Southern Vintage Table ie now a proud member of the Green Wedding Guild! This group of wedding vendors has pledged to become better stewards of our planet while providing excellent services and products. Here’s the Green Wedding Guild pledge:
“We believe that we can all do more to reduce the waste generated by weddings, and that sustainable choices are within reach of all vendors and couples. We strive to make these choices accessible to our clients, and to become better environmental stewards through education and community. We may just be beginning our journey, we may not have achieved zero-waste, or we may already be green leaders in our field, but we are committed to learning, and to sharing what we learn with other vendors and clients along the way. By educating ourselves and our clients, we pledge to move toward creating a more environmentally sustainable wedding industry. We do this not only for ourselves, but for our clients and our planet. We pledge to be respectful, professional, and non-judgmental toward other vendors and clients. We will lead by example and support others on their own quest toward more sustainable weddings. We are not here to judge, but to inspire!”
Our company offers rescued vintage tableware and linens as well as vintage decor. These offerings are sustainable, recovered, and a reminder of our shared past. We are excited and pleased to formally become a member of the Green Wedding Guild. Check out our listing on the website as well as the other guild member vendors.
We are recognizing this patriotic holiday with our red, white, and blue vintage wares available at Southern Vintage Table. Hope your Memorial holiday is fun-filled and safe!
America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor. =Paul Tsongas
Happy Mother’s Day! My mother, Christine, was the most extraordinary person I have ever known. She endured incredible hardships and celebrated many triumphs, and her children greatly benefited from her love and wisdom. As a tribute to her, I’d like to share three of the many lessons I learned from her and give an example of how they have been helped me as a small business owner.
1. Only the boring get bored.
Ouch! Yep, this is classic Christine. We lived in the country on a dirt road, had one kinda-working car that mom drove to work, and 3 channels on tv. But, since there were 8 of us, we usually found something to do (or not to do, like housework!) We read, watched tv, listened to records, played outside, and, my favorite, searched for those good luck four-leaf clovers in the front lawn under the dogwood tree. If we got bored, it was our fault, or as mom would say, it was because we were boring, then she’d find something for us to do, like wash the dishes or help fix supper. So we learned not to be bored, or at least not tell mom. As an adult, yes, I sometimes get bored, but I mostly know how to keep busy, which has come in handy these past months during our quarantine.
Never be bored, and you will never be boring. –Eleanor Roosevelt
2. Go for it!
Recently my daughter said I was fearless because I had cut down some small trees using a chain saw. Even though it was not big deal since it was a small battery-operated saw, I loved hearing those words! After giving some thought to her comment, I realized that this can-do attitude was a gift from my mom. For those who knew her, her courageous spirit was contagious..
Southern Vintage Table began with this mantra. When my sister suggested that I start a vintage china rental business, I just knew this was a perfect fit for me. I had recently retired from teaching middle school and was ready for a new challenge. Did I have experience running a business or did I know anything about china? Nope and nope, but I didn’t want to regret not trying. Now, seven years later, I know my mom would be proud of me for “going for it.”
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” = Nora Ephron
3. There is always a silver lining.
As I think of the countless conversations I had with mom about situations, predicaments, or hardships, she would always see that silver lining. She would magically dissect a negative and transform it into a lesson, opportunity, or gift to be revered.
While my business has come to a halt this spring, I have not faltered in my belief that things will work out, whatever that might mean. I’ve taken this time to work on projects at home, spend time crafting, and catching up on movies that I always meant to watch. I’ve gotten closer to my children, family, and friends via texts, phone calls and FaceTime, and have relaxed on the back deck with my morning coffee. I’m eager to get SVT up and running again, but I have also savored this quiet time at home.
There are always flowers for those who want to see them. —Henri Matisse
Three of the many lessons taught by my spunky, sassy, smart, and strong mother, Christine. Happy Mother’s Day.
As mentioned in last week’s Sunday post, Stephanie Batten assembled a talented group of vendors to create this styled shoot at The Parlour at Mann’s Chapel. Invitations were extended to photographers to take photos for their portfolios and we reap the benefits by having a plethora of wonderful images to share! This week’s photos are courtesy of Kailen Elizabeth Photography and they are so lovely!
Thank you, Stephanie Batten, for creating this shoot and Kailen Elizabeth for sharing your photos. We hope this brings inspiration to the many couples planning for their upcoming wedding day!
Vendor Team Event Planner/Designer- Stephanie Batten Photography @stephaniebattenphotography Venue- The Parlour at Mann’s Chapel @theparlourchapel Bridal Dresses- Oak City Bridal @oakcitybridal Hair- Sarah- SMG Beauty Co. @smgbeautyco Makeup- Sarah- SMG Beauty Co. @smgbeautyco Florist- Florescence Floral and Events @florescence.design Styling Boards- Styling Unmatched @styling.unmatched Tableware- Southern Vintage Table @southernvintagetable2 Invitation Suites & Place Settings- Em Paper Co. @em.paperco Photographer – Kailen Elizabeth Photography @kailenelizabeth The Artsy Acorn @theartsyacorn Models- Abbey Codling @jabbeyo Amelia Fisher @ameliafisher Candace Harris @candace_jane Jewelry- Poppy Co. @_poppy_co_ Cake- Wicked Sweet Cakes @wickedsweetcakes Rentals- DeeJay’s Event Rentals @deejayseventrentals Rings- Alysha Whitfield Jewelry @alyshawhitfieldjewelry
Stephanie Batten Photography shared photos this week which brought us such happiness! This photo shoot took place right before the stay-at-home decree began and, although we couldn’t attend, our vintage tableware made its way to the Parlour at Manns Chapel for this lovely blue shoot.
There are so many details we simply love – the different hues of candle tapers and napkins, the layered blue and white place settings, and the greenery running down that gorgeous runner. And, of course, with the setting at this historic venue, our vintage ware was perfectly at home!
Photographers were invited to attend and today’s blog features those taken by Stephanie Batten, who was both the event planner and photographer for the event. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Vendor Team Event Planner/Designer- Stephanie Batten Photography @stephaniebattenphotography Venue- The Parlour at Mann’s Chapel @theparlourchapel Bridal Dresses- Oak City Bridal @oakcitybridal Hair- Sarah- SMG Beauty Co. @smgbeautyco Makeup- Sarah- SMG Beauty Co. @smgbeautyco Florist- Florescence Floral and Events @florescence.design Styling Boards- Styling Unmatched @styling.unmatched Tableware- Southern Vintage Table @southernvintagetable2 Invitation Suites & Place Settings- Em Paper Co. @em.paperco Stephanie Batten @stephaniebattenphotography The Artsy Acorn @theartsyacorn Models- Abbey Codling @jabbeyo Amelia Fisher @ameliafisher Candace Harris @candace_jane Jewelry- Poppy Co. @_poppy_co_ Cake- Wicked Sweet Cakes @wickedsweetcakes Rentals- DeeJay’s Event Rentals @deejayseventrentals Rings- Alysha Whitfield Jewelry @alyshawhitfieldjewelry
Today’s post is about a little known piece of tableware that most of us in the US have never used or even seen. On the contrary, on breakfast tables all over Europe and Australia, folks are enjoying their soft-cooked eggs in an eggcup. Many are dipping pieces of toast, called soldiers, in the yolk and loving every morsel. For someone who doesn’t like runny yolks, this sounds anything but yummy but we decided that we had to at least try it.
Following directions, we placed eggs in water, took them to boiling, then turned off the heat and let them sit for 3-4 minutes. After pouring off the hot water and cooling them down with cold tap water, we placed them in the egg cups.
Tapping around the top with a knife, we carefully pulled off the broken shell. We dipped one soldier in and tasted it. Not yucky but not good either. We sprinkled salt and pepper on top, added more butter to the toast, and tried again – much better!
Will we eat soft cooked eggs on a regular basis? Nope. But, will we use vintage eggcups in other ways? Definitely!! Not only are they adorable, but eggcups can also hold pretty things other than just eggs!
Our favorite use is to add small clumps of fresh green moss. Against the crisp white of the eggcup, the organic green just pops. Don’t you love it, too?
A petite floral bouquet can be the perfect detail for a tablescape. We love how this is illustrated in the last photo here, taken by Jackson Signature Photography. It’s a small yet meaningful detail for guests to enjoy.
Other ideas? Why not present a small edible treat in egg cups, or use pinecones or Christmas decor to create a festive table? So many possibilities! As you can probably tell, we adore these little things!
To close, we send Happy Easter greetings to all. Many will miss the family traditions of this treasured spring holiday this year; however, we’ll all remember this Easter for many years to come. Here’s hoping that along with our lifestyle adaptations, we’ll all be more aware of two things that bind us all – hope and love.
Reason 1 – Spring is here! So happy to see new growth on the trees, bright flowers, and longer days. Yay!
Reason 2 – We had a surprise delivery from Fernrock Farm! What a wonderful treat to find this assortment of blooms on our porch Monday morning. This floral package is a sample “make your own bouquet kit” that will be offered soon. Be sure to follow Fernrock Farm for the lastest in classes and offerings.
Reason 3 – We are planning to be busy soon because most of our spring and early summer clients have been able to reschedule their weddings. Thank goodness! Although we’ve had cancellations – all with good reason and sincere regret – we will be okay and even more ready to help you create a memorable, eco-friendly, vintage event!
We know you have reasons to be grateful, too. Take care and stay well.
Green is much more than a color – it’s the essence of nature and emotes calmness, serenity, and rebirth. Prosperity, well-being, and optimism also are associated with this color and it makes sense that green represents environmental awareness and stewardship of our planet.
One mission of Southern Vintage Table is to be environmentally responsible. Our inventory of dishes, silverware, linens and decor are all vintage items found at thrift stores, auctions, yard sales, and consignment shops. Many family treasures also have been generously bestowed to Southern Vintage Table by friends and acquaintances.
When we use, repurpose, and repair vintage tableware, we are not only reducing our ecological footprint, we are embracing something very profound – that our shared past is to be revered, not thrown away. These pieces portray the history of the family dinner table from the early 1900s through the late 1990s and they are steeped in countless memories..
In addition to our rescue and reuse mission, we produce very little waste. Our commercial dishwasher is energy efficient and we reuse storage crates, racks, and bins, many of which are second-hand. Typically the only physical waste we have at the end of an event are plastic bags used to keep the rental items clean.
SVT has the something old while doing something green – sharing beautiful vintage items in a responsible, ecological manner. Whether you are looking for classic green crinkle goblets or the delicate pink dinner plates, choosing us means you are choosing green. From vintage plates to vintage decor, our inventory is eco-friendly, rescued, restored, and ready for you to appreciate and share with your guests.
This year we have participated in at least eight styled shoots – perhaps a record for us – and we have benefited from the wonderful photographs shared with us by a host of talented photographers. Today’s shoot was courtesy of Monique of Keys Events and Tierney Riggs Photography.
The blue and white theme paired with our vintage amethyst goblets and natural wood pieces is one of our favorites! We also love CE Rental’s blue and white tablecloth, which proves that too much of a good thing can be grand!
Thanks, Monique, for showcasing our vintage goods in your lovely shoot. We look forward to showing these to our clients! Be sure to check out Keys Events!
The hot, humid, summer weather of beautiful NC has settled in and, with the first of July arriving tomorrow, we’ll be taking this month off from our weekly blog. The opening to this year has been incredibly busy for Southern Vintage Table and during July we’ll be resting, reorganizing our new space a bit, but continuing with our rental services.
So far this year we have shared our vintage wares with 29 clients for their showers, luncheons, birthday parties, corporate celebrations, styled shoots, tea parties, and, of course, wedding receptions. (Photos by Ana Teresa Gailzes, Krista Piper, Kelley Deal, September Photos, Casie Weathers, Magnolia Photography, Stephanie Batten. )
We’re looking forward to the second half of 2019 and the many occasions our vintage treasures will be enjoyed! See you in August!
