Double Duty Deets

For about 7 wonderful years, I lived in tiny Manhattan apartments.  And if you've ever had the pleasure of living in a big city, you'll agree: small spaces require that everything you own serve at least two purposes.  For instance, my coffee and end tables during this period were actually vintage steamer trunks, which served as hidden storage for Christmas decorations, an air mattress, and spare bedding.  You have to edit your belongings pretty often and plan your space thoughtfully if you want your space to work.  But somehow, even when I had no money, I always figured it out (one of the big benefits of a small space- less to furnish when short on cash)!

So when it came time to plan our wedding, a solid piece of advice I received from a fellow New Yorker rang 100% true:  if you're going to spend money on something, see if you can find two uses for it!  For my friend/advisor at her own wedding, this meant taking those floral arrangements off the tables after cocktail hour and reusing them as centerpieces during dinner.  For me, it meant quite a few things were used twice! I love how this attitude is both economical AND earth-friendly.

So here's a quick list of tips for all you event planners out there, for ways you too might be able to double dip!

(1) My aisle pomanders turned into lovely table decor! Remember when I made aisle pomanders for the ceremony?  Well, my brilliant day-of coordinator, Hollie Holmes, found new homes for them at the reception next to the escort card trees.  Who'd have thought it?  (And this is yet another reason why everyone should splurge on a day-of coordinator).

[caption id="attachment_1966" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Before: Pew Poms (image by Jessica Morrisy)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1848" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="After: Table time!"][/caption]

(2) The bridesmaids' bouquets made for excellent decoration too! Ah yes, when you have 10 bridesmaids, it does give you lots to work with.  The maitre'd made sure ours got used not only for cocktail hour, but also at dinner for our sweetheart and cake tables!  Yesssssss.

[caption id="attachment_1967" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Before: Maid's Bouquets (image by Jessica Morrisy)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1850" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="After: Fancifying the Escort Cards"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1851" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="After-After: dressing up the sweetheart table"][/caption]

(3) The basket that held our programs... ended up being just what we needed to hold extra cards!  I don't have a photo of this in action at the reception- at least not yet- but its easy enough to imagine.  My original mercury glass holder (which was too small) ended up with lovely candles inside, just next to the basket.  I didn't even realize this would be so great until it happened- but it worked out perfectly!  And the best part?  The basket was part of a shower gift, decorated with leftover supplies.  Freebie love!

[caption id="attachment_1932" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Remember this guy?"][/caption]

(4)My veil was actually my "something borrowed." I only wore the veil for our ceremony and since my bridesmaid H. graciously offered to let me borrow hers (which I LOVE- its like a Barbie dream veil only better) I really couldn't refuse.  Ok, so I didn't use this twice myself, but it did get used twice, and it is still in perfect condition should another bride come along!

[caption id="attachment_1853" align="aligncenter" width="214" caption="H. rocking the veil at her garden party soiree!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1969" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="And here's me, loving the same veil at my holiday nuptuals! (image by Jessica Morrisy)"][/caption]

(5) And slightly less obvious but equally helpful, are all the things I'll be recycling after the wedding! Those white pitchers which held the escort card trees have been saved- I know they'll come in handy for shower centerpieces for one of the 5 upcoming weddings and 2 expected babies in my life!  The frames for our table numbers will be getting a makeover, and reappearing at my little brother's wedding in October.  Leftover OOT boxes will be getting an entirely new look for stepsister S.'s yellow and orange wedding this August. The little collection of mercury glass objects I found are now part of my personal permanent Christmas decoration collection.  And all those ribbons and craft supplies?  Puhleeeze, you know I've got plans with so many showers ahead!

Did any of your wedding goodies do double duty?