Find Your Perfect Bridal Look with Historical Inspiration

Posted on May 8th, 2025. 

When it comes to planning a wedding, every bride has a unique vision of her ideal day. This vision is often influenced by dreams, desires, and nostalgia. 

For those looking to create a truly unforgettable bridal look, drawing inspiration from history can add a touch of elegance and romance. 

Brides can create a unique aesthetic that honours tradition and showcases their individual style by incorporating elements from past eras into modern styles. 

From the opulence of the Renaissance to the whimsy of the 1960s, each historical period offers its own charm and endless possibilities. 

Embracing Renaissance Glamour 

Renowned for its luxurious flair, Renaissance bridal makeup embraced bold looks that contrasted with the pale, porcelain skin that was deemed fashionable. Deep, rich hues were applied to enhance the eyes, often using natural dyes to create shadows and depth. Blush, a staple then as it is now, was used delicately to add life to the cheeks, usually in muted, natural tones to create a harmonious balance with the dramatic eye looks. 

While starkly defined brows and lips weren't a hallmark of the Renaissance period, a subtle emphasis on natural shapes created a graceful appeal. The era's cosmetic sophistication, augmented by carefully crafted powders and pigments, serves as a rich source of inspiration for brides seeking to evoke elegance and drama. 

During the Renaissance, bridal hair trends were influenced by the era’s architectural wonders, creating complex designs full of texture and form. Women commonly favoured lengthy, flowing hair that was braided and twisted into elaborate styles, often adorned with jewels or floral garlands, symbolising prosperity and fertility. Variations of these styles have endured through the centuries, transcending time with their inherent beauty. 

Incorporating the luxuriant textures and ornate shapes of Renaissance styles offers a nod to history while allowing for personal expression. Hairpieces made of gold and pearls, or simple floral clips, may be utilised to modernise and personalise this historical charm. Embracing such bridal hair trends provides a captivating way to connect with the elegant legacy of the Renaissance, creating an impact that feels both deliberate and serene. 

Here are some practical tips to infuse these timeless elements:  

• Skin Preparation: Begin with a radiant, smooth base by hydrating and priming your skin to mirror the flawless complexion that was revered in the Renaissance. 
• Soft, Natural Brows: Instead of heavily defined arches, opt for a natural brow look by filling them softly to enhance your features. 
• Delicate Cheek Colour: Apply a light, natural blush to emulate the subtlety of Renaissance colour palettes, enhancing your natural glow without overpowering the face. 
• Textured Hair Styles: Consider loose braids or soft waves, incorporating modern accessories like metallic pins or minimalist hairpieces to reflect Renaissance opulence with a contemporary twist. 
• Jewelled Accents: Add subtle jewellery or floral motifs to your hair, channelling the extravagance of the time while accommodating your tastes and the overall wedding theme. 
• Invest in Quality Products: Utilise high-quality makeup to achieve longevity and elegance, ensuring your look stands up to a full day of celebrating. 

Integrating Renaissance inspiration into modern-day bridal aesthetics requires a delicate balance but yields stunning results. 

The Ethereal Beauty of Pre-Raphaelite Inspirations 

The ethereal allure of the Pre-Raphaelite art movement, with its emphasis on natural beauty and romanticism, serves as a perfect muse for today’s brides aiming for an effortlessly charming aesthetic. Inspired by the bohemian styles of the mid-19th century, Pre-Raphaelite hair and makeup exude an unrestrained sense of freedom and grace that transcends time. This look is characterised by the portrayal of soft, flowing locks and a makeup palette that favours natural over contrived. 

Flory surges forward, utilising Pre-Raphaelite hair and makeup to epitomise a bridal elegance that is both distinctively ornate and harmoniously serene. Effortless waves or tight ringlets can be achieved with ease using 10mm heat rods for precision. These tools grant you the freedom to create hair contours that sway gently with your movements, producing a soft and cascading aesthetic reminiscent of the era’s favoured styles.  

The very essence of Pre-Raphaelite beauty resonates with a preference for minimalistic makeup, which allows your natural features to shine through, offering a fresh and personal allure suitable for any bride. To capture this aesthetic, apply a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser to achieve a dewy finish, steering clear of heavy applications that obscure your skin’s natural tone and texture. Opt for a light eyeshadow in earthy or pastel hues, smoothly enhancing your lids without overpowering your natural beauty. 

As gentle application is key, consider defining the eyes with a touch of mascara, subtly volumising your lashes for a fluttery yet natural effect. A hint of light blush, applied to flatter your natural skin tone, combined with a soft wash of colour on the lips, can add just the right hint of warmth. Together, these elements capture the soft artistry of the Pre-Raphaelite style while complementing the seamless flow and intricate movement of your hair. 

Crafting these romantic hairstyles can be a delightful experience, as you blend historical influence with your individuality:  

• Begin by preparing your hair using a volume-boosting mousse or texturising spray, ensuring it retains the fullness required for an ethereal look. 
• If you wish for soft waves, wrap sections of your hair around 10mm heat rods to create natural, cascading waves that mirror the Pre-Raphaelite ideal. 
• For those favouring the texture of tight ringlets, these slender tools can provide the definition needed to reflect the period's classic styles. 
• Consider incorporating soft braids into sections of your hair, allowing them to weave naturally through your locks and further emphasising the texture. 
• Embellish the style with accessories that echo the era’s romance—perhaps a few delicate flowers or a thin, beaded headband to frame your face softly. 

Such adornments not only secure the hairstyle in place but also lend an added layer of sophistication, knitting together the entire bridal look in perfect harmony with your desired theme. 

Vintage to Retro: A Century of Bridal Influence 

Transitioning from the flamboyant artistry of the Pre-Raphaelites to the spirited flair of the roaring 1920s, you find yourself entering a realm of bold experimentation and dramatic flair. The 1920s introduced the glamorous flapper style, a modern take on femininity that was both audacious and liberating. Vintage makeup of this era spotlighted courageously defined lips and sultry eyes. Brides embracing this bold style can expect to use rich, deep lipstick shades like berry or classic reds, exuding an undeniable sense of sophistication. 

Add a touch of jazz-era allure by incorporating a dark, smoky eye that features dramatic shadows with shimmery finishes, which catch the light as you move. Pair this with well-defined brows, which were a signature of the time, opting for a natural arch that frames your face beautifully. This era’s authentic bridal style can blend into modern traditions, giving you an effortlessly timeless look with just the right amount of edge. 

Progressively moving to the elegance of the 1950s, this period offers brides a chance to delight in the classic glamour encapsulated by icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Retro sophistication adorns itself in this decade, with retro makeup looks that favour a polished yet youthful visage. Think of softly blushed cheeks that resemble a dusk glow paired with subtle pastel eyeshadows, which lend a gentle shimmer to the eyelids, elevating the overall elegance of the look. 

For a modern twist on this cherished classic style, consider using cream-based products that meld effortlessly with your skin, ensuring longevity and vibrancy. The '50s also heralded the cat-eye liner that remains a bridal stalwart today; opt for a liquid or gel liner that allows for precision and definition, embodying the luxurious feel of the time. Accompany this with voluminous lashes, using a feather-like mascara to sweep to perfection, adding a captivating flutter to your bridal gaze. 

As we pivot into the daring essence of the 1960s, the era's bold experimentation and evolving fashion unapologetically reverberate through its celebrated trends. Bold eyeliner takes centre stage here, with the '60s popularising exaggerated eyeliner designs that frame the eyes in a head-turning style. To integrate this iconic look with the fresh face bridal makeup aesthetic, anchor your efforts on a well-defined eye that maintains depth without overpowering the rest of your face.  

Complement these eye features with softened lips, choosing nude tones that enhance your natural lip colour, thus drawing attention back to the eyes without straying into overstatement territory. With hair, there's plenty to explore—from bouffant styles that celebrate volume to sleek ponytails that deliver sophistication with a twist. To marry historical inspiration with modern individuality, consider blending these signature styles with unique accessories or floral accents that mirror your personal taste. 

Related: Natural vs. Glam Wedding Makeup: Which Style Is For You? 

Looking for Expert Help? 

At Minella Weddings, we specialise in creating timeless bridal looks inspired by the art world and historical beauty trends. Our expertise in both classic and contemporary wedding styles allows us to combine the elegance of past eras with modern sophistication. 

This approach, coupled with keen attention to detail and an eye that cherishes the nuances of beauty trends through the ages, ensures your bridal aesthetic is as unique and enduring as your love story itself. Let us bring your vision to life with a bridal look that celebrates both the past and the present.  

Reach out today to book your consultation with us! 

Together, let’s craft a bridal look that does justice to your personality and the history it draws from.