20 Wedding Items You Should Borrow Instead of Buy

Weddings can be incredibly expensive, and it’s often the case that many items purchased for the ceremony and reception are only used once. To help couples reduce costs, borrowing certain items can be a fantastic solution. Here are twenty things, both big and small, that you can consider borrowing instead of buying for your upcoming wedding.

Weddings are a joyous occasion, but the financial burden can sometimes overshadow the happiness. Many couples find themselves spending a significant amount of money on items that are used only once. By being strategic and resourceful, you can significantly cut down on wedding expenses without sacrificing the beauty and elegance of your special day. This guide will walk you through 20 different items that you can borrow from friends, family, or rental services, allowing you to allocate your budget to more important aspects of your wedding.

Planning a wedding involves countless decisions, and each decision comes with a price tag. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and end up overspending on items that might not be essential. Borrowing items is a practical and eco-friendly approach to wedding planning. It not only saves you money but also reduces waste, making your wedding more sustainable. From decorations to attire, this list offers a variety of options to consider borrowing, helping you create a memorable and budget-friendly celebration.

1. Vases and Mason Jars

Table centerpieces can be a significant expense. Instead of purchasing new vases, send an email to your friends and family asking if they can lend you any vases, glasses, or mason jars. This can add a personal and eclectic touch to your tables.

2. Decor for Centerpieces

Achieve a more eclectic and personalized look by borrowing home decor pieces, such as hurricane or lantern candle holders, for your centerpieces. This adds character and charm to your wedding decor.

Centerpieces are a focal point of your wedding reception, and they can quickly become a major expense. Instead of buying new decorations, consider borrowing items from friends and family. This can include candles, lanterns, decorative stones, and other unique items that can add a personal touch to your tables. By borrowing, you can create a more diverse and interesting look without breaking the bank.

3. Cake Stand

While a cake stand might not seem like a major expense, the little things can quickly add up. Borrow a cake stand from a friend and take it to your cake decorator for use with your wedding cake.

4. Tablecloths

It can be challenging to find enough tablecloths to borrow for all your reception tables, but you can save money by borrowing tablecloths for specific areas like serving tables, guest tables, or the cake table.

Tablecloths can be a significant expense, especially if you have a large number of tables to cover. Instead of purchasing tablecloths for every table, consider borrowing them for specific areas such as the dessert table, gift table, or head table. You can also mix and match borrowed tablecloths with purchased ones to create a unique and interesting look. This approach allows you to save money while still maintaining a cohesive and elegant aesthetic.

5. Serving Trays

Use a mismatched set of borrowed serving trays to serve sweets at the dessert table. This adds a charming and eclectic touch to your dessert display.

6. Bridesmaid Dresses

Save money for yourself and your bridesmaids by allowing them to borrow dresses. Provide fabric remnants in your wedding colors as a guide for them to find dresses that blend well with your wedding theme.

Bridesmaid dresses are often a significant expense for both the bride and her bridesmaids. Instead of requiring your bridesmaids to purchase new dresses, consider allowing them to borrow dresses from friends or family members. To ensure a cohesive look, provide fabric swatches in your wedding colors and let your bridesmaids choose dresses that match the swatches. This approach not only saves money but also allows your bridesmaids to wear dresses that they already love and feel comfortable in.

7. Flower Girl Dresses

Ask the flower girl’s mother to inquire among her friends for a dress to borrow. It doesn’t even have to be an official flower girl dress; a fancy dress that fits the color theme will work.

Flower girl dresses are often worn only once and then outgrown. Instead of purchasing a new dress, ask the flower girl’s parents to check with their friends and family members for dresses that can be borrowed. Provide a color theme or specific parameters to help them find a dress that matches your wedding style. This approach is not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly, as it gives a second life to a dress that would otherwise be stored away.

8. Bridal Veil

Before spending a significant amount on a veil, check if your married friends have one you can borrow. Veils are often worn only for the ceremony and photos.

9. Bridal Jewelry

Borrowing jewelry from friends or family can add a sentimental touch to your wedding day. It allows you to carry a piece of them with you throughout the celebration.

Bridal jewelry is a beautiful way to accessorize your wedding day look, but it can also be a significant expense. Instead of purchasing new jewelry, consider borrowing pieces from friends or family members. This can include necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and even tiaras. Borrowing jewelry not only saves you money but also adds a sentimental touch to your wedding day, as you’ll be wearing pieces that hold special meaning.

10. Baskets and Boxes

You’ll need baskets and boxes for items like programs, flower girl petals, and party favors. These are easy to borrow if you don’t already have them.

Baskets and boxes are essential for organizing and displaying various items at your wedding, such as programs, flower petals, and party favors. Instead of purchasing new baskets and boxes, consider borrowing them from friends and family members. You can use a variety of different sizes, shapes, and materials to add visual interest to your displays. This approach is not only cost-effective but also allows you to create a more personalized and unique look for your wedding.

11. Cake Server and Knife

Ask your grandmother or other family members if they have a nice cake server and knife set you can use. You might be surprised by what treasures they have tucked away.

A cake server and knife set is a traditional part of the wedding cake cutting ceremony. Instead of purchasing a new set, consider borrowing one from a family member or friend. Many families have heirloom cake server and knife sets that have been passed down through generations. Borrowing a set like this adds a sentimental touch to your wedding and connects you to your family history.

12. Bridesmaid Flowers as Reception Decor

Use your bridesmaid bouquets as decor at the reception. Place empty vases on reception tables and have your bridesmaids put their bouquets there. This saves money on centerpieces.

Bridesmaid bouquets are a beautiful addition to your wedding ceremony, but they often end up being discarded or left to dry out during the reception. Instead of letting them go to waste, use your bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces at your reception. Place empty vases on each table and have your bridesmaids place their bouquets in the vases after the ceremony. This approach not only saves money on centerpieces but also ensures that your beautiful flowers are enjoyed throughout the entire wedding celebration.

13. Venue Decor

When booking your ceremony or reception venue, ask if they have any decor available for you to use. Churches often have wreaths or decor they use for other occasions.

Many wedding venues have existing decor that you can use for your wedding ceremony or reception. When booking your venue, ask about any available decorations, such as wreaths, garlands, candles, or centerpieces. You may be able to use these items for free or for a small fee. This approach can save you a significant amount of money on wedding decorations and make your venue look even more beautiful.

14. Ring Bearer’s Pillow

Borrow a pillow for your ring bearer to carry. A cute pillow can make for a great photo for your wedding album.

A ring bearer’s pillow is a traditional accessory for a wedding ceremony. Instead of purchasing a new pillow, consider borrowing one from a friend or family member. You can also ask a crafty friend or family member to create a custom pillow for you. This approach not only saves money but also adds a personal touch to your wedding ceremony.

15. Furniture

Instead of renting furniture, borrow a special piece you want to use at your wedding, such as a vintage chair for photos or a unique table for the guest book.

Furniture rentals can be a significant expense for a wedding, especially if you are planning an outdoor ceremony or reception. Instead of renting furniture, consider borrowing pieces from friends and family members. This can include chairs, tables, sofas, and even decorative items such as rugs and lamps. Borrowing furniture not only saves you money but also allows you to create a more personalized and unique atmosphere for your wedding.

16. Shoes

Ask your best friend if you can borrow a favorite pair of shoes for your wedding day. This can be a fun and meaningful way to incorporate something special into your attire.

Wedding shoes are an important part of your bridal attire, but they can also be a significant expense. Instead of purchasing new shoes, consider borrowing a pair from a friend or family member. This can be a fun and sentimental way to incorporate something special into your wedding day look. You can also borrow shoes that match your wedding theme or color scheme.

17. Photo Booth Accessories or Backdrop

Get creative with your photo booth and borrow fun accessories to make your pictures stylish and memorable.

Photo booths are a popular addition to wedding receptions, but they can be expensive to rent. Instead of renting a photo booth, consider creating your own using borrowed accessories and backdrops. This can include hats, sunglasses, boas, and other fun items. You can also create a custom backdrop using fabric, streamers, or balloons. This approach not only saves money but also allows you to create a more personalized and unique photo booth experience for your guests.

18. Leftover Flowers

Ask your florist for the leftover flowers they don’t use in your arrangements. Use them as extra decor or centerpieces.

Florists often order extra flowers to ensure they have enough for your arrangements. Instead of letting these leftover flowers go to waste, ask your florist to deliver them to your reception venue. You can then use these extra flowers to create additional centerpieces, decorate your cake table, or add a touch of beauty to other areas of your reception. This approach is a great way to maximize your investment in flowers and create a more cohesive and beautiful look for your wedding.

19. Skills and Time of Friends and Family

Enlist the help of talented friends and family members for tasks like stuffing invitations, painting signs, or decorating the venue. Offer to compensate them with thank-you notes or small gifts.

One of the most valuable things you can borrow for your wedding is the skills and time of your friends and family members. Many people have talents and abilities that they are willing to share to help make your wedding special. This can include tasks such as addressing invitations, creating decorations, setting up the venue, and even providing music or photography services. By enlisting the help of your loved ones, you can save money and create a more personal and meaningful wedding celebration.

20. Your Dress

Borrowing a dress from a family member or renting one from a rental site can be a huge money-saver if you are on a tight budget.

The wedding dress is often one of the most expensive items in a wedding budget. If you are on a tight budget, consider borrowing a dress from a family member or renting one from a rental service. Many bridal boutiques and online retailers offer wedding dress rentals at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new dress. This approach allows you to wear a beautiful designer dress without breaking the bank.

By strategically borrowing these items, you can significantly reduce your wedding expenses and allocate your budget to more important aspects of your special day.

With the money you saved on borrowing, you can decorate your new home!