This china belonged to my mom.  I don't think we ever used it in our home!  I'm happy to add it to my collection, she would like seeing brides enjoy using it on their big day.  Tip- find something sentimental from a family member, mom or sister etc., to add to your wedding.  My daughter asked to use my wedding cake topper, Precious Moments bride and groom, which really surprised me.  With so many pretty things out there to choose from and she wanted to use my old out of date trinket.  That made me happy and it actually looked pretty good on her cake.  Thanks, Lauren

 

So pretty!  I've spent a lot of time decorating tables with the mismatched china, several patterns at one time.  While setting a table I tried two patterns with complimentary colors and the outcome was elegant.  I especially like the lace over the burlap!  Speaking of that, my husband used a piece of lace over a table to spray paint a flower design onto the top.  It looks great and unique.  I'll get a photo of that up soon.  If you are interested in booking my vintage china, or other items, for a wedding get in touch with me soon...June is almost full!

 

A wedding can be very expensive.  There are many ways to cut costs and still have an unforgettable day.  However, being "cheap" is not really acceptable and your guests will see where you've cut corners if you're not careful.  Using a styrofoam cake for pictures while serving sheet cake from the kitchen to friends and family is to say the least, TACKY!  If you can't afford your guests, cut the list and have an elegant event with those who really matter.  Emily Greer (I don't know her new married name), made the cakes for both of my daughters weddings.  Beautiful and delicious!!!  Our guests were worth it:)

If you find old shutters, grab them!  They can be used is so many ways.  We use our old set, yes from our house, to display plates at GRS, in Watkinsville, Ga.  They also make a great photo display or a backdrop for a photo booth.  If you have any ideas on how to use them for a wedding or any event, please post below.

It's been a few days since my last posting.  We welcomed our first granddaughter into the world this week, Kinney Lessie,  weighing in at 9.3 pounds.  What a beauty!
The piece I want to feature today is an old trunk with a shelf insert.  This trunk is in excellent shape and it's actually a piece from my mom's side of the family.  The trunk can be used in a variety of ways, I've staged it to hold cards for the happy bride and groom.  It, could also be used to hold props for a vintage photo booth, such a hats, gloves, and frames etc .

 

 

Adding extra length (3 feet) really made a beautiful dress STUNNING!  Props to I Do I Do in Athens, Ga.  Patty and Miss Teresa are great to work with, they took good care of both of my daughters.  Also, the pretty photo is the work of Phillip Faulkner, Oconee's best wedding protographer!  Phillip is professional,easy to work with and the amount of time he spent with our family was over and beyond what most photographers provide.  A tip to the brides...check a photographer's references before hiring them.  I did this and boy did I avoid a real loser.

 There's nothing like a little burlap, mason jar and lace to create that perfect table setting for a rustic style wedding.  On the left you see three silverware holders that I recently made using lace, burlap and a little left over fabric.  I actually cut the burlap and sewed up the sides.  Then, I used hot glue to secure the lace.  The fabric flower really gave the holders that "pop" that was needed.  Take a long strip of fabric about an inch wide and 30ish inches long, stitch one side (I did this by hand making long stitches) and then pull to make the ruffle.  Wind the ruffle into a flower and add a fabric coverd button to the middle.  Beautiful!!!  Little hint:  next time I will use the burlap ribbon to make the holder and hot glue the sides, this should be quicker and just as nice.

Today is the big day for Ooh La La and Grand Rental Station, Watkinsville!!!  We are launching our business marriage at the Georgia Center Bridal Show in Athens, 12 to 5.  Hope to see you there, please stop in and see Rhett, Morgan and me (Lynn).  This business was born out of the love for my two daughters, Lauren and Kristen, and the desire to see them have their dream weddings!  I'm off for the big day, many last minute details to take care of before the show begins.  I must say our display looks quite impressive, due to many hours of preparation.  Check back tomorrow to see pictures.

Some of the best ideas happen by accident!  Tealights in china cups look beautiful and elegant.  Play around with what you have at home before going to the store to buy something new.  I've been very busy this week.  Getting ready for the bridal show has been a full time job in itself.  The Bridal Show will be Sunday at the Ga. Continuting Ed. Buildling, 12:00-5:00.  Come by the Grand Rental Station display to see what we have.  I'd love to meet the brides to be!!!

I'd been wanting a little ladder and I found it in Statham, Ga.  The color is greenish/blue and it certainly looks antique.  Not sure yet how I will use it.  Maybe a visit to pinterest will give me some ideas.  When I come up with something I'll take a picture to share.  If you have any ideas please feel free to share them with me.

What a busy day!  I started out shopping for things we will need at the bridal show next Sunday at the Georgia Center.  Then we were back at Grand Rental Station to work on displays.  We had great success, but I'll keep that a secret for now.  So, keep following to see what was accomplished.
After lunch, Ken and I went antique/shabby chic shopping in Monroe, Ga.  We walked away with 13 place settings of Blue Willow (cup and saucer missing from pic.) to add to my other 4 settings.
I just love the Blue Willow pattern!  It would look great with a red bandana as a napkin for the Fourth of July.  I plan to use them for next year's Thanksgiving dinner at my house with an orange bandana as the napkin. 

This dresser/washstand is perfect to display "dancin' shoes" for the ladies attending the wedding!
We all know that weddings are fun, but hard on the feet, especially if dancing is involved.  This dresser is actually a family piece that my dad had buried in the back of a storage building.  What a great (free) find!  The flip flops were only one dollar at Old Navy.  I heard a young guest at the wedding encourage another young guest to, "Go get some flip flops...they're free!"  Made me smile:)

Although and outdoor wedding is beautiful, it does come with some challenges.  Trying to keep the unity candle lit during the ceremony took some thinking on my part.  Some people suggested sand, but we are not sand people.  Using the globes worked beautifully and were very inexpensive, found at Hobby Lobby.  If you're experiencing an outdoor wedding challenge let me know and I'll try to help out!

Today I spent some time with Big Daddy and Pop shopping through the antiques stores in Statham, Ga.  We were looking for more plates to add to my collection.  This plate however, was found from a recent visit to Panama City Beach.  I think this is my favorite so far!

I love this little wagon! It's actually one of my favorite pieces in my inventory. The wagon was used in Lauren (my oldest daughter) and Adam's wedding in 2010 to hold their wedding favors. The sweet flower girls pulled it around during the reception and passed out the monogrammed koozies that Lauren designed. The stunning bride and handsome groom went for an old southern charm atmosphere for their wedding at the McDaniel -Tichenor House in Monroe, Ga. The house is the beautiful mansion of our 52nd governor, Henry McDaniel, and it is steeped in rich Georgia history.  This venue was absolutely perfect for the perfect couple on a perfect day!

I’ve been waiting for the New Year to begin to announce the start of my business, Ooh-La-La Vintage Wedding Rentals.  The inspiration for the business started with this beautiful vintage piece of furniture and a wedding dream.

Kristen, my daughter, started bouncing around ideas for her and Nathan’s outdoor wedding at the John Oliver Michael House in Statham, Ga.  Although she had ideas, she had no real starting point for creating the feel of the day that she was looking for.   That all changed when we stopped at an antique store in Blacksheer Ga.  There sitting at the front door was this beautiful dresser and mirror, Kristen’s starting point for her vision of an outdoor Shabby Chic Wedding! 

My husband and I had great adventures searching for mismatched vintage china and linens in South Ga., Middle Ga., North Ga., South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.  Needless to say we were able to accumulate approximately 275 vintage dinner plates, salad plates, dessert plates, and cups/saucers.  Our inventory grew by adding doilies, mason jars, burlap table runners, coke crates, quilt pieces, screen doors and numerous other great items to create a unique wedding experience.

If you are interested in renting any of our great finds please contact me at ledwards788@gmail.com .