Have you ever thought about what to do with your wedding decor after the wedding is over? While in my (biased 😄) opinion, pretty details are a must-have for many reasons, I know that many people look at a wedding as “just one day” and it can be hard to spend so much money on things that seem like they have a one-time use. Here are some ideas for ways to reuse and repurpose your decor!

Choose Your Surface

The easiest way to reuse signage is to use a surface that you can remove the writing from, like mirrors. If you purchase a beautiful mirror you want to hang in your home after the wedding, drop it off to your calligrapher - they can absolutely write on it! Another easy-to-reuse surface is chalkboards, which, if the writing won’t erase, you can just paint over!

Rentals: Many calligraphers also offer rentals, like mirrors, for their clients to use for their signage! Rent the surface of your choice, return it to your calligrapher in the same condition you rented it in, and you don’t have to hang on to all of your signs if you don’t want to.

Mirror Seating Chart Main Street Ballroom

Signature Drinks & Bar Menus

My absolute favorite idea is having a signature drink and then reusing the sign as a piece of decor in your home! I have several couples who have told me they’ve done this, and I only wish I had thought to do it myself for my own wedding! Stick it on your bar cart or hang it in your kitchen. Every time you make a drink, you’ll spot a small reminder of your day. It’s a really cute and useful sign to have at your reception, and will look beautiful in your home, too!

Here’s an example. On the left was the sign at the wedding...and then on the right is in the couple’s home at their bar!

Welcome Signs

You can do the same thing with welcome signs. Get creative with your wording - your welcome sign doesn’t have to say “Welcome” unless you want it to! Try just your first names and the date, or a sweet quote plus the date. Voila, keep it and hang it in your home as a beautiful piece of decor that will always remind you of your special day!

Read more welcome sign ideas!

Reusing Table Decor

Then there’s the more obvious ways to reuse decor. I used wine bottles as my centerpieces (painted gold and coated in gold glitter) and kept some. They look great on my mantel! My cousin had vintage-y tea cups and saucers as part of her centerpieces and I have one on display in my house.

Make Your Favors Work Double Duty

Another way you can get additional use out of wedding items is to make your favors work double duty! Recently, I made ornaments that a couple used as place cards and favors for their guests for their December wedding! Fancy place card options like agate slices or shells are something that many guests would take home, and they look beautiful on the tables during your reception.

Pass it on to the next couple

It’s easy to sell decor on social media! There are a million Facebook yard sale groups, and ones specifically for selling wedding decor! Maryland Wedding Consignment is the local group in my area where people sell wedding decor, and also look for recommendations for vendors. Definitely worthwhile to join!

The bottom line: Wedding decor doesn’t have to be one-time use if you don’t want it to be! With some thoughtful planning, you can reuse and repurpose your wedding decor.