Spring Seating

Though there are still a few months of chilly weather ahead, now is the perfect time to begin planning for spring soirees. Bring a bit of shabby chic flair to an outdoor affair with an eclectic mix of colorful seating. Scour flea markets and garage sales for inexpensive secondhand finds and ask friends and neighbors for seating options that you can borrow for the day to help you save both money and resources.

Photo: Once Wed

Picnic-Inspired Nuptials

Who says you need to spend money on folding chairs and synthetic slipcovers in order to create a romantic atmosphere? Instead, be inspired by this cozy, picnic-inspired aisle. To get the look, scour estate sales and second-hand shops for gently used quilts and sheets that are pretty enough to display. Set a small picnic-style basket beside each quilt in order to define the dimensions of your aisle. Fill each basket with locally grown flowers or with glass bottles of gourmet sodas for guests to sip and enjoy while watching your late summer nuptials.

Photos: Wedding Chicks

Natural Aisle Runner

Consider this: if every wedding in the U.S. this year were to be decorated with a disposable aisle runner, there would be enough aisle runners to circle the globe twice when laid end to end. Instead of using a paper runner, create a thick blanket of color with rose petals. In addition to being fragrant, the petals can easily be composted after your ceremony, thus creating next to zero waste.

Photo: Martha Stewart