The futuristic feel of the space age meets midcentury modern design in this vibrant wedding look ready to inspire your special day! At The Greenhouse at Bittersweet in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this imaginative wedding concept draws inspiration from the Cold War era, merging the bold optimism of the late 1950s with playful, colorful details that nod to the possibilities of tomorrow.
Coordinated and designed by OSO IN LOVE Wedding & Event Curators, a team of local wedding vendors infused this concept with nostalgic charm and innovative touches, resulting in a celebration that creatively bridged the dichotomy of the past and future.
In collaboration with Jordana Snyder Photography, Paul F. Gero Photography, LK Bridal Studio, Melody Rose Designs, Linda’s Bakery, Su Casa Salon & Bridal Suite, Kiersten Leon Lessard, and Velvet Rentals, explore this fresh and funky style that brings retro flair and unique era-inspired elements to life below!
Jordana Snyder Photography creatively photographed the vibrant, retro details of the day, while Paul F. Gero Photography showcased the nostalgic charm through video.
Funky colors, geometric shapes, and nostalgic patterns inspired LK Bridal Studio as they created unique stationery and signage elements for the theme. The stationery suite featured vibrant and muted greens, teals, pinks, and corals paired with a decorative serif font, monoline script, and vintage-inspired lines and shapes. Key details like the RSVP, patterned envelope liner, and laser-cut cards incorporated unexpected color combinations and repeating elements, including the signature Sputnik motif, creating a cohesive, retro aesthetic.
Signage took on an artistic twist with a metal statement piece transformed into a welcome sign and itinerary using vinyl and acrylic. The design was enhanced with three-dimensional accents like stars and acrylic lettering, while the stationery’s bold color palette highlighted the schedule. Reception tables featured laser-cut Sputnik name cards, multi-layered acrylic table numbers with starry details, and custom-shaped name cards for the couple. Cocktail hour delighted guests with personalized coasters, laser-cut stir sticks, an acrylic signature drink sign, and matchbox and mojito favors to take home. A nostalgic Swanson’s TV dinner sign rounded out the era-inspired design, tying together retro charm and innovative artistry.
The bride and groom channeled the sophisticated fashions of the late 1950s with their timeless looks. The groom donned a classic black suit with a bow tie, while the bride stunned in a flowy short white dress, pearl accessories, a birdcage veil, and chic nude heels perfect for dancing the night away!
Su Casa Salon & Bridal Suite styled the bride’s hair in soft, voluminous curls that perfectly captured the elegance of the 1950s. The playful yet polished look added a vintage touch, while also allowing for free-flowing movement throughout the day.
Kiersten Leon Lessard enhanced the bride’s natural beauty with a classic 1950s-inspired makeup look, featuring a bold, bright lip and rosy pink cheeks. Long, dramatic lashes completed the style, giving her a timeless, retro glamour.
Melody Rose Designs brought a vibrant and contemporary flair to the day with their creative floral arrangements, infusing fresh and lively energy into each space. Bold, funky blooms in an array of eye-catching colors like lime green, teal, corally pink, and yellow mirrored the spiky Sputnik motifs, Curtis Jere Mid-Century-inspired pom urchin sculptures, and half-sun-shaped ceremony backdrop, creating a seamless flow throughout the wedding design and color story. Each artful floral accent complemented the eclectic and retro-inspired atmosphere!
Velvet Rentals added a striking touch to the ceremony with their handcrafted sun-shaped backdrop. Featuring a double-semi-circle design with rays of varying lengths, the unique decor was a perfect nod to the space-age theme. Later, their stylish Space Sister chairs made an appearance in the lounge area, adding a bold, retro flair to the cocktail hour.
For cocktail hour, guests enjoyed signature Elderflower Martinis, a chic and refreshing nod to the 1950s and 1960s, s
erved on vibrant custom coasters with geometric acrylic stir sticks. To add to the fun, guests also took home custom matchbox favors and “Mint to Be Mojito” tins, complete with kits for their own DIY mojito-making experience.
The Greenhouse at Bittersweet in La Crosse provided the perfect backdrop for this vibrant celebration, with a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. The indoor greenhouse offered a bright, airy atmosphere filled with natural light, while the outdoor patio transformed into a curated lounge area where guests could relax and enjoy their cocktails. This versatile venue seamlessly complemented the retro-inspired wedding design, offering both intimate and spacious areas to celebrate the day.
The striking Sputnik lighting fixture above the sweetheart table was a key element of the design, tying the concept together and appearing in everything from the stationery to the cake decorations. The repeated patterns in the backdrop behind the sweetheart table also echoed the era’s design. The tablescape featured a teal blue linen, dark walnut chargers, black-and-white dash-patterned plates, walnut-handled flatware, and colorful glassware, creating a stylish, sophisticated, and vibrant atmosphere.
OSO IN LOVE Wedding & Event Curators served as the creative mastermind behind this stunning concept, expertly coordinating and designing every detail with a nod to both the past and the future. Drawing inspiration from the Cold War era, OSO IN LOVE wove together elements of midcentury modern architecture, sophisticated late 1950s fashion, and a unique color palette inspired by a historically accurate swatch of paint samples discovered in a Palm Springs hardware store. Their creative vision and attention to detail brought this “Future Nostalgia” concept to life, perfectly blending history and retro details with a fresh, contemporary, forward-looking feel.
Guests indulged in a nostalgic late-night bite with Swanson’s TV Dinners, a fun throwback that added a charming and quirky touch to the celebration.
Linda’s Bakery crafted a stunning three-tier cake that perfectly captured the midcentury modern vibe of the celebration. White and pink layered tiers featured artful starburst designs in bold colors and a gold halo, blending nostalgia with contemporary flair. Alongside the cake, era-popular desserts like mini mosaic Jello rings, banana cream pies, and cream puffs gave a playful nod to the late ’50s. This creative dessert spread was as fun to admire as it was to enjoy, offering a whimsical and sweet touch to the event.
Connect with each of the talented participating vendors by clicking on their names below! Find more wedding-related inspiration on our blog and by following us @wedplanlacrosse.
