decor
July 30, 2010
Whether you're getting married indoors or outside, you can line the walk down the aisle with your favorite flower petals for a burst of color. Here's an easy way to DIY your perfect last walk as a single girl. You can buy freeze dried petals (which work best for the outdoors, since they are naturally biodegradable) or use silk fabric petals if your aisle is inside and can late be swept up easily. Petalgarden.com sells freeze dried petals in a variety of colors and their expert advice suggests the amount of cups per square foot you'll need for the looks below. The first, with a moderate amount of petals lining only the rows of chairs in light pink and purple petals, would require 2 cups per square foot. The second aisle, covered entirely in white, orange and yellow petals on the sand, would require 8 cups per square foot so that you densely cover the path. The third uses about 4 cups, so you can see the green blades of grass peeking through. The fourth option shows a light scattering of petals and greenery down the aisle, where 1 cup should be enough. You don't have to go all matchy-matchy with your bouquet and the aisle flowers as long as they complement each other! Images, from left: Maria Hunter; Elizabeth Lloyd Photography (see more photos from Amanda & Steve's wedding); Danielle Gillett; Hazelnut Photography (see more photos from Lindsay & Ryan's wedding). by Leticia Frazao July 29, 2010
Time for some (belated) spring cleaning! These are all projects you'll probably be able to do with some scraps you have lying around the house. From fabric to salves, any one of these projects would make a great gift for your bridal party or even a favor in some cases. 1. "Ceramic" Paper Roses. These pretty little pins are actually made from card stock that's been wadded up, unfolded, soaked, left to dry, and then glued into place for a near"ceramic" look. Perfect for a flower girl, or as a corsage for the mother of the bride. (The Scrap Shoppe) 2. Bow Belt. Looking for a fun way to jazz up your bridesmaid dresses -- or even add something to your own gown? You could probably make this cute belt from pieces of fabric you've just got lying around the house. (Tilly and the Buttons) 3. Apothecary Hand Towels. These hand towels go from ordinary to so cute when you add these vintage looking apothecary labels. You can download the labels from this website, then all you need to do is buy some printable fabric paper. If you really wanted to get crafty, try designing your own monogram, or wedding date and repeating the same steps. (Just Something I Made) 4. Herbal Salve This nourishing herbal salve is great for use just about anywhere, but especially on those rough spots (think: your sore feet from dancing all night at the wedding in heels). Give it to your bridesmaids or even as a favor for the women at the wedding. Trust us, they'll thank you later. (Herban Lifestyle) 5. Sailor Knot Bracelets. Perfect for a summery or nautical-themed wedding, these cute bracelets could easily be made as favors for your guests, or as a special treat for your flower girl and ring bearer (and it's very budget friendly!). (The Storque, Etsy.com's blog) Get 100s of great ideas in our DIY photo gallery. Having a candy table at your wedding instead of a dessert table is a cute way to add a delicious selection of sweets to the celebration. After indulging yourself with the spectacular wedding cake you have no doubt been thinking about for months, here’s a simple way to, ahem, treat your guests.
First, create the SWEET LOVE display behind the candy table. Cover the pieces of cardboard with construction paper, alternating the colors as the background for your letters. Add the large stencil letters, one to each piece of cardboard. Decorate it with Stickers, bows and decals to make it personalized and yours. Next, take the different sized jars (with or without tops) and tie ribbon around the rim. Fill the jars and bowls with your favorite candies and display on the table! Voila, a delicious display! Image courtesy of Jason + Anna Photography. Get 100s of DIY ideas in our photo galleries! by Leticia Frazao July 15, 2010
We're getting back to nature with this week's Link Love. The projects are inspired by flowers and leaves and would make a great addition to any earthy, outdoor wedding. 1. Fabric Flower Boutonniere. This little flower is easy to make and perfect for the groom and his groomsmen. The contrast stitching is such a cute idea, and you won't have to worry about this flower wilting or being out of season no matter when your wedding is. (The Storque) 2. Flower Centerpieces. These days, centerpieces can come in all shapes and sizes, even like the ones seen here, that feature a shallow wooden bowl of water and floating blooms. It's all about color here, and you could go bold and bright with fuchsias and reds, or more demure, like this example. (Project Wedding) 3. Fabric Corsage. Looking to give the mother of the groom or bride something special, but don't want them to have a small bouquet? Why not try this cute fabric corsage, made with a little stitching and some pinking sheers. (The Object Project) 4. Treat Boxes. Fill them with nuts, candy or even small charms or lockets -- these treat boxes are only limited by your ideas. Pick the fabric, ribbon and tags in your wedding colors to help everything tie in. ({frolic}) 5. Floral Numbers. You can download these awesome floral numbers and make them into just about anything. Print them out as is on a thick card stock for some earthy-themed table numbers, or use them to write out your wedding date on programs, invitations or even the dinner menus. (ReadyMade) Bonus craft! Make your own unity candle and personalize it just for your ceremony. Check out the project via Craftzine.com. Get more DIY ideas in our photo gallery. July 13, 2010
For a cute eco-friendly twist to your wedding, try using huge chalkboards instead of paper! (Not only is this DIY, but it's super wallet-friendly as well.) Instead of printing out a menu per person and leaving notes all around with instructions for the guests, use your own chalkboards to display the menu and point out signs like the guest book, dessert bar and photographer's station. Here's the DIY instructions: Choose a large piece of flat wood, metal or plastic, and frame it in any size you'd like. (Large frames work best for listing table assignments and the menu, but a small frame is can be used to label the guest book. Frames can be anything from a typical cork-board frame to an ornate picture frame, depending on your style. Our favorites shown here use a window frame, propped up canvas and a simple wooden frame.) Clean the surface thoroughly before applying the paint so that dust and residue don't bubble. Cover the surface in chalkboard paint (sold at Lowes.com and HomeDepot.com) applying each layer with a thick paintbrush and waiting for it to dry before coating the entire surface again. Once completely dry, you can add additional special touches by decorating the frame with your names or the date or by adding flowers and ribbon to the border. Write with chalk onto your brand new chalkboard either by hand or with large stencils and place them around the wedding. (The chalkboards wipe clean with either a soft cloth or soap and water for reuse!) See more photos from Melissa and Brett's wedding and Emily and Jasen's wedding. Photos from left: Jessamyn Harris, Ashley Forrette, Melanie Grizzel of She-n-He Photography and Design By Leticia Frazao July 08, 2010
Wedding season is in full swing, and these projects could give you that extra finishing touch you need to make your wedding stand out. From a DIY wedding cake (Go ahead! Try it!) to adorable gifts for your bridesmaids, here are the best projects from around the web. 1. Table Number Plates. Here's a creative idea for marking your table numbers and giving your guests an immediate conversation piece. These plates are stylish and so easy to do! You could even stencil on a symbol or a word, if you don't want to use numbers. (Craftzine.com) 2. Rainbow Frame. Instead of just giving a photograph, add some personality to a simple black frame with this project that uses up fabric scraps in various colors to make a "rainbow" collage. You could also just use your wedding colors. (LollyChops.com) 3. Straw Labels. We know the 4th of July just passed -- but we couldn't resist these adorable straw labels! Instead of "Cheers!" you could use the same process to feature your new monogram, wedding date, or even a cute silhouette of the bride and groom. (Twig & Thistle) 4.Decal Penny Project. Looking for a perfect gift for you and your bridesmaids? These cute necklaces are actually made from pennies, with a little floral decal added. You could even make it a group project at your bridal shower. (Just Something I Made) 5. DIY Wedding Cake. As much as we love DIY projects, we generally think you should leave your wedding cake to the pros (do you really want to spend the night before your wedding baking?) Still, this cake is pretty sweet, and so gorgeous! Maybe you can try it for a day-after brunch or an engagement party. (Project Wedding) Get even more DIY ideas from our photo gallery. Plus, check out these amazing 15 DIY hairstyle ideas. June 24, 2010
As the weather outside heats up, we need some creative projects that are good for the indoors. Link Love kicks off with a sweet treat this week, and follows up with some fun ideas that would be perfect for just about any reception. Enjoy! 1. Strawberry Shake with Marshmallows. Looking for a sweet summer treat that will satisfy even the youngest guests at the wedding? We've got it! Try out this cool shake, garnished with marshmallows. Add a colorful straw to tie it into your theme. (Made by Gril) 3. Colorful Paper Streamers. Can't get enough color into your afternoon reception? Then try out these paper streamers, they're a cinch to make on a sewing machine and just think how festive they could look hanging from the trees. They would also be great for a bridesmaid brunch or a casual rehearsal dinner. (My Paper Crane) 3. Faux Fireflies. The photo isn't super clear, but we just love this idea. Can you imagine 20 or 30 of these hanging around an outdoor reception at night? The soft glow would be so romantic, and the fact that it looks a bit like a firefly just adds a whimsical touch. (Just Something I Made) 4. DIY Bi-fold Wallet. Think DIY crafts are for girls only? Think again. This one promises to be one that your fiance can try by himself -- and it would make a great groomsmen gift. (Utterly Engaged) 5. Macaroon Stands.Now out with their fourth fabulous issue, Nonpareil magazine offers this macaroon stand as a "bonus" craft. The idea is a throw back to those lollipop stands you saw as a kid, which gives this project a nice vintage appeal (and it would be so easy to customize for your own wedding!). (Nonpareil magazine) June 17, 2010
Try a hand at this fancy outdoor decoration! A romantic and whimsical touch to any wedding, the maypole is a often known as a European tradition to celebrate the summer season. Having visions of long-haired girls running around in a forest with streamers? Us to, but this grown-up version is easy to make and also elegant. First, you'll have to gather the proper supplies. For the poles, stop by your local carpet store and ask if you can have (or purchase for a small fee/tip) any unused cardboard tubes used to roll up large carpets. Often these tubes get tossed out in the trash, but you can give them a second life as a maypole. Pick several that are the same height and your desired thickness. In your desired colors, purchase tape and ribbon (at least 1" thick) from an office supply, discount or fabric store. You'll need more length for taller maypoles so read the labels to make sure you get enough. Plus, tape will stay in place on the tubes better than ribbon. We also love the look of Washi Paper Wrapping Tape ($25, MoMA store) for this project! Then attach the flowing ribbons to the top of the pole with a staple gun or tape. When your big day arrives, stick poles into the ground (a rubber mallet comes in handy here!) and top with a small bouquet of flowers. These look fantastic lining a driveway or spread throughout an outdoor reception. Read more: Check out these 5 Savvy Ideas for Cutting Wedding Food Costs at SavvySugar.Get more amazing DIY ideas in our photo gallery. Images courtesy of Our Labor Of Love. -- Sarah Newell June 14, 2010
How personal and easy is this idea? We love incorporating old photos into your reception decor but this idea really is quite clever and a snap to recreate. Simply collect old mason jars from flea markets or online sites like Amazon.com or eBay or if you don't have time to scour for vintage ones, you can purchase new ones at your local hardware or home improvement stores. They look great shown above without their lids! A touch of blue in the glass creates a cohesive look -- especially beneficial if some of your old photos are in color -- and adds to the vintage appeal. Gather photos from friends and family members so you have a variety to choose from. Or simply stick to your parents' and grandparents' wedding photos. Photo copy the old photos (you won't have to worry about what happens to them after the reception!) and cut the copy down to size before popping them into the jars. That's it, you're all set with a unique and personalized touch to your reception. Get more amazing DIY ideas in our photo gallery. Images courtesy of Jessamyn Harris. by Sarah Newell May 13, 2010
OK, so it may not be the most colorful Link Love that we've had, but trust us, these projects are pretty amazing. They're all geared towards getting ready for the big day -- from sending out your invitations to keeping your bridal party excited. Here's the best from around the web this week. 1. Plastic Fantastic. We won't even try to hide how cool this project is. These plastic rings would make a great gift for your bridesmaids, or a fun piece to give to your flower girl. (Planet June) 2. Outside the Paperstock. If you don't know about Nonpareil magazine, you should. It's filled with amazing wedding craft ideas, like this one, which lets you to make your invitations out of fabric, or even write your wedding day info on vintage china plates. (Nonpareil magazine) 3. May Flowers. Old-fashioned bridal suites used to be decorated with wreaths on the day of the wedding. Why not toy with that idea by making this cute wreath to let everyone know where the bride's getting ready? (Lollychops) 4. Butterfly pillows. Who doesn't love butterflies? This adorable pillow could easily serve as a ring bearers pillow for a casual spring wedding. Or, simply make as a gift for your bridesmaids. (Ruffles and Stuff) 5. What Happens in Vegas... For this particular project, the writer is actually heading to Vegas for a vacation and trying to get her friends excited about the trip, but we think the concept works perfectly for a wedding too. If you're wedding is just a few weeks away, why not get your bridal psyched up for the big day by sending along a little gift to remind them how much you're looking forward to their being there? Give them a small shot glass, handkerchief, or even just a note. (Ready, Set, Craft!) -- Amy E.
Find more great DIY ideas in our photo galleries  Get up-to-the-minute celebrity wedding news and Hollywood-inspired planning tips and tricks at CelebrityWeddingBuzz.com.  For expert etiquette and planning advice, visit WeddingChannel.com -- the number one wedding and gift registry website!  |
