Goodwill hunting: aka thrift store junky wedding

Not thrifting from a store, but I have bought some décor items from other brides on FB Marketplace. I was able to snag my cake stand and table numbers for a fraction of retail. We're considering adding e-pics and baby pics to our welcome table and we may pick up frames at Goodwill.

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Hi Courtney! I still consider that thrifting, because someone else used the item! I also found invitations that I was able to use too. The thrift stores usually have some nice frames that people just didn't want anymore. You can usually get them for a good deal---but sometimes you have to go at the right time, like when they're having a 1/2 off sale. Have fun!

A couple of things, it’s slim pickings around here at my local thrift stores.

A beautiful iridescent opal vase I’m going to use at our sweetheart table.
A heavy crystal punch bowl(MoB begged us to have punch)
Ivory silky guest book with a crystal brooch
Ornate gold frame I’m using in a diy project
Ceramic floral salt n pepper shakers

So not a lot of stuff but it’s a start

I'm planning on going to look for a cake stand and possibly some vases. I have no problem with second hand. Looking for a collage photo frame too, hopefully find what i'm looking for

I haven't gotten anything from thrift stores, but I've gotten a lot of decorations and signs from FB Marketplace! I, actually, even got my dress from FB Marketplace! The bride was selling it because she bought 2 dresses from a boutique and decided not to wear mine. It was brand new & unaltered. I got an amazing deal on it!

Not thrift store but oh my wish has been amazing !! I’ve gotten everything so cheap and my weddings two months away so ordering now is key ! Good luck your stuff looks amazing

You've found some awesome pieces, Mary!

Love the cake topper. That's a statue by artist Susan Lordi I believe, from her Willow Tree collection! It looks very similar!

I love thrifting and garage sale shopping. I got my candles, a bunch of greenery, a table cloth for my sweetheart table, my card box, my FH's vest and suit jacket, my dress, wine glasses, a stereo system, chalk board, shelf, my veil, etc. from resale. I have a huge list of items I'm hunting for. I've saved a thousand dollars like this easily. I love finding old stuff and creating my own stuff from it. I'm also using my thrifted tea set I use for parties at the wedding. I just can't fathom spending big money on things I'm using once.

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Yes, I know what you mean about slim pickings. I've been to a few thrift stores in rural areas where the merchandise is "slim to none"---and I'm thinking that the folks in these areas just plain ol' use stuff until it practically falls off or breaks! Most of these wonderful peeps are very practical and don't need tomorrow's fashions or trendy things to make their lives better. It sounds like you were able to acquire some really nice items from your thrifty hunt! Oh, I just remembered that I also found a pretty ivory beaded satin guest book with a matching fountain pen! But, I have to remind myself to check the fountain pen to see if it works before the wedding! LOL! Around here, punch bowls are pretty easy to find at thrift stores---not much call for them anymore, I suppose. Back in my earlier years, having guests over for parties and events was much more common, and punch or some kind of wassail was the drink of the day! Ok, I'm giving away my age.....Ha!.......and NO, I didn't wash dishes at the last supper!

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Hi Laura! If you live in a bigger city, you should be able to find some pretty items for your wedding. It's really nice that you are willing to look for gently used items---there are lots of treasures to be found, for sure!

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Wow! You go, girl! I'm glad that you were able to reap the benefits of the other bride's decision to sell one of the two dresses she purchased from a boutique. It's amazing that today's brides can even afford to buy ONE wedding dress, let alone TWO!

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Congratulations, Mareah! Isn't it wonderful to be able to save money on your wedding? Maybe you can put those savings toward something meaningful for the two of you! Thank you for the sweet compliment!

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Thank you, Cliodhna! Yes, that's a Willow Tree cake topper I found at the thrift store for a bargain! I just had to get it, because I knew it's value--and I thought it would fit nicely with our country-style wedding theme. I used to decorate cakes for a living, and set this atop many wedding cakes during my career!

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Hi Candice! I see that you have been blessed with a whole lot of treasures from your "Goodwill" hunting adventures! It's actually fun to be able to find things that are tucked away and unnoticed by others---that somehow find a place in your shopping cart! Have fun, and God bless you!

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I'm not in to big of a city, but I am near 3 Salvation army stores, One goodwill store, and a St. Vincent De Paul Store. I hope to find something. I don't want all my decor to be brand new. I love some things with some character!

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Hopefully between these stores, you can find some wonderful items full of character!

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I hope so! I do have a cake stand, but it's not really going to go with my decorations. I'll work with it though if I don't find one I love

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You know, some of my things don't really go together either, but in the long run--I doubt if people are going to be that nit-picky. If they are, then maybe they should have volunteered to help plan your wedding. Have a fun time treasure hunting!

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What a bargain find! The great thing is that you can have it in your home on display after A lovely keepsake to have!

Do you plan on making your own cake for the wedding?

I love a good deal!

I have been buying mismatched plates for the reception. Both dinner and cake.

So far I have hit goodwill, a catholic thrift store and fb market.

I also have been hunting for other things. I found a killer deal on brand new, still in the box glasses for the reception. And I am always looking for decor items.

I am also refinished several vintage furniture pieces for the wedding. I bought a vanity for $60, two dining chairs for $10 and a drop leaf table for $60. Very excited to get those looking beautiful again!