My eBay Wedding Adventure

By Lauren Sherman
June 28, 2011

Lauren Sherman wedding

Lauren Sherman marries Dan Frommer (photos by by Karen Kristian)

I was dreaming of wedding decor long before my now-husband popped the question. So when we finally decided to go for it and plan a proper Brooklyn wedding, I knew what I wanted: plenty of vintage knickknacks (like tin cans and lace doilies), unique dinnerware and an antique wedding band. (My engagement ring dates back to 1910.) My hunt for such accoutrements included trips to the flea market, as well as local stores specializing in old-timey items. But being an eBay fanatic meant I also took my time trolling the site for some perfect vintage pieces—and practical stuff, too. And eBay has made it so much easier with the newest version of the mobile app: there’s an entire "Weddings" section devoted to helping soon-to-be wives—and husbands!—find exactly what they need. A few things I rustled up:

Wedding Photos: Lauren Sherman & Dan Frommer

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Photo Credit: Karen Kristian photography

Dinnerware

Renting plates and utensils was out of the question for us—too expensive—but we didn’t want to dole out our Middle Eastern buffet on environmentally questionable Styrofoam, either. I decided to go with plastic champagne saucers and plates from Bambu, which are eco-friendly and look chic, too.

Set of 25 Bambu 11" Bamboo Plate

(buy it now price, $53.18)

These were the plates we used for dinner.
Set of 100 Birchware Disposable Wooden Knives

(buy it now price, $12.50)

We used Seletti Wooden Picnic Cutlery, but Bambu and Birchware also make great disposable utensils.
Set of 400 Champagne Saucers

(buy it now, $65.99)

I knew I wanted to do champagne saucers instead of flutes. Luckily, they’re as readily available as the traditional shape. Even in plastic.

Wedding Decor

Our ceremony and wedding reception were held in an old foundry in Brooklyn, complete with a hammered tin ceiling in the foyer and whitewashed brick in the main room. I wanted everything to have a vintage feeling to it, from the flower vases to the guest book.

Set of Four Vintage Blue Ball Mason Jars

(buy it now price, $19.99)

I used Ball mason jars as vases for the hydrangeas and larkspur.
Vintage Paris Map by Cavallini Co.

(buy it now price, $4.95 )

Instead of relying on a drawstring pouch for gifts of money, I decoupaged a drop box with wrapping paper featuring a vintage map of Paris, one of our favorite cities. And I bought this particular replica of a Paris map to use as the cover of our wedding album.
Set of 12 Handmade White Crochet Lace Doilies

(buy it now price, $7.99)

I used craft paper to cover the my dinner tables, but lace doilies would have been a nice accent—they're one detail that slipped my mind.

Jewelry

My dress wasn’t vintage, but all of my jewelry was. Instead of going for an art deco-inspired band and engagement ring, I went for the real thing: My yellow gold, diamond and platinum engagement ring was made around 1910 and my platinum and diamond band around 1930. (Same goes for my blue sapphire and diamond earrings.) The good news? My husband didn’t break the bank on these splurges. And neither did I when it came to his cufflinks.

Antique Art Deco Diamond/Sapphire Engagement Ring

(buy it now price, $1,649)

This gorgeous antique Deco ring makes a vintage statement without overdoing it.
Vintage Multi Strands Gray Glass Baroque Pearl Necklace

(buy it now price, $44.99)

For a necklace, I wore my grandmother’s wedding pearls.
Black Computer Key Cufflinks

(starting bid, $20.95)

My wedding gift to my husband was a pair of these computer key cufflinks in his initials. Maybe antiques, but definitely still cool.