Tipped as one of the biggest wedding reception trends to emerge from 2025 and carry into 2026, vintage-inspired wedding projections are transforming receptions into emotional, cinematic experiences. From old Hollywood love stories flickering across the walls to deeply personal home movies, family wedding footage, and black-and-white clips of the couple themselves, these projections spark a powerful mix of joy, nostalgia, and quiet awe. More than décor, they create a gorgeous, immersive atmosphere for guests while honoring family history and shared memories, running throughout the reception as background entertainment or making a statement during an epic cake-cutting moment. Whether it is a same-day slideshow leading into the first dance or a montage of meaningful moments from the past, this is a trend we absolutely adore because it celebrates the importance of preserving special memories while making new ones, and we can’t wait to see it come to life in our real weddings.
Where Has This Trend Come From?
Vintage-inspired wedding projections have their roots in the golden age of cinema and the timeless charm of black-and-white photography. Couples and designers began blending old Hollywood glamour with personal storytelling, using projections to create intimate, memory-filled experiences. Over the past few years, the trend has evolved from simple slideshows into fully immersive cinematic moments, combining family home movies, romantic classics, and curated personal clips. It’s a way to honor the past while celebrating the present, and it has quietly become one of the most beloved ways to personalise wedding receptions.
They can run throughout the reception as background entertainment, make a statement during the cake-cutting, or be displayed behind the dancefloor, which is especially effective if you have a DJ instead of a live band. More than décor, these projections create a beautiful, immersive atmosphere for guests while honoring family history and shared memories.
Vintage-Inspired Wedding Projections Ideas We Love
How to Create Your Own Hollywood-Style Wedding Projections
Creating a cinematic, vintage-inspired wedding projection can be a magical way to bring your love story to life, but it works best when handled by professionals. Here are some tips to make it seamless and unforgettable:
- Curate your visuals carefully – include classic black-and-white films, personal home videos, family wedding footage, or highlights from your own love story.
- Involve lighting and drapery experts – they can set the perfect atmosphere and ensure your projections look flawless.
- Work with your venue – check space, walls, and projection options to ensure everything fits the layout and ambiance.
- Hire an experienced AV or wedding production team – they can manage crisp images, perfect timing, and smooth technology throughout the event.
- Plan the timing – projections can run throughout the reception as background entertainment or make a statement during an epic cake-cutting moment.
- Highlight key moments – consider projections for the first dance, dinner, or a same-day slideshow to showcase meaningful memories
With professional help, your projections will feel seamless, immersive, and unforgettable, bringing that Hollywood romance straight to your reception.
See more trend reports and unique ideas for your big day here.
