I love when brides use vintage items in their wedding decor. We had the cutest setup at the Piggery last year for a wedding where a bride and groom incorporated some really unique vintage pieces into their lounge area and general decor (see below). Rentals are always an awesome way to go, but the nice thing about purchasing pieces is that you can have them as part of your home decor forever! And what a nice reminder of your special day :)



If you're looking for some one of a kind items for your wedding, be sure to check out these awesome stores for vintage treasures!

1. Marshalls Antique Warehouse, Canton

Photo via Marshall's Antique Warehouse

Featuring reclaimed building materials as well as vintage collectibles. So. many. cool. things. Check out their Facebook for updates. They also have these awesome pieces available for rentals for weddings!!

Photo via Marshall's Antique Warehouse

Photo via Marshall's Antique Warehouse

138 12th Street
Canton, Ohio 44703
330.685.4014
http://marshallsantiquewarehouse.com/

2. Closetology, Barberton

Awesome repurposed furniture, vintage and designer clothing and shoes, and the best smelling candles you will ever find. This place is just the cutest. They also do rentals for weddings and events!

Photo via Closetology

Photo via Closetology

We have obviously had a very lucky winter in 2016 here in Northeast Ohio. Minimal snow and record breaking high temperatures have made me a very happy girl.  This is why I can't feel too bad about the recent onslaught of snow and negative windchills, because it IS mid-February, and this is the worst it has gotten. Honestly, there is something magical about those falling snowflakes, and I have always loved the idea of a truly white wedding (I mean, seriously, picture it: Soft white snow and glittering candles and fur and rosy cheeks. It's a pretty picture).

This is why I LOVE LOVE this shoot. It's so cute and makes that Northeast Ohio snow seem not-so-bad. We do, after all, tend to have many snowy days, and snow day shoots certainly help with the crafting of a truly unique, quintessentially Northeast Ohio love story.

Many thanks to The Cannons Photography for sharing these images. Shoot styled by the amazing McPherson Events & Design.

Photo via Jesse & Nelli Photography

If you're looking to host a classic, elegant wedding, there are some BEAUTIFUL venues in the Northeast Ohio area that can provide the perfect backdrop. One thing to keep in mind is that space may be limited, but I love the idea of a small, intimate wedding with just your closest family and friends. Here are two affordable options:

1. Henn Mansion, Euclid.

This place is absolutely stunning, and the rental fee is so reasonable that it should definitely be one of your top contenders if you're considering an estate wedding.

It is a beautiful English Tudor manor, complete with leaded glass windows and ornate fireplaces. The Henn Mansion is located on 30 acres along the shore of Lake Erie, and if that isn't enough to convince you of how awesome this space is, you HAVE to check out these otherworldly gorgeous photos via Jesse & Nelli Photography/ Finest Moments Photography:

Photo via Jesse & Nelli Photography

Photo via Jesse & Nelli Photography

Photo via Jesse & Nelli Photography

Photo via Jesse & Nelli Photography

Check out more stunning images from this wedding here.

Here are some cool Craigslist finds for the week! Just in time for you to pick up this weekend :) Click the image or title to take you to the post.

1. Chairs for possible lounge area. 
Two orange barrel chairs for $75. Not too bad!

Image via Loot Vintage Rentals

**Items not guaranteed to be available. Please contact the SELLER of each post for more information. This post is for informational purposes only. I am not selling these items and do not know the sellers, and can not therefore attest to the quality of the items. Please exercise caution when purchasing any items from Craigslist, and read Craigslist's safety disclaimer here.

Outdoor wedding setup at Wingfoot Lake State Park, photo via Julina Marie Photography

Luckily for us, we live in a part of Ohio where National, State and County parks abound. Most parks have pavilions or shelters, and while some are nicer than others, they are ALL able to be transformed with decorating. Click the title links below to take you to each venue's website for rental information.

Summit County Metro Parks

I distinctly remember sitting at Bravo with my friend Molly, stuffing my face full of pasta when I first heard about Rent the Runway (I'm so glamorous, I know. I was drinking white wine so...it's alright). She said, "I rented a Badgley Mischka gown for a bachelorette party I'm going to for like $30."

Say what?

I then proceeded to go home and basically cry over all of these beautiful dresses that could be rented by a mere touch of a button (!) for very little money. Because just one summer before this conversation, another friend of mine and I were lamenting over the fact that we couldn't afford to pay $700 for these bridesmaids dresses for her wedding:

Image via Melissa and Beth

BAM. On RTR for $90.

Image via renttherunway.com

Turns out there are a ton of really stunning dresses on RTR that make for perfect bridesmaids dresses. Because, let's face it, 90% of bridesmaid dresses go unworn after the event, no matter how lovely they are. I think the biggest problem is that they are bridesmaid dresses and have a very specific look to them. You can't wear them to dinner (too fancy), you can't wear them to another wedding without fear of looking like you're trying to be a bridesmaid, and if you add in the fact that many are an odd color or gown length, the chances of re-wearing are even smaller. The fact is, you're spending $150 dollars minimum on something that's just going to sit in your closet, so why not rent?

Image via renttherunway.com

Image via Renttherunway.com

Image via renttherunway.com

They also have a tonnnn of really gorgeous bridal accessories or awesome backup dresses (for your getaway or reception!

Bottom line:
1. Save your girls some money!
2. Help the environment!
3. Have beautiful designer gowns in all of your wedding pictures!
4. SOME OF THEM ARE LESS THAN $50!

I also love that you can read through reviews about fit, see pictures and sizes of people who have previously rented dresses, and order a backup gown. They are also always running specials for new signups, and from everything I've heard, they are really awesome about making sure you get a dress you love that fits you great! 

What do you think? Do you have any experiences with using RTR for your wedding? I would love to hear from you!