Editorials

Planning a Wedding? Go Country!

If you have picked up a wedding or country lifestyle magazine in the past year, you are sure to have noticed an interesting trend. Country weddings have become very popular with brides planning their big day. That has had a big impact for vintage stores and others who make their living with rustic goods. Customers visiting April’s Attic ,a vintage shop in Centerville, Tenn., (www.aprils-attic.com) have been picking up old vases, stemware, planters and bowls to use for their country-style weddings and receptions.

The most popular item? Old canning and fruit jars. “I have sold more blue Ball jars in the past year than in the 8 years I have been doing vintage,” says Attic owner April Podnar. The brides-to-be use the jars for many different things. “These jars are being used as candle holders, to hold wedding party gifts, and even as toasting glasses,” says Podnar with a laugh. Canning jars are not the only items on their list. Vintage linens, old sheet music, and costume jewelry are also being used to create unique wedding themes.

Also popular for country weddings is barnwood – more specifically barnwood signs. Tom Podnar aka “the Furniture Guy” (www.tomthefurnitureguy.com) sells handmade barnwood furniture and signs out of his workshop and his wife’s vintage store. In the past year he has made custom signs for several weddings in the Nashville area and even out of state.

I am impressed with my customers’ creative ideas,” he says. His signs have been used to mark paths, escort the bride up the aisle, and even to create thank you cards. His favorite? “I really enjoyed making two signs to use on the Bride and Groom’s chairs,” Tom says,” one said “Mr. Right” and the other said “Mrs. Always Right”!”

Besides being charming, country weddings using vintage and rustic items are also a great value. “My customers have realized that their wedding dollar goes further using unique vintage items to decorate,” says April, “I’m having a great time too by helping them create a one-of-a-kind wedding they will always remember!”