April 27, 2023
Love is in the Air - Time to get Lending!
Love is in the air!
Or at least, spring is, and spring definitely has an air of romance about it!
The first blooms breaking through soil, birds and bees awakening, Diwrnod Santes Dwynwen, and Valentines Day all help us feel romantic, and for many, spring heralds the approach of wedding season!
Weddings are changing
Weddings seem to have changed over the past few years. Since they ground to a halt during covid, and we’ve emerged into a cost of living crisis, weddings themselves have evolved. Now, it feels as though the value comes from the opportunity to gather and celebrate with loved ones, putting people and experiences over grand celebrations, glitz and glam.
The climate crisis also seems to have an effect, as trends move towards more sustainable celebrations – think outdoor or rural venues, native flowers in jam jars and vintage dresses over lavish tropical blooms, designer dresses and fine dining.
For those looking for a planet friendlier wedding, borrowing is a no brainer.
Of course, there are commercial wedding hire companies, but we think Libraries of Things also have a role to play.
REMAKE's bright idea
That’s why Remake Newport attended the ECO Wedding Fayre hosted at Sero Waste at Tredegar House, Newport with a stall showing the events kit they have to borrow.
Fran Williams, one of the managers working on the Remake project attended the event and says;
“People loved the idea of borrowing for their wedding. Those we spoke to were surprised by the range of different event items we had in the library: from wedding cake stands, giant garden games, and newest addition our sweeties table jar set.
One of our volunteers has also made sets of wedding bunting that people can borrow too. We love the idea that libraries of things can be a couple’s “something borrowed”!
We also used it as an opportunity to offer our annual membership which gives you 20% off all borrows as a unique wedding gift idea.”
Greener Gatherings
Across communities, there are groups and organizations, large and small, who occasionally hold events, but don’t have the resources or space to buy and store equipment. Libraries of Things can be invaluable to these groups, and by holding events equipment communally, not only benefits Community Groups, but also means all these useful things are available to individuals too– for parties, barbecues, family events and of course, weddings!