My take on simple vintage wedding decor

I haven't been able to do much blogging lately - the past couple of weekends have been wedding madness.  Two of the most special people in my life - Karen and my brother Malcolm - got married this month (to two other people) and my heart is just busting with happiness for them.  Honestly, I feel all giddy when I think about these two happily married couples - they renew my faith in love.  *SOB*

I was lucky enough to have been asked by Karen to help with the decor for her big day, and I thought I would share because this idea could work beautifully for a wedding you might be working on!

I spent the summer thrifting for candlesticks and chalices with a nice patina (it was a rough for me, as you can imagine...).  I was looking for a mix of heights, styles, and metals.  This collection comes from estate sales, flea markets, garage sales, and of course, Value Village and Goodwill.  They ranged in price from $0.50 to $8, so it makes for an affordable and unique option.  Plus, everyone has their own collection, and you could borrow from friends and family if you needed to fill a lot of tables.




The day of, I brought some air plants, succulents and a few small leafy ferns, along with a few bunches of red carnations (Karen's wedding colour).  I had so much fun setting up!  The chalices and cups were great for simply transferring the plant and its soil right into.  I stacked a few (carefully!) to gain some height, and added different styles of candles.  I snapped off the carnation blooms and added a bit of water into some of the candlesticks so they would last the night without wilting.  If you were using this idea for table centrepieces, you could pump up the arrangement with a few tall candles, lots of tea lights in containers from the dollar store, and maybe put them on some thrifted trays.

Karen and Usic had the ceremony and reception at the amazing Berkeley Church venue, a former church built in 1891 which has since been converted to a gorgeous and unique venue.  For cocktails, we all went to the basement and adjoining garden where they had two fireplaces, lots of exposed brick, a birch bark wall, and 'character' out the wazoo. I set up my vignettes on the two mantles, and they fit in perfectly.

I loved the final effect - can you make out the little mossy things with the red berries?  And one of the succulents was blooming a lovely red flower - perfect!  The instagram shots are a little blurry, but you get the idea. :)  What do you think, would you do this at your wedding?  I think I may have to have another ceremony just for fun...

Here are a few more photos from this amazing wedding.  Usic (the groom) MADE that LOVE sign - and then they performed "L is for the way you look at me..."  Did I mention that the bride and her girlfriends (including me) did a choreographed hip-hop number to Beyonce's Love On Top?  And the groom and his guys blew everyone away with their rendition of Gangam Style...  So. Much. Fun.  I believe they might be on YouTube somewhere...

sigh...so romantic...

Have you been to any good weddings lately?