Honest Opinion - Is this tacky?

lisaandcorey

Our wedding theme is vintage, old hollywood.  Our colors are black and white with red and silver as accent colors.  Instead of escort cards and an escort card table we will making a large display listing table assigments.

I plan to use picture frames as the place card holders as well as favors. I love antiques and I would like to spend the next year seeking out silver vintage/antique picture frames.  I understand that not everyone appreciates vintage and antique items but I already have a beautiful collection of vintage frames.  And I would love to give people a favor they can actually use instead of some useless tzotchke item.  However, many people equate vintage and antique to used and second-hand.

 My question: Is it tacky to offer up vintage/antique items as wedding favors?

kimp67

I don't think it's tacky, but like you said not everyone appreciates vintage/antique.  Personally I wouldn't take it.

dizzinea

it's not tacky at all, and if your prepared for not everyone to bring it home, which it sounds like having a bunch of awesome vintage picture froms wouldn't upset you too much I'd go for it, personally I would love this! but I'm a vintage kinda gal

[Deleted User]

I don't think it is tacky, but don't be surprised if a lot of people don't take them. They might not even know they are for the taking, so you might make an annoucement or have your dj do one. I would probably take one bc you can never have too many picture frames.

twilight.rose

I definitely think edible favors are best, but I don't this is particularly tacky. Personally, I wouldn't realize it was a favor and probably wouldn't take it for that reason.

ETA: OP, for future reference, when you post to more than one board (I just saw this thread on the Reception board too), preface your post title with "XP". It denotes that it is a cross-post that also appears elsewhere.

arv266

I don't think this is at all tacky, but I agree with the PP that I would not realize that I could take the frame home.  I like the thought and effort put into this favor!

mica178

I think it's a cute idea, but it's a lot of work seeking the right sized/color antique frames for something that many people might leave behind because it's not their style or they don't realize it's their favor.

Brooklclark

i dont think its tacky i love it that is awesome i hope you have the time to find all of them. i like that they would not all be the same. and i am sure your guest would trade for one they like.

MacFreitas7

I LOVE it!

I would want to take it, but I wouldn't know I could...

Hope you can figure something out with letting your guests know that the frame is their favor as well

MrsMLRB

I don't think its tacky but I don't think I would take it either. Vintage/antique stuff is not my style.

MilleRsBest

I don't think it's tacky.

But keep in mind that many favors are thrown away or given to thrift stores after the wedding, if and when people take them.

brianabrad

My first thought went to cost . . how much is something like this going to cost you? And then like a lot of girls said - how many guest will really take them? I love the idea though and I wonder if you could use them around the reception like for table numbers or something?

elisabethb29

I definitely don't think it's tacky.  It's cool that you're doing something that reflects your style and personality.  But depending on people's tastes, they might or might not take one.

surf&turfcouple

Love the idea of frame being the seating marker and favor.  I'd def take one!  Also, I think Brook's right.  If it's obvious they're favors, your guests will probably have fun trading among each other for frames they like.  It's a useful and interactive idea!

But, aren't you concerned about the cost?

lisaandcorey

I'm not really concerned about the cost.  You'd be surprised what you can find for a buck or two.  I should also note that I'm having a maximum of 70 guests.

ceyring

I think it's a wonderful idea.  What about using the frames as combination escort cards and favors?  I think that might get people warmed up to the idea that the frame is something they're allowed to pick up and keep.  Definitely indicate that it is the favor, though.  Maybe under the guest's name and table number print "please keep this frame as a momento of the occasion" or something like that.

On a similar note, my photographer threw the idea out to me that some people have their photographers go around during the reception and take individual photos of guests that they can keep as momentos.  Sort of a more formal photo booth concept. Or, if you really want to go all out in keeping with your theme, maybe you can set up a little area at the reception complete with vintage glam-looking accessories (boas and hats and the like) where people can have some fun and get their photo taken.

Chikara Nadir

I agree with the idea that you should make sure to somehow announce or make apparent that the vintage items are favors, not just wedding decor, or nobody will know to pick them up.

That said, if you do picture frames, why not also add a photo of yourself and your FI into them? It will give your guests more incentive to keep the picture and consider it a 'personalized gift' (since you can't very easily put your wedding date or monogram across the front without ruining them). Just tell your guests that they can switch it out to one of their own fave photos when they get home, if they so wish.

And if you have trouble finding enough in silver,it might be cheaper and less stress to find vintage frames of any color/material and spray (or brush) paint them the shade you'd like. If you test out paints and don't go too thick, they should still look the part. Our great-grandparents did the same thing to class-up brass or wood, so you can't say it's not still vintage style!

kylesgurl

Not at all- as long as they don't look unnaturally worn. If you have time, put a coat of paint or finish on frames that may need it.

MBRS1021

I think its adorable!!! Its definately very original and i think guests would really appreciate the fact that you took the time to do that.

Bridgebo117

Heck no! I don't think thats tacky at all.  I think its a really cute idea.  I'm not into "vintage" stuff myself, but I certainly would appreciate the time and effort that was put into searching for these things that obviously reflect your character.

I don't love potpourri either, and I seemed to pick up bags and bags of that as wedding favors last year at weddings. I still took it, because thats what you're supposed to do. If people don't take 'em, well then, you've got a whole bunch of new frames for your own use!