For a couple with a big sense of style and a not-so-big budget, putting a wedding together on eBay is an excellent adventure. With its 50,000 categories of merchandise (from abalone trays to zouk music), no-worries security and 24-hour access—not to mention amazing prices—the megasite is one mega-resource. We dreamed up a country-chic garden party for 50 guests, and we bought every inch of this reception while wearing our jammies. All in three months!
Note: Our $10,000 does not include the dress, food, drinks and wait staff.
First order of business: five whitewashed iron-and-crystal chandeliers that we scored for $30 each. They set the tone for the remaining buys, a richly textured collection of fabrics, flatware and furnishings.
Part of what gives this reception its charm are objects used in unexpected ways: A wood plank from a barn becomes a wedding sign.
A market umbrella trimmed with crystals shades the ceremony site.
A rattan trolley stands in as a bar cart, carrying all the makings for martini hour.
A farm table and galvanized buckets morph into a bar.
Muslin bags of birdseed (to toss) fill an antique wooden trough.
In lieu of a guest book, a Depression-era glass ice bucket collects sentiments from the crowd.
For seats, we found 30 green folding chairs, five painted benches and a deacon's bench for the bride and groom. The deacon's bench is perfectly suited to a second life in your new home.
The buffet holds a masterful mix of cake plates, bowls and compotes, backed by a chalkboard menu fitted inside a window frame.
Birdhouse centerpieces add a bit of whimsy to this reception.
Delicate mother-of-pearl cake servers are perfect for cutting the cake.
Favor bags send your guests off in style.
Toast your love with these beautiful champagne glasses.
A cake plate holds glasses, great for soup (shown here), M&Ms and sorbet.
Glass pitcher and tumblers fit perfectly into the French-country theme.
A shiny pitcher provides contrast.
This vintage cake topper instills old-world romance and glamour.
