Multi-Use:Mason Jars

While scouring spring flea markets, be sure to stock up on mason jars for all your entertaining needs. These classic jars are the perfect multi-use party accessory. With a bit of thoughtful planning, they can easily be incorporated into all aspects of your event, from your floral centerpieces to lighting to post-party clean-up.
Photos: Etsy

Eko Miko Candle Line

There are few things we love more than finding innovative new eco products that are ideal for entertaining. We've been in touch recently with the folks over at Eko Miko and are really loving their new collection of products. Founded by actress Izabella Miko (Coyote Ugly, Clash of the Titans, The Cape), this chic new line of eco candles is green party-ready. Every aspect of these candles is eco-friendly – from the packaging to the 100% vegetable wax based candles. But our favorite part: the green frosted glass candle holders, which are made from repurposed wine, water and trademark bottles that have been rescued from the North American waste stream.
Photos: Eko Miko

Aromatic Jelly Jar Candles

Reused jelly jars are ideal vessels for votive candles. Create a rustic table setting by adorning a collection of jelly jar candle holders with pliable plant clipping (rosemary and eucalyptus are good options). Simple secure the ends of the clippings with a small piece of wire to create a one-of-a-kind eco-chic tabletop.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Mismatched Candlesticks

Who says table accents have to perfectly match in order to create a sense of design coherency? An assortment of found candlesticks (scour garage sales, flea markets and the like for inexpensive finds) look chic when paired with elegant tapers in a neutral hue. 

Photo: Martha Stewart

Reclaimed Elegance

When wintry weather blows into town, a burst of bright color can go a pretty long way. Get out of a cold weather rut by setting your party table with brightly colored vintage plates, secondhand pastel-hued glasses and reclaimed bold blue mason jars.

Photos: My Kate Parker Wedding & Gracie Lou Events

Recycled Jack O’ Lanterns

A quick coat of earth-toned paint and some strategically placed holes are all you need to transform a collection of used aluminum cans into display-worthy eco jack o’ lanterns. Line your walkways with these easy DIY lanterns or arrange them on a bar or buffet.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Recycled Cityscape

Hosting an affair in your favorite big city? Create your own modern eco cityscape on every table. Reused aluminum cans are the perfect vessels for the project. Begin by washing cans with warm, soapy water and allow them to fully air dry. For a skyscraper-feel, create a pattern of organized holes on all sides of each can. A non-petroleum-based votive will complete your urban-eco theme.

Photo: The Knot

Making Waves

Create an ocean-inspired scene right on your tabletop. To begin you’ll need two large glass vases. Be sure that one vase is slightly smaller so that it can easily fit inside of the larger vase. Place a white paraffin-free pillar candle into the center vase. Fill the outer vase with turquoise tinted water using organic or vegan food coloring to make instant waves at your next eco-party. (Eco-tip: Can't find recycled glass vases? Opt for practical vases that you are likely to reuse post-party).

Photo: Martha Stewart

Jelly Jar Candles

Admittedly, I used to make jelly jar candles as a kid, after I spent months collecting jelly jars adorned with colorful images of my favorite cartoon characters (something only the 80s could provide). However, I like the idea of a grown-up DIY version that uses clear glass jars (sans Tom & Jerry), eco-friendly beeswax and a few drops of relaxing essential oils.

Photo: Martha Stewart 

Exotic Inspiration

Amp up the exotic vibe at a laid-back summer get-together with this low-impact idea. Fill a simple bowl or serving piece with water and tropical colored floating candles. Place a few orchids in the water to float beside the candles; you can also scatter several orchids across the table for an easy, organic vibe.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Apothecary Bottles

Instead of using electricity to light an outdoor buffet or bar, consider this simple, yet romantic solution. Gather clear apothecary bottles (which can often be found in bulk at flea markets) and fill them with wicks and lamp oil. Arrange the bottles inside of a hurricane (you can reuse it after the party) to protect the flames from the wind. Depending on the size of the individual bottles, the flames should last for at least several hours.

Photos: Martha Stewart

Candlelit Footpath

Why burn up extra electricity if you can avoid it? If you’re considering hosting an evening affair, add some style (and some safety) to a footpath with mason jar candleholders (they would look equally pretty for a daytime party). Place a soy (or other eco friendly) candle into a reused jar and alternate with some simple seasonal flowers (as pictured below). After all the guests are gone, wash each mason jar with warm, soapy water (after the jars have cooled from the candlelight, of course) and reuse for extra storage or as a vase. Or, opt to keep the jars as decorative candleholders that you can use year-round!

Photo: Once Wed

Moss Centerpieces

Growing up, I spent a lot of time in my parents’ floral shop playing around with different varieties of moss. Both Spanish moss and sheet moss have served as common staples in the floral design world for years now; however, mostly, the moss is used as a quick “filler” to dress up the rims of potted plants. Recently, moss has been making a center stage appearance, serving as the focal point of many simple, green centerpieces. When shopping for moss either independently or with a floral designer, be sure to request only natural varieties of moss (I prefer sheet moss, which reminds me of a sort of fuzzy, woodland carpet [pictured below]), and request wholesale growers who choose to use exclusively organic growing methods, as well as natural and chemical free drying methods for their mosses.

Photos: The Knot & Martha Stewart

An Edgy Tabletop

When paired with black plates and clusters of chic, Moroccan-inspired glass lanterns, a line of wine bottles, reused as candleholders, brings a certain edginess to an otherwise simple tabletop.

Photo: Rock Paper Scissors

Recycled Décor

When planning a green event, it is important to purchase as many sustainably made products as possible. However, it is equally important to reuse as many items as possible in order to limit the amount of new products you actually need to buy.  Here are three examples of simple ways to reuse items you may already have (and if you don’t, they are easy to find at flea markets, garage sales, etc.) by transforming them into chic design elements.

Antique Keys

Photos: Great Wedding Finds & Classic Bride

As strange as it sounds, I actually have a small box of antique keys, compliments of my grandfather. Here, the keys provide a (recycled) gothic, romantic vibe to an otherwise basic name card.

 Vintage Postcards

I often find stacks of vintage postcards hidden at the back of my family’s photo albums. Using clothespins, clip together a collection of postcards for charming vintage-inspired garland.

Ladders

If, while walking through my basement or garage, I happened to notice an old wooden ladder or stepstool in a dusty corner, I’m not so sure I would pay it much mind. However, when coated with some fresh white paint, wooden ladders become a focal point for floating votives at an outdoor event.

Cork Candles

Look for small ways to slip some eco design into your wedding or party with unexpected green touches, such as these cork candleholders. Cork, which is a 100% renewable resource, will add a bit of texture to nearly any table setting and, because of its neutral color, will blend with nearly any color palette.

Photo: Snippet and Ink

DIY: A Warm Centerpiece

Create a warm and intimate tabletop for your next party by forgoing flowers and instead creating this quick (and heart-healthy) centerpiece: gather a collection of (preferably recycled glass) votive holders. Place a soy-based or other petroleum-free votive into each holder (earth-tones will work best here) and then pour lentils into each holder to surround the candle. Organize a neat row of votives down the center of your table or arrange in a cluster (as pictured below).  

Photo: Rachel Ray

Elegant Table Setting

White linens, white china and candlelight. I can hardly think of three images that are more classic. To achieve this look arrange a line of reclaimed glass mason jars (which can often be found by the boxful at garage sales and thrift shops for a few cents each), staggered according to size, down the center of a table. Drop a simple, white soy (or other naturally based) votive in each jar for instant (recycled) elegance. 

Photo: Love Still Stands

Post party: consider reusing the jars as drinking glasses, vases, for desk storage…  

We LOVE: DognBird's Beautiful DIY Artichoke Candle Holders!

Check out these BEAUTIFUL DIY artichoke candle holders, compliments of our friends over at DognBird. Be sure to check out their site for more info!

Photo: DognBird

DIY: Recycled Mini-Lanterns

Photo: Wedding Whims

Here is a fun, super easy way to turn trash into adorable party décor. Instead of tossing aluminum cans into the recycling bin, give them new life as tea light holders. Simply remove the paper label and clean the can with warm, soapy water. Then, create a simplistic design on the can by punching holes through the metal. The cans can be organized on a patio, a stairwell or on tabletops. If you prefer, string a simple ribbon through the holes punched in the can and then hang your mini-recycled “lantern” from a high-standing centerpiece for a playful design touch.