The knot has been tied and the honeymoon is (sadly!) over—and now you’re surrounded by boxes and boxes of votives, mason jars, and all of those DIY projects you spent months agonizing over before the big day. So, what do you do with all of your leftover wedding decor now?

Sell it on Craigslist or Social Media

The best way to get rid of your leftover wedding decor is to make a little bit of your money back that you spent on those hundreds of pre-wedding trips to your local craft store. Unless you did something pretty off-the-wall or unique with your wedding decor, there’s a good chance that another bride or groom local to you will eagerly snatch up your leftovers. List your votives, vases, table runners, table numbers, or any other leftover craft supplies on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other resell apps that seem to crop up all the time!

Although you won’t be able to get back all of the money you spent on your wedding decor, a nice chunk of change and clearing out space in your garage never hurt anyone.

Donate it to Another Engaged Couple

Chances are that if you’re of a certain age, you most likely know someone else who is also about to get married. Weddings are expensive (as you well know), and anything you can do to help your fellow bride or groom out when it comes to cost would be an extremely kind gesture. You may also consider just gifting your stash of wedding decor items to any friends or family members who are in need of it. Can’t think of anyone offhand? Ask friends to see if anyone they know is in need of some wedding decor.

Recycle It

Weddings are stressful events, and it’s completely understandable if you are so sick of thinking about and looking at your wedding decor that you want to torch it or throw it in the trash (no judgment)! But you should really be tossing things into your recycling bin, if possible. If your items are large or unable to be recycled, consider donating them to your local charity organization. Whatever you do, don’t toss your used items in the garbage so that they’ll only end up at the landfill.

Use it in Your Everyday Decor

You may have tailored every piece of decor to look perfect for your wedding, but there’s no reason why you can’t use it in your home as well. If you have a bunch of leftover candle holders and candles, those can easily be used on the coffee table, on top of the bookshelves, or your mantle. If you had special signs for your chairs at the reception, put those over your headboard in your bedroom. You could also take any leftover flowers, press them, and put them in a shadowbox to hang on the wall.

And don’t even think about putting that guest book away in some dusty old closet—keep it out on the coffee table or a bookshelf so that you can pull it out and relive your wedding day memories! Even think about framing your table numbers, invitations, and any other paper product you may have used in your ceremony or reception.

Taking little details from your wedding and incorporating them into your everyday decor is a great way to remind yourself of your special day and of all the hard work you put into making it happen.

Use it for Future Craft Projects

If you have the space to save your materials, re-use your glass, fabric, lace, and anything else you have left over to tackle some DIY projects for the holidays or for everyday use around your home. Search for ideas on Pinterest and you’ll find that the options are endless for re-using your supplies.

Save a Few Pieces and Use Them on Anniversaries

What sweeter way to remind yourselves of your wedding than to pull out a few pieces that you used on special occasions? Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, your anniversary, or just a fancy date night at home, arranging a table filled with candle holders and table decorations from your wedding is a great way to remember that beautiful day and your commitment to each other. Breaking out the wedding decor will feel romantic and special and will be worth the closet space you’re sacrificing to keep these treasures.

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