So the non-groom and I have just gotten a new apartment together here in NYC and we’re going through the whole decorating/nesting process. There are some things about our apartment (other than it being right across the hall from our old one) that we just love. The bathroom has white subway tiles, the rich mahogany hardwood floors, and beautiful french doors that lead into our bedroom.
Those doors! They made me fall in love all over again! We’re thinking of hanging a curtain above the doors so you cant see through rather than frosting the glass panes like we had them at the old apartment. All the apartment doors in the building are painted a vintage shade of forrest green and the front door to the building is a large glass door with wrought iron swirls. It’s heavy, but very pretty.
All these doors made me think of other ways doors can be used and since I constantly have wedding on the brain, I started to think about using doors and other home decor ideas as wedding decor ideas as well. At SSE, we have this awesome gate that we use as a backdrop or entry way for guests to walk through. The gate, which was found on the sidewalk waiting for the trash men to come, has been painted a million different colors and has been decorated with flowers, drapes, and even left standing on its own. It is probably my favorite piece of decor in the vaults of SSE.
The infamous Sasha Souza Events gate
Now I know it’s not every day that you can find a beautiful gate on the side of the road, but there are other ways to bring in that element to a wedding. Doors and gates alike symbolize the opening of new doors/opportunities, crossing the threshold into a new chapter of life, etc. There is that saying when one door closes, another opens. So as you close the door to Singlesville, open the door to your new life. You can use doors as a backdrop to a ceremony, entrance into reception, or as an easel of sorts to let guests know where they are sitting or what the menu is (check out the chalkboard paint on that one door!).
Top: Left-Right: Open door to reception, The wedding program done with chalkboard paint, These French doors are just like the ones in our bedroom, Bottom: Left-Right: Glass church doors outdoors, A welcome mat is the perfect touch to this escort card door, These woven cane screen doors make for a dramatic entrance, using a door to post photos is a fun way for guests to look through the door into your past
There is another saying, something like when one door closes, another one opens, (let’s be honest, I had to look up quotes about doors and I still couldn’t find this particular quote) so using windows as a way to either write out your menu or list out who is sitting at which table, the transparent glass glistens and gives a softness to your wedding. You can also have a pane of glass in a beautiful frame or treatment and have guests write on the glass as a form of a guest book. Then up-cycle the panes of glass and hang them in your living room along the wall. Another awesome home decor idea that stands out are mantel pieces as alters. We don’t have a fireplace or a mantel in the apartment, but it is the heart of a home.
Top: Left-Right: A romantic mantel alter flooded with candles, An archway of windows leading into the party, A window sign leading guests to the wedding. Bottom: Left-Right: A backdrop of vintage windows, Hang your window guest book in your home, Up-cycle a vintage mantel alter in your new home together
These ideas are great for those on a budget who like to recycle or up-cycle. You can check out your local antique store or even just check out your local dumpster! Adding DIY touches like blackboard paint or floral will add those unique touches. Also, look around your house and see if there is anything from your home that you could incorporate in your wedding. Do you need to get new windows? Use your old ones! Need to replace a door? Use your old one! Its one way to stay on a budget and metaphorically open your home and pass the threshold into the newest chapter!
The building we live in has an amazing collection of old doors and windows. I may just head down to the basement and pretend to do laundry while looking for the best doors and windows to decorate with!
-Hilary
by hilarysmith
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