Something Old for Your Fall Wedding…

…Something New for Your Home

I recently shared my insight with Cheeky Chicago in a column to showcase repurposing wedding decor:

Unlike bridesmaids dresses, you will actually “wear” these again….

Autumn is a time of change – so I thought it would be appropriate to show you how to transition old finds (from Chicago’s best antique fairs) for your rustic fall wedding decor into a new adornment for your home.

Frame Your Love:

This DIY project only requires a few supplies and is super easy to do.

Supplies:

• Mallet hammer (if you use a regular hammer, it may be too heavy and crack the frame)
• Frame (I got mine at Kane County Flea Market from Urban Farm Girl)
• Hardware cloth (Home Depot)
• Heavy duty scissors like Cutco Super Sheers (or ones from the knife set you registered for)
• #3 carpet tacks (Home Depot)

Steps:

1. Turn the frame over and cut the hardware cloth to size.
2. Make sure to cut so that spikes from the wire will hold into the sides of the frame (see photo). This way it gives it a better hold on all sides.
3. Hammer the hardware cloth with a carpet tack into each corner of the frame.
4. Then hammer one tack in the middle of each side. Make sure to pull the screen tight while doing this.

Voila! Your done!

An easy, simple and beautiful rustic decor element for your fall wedding. Call Be U Brides for the escort card tags and twine for hanging. Find keys at the Randolph Street Market or Kane County Flea and the “S” hooks at Home Depot.

After the wedding, bring it home and use it as a jewelry organizer. It will keep your bridal jewels from Due Sorelle organized and untangled; plus it serves as artwork for your wall!

These can also be a great hostess gift idea. I made them for my bridesmaids and they loved them!

I know Why the Caged Bird Sings:

Bring a rustic feminine touch to your table decor with birdcages; they are totally all the rage this year! Many people are also using them as card holders for guests cards.

Find the birdcages at Kane County Flea Market to get the best price (I got mine for $4). Use the birdcage as a centerpiece for your wedding or as a card container and then transform it to a candle holder at home. (Get Woodwick “Tradewinds” scented candle - smells so good and lasts forever!)

Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover… But by What’s Decorating It: 

People always ask what to do with the wedding bouquet after the wedding. With all the effort, one million “pins” and beautiful flowers – you don’t want to just throw it away. I propped mine on a shelf atop some old books I found at the Chicago Randolph Street Market. Use the old books from your fall wedding’s table decor, but first dry your bouquet by hanging it upside down from something – then prop up your dried bouquet on the old books to make a meaningful art display in your home.

Love is Medicine:

Use old medicine bottles wrapped in twine to accent your table decor at your fall wedding. (I found medicine bottles at Kane County Flea Market - 50 cents each.) Then at home use them for bud vases for your bathroom.

Sugar Coat It:

These sugar molds (from Chicago Randolph Street Market) make an amazing centerpiece for your fall reception table or place card table. With the help of a florist like Avant Gardenia, fill every other hole with organic sprigs and candles for an elegant yet rustic look. Then bring it home and use it as an organizer for pens, scissors, etc. Even put flowers in every other hole to make the organizer cuter than it already is!