What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Wedding Bells

Last Tuesday I was working at the Flea Market when a lady came in asking to speak to the person that runs the Vintage Booth in the back.  As my mind raced trying to think of what booth she was talking about so I could find their number, she said, "They told me she works here on Tuesdays."  Oh, wait - that's ME!  I assumed that she wanted to buy something and ask for a better price or maybe custom order something.  (I've made a few things for people and filled a few requests from my never ending stash o' junk here at the house.)


Anyway, she proceeds to tell me that her daughter is getting married and the venue is sort of in the vintage style and she wants to decorate the reception in an all vintage style.  She said, "When I saw your booth, I thought that's what the wedding needs to look like!"  I was proud of that statement because I take pride in only selling vintage items - nothing new at all.  

I thought she was going to buy a lot of items and ask for a deal on them or maybe even offer to rent things - (I have a $100.00 typewriter in there).  But, do you know what she asked me completely out of the BLUE?

"Would you be our Wedding Planner?"  

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

The funny thing is  - I would LOVE to plan parties and weddings with all my vintage things.  It's all the rage and I have a TON of STUFF.  (And, if I don't have it - well, darn it, I'll be FORCED to go junking again.  Sigh.  :D )  I loved planning parties for The Bean and I dream of re-doing my wedding with my JUNK.

But, I have never, ever, ever uttered a word out loud about wanting to do such a thing.  Heidi and I have discussed our love of vintage things and our dreams of starting up a vintage party rental and set-up business.  But, the logistics from AR to CO just weren't going to work. :) But, still, we talk about it.....

I have a meeting with the Bride and her Mom tomorrow night.  I am taking a sampling of what I could offer and what I own that I could use in the wedding.  I have a LOT of ideas and a LOT of stuff.  But, I'm not entirely sure that it's the same sort of things that the Bride will want.  She is looking for more Glamour-ish  1940's (she wants pearls incorporated into things) and I am more about housewife normal life 1940's.  So, it might not pan out.  But, still - it's exciting!  If she does like it, there's still the matter of $$$ and time involved, logistics, etc.

Things I own that I think would make a fun theme:

Picnic baskets of all colors and sizes - great for holding paper goods, napkins, gifts, etc.  
Maybe even centerpieces?

Letter card banners - JUST MARRIED or BRIDE and GROOM.

 White pottery vases for the tables.
 My dandy old Remington AQUA typewriter.  Great for Guestbook or message table.
Flower frogs for holding vintage wedding greeting cards or table numbers.

Tablecloths for accenting and topping white banquet cloths.  

Thermoses for holding flowers or a pop of color.


Marquee letters for CAKE or JUST MARRIED.   I have red numbers for table numbers.

Old #'s for table numbers - I have marquee, printers blocks, Flinch Cards, Rook Cards, etc.
Not to mention...
Vintage cake plates and stands
Blue Ball Jars

Vintage suitcases on gift table
Old cameras, travel books, binoculars
Old books
Old scales
Bright colored trays with graphics

As you can see, I have more brightly colored things and not too much "glamour" stuff.  So, she will either hate it or love it.  I'll let you know!

12 comments:

  1. Shara,
    Well, I know I would love whatever you come up with! And to even be asked to do this is (I think) a tribute to your taste. Hope it all works out and you get to do the job...don't forget about insurance because I see valuable some and practically irreplaceable things in all your stuff! Especially at the prices you got them for...GOOD LUCK!

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  2. What a fun idea! I hope it works out and you can take tons of photos! I would love a party like that! :)
    Linda

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  3. I LOVE the vintage typewriter for guest comments. And the floral frogs for cards. And the white vases. Um... all good ideas. Good luck!

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  4. That's amazing! So glad you're going for it! All at once I though of these photos that were done by my brother's photographer...a little eye candy for you
    http://www.kisswedding.com/blog/nicole-and-nathan’s-rustic-‘n’-retro-diy-wedding/

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  5. wow that is exciting! I can't wait to see what happens. We did a vintage tea party for my daughter wedding shower.
    Cathy

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  6. OMGoodness, I hope they go for your great ideas - what a super duper thing for you to get to do! I'll be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed!

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  7. OMGoodness, I hope they go for your great ideas - what a super duper thing for you to get to do! I'll be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed!

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  8. How exciting. I think your vases would look fabulouse and that frog tower would look great with flowers all the way down like a flower wedding cake. Fingers crossed for you!

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  9. How exciting! I'm sure they will love your things! You are talented for sure!

    I saw all of your weekend finds on your Facebook page. Were those Joann bags holding all of your goodies? Ha ha! I LOVE those things. So cute!

    Good luck with your meeting.

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  10. How terribly exciting! Its a dream come true! I love doing this for sets on stage, and for parties I hope it all pans out for you!

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  11. Good luck. I know you're excited by the prospect, but don't forget the practical end of things, too. Get everything in writing. Draw up a contract. And be sure that you charge them enough.

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  12. You really could have a great time with this ... although I think the advice to think about the practical considerations is a good one. Having said that - woo hoo!

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