Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, and naturally, you want everything to be perfect. However, planning a wedding on a budget can be a real challenge if you buy everything brand new. One solution to keeping costs in check for your big day is to incorporate used wedding décor. Not only is secondhand wedding decor a budget-friendly option, recycled wedding decorations also add a unique and personal touch to your special day.
Having navigated the realm of thrift stores as a flipper and embracing thrifted elements in my own wedding, I’m here to guide you through the benefits, incorporation strategies, and the best avenues to explore for reselling wedding décor.
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Advantages of Used Wedding Décor
If you’re already into sustainability in your day-to-day life, adopting used wedding decor as part of your wedding plans will be second nature. If not, this is the absolute perfect time to dabble into thrifting and resell marketplaces. The perks of integrating resell wedding décor into your celebration are huge:
Save on the Average Cost of Wedding Decorations
Couples spend $2,000 – $10,000, based on Zola’s average cost of wedding decorations. In taking part in the used wedding décor trend and resale wedding decorations marketplaces, you’ll be able to save thousands in this area, as I did in my wedding.
Recycled Wedding Decor Provides Eco-Friendly Elegance
Let’s face it, there’s a lot of waste that goes into throwing a wedding. Minimize the environmental impact of your festivities by consciously choosing recycled wedding decor where you can.
Create a Unique Aesthetic Through Thrift Store Flips
Store bought is great and all, but it’s what everyone else is doing too. No matter your wedding vision, thrift store finds can almost always be reimagined to fit your wedding style. There are so many fantastic thrift store finds begging for new life.
The 7 Best Ways To Incorporate Used Wedding Decor
Enhance your wedding ceremony and reception spaces with the timeless charm of thrift store finds and recycled wedding decor. Here are the seven best ways to incorporate used wedding decor into your plans to create a one-of-a-kind wedding aesthetic while saving a ton in the process.
- Wedding ceremony decor
- Wedding reception centerpieces
- Guest place settings
- Buffet tablescape & serving ware
- Wedding Signage
- Wedding Table Displays
- Guest Seating Areas & Lounges
Next, let’s break down examples and ideas for each of these elements.
Thrift Store Wedding Ceremony Decor
Is there anything more dreamy than vintage thrift store wedding decor to accent your wedding ceremony space? I truly don’t think so. You can take a page from my own wedding ceremony and incorporate vintage doors as a wedding ceremony back-drop, or use them to flank the aisle entrance.
Additional thrift store wedding ceremony decor ideas include:
- Vintage wine barrels
- Thrifted lanterns
- Bird Cages
Craft Unique Thrift Store Wedding Decor Centerpieces
The more unconventional and creative, the more opportunities to buy secondhand wedding decorations. The best part? Mismatched is completely on trend, which makes thrift store wedding decor centerpieces a complete no-brainer. so, go on, ditch the conventional floral arrangements.
Here are some thrifted wedding centerpiece ideas to get your noodles cooking.
- Votives with greenery (real or faux!)
- Assorted vases
- Birdcages
- Lanterns
- Mismatched candles
Planning a Wedding on A Budget? Get The Guide.
As a former bride on a budget, I found the wedding planning tips and tricks in the Budget Savvy Wedding Planner and Organizer so, so helpful. It was the best combination that I found out there of organization meets real planning advice for couples looking to plan an affordable wedding.
Vintage Vibes with Thrifted Place Settings
For a vintage or casual backyard wedding, embrace the charm of mismatched plates, drinkware, and silverware. Thrifted settings not only infuse whimsy but also offer the opportunity for resale.
I went this route and I made back equal to what I paid for them! Plus, I got exactly the vintage mismatched look I was after and had fun in the thrifting process.
Budget-Friendly Buffet Tablescape
Elevate your wedding buffet on a budget by incorporating used wedding decor to create a unique tablescape. Find formal serving ware at your local thrift store or snag some fancy recycled wedding decor from a former bride in an online marketplace.
I had fun with mine, bringing in an unconventional thrift store find (a vintage kitchen scale) along with some thrifted cake stands to create the unique buffet tablescape I was after. This is a space you can actually get pretty creative if you so choose.
Repurpose Thrift Store Finds for Wedding Signage
Think beyond printed signs and explore secondhand treasures like mirrors, chalkboards, and old frames to repurpose as your wedding signage. You can also consider old windows, pallets or wooden boards as well! All you need is someone with a steady hand and a little time for DIYs.
Used Wedding Décor for Table Displays
Next, let’s talk about some of the extra display needs you might have for your wedding, including a welcome table, a memorial to honor loved ones, or even a showcase of your journey together. Used wedding decor works great for these extra details. Here are a few ideas for inspiration:
- old crates, boxes or baskets that can be used to hold and display your favors.
- Vintage suitcases can be used as a basket or stacked as a display
- Vintage tri-fold or frames are great for guest books, seating charts and place card holders
Thrifted Lounge Areas for a Relaxing Wedding Atmosphere
Lounge areas for your guests to step away from the wedding buzz for a bit are a nice detail, if you’ve got the space and budget. Craft cozy lounge areas for guests by thriftily combining furniture from your home or local thrift stores. Mismatched pieces, when coordinated by time periods and styles, create a unique space.
Also, thrifted carpets are a great budget-friendly way to help define the space.
Where to Find Resell Wedding Décor
Last but not least, where and how do you start the hunt to create the wedding of your dreams on a budget?! Here are the best places to find resell wedding decor.
- Thrift stores: Did you know that Goodwill has an ONLINE marketplace for secondhand goods? Shop GoodwillFinds for online thrifted finds.
- Social Marketplaces: Online social marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Poshmark are great options for buying and selling secondhand wedding decorations.
- Garage Sales: Don’t discount what you might find in your own neighborhood! Make a day of it and scour the garage sales and estate sales in your area.
Wedding Décor Resale: How to Buy & Sell Used Wedding Items
Wedding décor resale is an eco-friendly and budget-friendly option for newlyweds to buy and sell used wedding decorations. Read on for the top wedding resale websites and tips.
READ MORE
So, with all of these used wedding decor ideas, are your wheels turning yet?! Or… noodles cooking, as I like to say? Armed with these resell wedding décor ideas, let your imagination run wild. Thrifted elements not only trim costs but also infuse your special day with a personal, eco-friendly touch. Explore local thrift stores, seize the opportunity to repurpose, and witness your dream wedding unfold – all while keeping your piggy bank content.
And, before you go, be sure to subscribe for more savvy wedding planning tips and tricks.
Happy Planning!
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