Weddingbee Blog

Now that we’re getting into the final stretch, I figure I need to step up my collections. As I mentioned previously, I am collecting milk glass for our centerpieces. What I don’t think I have mentioned is that we also want to use vintage books as part of our tablescapes. It is definitely not a new concept on the wedding blogosphere. (But when I thought of it, I thought I was ooooh so original.)

Today I want to share my favorite haunts for building these collections of milk glass and old books. If you live in D.C., I hope you find these helpful. If not, sorry.

After my mild panic about the wedding being so close, Sammie Sister and I hit up the Georgia Avenue Thrift Store in northwest D.C. When we walked in the door, they were having ladies 50% off for the next five minutes. I made a mad dash around the store until I realized they weren’t talking about ladies getting 50% off, just ladies’ clothing. Oh well. There was no milk glass to be found, but don’t worry—I didn’t come home empty handed.

Some books, and what is that in the back…

An old milk container!

I have no idea what I am going to do with the milk container, but I thought it looked neat so I scooped it up. I don’t think the Martha Stewart Cookbook will fit in with the decor, but who can pass on Martha? The white book isn’t very vintage-y, but the title is Girlfriend Material so I thought it might be fun on a table. All this for the rock-bottom price of $7.00!

While $7.00 is good, I know I can do better. This weekend Mr. Cucumber Sammie and I headed over to Eastern Market. Eastern Market is a D.C. landmark, and if you are ever in D.C. on a nice weekend it is a must visit. Pickle Puppy and I will even meet you there! This weekend was kind of rainy, so it was not a fruitful visit.

Eastern Market on a nice day (Image via Beyond DC)

We did make one stop at Capitol Hill Books. I went inside for a hot second but quickly came back out when I realized the books were a tad expensive. Twelve dollars was too much for me to spend on one book for a wedding centerpiece that I probably will not keep. But what is that I spy on a table out front? A “free” sign?!? How could I have missed it? On the table was a beautiful Physician’s Desk Manual in navy(!), a wedding color…score.

Well, four books does not a tablescape make, so I am going to have to do a lot more hunting. I definitely plan on going back to Capitol Hill Books to check out their “free” table again. Another stop on the wedding-stuff train is Goodwill of Greater Washington. I, surprisingly, have not had much luck at the one near my house, but I have heard of countless people who swear by it. I might have to go check out another location. I am also waiting on a couple of book sales by libraries in the area. Mr. Cucumber Sammie and I went to a library-book sale once and got probably 35 books for $10.00. We found the sale driving by the library, but this website, Book Sale Finder, seems to be very helpful.

And now the gem in my collection. Drum roll, please…Weschler’s Auction House. I L.O.V.E. this place. It is an old fashioned auction house complete with auctioneer (seriously like you see on TV: canIgetfivedollarsfivedollarsanyoneforfivedollarsonedollaronedollar). They have an auction every Tuesday and I have only been once, but I am counting the days until I can go again. I am super confident that I will find tons of vintage books and other useful trinkets.

Don’t believe me how a-mazing it is? I got an eight-piece set of Noritake china for $120! Complete with gravy boat and serving platter.

Gorgeous…I know! (Image via Replacements)