Discover Vintage & DIY Wedding Ideas from Miss Rockabilly Ruby

See the wedding of the hairdresser, makeup artist, and model known for her retro style.

Known for her retro and vintage styling, Miss Rockabilly Ruby is a hairdresser, makeup artist, and model who inspires many women – especially those who love 1950s pin-up style.

Miss Rockabilly Ruby Wedding Day alternative bridal stylist
Photo: Lars Kommienezuspadt

Known for her retro and vintage styling, Miss Rockabilly Ruby is a hairdresser, makeup artist, and model who inspires many women – especially those who love 1950s pin-up style. With a loyal Instagram and YouTube following, Miss Rockabilly Ruby shares hair and makeup tutorials to get the retro look, so it's only natural that when it came time to plan her wedding to photographer Charles Torrealba, she chose a vintage-inspired DIY style.

Ruby, of course, styled her own hair for the celebration and even made her own veil. Guests were invited to the nuptials at a historic Los Angeles venue by way of DIY invitations designed by the bride and printed by a local shop. "My wedding was the definition of DIY. We poured our hearts into making every detail as homemade as possible," shares Ruby. Though they desired a do-it-yourself fête, Ruby and Charles hired a coordinator – Art and Soul Events – to help them with logistics and planning, so they were able to enjoy the planning process and the actual wedding day. 

Also instrumental in the planning of the big day was the mother of the bride. Prior to the celebration, she asked female friends and family members to send vintage brooches, from which she made a sparkling jeweled bouquet for Ruby. She also crafted a bouquet made of mini paper pinwheels for the maid of honor with a glass doorknob as a handle. In lieu of flowers at the reception, Ruby and her mother handmade hundreds of paper pinwheels to line the tables and serve as table numbers. Since the venue did not allow the couple to hang anything from the walls or ceiling, "we decided to have large geronimo balloons in gold, clear, and white sit on top of all the tables as well as the altar where the ceremony took place," says Ruby of the additional décor.

Since the groom is a photographer and the couple met while discussing a potential photo shoot, they chose to have a selfie station for guests to snap photos throughout the celebration. The bride crafted a photo backdrop featuring handpainted gold bubbles with a banner at the top that read, "All You Need is Love." Following dinner, which offered an array of fresh tacos, churros, and a popcorn bar, guests enjoyed a wedding cake made by the mother of the bride along with selections from a personalized dessert table. "My mom turned [the dessert table] into the story of how Charles and I met... [She] used vintage figurines and a roll of kraft paper telling the story along the length of the table," explains the bride.

When asked what the most unique aspect of their wedding was, the bride shares: "The fact that nearly everything was DIY and had a handmade and personal touch – the dessert bar story table, the pinwheels, the bouquets, the popcorn bar with all the fixings, [and] our handpainted photo backdrop!" 

Take a look at more photos from the DIY wedding of Miss Rockabilly Ruby, below!

Miss Rockabilly Ruby and husband Charles Torrealba

Miss Rockabilly Ruby wedding pinup hairstyle and gold wedding dress

Miss Rockabilly Ruby bridesmaids in mismatched dresses with brooch and paper bouquet

Miss Rockabilly Ruby and husband Charles at historic wedding venue

Miss Rockabilly Ruby jewel brooch bouquet made with vintage brooches

Groom reading vows out of DIY His Vows booklet

DIY chalkboard seating chart at Miss Rockabilly Ruby wedding

Balloon wedding decor at Miss Rockabilly Ruby DIY wedding

Paper pinwheel DIY wedding reception decor Miss Rockabilly Ruby

Ferrero Rocher at gold place setting Miss Rockabilly Ruby wedding

DIY Popcorn Bar at Miss Rockabilly Ruby wedding

All You Need Is Love DIY Photo booth station at Miss Rockabilly Ruby wedding

DIY dessert bar how they met story Miss Rockabilly Ruby wedding

Photos by Lars Kommienezuspadt

For more wedding ideas, sort through hundreds of real weddings by style, location, color, and more! Be sure to also browse through our photo galleries for additional inspiration!

Bar Services by Party Max Event Services; Bridal Gown by Mac Duggal; Bridal Salon: Noell; Bridesmaid Gowns by Unique Vintage; Catering by My Taco Man Catering; Coordination by Art & Soul Events; Entertainment by The Reel Band; Groom's Attire by Topshop and Hugo Boss; Jewelry by Daniel's Jewelers and Zales; Makeup by Erika Reno Artistry; Mother's Attire by Unique Vintage; Registry: Honeyfund; Rentals by Rustic Urban Events; Venue: Eagle Rock Center for the Arts; Videography by Creative Weddings