My friend Karthik recently attended a wedding vow renewal wearing fabulous upcycled items, including some of her own wedding jewelry. I love the story behind each piece and how they’re all so ingeniously reused, so I’m sharing it with you. Karthik’s vintage dress was originally a South Indian silk sari that was turned into a great cocktail dress. She found it at a Seattle vintage shop.
Vintage dress: Red Light Vintage
Vegan clutch: DSW
Vegan shoes: Bandolino
Earrings: Sukra
Right-hand bangles: Vintage family heirlooms
Left-hand bangles: Repurposed vintage family heirloom
Ring: Repurposed vintage family heirloom
Karthik accessorized with fantastic pieces. See the ring on her right hand? The ruby was originally part of a long necklace that belonged to her great great grandmother. Karthik’s family worked with a jeweler to have the pendant removed and remade into a ring. They added a new pendant to the necklace and had it made into a choker. Karthik wore the choker, ring, and earrings at her own wedding this past winter. Her look then was much more traditional and elaborate, but she shows how even the most formal pieces can be dressed up and down.
The vintage necklace had other rubies too, and they were removed and turned into a watch band. Later, Karthik had the watch band converted into a bracelet. She wore the bracelet at her wedding and also at her friend’s ceremony.
Karthik proves you can be eco-friendly in vintage, honor your heritage, and stay true to your values (in this case, animal-free accessories)—all while looking great! Thanks, Karthik, for sharing your story.
jeanofalltrades 
Love this!! I read recently about a metalsmith who every 5 years for his wedding anniversary takes their rings and melts them down and creates new ones from the same metal.
That’s a great idea – renewal and sameness. It’s like a fresh start for each chapter of their marriage 🙂
Wow I love all the vintage going on here! Everything is so beautiful and she looks amazing! -Rachel (adistinctstyle.blogspot.com)
Thanks for writing! I love it too. And I like how the pieces are sentimental.
Hi there! 🙂 I love this post! Would I be able to interview you for an upcoming story I’m working on? You can contact me via e-mail at taylormurphy44@yahoo.com
-Taylor
Hello – Feel free to email me with more info about the story and we can talk. You can reach me on my contact page: https://jeanofalltrades.wordpress.com/contact/
Thanks!
Thanks Jean! I just left you a comment on your contact page 🙂
i found ur blog through pinterest while looking for ideas to upcycle my wedding silk saris. Thanks for sharing this. Wish I could find someone who could stitch it this way lol.