Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

We're hearing it everywhere.  Reduce.  Reuse.  Recycle.

Revisit the past and go green at your event by using vintage bottles and jars to display flowers. 

Bottles are easy on the budget too -- the small openings require fewer flowers. 

Leave a few bottles empty.  Vintage bottles are beautiful statements unadorned. 

  

- Julie and Kristy

The Odd Willow | Vintage Rentals in Saint Paul

Guest Book Envy

I fell in love a few weeks ago with this guestbook on BHLDN.

I was at a wedding over the weekend and they had this guestbook in gray!  Stunning.  Their colors were a gray-ish purple and white, and this guestbook went so well with everything.  I was so excited when I saw it I think I let out a squeal.  Luckily, we were among the first people there, so I don't think anyone heard!

I thought about buying this book just because I love it so much.  They also have a photo album available in this style.  The photo album is a little more spendy, but after seeing the guestbook in person, I think it's worth it!

If you're planning your wedding and haven't done so yet, you really must check out BHLDN!  It's owned by Anthropologie, and has everything from shoes to centerpieces.  

  

- Kristy

The Odd Willow | St. Paul Event Rental

A Few New Inventory Photos

We had our camera out recently and took a few photos of some recent finds and some floral ideas.

- Julie and Kristy

The Odd Willow | Twin Cities Event Rentals

No More Table Skirts!

When planning my wedding, I wasn't feeling table skirts.  Although they serve a purpose, table skirts are just too traditional for my taste.  Don't let anyone tell you you have to use them -- you don't!

We tossed around a few ideas to replace the traditional table skirt, and finally settled on garland created with muslin and fabric.  My mom went to work collecting muted fabrics that fit our our minimal color scheme.  Then she began ripping and tearing!

We wanted to share with you a quick how-to on making muslin and fabric garland:

Start by making a small cut in the fabric to start the strip.

Then quickly rip the fabric.  This will create a somewhat frayed strip.  You can make the strip as wide or narrow as you'd like.

Note -- muslin will naturally rip along the nap forming a straight edge.  If you begin and the fabric isn't naturally ripping in a straight line, try ripping the fabric from the adjacent side. 

A combination of muslin and muted fabrics were used to create the garland pictured below.  Pinning the garland to a standard banquet tablecloth did the trick.  We used this garland on the head, buffet, and dessert tables in place of table skirts.  We think this casual garland fit the overall comfortable feel of the wedding. 

Crystal buttons added just the right amount of sparkle to our garland.  

Contact us if you're interested in purchasing or renting our muslin and fabric garland.

- Kristy

The Odd Willow | Unique Minneapolis Event Ideas

An Old Twist on Shopping at Home!

Not finding what you're looking for at your local antique shop?  Try going online. 

 
 

We currently have our eyes on this adorable little vintage bread cabinet, available at The Petite Market.






Jody, owner of The Petite Market, really has an eye for beautiful old things.  We just love her shop! 

 

Check back early next week for a new post about table skirts, and why you don't have to use them!

- Julie and Kristy

The Odd Willow | Saint Paul Event Rentals

For Cards, Think Inside the Box . . . or Suitcase . . .

Rather than using the traditional birdcage for cards, Kristy found a rustic old box, with lots of patina and charm.  We decided we needed to announce it's purpose, so we aged some chipboard letters for the label. 

We think this cute little suitcase would work perfectly to hold cards for a baby shower, Christening, or even a wedding.
 

Reimagining something as simple as an old box or sweet little suitcase can help create the perfect feel for your event. 

- Julie and Kristy

The Odd Willow | Unique Finds for Every Event

One Man's Junk . . .

The Odd Willow is excited to be hunting for new treasures at this year's Junk Bonanza.  If you love antiquing, this sale is a must!  The sale runs this Thursday - Saturday (Sept. 15 - 17) at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. 

Junk Bonanza vendors have really mastered the art of display.  Here are some photos from last year's sale:

We'll let you know about our fabulous finds!

- Julie and Kristy

The Odd Willow | Unique Finds for Every Event

The Odd Willow -- Running With The Llamas This Weekend!

The Odd Willow will be at The Running of the Llamas in Hammond, WI, this Saturday, September 10.  We’ll be showing off some of our inventory and photos. 

Check out The Running of the Llamas' website and facebook page.

If you’re in the neighborhood stop by – we’d love to chat!

We have never attended this event, so we’re excited to see what it’s all about!   

- Julie and Kristy



    The Odd Willow | Minnesota Vintage Event Rental



Unique Guest Book Idea: Moon Bindery

When thinking about shower gifts, my other daughter, Holly, and I knew 

we wanted something really special for Kristy and Jeff.  We decided on 

a guestbook.  We knew Kristy wouldn't want a traditional guest book, 

so we started to look for unique ideas on Etsy.  We found Moon Bindery, 

owned by super-talented Barbara. 

We had a handmade, leatherbound guestbook made for Kristy and Jeff.   

We are so happy with how it turned out.  We were able to customize the  

inscription, and since Jeff is a huge Beatles fan, we knew just what  

quote to use!

We know how hard it is to find unique items that aren't mass- produced, so we wanted to share this shop with you. Check out Barbara's Etsy Shop for all her beautiful handmade goods!

- Julie

The Odd Willow | Antique Event Rental in the Twin Cities 

Don't forget the details!

Being my own wedding coordinator was hard work. I wasn't able to execute everything I had planned.  You can only do so much on the day of your wedding.  Let Odd Willow help make your event go off without a hitch!

On our wedding day, we didn't get a chance to take a photo with our handmade sign (for our thank you notes).  We decided to take the photo after the wedding, including our dogs, Cliff and Dixie, but would have liked to use the banner the day of. 

Odd Willow not only rents you everything needed to style your wedding, but also offers services to be sure you don't miss out on the little things you had planned.

- Kristy

 

The Odd Willow | Unique St. Paul Event Design 

Think Outside the Box

Are you a non-traditional bride?  Looking for rental items that are different from all the rest?  We have lots of options to help make your event stand out.

If the traditional wedding cake isn’t in your budget (or you’re just looking for something different), consider adding interest to your dessert table by using pedestal plates.  These versatile plates can be used for cupcakes, brownies, cheesecake, individual tarts – just about any non-traditional dessert out there. We have lots of colors and sizes to choose from that aren't pictured here.

Vintage Silverware

                           Antique Tables

Antique wash tubs can be used to hold pop, water, or beer.  Keep the line at your bar shorter by allowing guests to grab their own!

There is something so simple and sweet about these vintage touches.  Contact us to see how we can help make your event special. 


  The Odd Willow | Vintage Event Rentals in Minneapolis

More Inventory

Vintage Scales (we have more scales to choose from!).  Use them to display flowers, desserts, candy.  You name it, we do it!

Cloches in all sizes, antique books.  Great for styling a shoot or a relaxed wedding.

  Bride and Groom bisque dolls . . . this is all we need to say :)


                         

We have furniture and a lot more decor to show you.  We are working hard on our new website, but until it's ready keep checking our blog for new inventory.



- Julie

              The Odd Willow | St Paul Vintage Event Rentals

Why Rent Antique?

A few months back I got married. I realized quickly while planning that there was a huge void in the rental business for 
unique/vintage/antique items. I was determined to have my wedding be special and "different." I decided to buy everything (and I mean everything) myself. Although the end result was exactly what I was looking for, it was a lot of work to get there. Glasses, silverware, dessert stands, you name it, we have it.

                        Ball jars used for Sangria.  We also   
                        used these jars as water glasses on
                        each table.

                        Our table settings included vintage
                        milk bottles, jelly jars with votives,
                        vintage Paul Masson wine carafes used for
                        water, and ball jars.



Buying, washing, storing, transporting . . . all things I didn't think of before I made my decision to do everything myself. I vowed halfway through the planning process to have my items available for other brides to rent.  This eventually expanded to all types of events.  We do this because we love it, and we love to see our clients' vision come to life!


We hope to give people planning events the freedom to be creative while spending less than half of what they would buying everything on their own (not including the time invested in buying, washing, and transporting).  Our prices are competitive with the "big" rental companies, and we offer unique items that you won't find in large quantities anywhere else.

                                                            
- Kristy

       The Odd Willow | Vintage Rentals in the Minneapolis Area