Archive for category DIY Weddings

One of the first things I did after I got engaged was try to figure out who I wanted to stand at the altar with me.  I’ve lived all over the country and developed amazing friendships with amazing girls and could have picked a sleuth of “best friends” to be bridesmaids.  BUT, since J and I live in Birmingham, and are getting married in St. Louis, I thought I’d try to keep my number down to match the number of groomsmen that might make the 500 mile trek to our wedding  (isn’t it interesting that boys rarely get giggly and giddy over a wedding. Hmm.).

The first girl I asked was Kristen.  We met during college when we spent the summer doing missionary work.  That summer everyone that worked together created a bond that will last a lifetime! Kristen and I immediately became close and have remained best friends.

The second girl I asked was Jennifer. Our mom’s met while they were pregnant with us. I like to say my best friend’s mom is my mom’s best friend. We grew up together. I think our bond is special because we’ve been through SO MUCH. I mean, how many people in your life have been with you through the trials of teething and potty training, all the way up to wedding planning?

The last girl I’m having as a bridesmaid is Kinsey, J’s daughter. She’s an amazing young woman and I’m thrilled to become part of her family. She’s drop dead gorgeous and as sweet as can be.

I knew I couldn’t just make impersonal phone calls to ask these girls to be in my wedding. It seems like such a significant question! So, I googled “will you be my bridesmaid” cards and couldn’t find anything that really knocked my socks off! I decided to head to Michael’s and concoct my own!

I found a picture online of a drawing of a dress, I don’t remember where I found it, but I loved it! I knew I’d have to incorporate it! I also used a $1 ice blue ribbon and a couple sheets of paper from the scrap booking aisle. And some monogram stickers. I wrote a poem to each girl which I attached to the back, I ended them each with the phrase…

“On my wedding day,
I will need you more than ever.
Please say you’ll be my Bridesmaid
…. and my friend forever”

This is the final product. They must have liked them because they all said yes! ? Did you ask your bridesmaids to be in your wedding in any special way??

If you’re looking for a DIY budget friendly floral centerpiece for fall, check out this video from You Tube:)

I am totally in love with this project from The Bride’s Cafe! The chandelier is made of strips of ribbon hung from metal craft rings and decorated with flowers and leaves punched from cardstock.

I can think of tons of ways to use something like these. How about three chandeliers in different sizes hung over the dance floor? Or individual chandeliers hung over each table?  These would also be a lovely way to accent a backdrop, entrance, tent roof or above a cake table.

The design can be customized to suit any wedding simply by changing the colors and accents. Going for an alter lux/glam feel? Add small rhinestones to the decor.  Looking for a bright, colorful spring look? Use a selection of bright, spring colors! Other accent ideas? Feathers, real flowers, polka dots, or even just leave plain for a simple, chic look!

For full instructions, visit The Bride’s Cafe.

I LOVE DiY projects – and I know you guys to so each month I am going to share some of my favorite DiY projects from around the web. I hope this helps inspire your next DiY Project as well!

1. Paper Treat Cones from Hostess with the Mostess: this would make fantastic favors and the great thing is you can customize the paper pattern to suit any wedding style or theme.  2. Bridal Shower DiY Favors from 100 Layer Cake: I LOVE this entire project but I particularly like the personalized tea cups. A few trips to flea markets and thrift shops will give you a great selection of old teacups with can be personalized with craft markers for bridal shower favors or even wedding favors, place card or escort “card” for a smaller intimate wedding. 3. DIY Portrait Booth by Miss Kray: A little paint and a flat white sheet becomes a fantastic, fun photo backdrop for your reception! Ingenuious!

4. Tin Can Table Numbers from 100 Layer Cake: This great little project is fairly easy, cheap and GREEN!! Sweet! You can customize the colors, add ribbons or other details if you wished. If you did shapes instead of numbers these would look gorgeous lining a garden pathway for an evening wedding. How about intials that spell Love 0r your names around the dance floor? 5. Boutinnierres from 100 Layer Cake: These are fantastic! They look great, they can be customized using different colors of ribbon, flowers or feathers, and they are easy and affordable.  6. Feather & Leather Napkin Rings from Design Sponge: These are fantastic – I especially love the peacock feather version!

Here is a DIY project that I know my DIY budget brides are going to LOVE! These vintage goblet votives  would be  the perfect touch for a vintage wedding or an elegant, candlelite evening affair. Of course you could take the instructions for project and use any heat safe container that suits your wedding style or theme. You can stock up on vintage goblets and glasses from thrift shops, flea markets and eBay.

This project was originally published in Sunset Magazine and complete instructions with photos are available here.

Martha Stewart is the DIY queen and you can always count on her to bring some absolutely fantastic budget saving ideas. I just received the Spring 2009 issue of Martha Stewart weddings and I LOVE her Good Things section in this issue which showcases 11 budget friendly ideas that add big detail without big cost. Here is a sneak peak at my favorites:

Dress up some simple rice paper umbrellas with these crepe paper posies for your flower girls! Martha suggests having them carry these rather then baskets or flowers and I think that’s a fantastic idea! Crepe paper can be picked up fairly inexpensively at your local craft store and we found rice paper parasols on eBay for around $10. You can print the template for the posy petals here.

This is probably my favorite over all – I LOVE the delicate touch these lace doily liners add to basic invitations. The liners are $5.50 for 20 from Artifacts and they are simply folded around the invitation as shown and inserted into the envelope. For about 30 cents per invitation, you get an elegant touch your guests will love!

If you’re looking for an affordable centerpeice for your bridal shower or reception that will still make a big impact – this project is perfect! Martha combines real leaves with paper flowers for a big centerpeice that fits a small budget. The great thing is that by changing the crepe paper colors and vases you can pretty much fit this project into any wedding! You can get complete instructions and the template here.

For the rest of Martha’s ideas, pick up the lastest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings on newsstands now.

Isn’t that adorable. This gorgeous DIY project is from Creature Comforts and it’s a Budget Bride’s dream. Creature Comforts offers complete instructions and a free printable template that you use to create these iron on transfers.

These would make a great gift for an engaged couple or newlyweds. It could also be put to use for your wedding as well. How about dressing up simple white chair covers for the bride and groom?

Visit Creature Comforts today for the template and instructions.