So goes the age-old wedding rhyme, but if Sunday’s Bridal Expo was anything to go by, all four of these boxes could be ticked with just one word - vintage.

Whether it be the bride’s dress, transport, table decorations or lingerie, vintage was the word du jour.

“Everything old is new again,” Primrose Vintage Lace and Trim’s Tracey Tullier said.

“A lot of people like vintage because they want to use a heirloom piece, but they don’t know how to put in a modern look.”

Ms Tullier said vintage-themed table decorations, headpieces and fascinators were some of the most popular items her business sold, and some brides were also embracing the theme with mismatched or “crazy” sets of second hand crockery.

Demure wedding dresses harking back to days gone by are a big seller for Brides of Beecroft owner Wendy McGregor.

“Lots of girls are looking for vintage dresses or French lace gowns,” she said.

“They want that slim-line, simple and elegant vintage look. They’re quite timeless and they don’t date.”

Mrs McGregor said many brides were trying to emulate Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton’s look when she married Prince William, with higher necklines and either capped or three-quarter length sleeves.

“People get sick and tired of strapless gowns,” she said.

“They want something more demure.”

The vintage theme is also spilling over to wedding transport, with budget-conscious brides looking to combine special family cars with hired cars in a bid to cut down on costs.

Blue Ribbon Wedding Cars’ Maria Matthews said family members often had special cars hidden away, which they could loan to the bride and groom in lieu of a gift.

She said it was more common for cars to be booked for earlier in the day now most brides have their photos taken before the marriage service while their hair and make-up is fresher.

“The whole wedding day has changed now,” she said.

“It’s more about the bride being comfortable.”

One aspect of weddings where the vintage trend is yet to make an impact is the rings for the bride and groom, with Regency Jewellers’ manager Jo Clark saying it still comes down to personal choice.

“There is such a wide variety. People who have inherited an engagement ring might go for the vintage look,” she said.

She said the expo provided the perfect opportunity for brides to drag their husbands-to-be along to pick out a ring for him.

While white gold with diamonds remained in demand, she said yellow gold was still popular.

Ms Clark said many visitors commented on what a great venue the PCYC had been for the bridal expo.

Organiser Debbie Campbell said it was one of the biggest and busiest expos she had been to and brides-to-be appreciated the convenience of being able to see so much under one roof.

It’s not just pictures, you get to see the real thing,” she said.

Wedding tips and ideas from the experts:

* Think carefully before shopping for wedding dresses online to avoid disappointment.

* Borrow a special car from a relative or friend to cut down on hire costs of at least one bridal party car.

* Choose wedding bands with a mix of titanium and gold for a harder-wearing wedding ring for him.

* Book a photo booth instead of disposable cameras on tables to avoid blurred photos and cut down on film processing costs.

* Visit bridal expos to see all the things you need for your big day in one place.

clare.colley@fairfaxmedia.com.au