Something Old, Something New

  Posted by Grace Bonney, of Design*Sponge

One of the most interesting things I’ve experienced while planning our wedding was my reaction to various traditions. I was surprised to find myself embrace some of them (having a wedding party, picking a best man, cutting the cake, wearing a long white dress) and not so surprised to find myself cringing at others (wearing a veil, having a wedding shower, changing my name).

That said, I’ve been incredibly intrigued by the idea of wearing “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” The funny rhyming nature of the tradition always makes it seem playful and fun—two things I’d much rather feel during wedding planning than “stressful and awkward”.

I’ve got my something new (my dress), something borrowed (earrings from my mom), and something blue (a pale, pale blue garter belt that all the women in my family have worn. I’ll pin mine to the inside of my dress.). But I’ve decided to fully embrace the “something old” aspect in a very big way.

I’ve always had a fondness for vintage furniture and objects, so I knew they would play a huge roll in the big day. So rather than pick one “old” thing, I’ve picked dozens and dozens. And in some cases, hundreds (those, of course will be very small things).

When I mentioned this to an acquaintance of mine, she looked shocked and wondered aloud if "they would smell and be, you know, sort of dirty”. I’m always surprised to hear that people think old means gross and dusty, so I decided to share some of my favorite vintage pieces I found in shops across Savannah that I plan on incorporating in our wedding.

(Quick note: almost everything shown here is from two of my favorite shops: Paris Market and Brocante (owners Paula and Taras are fantastic) and @Home (I don’t think I know many people nicer than owner Liz Demos). If you’re in town, you have to visit their gorgeous shops.

I love whacky old objects and one of the first ones that caught my eye was a vintage iron petticoat drier at @Home. What will I use it for? Hanging table cards? Maybe. Displaying old photos? Possibly. Either way, it’s got to make an appearance.

These vintage mason jars from Paris Brocante will be used for all sorts of things: flowers, leaving notes, drinking sweet tea. You name it and it will look cooler served in these.

This cool vintage planter is from Liz’s shop (@Home), and I’m dying to find a way to incorporate it. I don’t know how I’ll make it work yet, but it’s too cool to resist.

And last but not least, wire buckets and vintage belt buckles from @Home. I’m thinking I’ll use the buckets for slippers (so people can dance comfortably late into the night), or for storing something else that we pass out to guests. And the belt buckles—wouldn’t they be fun to use with napkins somehow?

I’m still toying with how to incorporate things like this, but I wanted to share my thought process because I’m a big fan of supporting local shops (I plan to borrow or rent as many vintage pieces as I can afford from local shops). Has anyone else out there thought of or used interesting vintage pieces in their wedding? I’m dying to hear cool stories about vintage screen doors, old typewriters and antique frames being used somehow...

Comments

[lyndsey]

Why not set up a typewriter instead of a guestbook-guests can type messages to the bride and groom.

Also, I have seen people use old typewriter keys on seating placecards- put a "1" key on all the cards for people seating at table one, etc. (This may take awhile to find all the necessary numbers-especially for a big wedding.)

While you're at it, affix the cards to a vintage screen door (in a-z order of course!).

[jessamyn]

I know this is weird, because of course the wedding hasn't happened yet... but I'm so excited to see what details and beautiful decorations you come up with! can't wait :)

[hammocks & high tea]

I love that petticoat dryer!
Maybe you can use the planter to hold sweets, candies, etc? It might be too tall to go on top of a table but maybe just the right hieght to do something special for any kids attending. Also maybe you can tie ribbon around your napkins and loop them through the buttons.
that's my 2 pence in your vintage buckets :)

[tori @ clavin kelly events]

I LOVE the vintage planter! If you do a dessert bar you could serve little treats and cakes on the different tiers.

[Steph Lewin]

LOVE the petticoat dryer. I would use that to tie random questions to it that people have to answer in order to get you to kiss (instead of clinking glasses). That way you can use fun, vibrant ribbons and paper and add to your visual "splash" at the reception.

I have found that its "something borrowed" that is giving me problems. Something new is my stockings, something old is my veil, shoes and dress (I'm taking 3 vintage store dresses and combining into one- read about it on my blog if interested), and something blue will be in my bouquet and on my garters.

Would the fact that I had my mother's wedding dress made into my wedding corset count as something borrowed? Hmmmmm....

[Steph Lewin]

PS I am totally going to steal Lindsey's idea about using an old typewriter instead of a guest book! We are having a rockabilly/1950s wedding and my fiancee's dad has a working typewriter from the 50s that would be perfect. That way, we can create our own book.

Great Idea!

[Linsey Bair]

I used vintage items for my table centerpieces. Each setup was slightly different. On one table we used a 1940's era rotary telephone that belonged to my grandparents. On others we incorporated cups and saucers, pearl necklaces, small framed photos of our extended family, other costume jewelry, gloves, etc. The effect was a slightly feminine, vintage feel. I think this type of approach has endless possibilities for personalization.

We also brought in furniture that either belonged to relatives or friends--an old desk where we put the guest book (with an Underwood typewriter on the floor next to it), a vanity complete with primping accessories, wingback-like chairs from the 40's, creating a scene where we displayed our photos. These "scenes", if you will, helped make the reception feel a little more intimate and familiar.

[Liz Demos]

Grace, thank you for the lovely compliments. I can't wait to see how you use the goodies you found in my shop.
Liz
@home

[Kelly]

Well we were married in an architectural salvage & antique shop so everything around us was vintage. We were lucky that we were able to use any pieces we wanted from the 30,000 sq/ft space. The bartender used an antique bar to serve from. Statues of angels with baskets, held flowers and programs etc.

I also had a friend who found interesting vintage pieces as her centerpieces. She worked with a florist to create them. For example, one table had an antique typewriter with flowers pouring out of it. Another table had a vintage blender... The wedding was at a Museum of Industry & Science so it all made sense.

[Erin Beckloff]

My grandfather was a milkman for over 40 years and he collects all kinds of Borden (Elsie the cow) items. When planning our reception, I knew his collection would be the vintage item I most wanted as part of our day. We used varying sizes and shapes of glass milk bottles, filled with a monochromatic grouping of flowers, each arrangement different.

Our wedding was at a buffalo ranch and inn in the Kansas prairie so the milk bottles looked wonderful, as well as being a special and memorable decoration for me and my grandpa.

[amy]

I think the vintage planter from Liz' shop would look beautiful with mini bouquets of your bridal bouquet. It could be placed near the front of wherever you will be saying your vows. Maybe even where you are handed over to your husband to be. He waits for you at that spot, you both walk to the back of it and take each others hand and proceed to say your vows. Oh, I can see it now.......reaching for my tissues as I write this!

[Allison]

My husband and I used several vintage items in our wedding. My engagement ring is vintage, and we followed suit with our wedding bands. Even his - and it's tough to find vintage men's wedding bands! We had our wedding at an organic farm / restaurant, and used vintage seed packets as table numbers and placecards. The table assigment seed packets were placed on vintage crayon molds - we weren't sure what they were when we first found them, but knew we had to find a way to incorporate them! We also used a vintage typewriter that belonged to my grandfather in lieu of a guestbook. That was one of my favorite little details about the day!

[Rebecca]

I love the idea of incorporating vintage elements, particularly when they've been in the family. I'm hoping to find an estate ring for my wedding ring.

My soon-to-be mother-in-law was recently going through some old papers and found a small pinback of a portrait of my fiance's great-great-grandfather, dressed in his finest, taken on his wedding day. She gave it to me, and it's become one of my most treasured possessions - because he looks exactly like my fiance! At this point, I'm brainstorming ways to incorporate it into either a groom's boutonniere or a wedding bouquet.

My m-i-l is also in the process of collecting vintage Mexican Easter baskets (harking back to my ethnic background) to use as welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.

For the big send-off following the reception, my dream is for us to ride away on my fiance's beloved old motorcycle - we're incorporating a new paint job into the wedding budget!

[pacegirlno3]

Paris Market and @Home are my VERY FAVORITE stores in Savannah too! I've been going to school here at SCAD for the past couple of years and have found these shops to be my "go to" stores for special gifts to send to my mom and sister for birthdays and holidays. If I was planning a wedding there is no way I could restrain myself from using some of the unique finds from either store. I can't wait to see what you do with your vintage goodies!

[S. Reeves]

The vintage planter is fab. I'm inspired by the birds too. How about little nests with mini eggs in them each with names of the house party or favorite messages about the bride and groom.

Or decal script or calligraphy could be interesting.

[Stephanie]

At my August wedding we used milk glass bowls, candle holders and vases to hold flowers and candles as center pieces at our reception. I have always loved antiques and have several pieces of art deco furniture and my mom and I both love to collect milk glass, so it just kinda fit in to our plantation wedding.