The cost of weddings can be quite expensive, but a Queensbury man is getting creative to help pay for his big day.

Getting an old Honda motorcycle up and running was not an easy feat for Grafton Derryberry. In fact, he says it took days of work.

“Probably a good 24 to 48 hours of just failing, until that one little thing worked,” Derryberry said.

But a little elbow grease was nothing compared to how he purchased it. He bought the bike by trading a thumbtack.

“I laughed at first. I thought I was going to get to a toaster oven and be done,” he said with a laugh.

It's all part of a trading challenge.

Technically, the thumbtack was traded for a hunting knife, later traded for an antique radio, a go-kart and finally, traded up to a motorcycle. It’s valued at nearly $3,000, according to Derryberry.

“It brings old things to new light. Everything has a new life after you put time into it. Even with the car I drive, it’s old, it’s forgotten, but you put time into it and it ends up working,” said the trader.

This idea first came from Derryberry with help from his fiancé’s favorite TV show, The Office. But, this isn’t the first time he’s doing something like this.

“That’s actually how I purchased her wedding ring, too. I had a bike beforehand. I figure, you have to give up something you like for something you’re going to want further...and better,” he added.

The challenges like this one are seen all across the internet, catching major attention on TikTok. The catch is he can’t trade the items for any money, or offer money as part of the trade.

“I’ve had people ask, 'Will you take cash for the bike?' I told them, 'no,' and they’re like, ‘well, your loss. I don’t have anything to trade, but I’ll give you money,’" he said.

However, he can fix the items and get them running, as he did with the motorcycle. Derryberry’s says his skill of working with his hands was put to good use while he served in the U.S. Army.

It was also something he grew up doing alongside his dad.

“My dad and I worked on cars growing up, so I have that knowledge. But each thing has a different challenge, so with every trade, it’s something new to learn,” said the veteran.

Now, it’s a special time, working on these current trades alongside his soon-to-be father-in-law, Brian Nichols.

Nichols says he was excited to help his daughter’s fiancé do something so special.

“I geo-cash occasionally, which is an online treasure hunt thing. So while it wasn’t a crazy idea, I thought, 'That’s pretty cool,'” said Nichols.

And while many of these challenges seen online will go until the person lands a hou, Derryberry has something much more sentimental in mind: a wedding venue.

“It’s always hard, especially when you need money to pay for a wedding. But I figure the longer I wait, the more it’s going to mean,” he said.

It's abouit making the most important day even more meaningful. And it’s all through the help of a small office supply.

“That’s going to be the big part of it. Of course, the weddings going to be the big day, all the stuff prior, all the hard work to getting there. It doesn’t have to be about money. Sometimes, it’s the blood, sweat and tears.”

If you're interested in trading with Derryberry, contact him via Facebook.