You’ve probably heard about the charitable organizations that take donations of wedding gowns to provide a little extra glamour to that big day for gals who wouldn’t normally be able to afford something expensive. I applaud these organizations, but what about all the decorative stuff left over after the honeymoon?

It’s funny how objects that were selected for exactly how perfect they were for your theme just seem like junk you can’t get rid of after the fact. After my first wedding, I seemed to be swimming in a sea of designer faux flowers, fishbowls that we floated roses in, battery-operated tea lights and a whole slew of other things. (Yes, I said first wedding. Don’t get distracted here, people.) The point is, all the wedding accouterments were purchased with good money. Not only did I not want to let that go to waste, I also didn’t want all of it to end up in a landfill somewhere.

After a quick Internet search, it’s easy to see that there are tons of places online that allow you to sell your wedding décor to other brides at reduced prices. Incidentally, if you’re getting married, you may want to check these sites out. The chic site Tradesy has a separate section solely dedicated to selling wedding stuff. Stocked with everything from wedding dresses, veils and groomsman accessories to things like mason jar mugs and 30-foot sections of lace, Tradesy allows users to list used wedding items for sale.

Other sites, like Weddingbee, feature a classifieds section where you can sell your centerpiece lanterns or the 25 matching tablecloths that enhanced the reception space. If you want to just give things away, consider listing things for free on Craigslist or contact your local church organization. Objects like faux flowers, fishbowls and chair covers might just be the exact things an organization needs for their next event.

My pile of flowers went to a senior center where the nurses and aides dismantled the flower arrangements so that the residents could create their own. They were so thrilled to receive them that it no longer mattered how much money and time were put into creating the perfect altar spray. So before you just chunk all those décor pieces into the trashcan, consider all the options available and pick the one that works best for you and the environment.

Feature image courtesy of Shutterstock

Read More:
Vow to Hold an Eco-Friendly Wedding: 5 Easy Tips to Green Your I Do’s
5 Tasty Ways to Reuse Leftover Wedding Cake
6 Inspiring Ways to Reuse Flower Arrangements

By Megan Winkler

Eco-nerd, solar power enthusiast, DIY diva and professional coffee drinker, Megan has written everything from courses in healthcare and psychology to interior design and cooking advice. She has a master’s degree in military history, owns two chainsaws, is a collector of strange trivia and a world renowned Pinterest pro. She is constantly looking for better ways to do things.