Weddingbee

The first thought that came to mind was…lace!

To me, lace is the epitome of shabby chic–it’s pretty, it’s elegant, yet it’s laid-back. There are so many ways you could use it (without looking like “grandma’s tea room”).

Here’s one idea:
For your tables, you could lay pink and brown tablecloths (pink on some, brown on others) then cover with inexpensive lace tablecloths–perhaps from flea markets or even discount stores. The pink and brown would show through, and the white/ivory of the tablecloths would add a soft, romantic look. OR, you could lay all pink tablecloths, and dye the lace ones brown, then lay them on top of the pink ones.

Here’s something I’m using in my wedding. My hall’s owner told me about an idea another bride used, and I love it! This bride took cheap candle holders (like for holding taper candles) from the dollar store and used glass glue to glue them to vintage plates and platters to be servingware for the buffet–instant cake and pastry plates! You could get the plates and platters at antique stores–the are TONS of gorgeous and inexpensive chintz or painted flower patterns out there, and you can mix and match to create the perfect look!

I love cherry blossoms, and love to see them used as centerpieces. You could buy some antique/vintage milk glass vases (milk glass is white and milky looking), wrap them in bands of ribbon, and then place a few cherry blossoms in each one.

Baby’s breath is also gorgeous for a shabby chic theme–some brides make their wedding bouquets out of baby’s breath, or their bridesmaids’ bouquets. It could also be used in centerpieces, perhaps in antique, mismatched vases or tall glasses.

Well, those are my ideas for now! Hope I inspired you

Great ideas, Katie!

When I think shabby chic, I think mis-matched fabrics that are in the same color scheme…maybe keep a look out at the discount bins at fabric stores for different patterns of fabric that generally match your color scheme. Also ribbons, they are very easy to decorate with, and can be incorporated into many different elements (ie, placecards, vases, flowers, invitations, etc).

Good luck!

White Aisle has fake cherry tree branches

I’ve seen where one bride hung chandeliers she bought off of ebay from the trees. (knottie soon2bmrs.stone.)

We’re having a table set up with pictures of either of us growing up, then a photo of the two of us together in the middle. You could paint the frames white and use a steel scrubbing brush to antique them. or paint the frames in layers of your wedding colors so that as you “aged” them, the different colors would show through.

mixed matched teacups to hold sugar for coffee or lemon for tea. Also depression glass or antique tins to hold flowers or flavors.

Also, the “Soon2BeMrs.Stone” knottie that Ashes mentioned above has really inspirational shabby chic ideas.

http://talk.theknot.com/BOARDS/User/Profile.aspx?UserID=3579

I am doing pink and brown, and my centerpeices use candies and chocolates in little dishes around the flowers. You can probably find cheap mismatched glass finger bowls and spoons at thrift shops and fill them with shades of pink, white and brown jelly beans, M&M’s and chocolate covered almonds. The shades available in pinks and browns of those foods is enourmous. I did not want to spend thousands on huge flower arrangements that get dumped 10 minutes after everyone leaves so the flowers I got are smaller and each guest will have a mini chinese take-out container at their seat that they can fill with candy from the dishes around the flowers— it does double duty as the favor! My fiances brother ownes a chinese take-out restaurant so the boxes are coming at a near nothing price. To dress them up, I will be stamping them with the same wax seal I used on the invitations!