When I first thought about this question, visions of browsing through consignment shops popped into my head. There, I could find all the coats and jeans and  handbags I could ever want, but I never thought of the housewares section. That’s where the real gems are, as far as wedding decor items are concerned.

Our recent survey shows that 90.5% of brides and grooms would buy something for their wedding that’s secondhand. Most said they’d wear secondhand jewelry, and I can attest that the consignment shop has a tremendous amount of pretty bracelets and necklaces for under $20 apiece. Veils, too, can be found in consignment shops, and they’re also bought from friends who were recent brides. It’s a great way for Bride #1 to recoup some of her bridal expenses, and Bride #2 gets a budget-friendly ‘Something New-To-Her’ that no one in their circle of friends and other wedding guests would remember on Bride #1.

But let’s get back to the other realm: decor. In the survey, most of the write-in answers centered on decor as the respondents’ choice of their ideal second-hand buy. If the item is in good condition, it’s a Yes. We’re talking platters, domed plates, teacups and teapots, and many of the wedding coordinators I talked to for this story say they hit the flea markets and the consignment shops, Goodwill and the Salvation Army to find chargers and sets of china, plates, vases and other items that celebrity wedding coordinators use in their magazine showcases…but those items cost 99 cents apiece.

Since most brides and grooms are on a budget, they’re losing the ick reaction about using secondhand items and considering it smart to go on a hunting expedition, or cue their coordinators to go on their behalf, to round up pretty decor items that can shine as-is, perhaps in vintage or rustic style…or that can be dressed up with a coat of shimmery paint or embossed glass effects, then grouped to dazzling effect.

Of the survey-takers who would buy used items, 98.5% said they’d do it to save money, and another sector — 35.8% said that using second-hand items works within their values of eco-conscious planning. These used items are being repurposed, recycled. They’re getting new life at the wedding. And then there’s the circle of wedding couples who love the idea of showing off unique, one-of-a-kind, or discontinued items that none of their friends are going to have at their wedding. A tremendous amount of brides would likely say they fit into all three categories.

And then, when their wedding is done, perhaps they’ll sell their weddingwares to the next lucky bride and groom who also want to save money, be unique and creative, and repurpose items. That domed platter gets to go to two weddings.

Which kinds of items would you buy used for your wedding? A veil and headpiece? A wedding dress? Jewelry? Or are you among those who would stick to decor items? Share with us your secondhand wishlist…