a modern gown if you were having a vintage wedding. The wedding should have a cohesive look. Designers that fit well with the vintage-chic style are are Claire Pettibone and Jenny Packham. Both of those designers make the most uncommon and ethereal dresses I've ever seen. I also love Anne Barge designs.

LWD: What gets you out of bed each day?

Jessica:  I have so much passion for what I do. I love working with brides to turn their inspiration into reality.

LWD: What are your business plans for 2013?

Jessica: I am doing more and more event design for brides. A lot of brides are overwhelmed by all the choices and ideas out there. I help them narrow down and pull it all together.

LWD: If a bride wants to create a vintage wedding, how do you suggest she starts?

Jessica:  Create your inspiration board, choose your color palette and identify your look and feel. Each time you make a decor choice, ask yourself if it fits with your original vision. If it doesn’t, sleep on it before you decide to go with it. Also, choose the right venue. You want the space to work with the look your going for. Colorado has some amazing historical mansions, barns, farms, and mountain backdrops to choose from.