Thrift Store Obsession

Now that we've got Jon and Stacey married, it's time to turn our focus to our daughter Abby's wedding to Dave in April. We've all been working hard to do all the planning tasks, including juggling schedules and meetings so that they can make plans when they are here in town. See, they live 3,000 miles away and the wedding is here! So a few days after my son's wedding in December, we had appointments with the seamstress, the rentals company, and the caterer. The caterer. Hmmm. The caterer (to whom I've given a $500 deposit!) has filed for bankruptcy. I doubt we will see our deposit or any catering services, since it's been a month now, and no contact from them at all.

So, I've rallied the troops: all my dear friends with a similar passion for cooking and hospitality will help me throw a dinner party for 200 in my backyard. One of our desires is to make this reception as visually stunning as the bride herself...although I doubt that is possible, actually. No plastic platters from the party store for us! I am on a mission: to amass as many silver platters, trays and water pitchers as I can possibly store in my home. There are wonderful thrift and antique stores here in my home town and they were loaded with these items until I arrived and bought them all! (Actually, me and Nan - I have a little friendly rivalry with my neighbor, Nan about these outings. We try to see who found the most amazing items at the best prices.) My kids think I have lost my mind and am hoarding. Some were only $2 and $3! They were terribly tarnished as a result of many years of neglect, possibly buried in the back of some barn for 50 years, but I saw past all that ugly and realized there were treasures to be had beneath. There must be many a little old lady who left her earthly treasures to the PTA Thrift Stores in this little town, when she passed on. Who knew?

Hard to tell from the photos, but the one in the middle says it best (before and after).

Wright's Silver Polish to the rescue!

Here are some more examples of the finished products...

So beautiful wedding reception, here we come!