thrift{y}

When I'm styling events and weddings, I get asked a lot, "Where do you find all your stuff for your events?!"

The off the cuff answer is usually a quick one..."Anywhere and everywhere!"

And that's the truth...but the longer answer dates back to my love of yard saling. You may not know or remember this love of mine, and with how busy I have been over the last few years, I haven't had as much time to go. But for years, it was largely how I came to buy anything at all. And it's amazing the things that I found that we needed, from clothes and shoes that were perfect sizes for the kids, to pots and pans that I had prayed for. I'm so not kidding.

Getting married young, still being in school, and having to make one income be enough to support a family of four is not easy. Not that I would change any of it! It just meant that I learned how to do things on the cheap.

We got furniture from my Grandparent's attic and repainted it.

I found luxury items like "new" clothes, cute shoes and jewelry at Goodwill and Salvation Army.

I slammed on brakes and did lots of U turns to go back and get furniture off the side of the road.

Here's the secret...it's a great way to live.

I used to feel disappointed that I couldn't just go to the store and get new things whenever I wanted. But, then I came to see how much I valued reusing, repurposing, and not to mention, saving money. Now, it's become more of a choice, than a necessity, but I still would so much rather buy a chair with a story, than one that has thousands made in a factory somewhere overseas.

What has this got to do with saving money when you're planning your wedding?!? Lots, actually.

There are so many things that you can get for your wedding from thrift stores. If you want a vintage feel, get lots of mix-matched white china for your dishes, instead of renting all of them for twice the price.

Or, see what found objects you can get that create the style to your event that you're looking for. If you love the vintage picnic idea, visit your local thrift stores and keep your eyes out for old picnic baskets and blankets.

Dresses. Old dishes. Picture frames. Aprons. Yarn. Serving platters. Glassware. Tablecloths. Vintage linens. Suitcases. Books. Jewelry. Wooden crates. Buttons. Army trunks...need I go on?

There's a lot of treasure out there, folks...and it's ours for the takin'!

What others are saying...

(here are a couple links to great articles about this!)

Offbeat Bride had a great article about it here: here's the start of it...

"I just want to say that I am having an absolute blast finding awesome, unique, and totally, insanely cheap dishes and silverware for our wedding.

Last weekend I went to a thrift store and got 40 pieces of silverware (in good condition), 10 wine glasses, and about 5 coffee cups (all attractive, in very good shape) for freaking FOUR DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS. I actually cackled on the way back to my car."

Simple Mom reposted her thrifting tips the other week and I loved all she had to say about it.

And, I've found over the years, the more you thrift, the more you'll find. Don't give up if you just don't see something one time...who knows what will be there the next week!

http://greenweddingshoes.com/rustic-vintage-wedding-ideas/