Photo courtesy of Plate: Vintage Crockery Rental and Rescue; photography by Sarah Gray
We are thrilled to bring you this amazing Windy City find, Plate: Vintage Crockery Rental and Rescue. Chicago’s one-of-a-kind company specializes in renting mismatched vintage china pieces to set your table and dress up your decor with a little extra special something for your big day. In search of antique goods for their own weddings, best friends and co-owners Sarah and Shannon stumbled upon contrasting china and immediately fell in love. They transformed the concept into a terrific tablescape after rummaging through estate sales and antique shops for gorgeous one-off pieces. Awed by the response they received from their creations (at the same venue one month apart, mind you!), Sarah and Shannon created Plate to offer vintage salad, dinner, bread, and dessert plates; soup and berry bowls; cups and saucers; and serving pieces for rent to fellow brides and grooms.
Photo courtesy of Plate: Vintage Crockery Rental and Rescue
So, what do they keep their eyes peeled for? The duo scours markets and homes for English bone china, French Limoges, Bavarian hand-painted china, Noritake, and many more—even pieces that date back to the early 1900′s! The antiques must possess three key characters: quality, bone china, with intricate patterns and unique details. But there is always a feeling of nostalgia or connection. “Usually the most beautiful and old English bone china we find is a single piece or two pieces that were probably admired in a china cabinet for years,” Sarah says. “This is the beauty about our mismatched concept: These pieces find their way back to the table—right where they belong.”
Once you see their charming variety of vintage goods, you will be transported back in time to an old world affair filled with glowing chandeliers and upholstered furniture. Envision guests pouring Earl Grey from historic teapots and sipping from delicate vintage teacups. Re-create this high society soirée for your own wedding by using ‘couture’ vintage plates and saucers to showcase your delicious, provencal fare.
With such delicately divine pieces, don’t you want a celebration that follows suit? Here are some of Be U Weddings’ favorite ways to enhance this antiquated (and we mean that in a good way!) addition:
Photo courtesy of Plate: Vintage Crockery Rental and Rescue; photography by Sarah Gray
1. Correspond with culinary: Wouldn’t it be lovely for your sumptuous spread to take a cue from your antique-style tabletop? Work with your caterer to craft a menu stemming from the vintage setting inspiration. Whether it’s a garden style wedding with tea-time inspired pastries and treats, or an updated spin on family favorites—what about meatloaf muffins or mashed potato casserole?—possibilities are endless. One of our favorite Chicago caterers, Boutique Bites, loves to plate playful and indulgent creations on some of Plate’s dishes; take a look at one of their wedding collaborations here. Gorge!
2. Play up unconventional uses: Breathe new life into the vintage ware by using it unique ways, such as incorporating a cup and saucer for first course soup service (um, the cutest!). Or, secure a vintage mailbox to a piece of wood for guests to “mail” their well wishes on old-school post cards. Let your fete take on an ethereal, whimsical personality with items that aren’t just for serving purposes, but part of the decor. Flowers can be “potted” in teacups, and even candles can be housed in the vessels. Plate boasts more than 700 complete place-settings, so matching specific color requests can be difficult for brides. But with the multiple colors featured in a variety of pieces, don’t be afraid to mix and match. That’s half the fun!
Photo courtesy of CupcakesandCashmere.com; learn how to craft your own tea cup candle here
Photo courtesy of Plate: Vintage Crockery Rental and Rescue; photography by Avery House
3. Add personal touches: Do you have some of your grandmother’s prized linens? Work with your florist to incorporate them into your centerpieces for an added element of nostalgia to complement the tablescape. Photos of your family members’ nuptials can be showcased in stunning heirloom frames, and your great aunt’s handkerchiefs can be displayed in the ladies’ restroom. Talk with you parents to see what unique, personal additions you can intersperse.
4. Pay homage to the past: Take comfort knowing that in some way, you’re picking up where someone else’s story left off! “We named our company Vintage Crockery Rental & Rescue because we want to rescue vintage china from living in boxes in stuffy basements,” Sarah recounts. “We [once] received a touching email from a woman who sold us her great grandmother’s china…she was moving and downsizing and had to sell a lot of sentimental items that she couldn’t store and didn’t use. She said that as emotional as the process was, she felt good about selling the china because her great-grandmother would have been happy knowing it was being used for wedding celebrations.”
Photo courtesy of Plate: Vintage Crockery Rental and Rescue; photography by Avery House
Want to learn more about how to work in the timeless touch of vintage into your own wedding? Stop by the BHLDN Chicago Fall Preview event on August 23rd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Our very own Sacha Krasney will be on hand (along with a few other amazing Chicago-area wedding planners and organizers!) to give you the Be U Weddings’ spin on lovely fall trends, exclusively with gorgeous goods from Plate vintage rental! Be sure to check back Wednesday for the full scoop on the preview (or follow our newly launched Twitter account @BeUWeddings here!). Hope to see you then! In the meantime, what vintages tableware would you like to incorporate into your big day? Spill!
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