A Beautiful Thrift Store Wedding

"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue"

Your wedding day is a reflection of you and the life you live.  You are intelligent and savvy.  You could take the easy road and buy everything but you want your day to be personal and one that you along with everyone else will remember.

While you are creating a day that will be forever memorable, how about taking a trip down a local thrift store aisle.  Put on your DIY hat and see all the possibilities.  Thinking about things that will work during and after the wedding will save time, money, and waste.  What wedding decorations will also work in your home?  What wedding favors can also handle double duty as table decoration?

Speaking of double duty and personalization, why not have your wedding party visit the thrift store with you and choose their own dress while helping you find a gown of your own.  Each dress will be unique and showcase personality as well as accentuate the positives.  These will actually be dresses your bridesmaids will be happy to purchase and of course wear after the wedding.


Thrifty Wedding Tips by Thrift Town
Thrift Store Bridal Party Dresses

If you are a tea drinker, you probably have a lot of tea tins and love their beauty.  In case you have been giving away your tins or don't drink much tea, you're still in luck because thrift stores are perfect for tea tins, cookie tins, or even recycled candle tins.

Let's say you have a nice selection of tins.  Now what do you do with them?  Make candles!  Candles are a lot of fun to make and these are super simple.

You'll need a few things.

  • Wax
    • Buy wax at a craft store
    • Melt down those partially used holiday candles or candles that have warped due to storage or candles that you just don't want to have around anymore. 
  • Wicks
  • Tea Tins, Tea Cups, Sugar Bowls, Creamers
I use Candle Warmers Etc. Original Candle Warmer to melt candles for reuse.
Thrifty Tea Tins by Alguma Bossa
Thrifty Tea Tins

Thrifty is synonymous with smart, savvy, chic, eco-friendly, "green", DIY, creative, beautiful, fun, stunning, modern.


Mix and matching plates, glasses, silverware, and linens is "Thrifty".  You can choose a color or pattern that will tie everything together as you'll see in the next few pictures.

See how these plates and cloth napkins, pictured here from Wedding Chicks, go together even though they were Thrift Store items?

Country Chic Wedding Ideas by Wedding Chicks
Country Chic Wedding

Bridal Buds found a unique way to transform Thrift Store wine glasses into Glass Cloches and Candle Holders.
Thrift Store Wedding Finds by Bridal Buds
Glass Cloches and Candle Holders

Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty took her Thrift Store finds a step further.  None of these items individually looked as though they would go together and she made a sophisticated statement by painting them all the same color.
Thrift Store DIY Project: Painted Vases by Style Me Pretty
Sophisticated Thrift Store DIY Centerpiece

I really like this next project by Let's Get Thrifty.  This is perfect for a bridal shower, baby shower, anniversary, and of course wedding.

Instead of having a guest book that will most likely be stored away and brought out from time to time, have each guest write a note or simply sign each square.

After your wedding and honeymoon, you can sit down and make a quilt.  If you don't sew and don't know of anyone who sews, fabric stores often know of someone who will be willing to help you out.

Quilts aren't just for the bed anymore.  They can be made into lap-size quilts (blankets), framed as artwork, made into place mats/coasters/table runners, and so many other uses.

Wedding Quilt

  • Purchase Thrift Store sheets and cut them into squares
  • Permanent Fabric Markers 
Having an area where guests can "sign in" that is in a 3-D format also adds to the wedding decor.  This quilt can easily handle triple duty (1) Guest Registry, (2) Wedding Decor, (3) Home Decor.
Guest Quilt by Lets Get Thrifty
Wedding Guest Quilt

From Thrift Store to eventually Home Decor by route of your wedding says a lot about you.  These Thrift Store glasses and servers make beautiful plant holders and wedding favors.  When you get a chance, take a look at other eco-friendly ideas on Wedding Bee.
Eco-Frienhdly Centerpieces found on Wedding Bee
Eco-Friendly Thrift Store Centerpieces

Shabby Chic, whether indoors or outside is so romantic.  This next setting has the desired elements for an outside party such as; tea party, bridal shower, mother's day, an afternoon of English games, and of course your wedding.

How to accomplish this look:

  • From the Thrift Store you'll need Sheets, Tablecloths, Fabric of different colors or patterns
  • Vases from the Thrift Store
  • Fresh Floral Bouquets made of flowers that are in season from local stores or your garden, Silk flowers or bouquets from Thrift Stores
  • Mix and Match plates, glasses, silverware, napkins, napkin rings from Thrift Stores
  • Tie all together with a Burlap runner, color scheme or pattern
For more rustic and chic wedding ideas, be sure to sneak a peek at French Wedding Style.
Shabby Chic Embracing Rustic Charm by Green Bride Guide
Shabby Chic Embracing Rustic Charm


Put all of these ideas together or pick and choose; either way will create a gorgeous wedding.

Having a wedding that you will remember doesn't have to be expensive.  In fact, what you use at your wedding can be easily enjoyed in your home for years to come.  Your wedding day is one day in your life but it will always be a part of your past, present and future.


What is your ideal wedding?  What plans have you made for your upcoming wedding?  Are you planning a wedding for someone else?






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Substance of Living

Comments

  1. Hi Marie
    Thanks for linking up at my blog party. I read your post and its awesome. Really great ideas, I love it. I'm a new follower and a new fan. Thanks again for sharing. Can't wait to see what you share next week.
    Angel @ sewcraftyangel.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Angel,

    Hi! Thanks for stopping by and it's always fun to share how creative other people are.

    Cheers,
    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  3. thank you for sharing these lovely ideas at the Thursday Favorite Things Hop. I have a bridal shop on etsy with very budget friendly keepsakes too. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Katherine,

    Hi! Thank you for stopping by and hopefully these ideas will help future brides.

    Cheers,
    Marie

    Here is the link to Katherine's bridal shop on etsy.
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/keepsakesbykatherine

    ReplyDelete

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