Wedding experts share the best and worst things to thrift for your wedding

Wedding and elopement planner Sean Oblizalo of Vows and Peaks told Insider that veils are the perfect item to thrift for your wedding day. 

"Veils are only worn for part of the wedding, so thrifting one keeps you from spending a large sum of money on something that will be barely used," said Oblizalo.

Secondhand bridal shops or online listings are good places to find gently-used veils.

Bonnie Gringer, founder of secondhand wedding shop Share the Lovely, told Insider that you can save hundreds by thrifting your dress.

"Wedding dresses are only used for a few hours," said Gringer. "Why spend $3,000 on a dress when you can buy the same dress for under $1,000?"

Beyond your local thrift store, check out specialty wedding consignment shops and online stores for great deals on secondhand gowns.

Rental linens can be pricey, so opting for thrifted tablecloths is a much more affordable option.

"Tablecloths and linens are the perfect items to thrift, as the fabric is usually long-lasting and can withstand years of reuse," said Gringer. 

Using thrifted tablecloths also eliminates the stress of keeping new or rented linens pristine.

Consider thrifting wedding jewelry like tiaras, hairpins, brooches, and barrettes.

"You can buy like-new pieces of wedding jewelry for a fraction of the original cost, which can save you a lot when shopping for bridesmaids and backups," said Gringer.

Borrowing baubles from family and friends is also an option, though you might save some stress by keeping the heirloom pieces for yourself and giving bridesmaids their own thrifted jewelry.

Weddings often require dozens of frames for guest directions, photos, and decor.

"Thrift stores usually have an array of vintage and unique frames that cost just a few dollars, which is a steal compared to pricey new frames," said Gringer. 

If you can't find what you want in the thrift store, Gringer said, try painting mismatched frames to coordinate with your wedding's color scheme. 

From dining chairs to statement pieces for a luxe cocktail reception, thrifting wedding furniture can save you hundreds. 

"Furniture is ultra-expensive to purchase at retail, but thrift stores may have what you need for your wedding at a much lower cost," said Gringer. 

Gringer recommended sticking with wood or plastic thrifted furniture, as upholstered pieces may harbor bed bugs or unpleasant smells.

Fresh flowers are often one of the most expensive parts of decorating for a wedding, so thrifting floral decor could save you a lot of money. 

"You can actually thrift artificial flowers that are cheaper than traditional bouquets and are 'leave no trace'-friendly for outdoor weddings," said Oblizalo. 

You can also invite guests to take the faux arrangements home with them as mementos of your special day. 

"One idea is to thrift antique dishes that you can mix and match for each guest, which is a nice personal touch," said Oblizalo. 

When the wedding is over, you can resell the thrifted dishes or keep your new china for future house parties. 

Gringer told Insider that thrifted paper goods tend to look tattered rather than eclectic or vintage. 

"Paper goods are tough to reuse," said Gringer "That includes books, guest books, and paper decor."

Instead of relying on the thrift store, eco-conscious couples can make a positive impact by opting for paper goods made with recycled materials. 

It may be tempting to save money on reception lighting or food-heating appliances, but it can be hard to know the quality of thrifted electronics. 

"Thrifted appliances can be unsafe as well as unsanitary," said Gringer. "Appliances may be hiding burned-out motors or faulty wiring."

If you're determined to buy secondhand, make sure to test the item thoroughly before bringing it home. 

Think twice about thrifting upholstered decor like seat cushions for pews, pillows for cocktail lounges, or blankets for outdoor ceremonies.

"I stay away from secondhand plush decor items, as even pretty pillows or throws could be infested with bed bugs or fleas," said Gringer. 

Sewing your own pillow covers or borrowing blankets from a friend may be a safer way to save money on upholstered items. 

Try to avoid purchasing old crystal dishes or tableware, which could contaminate your guests' food and drinks. 

"Antique crystal glasses, decadents, and other vessels were likely made using outdated safety standards," said Gringer.

In some cases, old pieces of crystal can contain 32% or more lead oxide, and using them comes with the risk of lead transferring into a drink, which can potentially cause health issues.

It can be tough to distinguish older crystal items from modern products, so play it safe by buying new glassware.