Something Borrowed: Wedding Decor You Can Rent, Share, or Swap to Save Big

Wedding decor can eat up a considerable part of your wedding budget. Thousands of couples are adopting an innovative, stylish solution: renting, sharing, or swapping their wedding decor.

Think of it as "something borrowed" with a purpose. From vintage arches and floral centerpieces to signage and dresses, wedding swaps are making it easier to save money, reduce waste, and keep your aesthetic on point.

Something Borrowed: Wedding Decor You Can Rent, Share, or Swap to Save Big

Something borrowed is more than a catchy phrase—it's a growing movement. It now extends far beyond tradition, offering real financial and environmental benefits for modern couples.

Why Wedding Swaps Are Trending

The average couple spends over $30,000 on their wedding, with thousands going to decor that ends up boxed, sold, or tossed the next day. The shift toward sustainable, cost-effective planning has inspired many brides to join or launch local wedding swaps.

These swaps are community-based events or digital groups where couples lend, trade, or rent items such as signage, table runners, vases, and veils. The benefits?

• Major cost savings

• Less waste

• A chance to meet other local couples and vendors

  
  

What You Can Share, Swap, or Rent

You'd be surprised how many wedding elements can be reused while still looking fresh and personalized. Here are the top items couples are exchanging:

• Centerpieces (floral stands, faux arrangements, candle holders)

• Wedding signs (welcome signs, seating charts, bar menus)

• Ceremony arches and backdrops

• Table numbers and place cards

• Bridal and bridesmaid dresses

• Table linens, runners, and napkins

• Aisle decor and altarpieces

How to Find a Wedding Swap Near You

Start with your local community:

• Search Facebook Groups – Look for local or regional groups, such as "[Your City] Wedding Swap" or "Budget Brides [State]".

• Join community platforms like Nextdoor, Reddit (r/weddingplanning), or Buy Nothing groups.

• Check local wedding consignment shops – Many host swap events or know of them.

If nothing exists yet, create your own! Here's how:

How to Host a Local Wedding Swap

1. Choose a venue – A park, community center, or even your backyard can work.

2. Promote online – Use Facebook Events, wedding forums, and local bridal boutiques.

3. Set guidelines – Decide if it's a swap, sale, or both. Require items to be clean and ready to use.

4. Make it fun – Offer snacks, play music, and consider inviting vendors for mini pop-ups.

   
   

Online Platforms to Watch

If in-person isn't feasible, these platforms can help:

• Wedzee – A resale marketplace for wedding items.

• Stillwhite and Nearly Newlywed – For dress sharing and resale.

• Rent My Wedding, or Something Borrowed Blooms – For curated rentals.

  
  

While Amazon doesn't have a dedicated wedding swap program, it does offer an excellent Wedding Registry that lets couples add everything from decor to practical home items. One standout feature? You can even select a Home Renovation Fund as a registry gift option—perfect for couples starting the next chapter in a shared space. Amazon Wedding Registry https://amzn.to/3YZglt5

That means you can still share or rent your wedding decor while inviting loved ones to help fund more lasting investments for your future.

Make Your Wedding Stylish and Sustainable

By participating in wedding swaps or rentals, you're not just saving money. You're helping redefine a modern celebration as beautiful, romantic, budget-friendly, and eco-conscious. Whether you're borrowing a rustic sign or trading centerpieces, something borrowed might be the smartest thing you can bring to the aisle.