DIY Ideas

 For all you crafty girls out there, you've come to the right place. Here's where you'll find the most inventive, creative DIY projects to make your wedding one-of-a-kind. 

These lovely projects are developed by some super creative people. Be sure to check out their links for more great ideas.

 

Holiday Treats

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One of the best things about the holiday season are all the different sweets and treats you get to indulge in! There are so many delicious desserts out there that are perfectly Christmas-y. If you're planning for a holiday wedding, odds are that your guests will be slightly disappointed if there aren't at least a few of their Christmas favorites on the dessert table. Peppermint, eggnog, gingerbread....they've all got to be there!

I've rounded up some of the most delicious eye candies (literally) for you to take a look at. These are not my recipes. I'm simply sharing the love from some great blogs and websites that have GENIUS recipes. So, if you'd like to make one (or all!) of these yummy desserts, please click the link or the picture for the step-by-step instructions from their creators.


1.) Peppermint Cake by Camille Styles

2. Gingerbread Truffle Pops by Dashing Dish

3. Mini Chocolate Cheesecakes by Please Note

4. Red Velvet Cupcakes by Dashing Dish

5. Chocolate and Chestnut Macarons by Food Nouveau

6. Minty Meringues by Camille Styles

7. Tiramasu by Portuguese Girl Cooks

8. Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies by Dashing Dish

9. Cinnamon Roll Cookies by A Little Bit Crunchy

10. Eggnog Cupcakes by Dashing Dish

There you have it! Ten delicious holiday treats that are perfect for a holiday wedding (or any occasion!) Are there any that you are dying to try?


If you're looking for more Christmas goodness, check out Sparkled blog for some great drink recipes to get you in the holiday spirit!

DIY Bridesmaid Clutches

If you're looking for the perfect way to thank your bridesmaids for all of the hard work they do to help you make your big day special, I've got the perfect project for you! This DIY clutch from DSMeeBee is too stinking cute for words. Seriously, I want one in every color. I mean, what a perfect gift to give your girls. They're something they can enjoy long after the wedding, and you can even personalize them, which ads a special touch. They do involve some sewing, so if you're not very craft-saavy, this project might be a little bit difficult. They sewing is simple though, so basic skills would do! If you feel that you're up for it, these babies would definitely be worth the effort!

For step-by-step instructions and lots more pictures, visit DSMeeBee.

DIY Caramel Apples

It is officially caramel apple season. And, let me tell you, I am THRILLED about this. Caramel apples are, quite possibly, the quintessential fall food. They're delicious and gooey and perfect for those crisp fall afternoons. Recently, I've even been tossing around the idea of having gourmet caramel apples at my wedding, as another dessert option. Since my wedding will be in the fall, I think it would be the perfect treat. I love that it would really complete the fall look I'm going for, and be a nice change of pace from having a candy bar or just a variety of cakes. Sometimes people want something a little different.

However, if you've ever looked into buying giant, gourmet caramel apples, you'll soon find that they'll cost you an arm and a leg for a decent amount of them. These suckers are EXPENSIVE. Luckily, I found a recipe from One Charming Party that does the job wonderfully! The apples look beautiful (and I'm sure they taste wonderful too!). So, here's a sneak peak.

Go to One Charming Party for the complete recipe and step-by-step instructions! Delicious!

Photos by Nicole Gerulat

 

DIY "Save the Date" Mini Books

For those of you opting to send out "save the dates", I've got a great DIY tutorial if you're looking for something a little different. These mini books, found by my friend Trisha at Ruth Bleakley are so adorable, that I just HAVE to use them for something! They would be absolutely perfect as "save the date" cards. Just write the date of your wedding inside, and you've got something cute and fun that your guest will be more likely to keep and remember. Or, these would make cute place settings with your guests names inside. Or, favors that just have a "thank you" message inside. And, if you're planning on having a literature-themed wedding, well it just doesn't get more perfect than this. Give 'em a shot!

Thank you Trish for the fantastic idea!

Materials:
• Scraps of thin decorative paper for covers,
• filler paper (this can be regular computer paper or sketch paper)
• thin cardboard for the covers (the kind on the back of a sketchpad will work fine)
• glue (I use PVA but any white glue would work fine)

1. Start by printing your message on your paper. They should fit onto strips of paper as wide as printer paper (8.5″) and about 2″ tall. Then, cut out your strips (with your message on them), and fold them like an accordion. Cut cardboard covers slightly larger than the size of your accordion, folded up. I folded the paper first, then measured the folded size to determine the cover. I made the cardboard covers overhang by about 1/8″. I cut the cardboard with a utility knife and metal ruler.

2. Cut decorative cover paper for the cardboard so that it overhangs all sides by 1/4″ and trim off the corners so they’re mitered (at a 45 degree angle) that way there’s less bulk in the corners when you glue them them. Apply glue and fold opposite sides together. So long sides first, then top and bottom.

3. Gluing the inside is the trickiest - fold up your accordion inside, and put glue on the facing side of the last sheet, then adhere it to the first cover. For the second cover, put glue on the sheet facing you and then lay the cover on top like you’re putting together a sandwich.

 4. Viola! If you like, cut a short piece of ribbon and glue it to the back of the book for a tie. Make sure there’s no glue sticking the pages of your book together before you tie it and leave it to dry.

 

DIY Teacup Candles

I think this project from Hey Gorgeous is beyond awesome. It actually gives you a reason to buy all those cute vintage teacups that you want but don't know what to do with. Not only that, but they become incredibly functional as well. Can't you just imagine these sitting as centerpieces in your chic, country, vintage-themed wedding? Well, I can. They would make so much more of a statement than regular, ordinary candles! These would especially be cute at a tea party bridal shower. Or as wedding favors. Heck, use them for whatever you want and you'll be coolest, craftiest bride in town.






Supplies. You will need the following:
• Vintage tea cups, any will do
• Eco friendly candle wax flakes
• Wooden kabob skewer sticks
• Scotch tape and sharp scissors
• A stove, a double boiler and bowl
• Oven mitts and a hot plate/trivet
{Step 1} You’ll want to make wooden wick supports to lay over top of the teacups. To do this you can tape together two wooden sticks at the end. Slide in a wax wick so it sits in between the two wooden sticks and then clamp shut the opposite ends and tape together. You should have two sticks taped together at both ends with a wax wick clamped into the middle. Position the wick into the center of the cup so the metal base around the wick is flush on the bottom of the cup. Repeat this step until all of your cups have a wooden wick support laying across the tops. Like so:

{Step 2} Fill a shallow pan or double boiler with water and put over medium to high stove heat. I used a glass Pampered Chef measuring bowl with a spout to melt my wax in. Place your bowl into the water and pour in your wax flakes. As the water and bowl begins to heat up your wax flakes will start to melt and become opaque/clear. I use two wooden skewers to stir the flakes especially after I added in my candle scent and colour. Candle dye is just as potent at food colouring; a little will go a long way!

{Step 3} Using oven mitts, use one hand to lift up the bowl out of the water (once the wax has completely melted) and the other hand to wipe off water on the outside of the bowl (don’t burn yourself!) Have a trivet ready beside your teacups and carefully pour the wax into your teacups, making sure to avoid the wooden skewers laying across the tops. You can always use one hand to hold the wood skewers in place. Fill the teacups up until about a quarter of an inch of cup is still showing. Immediately wash your bowl to avoid the wax drying or put back in your hot water bath if you will be melting more flakes.

{Step 4} Now you get to wait. So go grab some ice cream, hang out for a bit and let the wax completely dry. I’d say give it a few hours at least before you try to trim your wicks or light your candles. Once the wax looks cloudy, smooth and is hard to the touch (like an ordinary candle you’d light in your home) you’ll know the wax is dry. Using very sharp scissors, cut your wick directly at the wooden skewer clamp and gently pull the wooden skewers away from the wick. Then you can light your beautiful new Vintage Teacup Candles! This was by far the best part.

And there you have it! DIY Vintage Teacup Candles.

DIY Paint Chip Chandelier

Lighting is an important factor when deciding on wedding decorations. Some people opt for candles, some have paper lanterns, and others just rely on the lights that their venue provides. However, why not get creative with you lighting fixtures? Instead of just being there for a practical function, they can also make a huge fashion statement and be a big part of your wedding day decor. Take these ombre paint chip chandeliers from Hey Gorgeous, for example. They serve a purpose AND are so cool to look at. Your guests will love the impact they make, and they'll think you bought them. Doesn't get much better than that!





{Step 1} You’ll need a whole bunch of paint swatches in your desired colors (seriously, emphasis on the whole bunch part). I picked a variety of blush, pink and red hues so I could get a fancy ombre look to my chandelier but I can only imagine how many different looks you could go for with your own chandelier. Using a scalloped paper punch you’ll need to punch about 40 -60 swatches into little medallions. Keep the medallions divided by colours in little saucers or cups like below.

{Step 2} I bought my lamp shade (my chandelier base) from Lowes for about 5 bucks. Using an Exacto knife and super sharp metal scissors I carefully cut apart the fabric lamp shade, peeling away the pieces until the metal parts were as exposed as possible. When picking out a lamp shade I tried to pick out one where the bottom diameter is much smaller than the top. This will make your layers of paint swatch medallions hang better and thus look much better when the final product is done.

{Step 3} Lay out your paint medallions, coloured side down, in the desired order. Tape down a long piece of coloured thread along the middle of the backs of each medallion. Then using a piece of tape, cut down the center width wise, tape together the edges where one medallion meets the next. Without this final piece of tape, the medallions with rotate on their piece of thread, thus showing the bar codes, text and colour names usually located on the backs of the paint swatches. If that doesn’t bother you then this step isn’t necessary! Repeat this step until all of your chandelier strands are strung and taped together.

{Step 4} Flip your lamp shade upside down and fasten it somewhere where it can hang freely (I tied mine to the latch that opens and closes our air vent in our ceiling). Start stringing on your strands along the perimeter of the bottom of the chandelier until the entire metal base is covered. Then start stringing strands along the widest ‘top’ of your chandelier so that the lowest part of your strand hits the mid point of the bottom layer. Continue this all the way around until the entire chandelier is covered. Add a ribbon to the metal pieces (where the light bulb would pop in) and voila! You’re ready to hang this beauty!

Thanks to Jenna for the photos

 

DIY Favor Boxes

Favors. Some brides opt for them, some decide against them. Either way is perfectly fine. But, if you do decide to have a small favor, chances are you're going to need a cute little way to package them up. Well, I found the most adorable favor boxes from Bijoux Bride for just such an occasion. And the best part is that they're DIY! You can make them in any color, with any ribbon, and fill them up with any favor you'd like. Holy smokes do I love customizable things. So here they are. Give 'em a shot!


You will need:
1 x favour box template
1 x thank-you flag template
2 x sheets A4 card (you could use complimentary colours to add an extra bit of pizzazz when your guests open the box!)
A pair of sharp scissors
Pencil
Cocktail sticks or toothpicks
Ribbon to coordinate with your wedding colours
Method:

Dowload and print the templates, and cut out the favour box template.  Glue the two pieces of card back-to-back and then cut out the box shape using the template

Once you have the shape, fold all the little strips inwards, place your favours in the middle, and pinch all the strips together at the top before securing with a little bit of tape.  Cover the tape by tieing a pretty piece of ribbon in your wedding colours

Cut out the ‘thank-you’ banners, snipping one end in a ‘v’ shape to make a flag.  Roll the other end around a cocktail stick an secure with a bit of tape.  Gently push your flag into the top of your box…

 

DIY Pear and White Chocolate Mousse

Yum! I am such a sucker for anything sweet. If it's sugary and tasty, I want to eat it. Plus, if it's cute to look at, watch out! This pear and white chocolate mousse I found at The Wedding Chicks looks so delicious, and it makes for a pretty display too. They would be perfect at the wedding, the shower, the rehearsal, anywhere! Give it a shot. Your guests will love it!


This comes straight from North Carolina Photographers, Hilton Pittman Photography.



Supplies
1. Ripe Pears
2. Pear Brandy
3. White Chocolate
4. Heavy Cream
5. Butter
6. Sugar (Regular & Confectioner’s)
7. Sprigs of Mint

In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Cook the pears, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until softened. Stir in the regular sugar and simmer 10 minutes or until it starts to caramelize.  In a food processor, purée the pear mixture and brandy and set aside to cool.

6    eggs, separated
1    cup confectioners’ sugar
1/3    cup pear brandy
10    ounces white chocolate
4    tablespoons butter
2    cups heavy cream
Fresh mint sprigs (to garnish)

In a small mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, confectioners’ sugar, and pear brandy. Use an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes or until the eggs turn pale yellow and the mixture falls in ribbons when beaters are lifted. Transfer to the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Whisk constantly for 4 to 5 minutes or until quite thick. Transfer to a large mixing bowl; set aside.

In a saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir the chocolate into the egg mixture until smooth. Cool to room temperature.  In a chilled bowl, beat the cream until stiff. Wash and dry the beaters. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form but the mixture is not dry. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then gently fold in the whipped cream.

 

DIY Lace Doily Necklace

I love this necklace tutorial that I found from Elizabeth Anne Designs. The necklace is made from a doily, so not only is it super cute, but it's vintage as well-which is super awesome. Being able to take something old and give it new life is so great. That's exactly what this necklace does. And, when you're finished, it looks like a beautiful boutique piece that would be great for a bride or a bridesmaid (or just to wear on any old day!). It's really easy to do and hardly costs anything...music to my ears!



Finding the right doily for this project may be the hardest part.  You need one with good shape and structure in the size you like, but one that is also delicate enough. After a lot of searching, Rebekah lucked out at a local antique store and found a bag of vintage doilies for just a few dollars.
You can purchase all of the supplies from this project (except for the *perfect* vintage doily, of course!) at Michael’s.  You will need:

• Vintage doily
• Sewing  glue
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flat-nose pliers
• Jewelry chain
• Jump rings
• Clasp closure

1) Lay your doily out and decide where to cut.  Be sure that each side of the doily after cutting has four loops for the chain.
2) After cutting the lace, dot sewing glue around the edges and where the chain will be added to prevent it from fraying.

3) Measure the chain for your neck and doily.
4) Open a jump ring with needle nose pliers, and attach it to one end of your chain.  Thread the jump ring through the doily.  Use flat nose pliers to close the jump ring.  Do the same with a smaller length of chain on the second doily loop on the same side of the necklace.  Then use another jump ring to attach the smaller length of chain to the longer length.  Repeat on the other side of the doily.

At the other ends of your chain, use jump rings to attach your necklace closures.  Rebekah found a precious typewriter key closure  for this necklace.

Voila, a beautiful vintage doily necklace!

Images and tutorial by Rebekah J Murray for Elizabeth Anne Designs.

 

DIY Wine Bottle Centerpieces

Just a few days ago, I made an inspiration board for a Vineyard-inspired wedding that was so chic, if I do say so myself. Well, today I came across this fantastic DIY tutorial at Bridesmaid.com that I thought fit the vineyard theme so perfectly, that I just had to post it. No, wine bottle centerpieces are nothing new. But, these are on a whole other level! They are so cute that I think I might make some just for the heck of it...to put in my room, office, wherever! I'm just excited that I finally have a use for all of the wine bottles that I go through (no, it's not that many. Don't be alarmed). They couldn't be any easier. But, they also couldn't be any cuter. So, it's a win-win!

And, make sure you notice the corks chillin' with the flowers in the arrangement. Love that detail!



Images via Hostess with the Mostess

 

DIY Rosette Cake

I love this DIY idea from The Wedding Chicks. It makes decorating your own wedding cake looks super easy. For brides on a budget who are considering making their own cake (or having a friend or family member do it), this is the perfect project. It's super simple, and when you're done, it looks so chic and beautiful! Nobody would know that you didn't pay top dollar for it.

The beautiful rosettes that are used for decoration can be put on any cake. Make a short round cake, a square cake, a tiered cake, or tiny French cakes, like the ones pictured. Then make some of these beautiful rosettes, adorn it with a bold ribbon, and you've got a professional-looking cake that's easy to make and easy on the wallet.



1. Scissors
2. Card stock (a variety of shades is nice)
3. A Pencil
4. Ribbon (for added décor)

1. Lightly trace a spiral pattern on a 5″x5″ piece of card stock
2. Cut out the spiral along its lines

3. Simply roll the spiral from the outside until it forms a rosette and pull away the edges to make the rosette “bloom”
4. Cut out leaves for the rosette using green card stock
5. Place the rosette on the top of your cake, or around the edges.
6. Cut a piece of ribbon to go around the base, and glue it in place using non-toxic adhesive.

Enjoy!!

Again a special thanks to our North Carolina Photographers, Hilton Pittman Photography for this crafty DIY!

 

DIY: Rainbow Cake

This rainbow cake, found on One Charming Party, is awesome. So awesome, in fact, that I think I am drooling. Yup, I am. But honestly, can you blame me? Eight bold, differently colored layers are stacked on top of one another to form an awesome mega-cake of epic proportions. I love that it's hidden underneath a layer of plain white frosting so that when you cut into this sucker, all the glory underneath is revealed. I think you should try and make one yourself...I'm sure going to!

 

1. Divide your cake batter into 8 different bowls. Color each bowl of batter a different color. Our colors are: red, pink, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, and purple. Bake each layer in an 8″ or 9″ round pan. You will take turns using the pan over and over with different colors. Unless you have 8 round pans. Make sure to grease and flour your pan or put a round of parchment in the bottom to prevent sticking. Let each cake cool slightly before removing. Turn out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling.
2. Once the cakes have cooled completely, freeze each layer individually wrapped in plastic. This will make it easier to assemble and frost the cake.
3. Once the cakes are frozen you can start layering your cake in a rainbow pattern, putting frosting in between each layer.
4. Frost the outside of the cake as well.





Photos by Nicole Hill Gerulat. Cake inspired by Kaitlin Flannery’s rainbow cake. This cake created by Dusti Ondryas.

 

S'more, please.

I must admit that s'mores are one of my guiltiest pleasures. The perfect combination of roasted marshmallow, crunchy graham cracker and smooth, melty chocolate is hard to beat. Plus my future hubby and I like to camp, and s'mores is the ultimate campfire food. I had thought about having s'mores as a late night snack at the wedding. But then I thought, "How would we roast the mallows?" S'mores are no good without teddy-bear brown marshmallows. Then, I came across a post from Wedding Window that has the PERFECT s'mores bar. Not only is it fun and delicious, but they actually made it look really nice and chic too.

I'm highly considering this option, as long as the venue is OK with open flame. I mean, it's safe, right?

What do you think? Would you do something laid back like this on your big day?

 

And your fortune says....

Today I have a really fun, different DIY idea from Once Wed. I fell in love with these instantly when I saw them. There is not one person who doesn't enjoy cracking open a fortune cookie and reading the cheesy (sometimes eerily true) message inside. It's the mystery of what's inside that's so enticing, since the cookie usually doesn't taste the best. With these paper fortune cookies, you get all of the excitement and whimsy without the crappy cookie. Instead your guests get a favor that they can take home. You can make these out of any print/color of paper you want, and you can make up the fortunes yourself! Get as serious or as silly as you want. Your guests will be entertained with reading them and laughing at what you wrote inside. They're easy to make and oh so cheap. Perfect combo.

What You’ll Need:
Decorative or Scrapbook paper (not too thick, similar to a text weight, not cardstock)
White text weight paper
Double faced tape
A pencil
A round plastic lid to use as a template (approximately four to fiveinches in diameter) or a extra large circle craft punch
A pair of scissors
Computer and printer

Directions:

1.  Begin by using a plastic lid as a template to trace circles on your
decorative paper.   A 12” square piece of paper yields approximately 9
circles.   Cut out your circles using your scissors.   If you have an
extra large circle craft punch, that works well too.  (See figure 1)

2.  Fold a circle in half with the pattern side in.   Make a crease (at
arrow A) along the folded edge.  (See figure 2)

3.  Open your circle, and turn it pattern side out.

4.  Turn your circle so the crease you made in step 2 is vertical. Fold
the circle in in half horizontally, pattern side out, rounded side down,
Do NOT crease.  (see figure 3)

5. Hold the half circle on the bottom, ( where arrow B points in figure 3)
between your thumb and index finger.   Use the index finger from your
other hand to push in the middle of the folded side of the circle at the
crease.  (where arrow C points in figure 3).

As you push in, the top corners will start to turn up. (See figure 4)

6. Continue to hold the half circle and use your other hand to pull the
corners in until they nearly meet and form the cookie shape. (See figure 5)

7. If your cookie doesn’t want to stay folded, use a tiny piece of double
stick tape to keep the halves together.  (at arrow in figure 6)

8. Compose your fortunes on your computer and print them out on a standard
sheet of printer paper using a nine point font.  The fortunes can be a
simple note for the guests such as  ”We’re so fortunate to know you.
Thanks for being here today”.   Keep the fortunes  just a sentence or two
long.

Cut the fortunes into small slips of paper approximately 1/2 inch high by
two to three inches long.  (see figure 7)

9. Tuck the fortune into one of the open ends of the cookie.  (see figure 8)

And there you have an adorable fortune cookie! It may take a little practice, but you'll nail it if you keep at it! Totally worth it.

 

DIY: Rubber Stamp

I love the look of rubber stamps. They're so fun, easy, and wonderfully vintage. I actually have a great desire to stamp everything in my sight (with this project, I just might!).  Sure you can go to the store and pick out a mass-produced generic stamp. But why do that when you can personalize your own?! Handmade rubber stamps offer you the creative liberty of making anything you want. This would be great for names, monograms, or something to go along with your wedding theme. And, this tutorial is so easy, you'll want to make a ton of them.

So, without further ado, here's the simple steps from The Sweetest Occasion to making your own rubber stamp.

You will need:
A pencil
An old eraser (or a new one!)
An X-Acto knife



Start by drawing a simple picture on your eraser with pencil. If you mess up, the lead will easily rub off and you can try again. I drew a mustache on one eraser and lips on the other.


Next, take your X-Acto knife and carefully trace around your image, cutting directly downward. You won’t need to get more than about 1/8 of an inch deep.

Then, cut in from the edges of the eraser, being careful to only cut up to where you traced the image with the knife. Work your way around in pieces, clearing away the parts that come free, until all of the excess is cut away.



And there ya go-your own handmade rubber stamp! Now you're ready to ink it up and start stamping. You could use your stamps on so many things: invitations, thank-you cards, name cards, place settings, anything!



{Photos by Lovely Indeed.}

 

DIY: Bridesmaid Cards

The girls you ask to stand next to you at the alter are, obviously, special to you. They're the women who have been there for you for as long as you can remember: your relatives, your sisters, your soon-to-be sisters, your best friends. How are you going to ask them to be your bridesmaids on the most important day of your life? Sure, you can write them a message on Facebook, or just blurt it out whenever you feel the urge, but why not make it something more special?

For my bridesmaids, I decided to make cards and send them to my girls, asking them if they would be in my wedding. The reasons I loved this idea:

1. Handmade = time, effort & appreciation from the reciever.

2. I could personalize them to include whatever I want. The more personal, the better.

3. It would be a nice surprise for them (if you can keep it a secret!)

4. It would be something they could hold on to forever.

So, that's what I did. I went to the store, bought supplies, and just kind of went for it. I love the way they turned out.

Here's the finished product:

 

 

Cute, aren't they? I'm really happy with the way they turned out. I made each one different to reflect their personalities, but you wouldn't necessarily have to.

I don't have a pic of the inside, but basically I glued a piece of printed paper to match the dress on the inside flap, then I wrote each of the girls poems and attached them too (keep reading for an example of the poems).


If you would like to make them yourself, here's some easy steps. They can me made in a couple hours and are cheap to put together!

You will need:

1. Cardstock for the actual card. Get as many or as few colors as you like.
2. Cardstock for the bust of the dress if you want it to be white (I chose one with a swirly pattern).
3. Printed paper for the skirts/inside the flap of the card. You can get this in the scrapbook section of any craft store.
4. Tulle. You can buy small rolls of tulle in any craft store.
5. Stickers for decoration. I bought sticky pearls for the side of the card, as well as the waist of the dress. You can get anything you like.
6. Very thin elastic.
7. Monogram beads (one for each girl)
8. Glue. 

Instructions:

1. Cut the cardstock to the size of card you want.

2. Carefully, fold the cardstock in half. You will now have a normal-looking, folding card.

3. Cut out the busts of your dresses (the white part) I basically cut out a heart shape, then cut the point off. They don't have to be perfect! Glue the bust to your card.

4. Cut out a piece of tulle for each skirt. Make sure you put enough under each skirt to make it poof out, and stick out the bottom.

5. Glue the tulle to the back of your skirt. Then, glue the TOP ONLY of the skirt to your cardstock, where it goes (butt it up next to the bust to make a dress)

6. Embellish! Stick your pearls or whatever embellishments you have along the side of the card, the bottom of the card, the waist of the dress, wherever you want!

7. Cut out a piece of printed paper (the same print that was on the skirt of the dress) to fit on the inside flap of your card. Glue it down.

8. Write a note, poem, or whatever you want on the inside. I actually wrote four different poems on the computer, printed them out, then glued it to the printed paper on the inside.

9. Once your card is ready to go, slip your monogram bead on the elastic, wrap it around the card to hold it shut and tie it in a bow!

10. Send or give them to your girls!

Here is the poem that I wrote for my maid of honor:

Rashelle,

The day has come when I will be

Married to Brandt, finally.

I love him so much, that is true

But one thing’s for certain, I love you too.

You’ve been there for me for years gone past

Our friendship is one that’s made to last.

As I stand at the alter next year,

With you by my side I’ll have nothing to fear.

There is just one thing that I’d like to ask,

As I’ve chosen you for an important task.

I need you now more than ever,

Be my maid of honor today

and my best friend forever.

Steal mine (I won't care!), or write one of your own. Trust me, they will love them. My girls were so excited. I even got some tears. It's well worth the effort for them to feel special and have something to remember it by.

Any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

 

DIY: Cupcake in a Jar

Yes, these are cupcakes (red velvet, to be exact), and yes, they are in a jar. Does anyone else think this is a totally genius idea? It's like a portable cupcake that your guests can take with them, making it the perfect DIY wedding favor. Not only that, but they look simply awesome. The beautiful layers of red and white are so inviting, and the mason jars add a touch of home-made charm. Oh, and the attached spoons...genius.

Check out the recipe from Cakies.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tbsp red food coloring
1 tsp white distilled vinegar
2 tsp vanilla extract

For the cream cheese frosting:
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter, softened
2 tsps vanilla extract
4 cups sifted powdered sugar

1. Mix the batter ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

2. I spray the pan with pam and then fill each hole up 2/3 with the batter. Note: I do not use liners, but you could if you want, just pull them off before putting them in the jar.

3. Usually they are done after about 17 minutes in my oven at temperature of 350℉, and I take them out and put them on a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Once they are cool, I slice them in half. You will have a stack of tops and a stack of bottoms.

5. Place 1 bottom in each jar.

6. Put a layer of the frosting.

7. Take the top of the cupcake and place on top of the layer of frosting.

8. Flatten (gently smash) the top part of the cupcake inside the jar. You want to get the top sort of flat.

9. Beautifully frost the top of the cupcake.

10. Cover with lids and package however you like! It will be heartbreaking to eat, as it is so pretty, but it is so yummy!

 

DIY Fabric Table Numbers

If you plan on having any type of seating chart, you're going to need table numbers to help your guests find their way to their seats. If you get creative, your table numbers can become part of the decoration, or even be the centerpiece on their own. With this funky project, your table numbers won't just be on your tables as informative pieces...they'll be a cute and fun addition to your decor too!



Supplies:
Sticks, moss, hot glue gun, fabric, pots, paint, sewing machine (if you have
one), needle & thread, paintbrush, kraft paper and stuffing.

1. Start by printing out the template on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper, which
contains patterns for the circle and numbers.
2. Cut out the circle and number you wish to make from the printed sheet of
paper.
3. Cut two separate circles out of fabric. Then, cut a number out of the
fabric.
4. Next, take the number and hand-stitch it onto the center of one of the
fabric circles.
5. Once that is finished, take both of the circles (with the number facing
inward) and sewn them together near the edge leaving an inch open at the
bottom.
6. Turn the circle inside out and fill with stuffing.
7. Put the stick in the center of your painted pot, then pack kraft paper
around the stick to keep it firmly in position.
8. With a hot glue gun, attach moss to cover the kraft paper. You can also
leave the kraft paper exposed for a different look.
9. Finally, insert the stuffed fabric circle onto the stick.
Project created by Dolci Odille

 

Cake Pops

Please, oh please tell me you've heard of cake pops. If you've never heard them called that, I'm sure at least that you've seen them done. These little bites of deliciousness are essentially mini cakes on sticks. Not only do they taste amazing, but they look adorable and can be decorated in literally any way that you want. Surely, I didn't really mean "any way"? Yes, yes I did. Sprinkles, edible pearls, decorative frosting, anything is possible. Let your imagination go crazy!

Read on for instructions!

Oh, and if you'd like a boiled down version of how to make these without reading the entire instructions first, here's the gist of the process. You bake a cake (or brownies) according to normal instructions. You crumble the finished cake and mix it with frosting (so it can be formed easily). You then make balls out of your new mixture, and add the sticks. Chill until firm and then decorate. Easy-peasy.

Cake Pops
original concept and recipe by Bakerella

You will need:
1 box cake mix, I suggest Naturally Nora or a homemade 13×9 sheet cake, any flavor
16 oz frosting, I suggest 1 box of Naturally Nora frosting mix if not homemade, whatever flavor goes well with your cake
1 package chocolate bark or candy melts, any color*
decoration of your choice, e.g., non-pareils, edible glittler, jimmies*
equipment
4″ lollipop sticks
a styrofoam block, optional
wax paper or parchment

Instructions:
1. Bake your cake according to package directions or recipe. Allow to cool completely. Many say overnight is best, though I didn’t wait that long. Once cooled, break the cake up into fine crumbs. I started with a fork and then worked the crumbs with my hands.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake crumbs and frosting. I did this with my hands. Messier but way faster and easier. You should end up with a very moist mixture that you can roll into balls. This amount of cake and frosting should make about 45-50 quarter sized balls. Place each finished cake ball on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill the cake balls for several hours. (Bakerella says that you can speed this up by putting them in the freezer.)
3. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave per package directions.
4. Remove a few chilled cake balls from the fridge at a time. Dip the tip of a lollipop stick into the melted chocolate or candy coating and insert into the middle of a cake ball. Now dip the cake pop into the chocolate or coating. If you want to create a totally smooth surface, use a deep bowl so that you can submerge the entire cake ball and remove it in one motion without stirring. (Bakerella suggests that you add a few drops of vegetable oil to thin your chocolate or candy coating if it’s too thick.) Allow excess chocolate or coating to drip back into the bowl.
5. Decorate! Depending on what you’re using, you can sprinkle stuff on or roll the still wet candy coated ball in a bowl full of sprinkles or such like.
6. Allow the cake pop to dry. For best results, place the pop in a styrofoam block. Alternatively, you can place it cake side down on the lined baking sheet. Just keep in mind that, unless you hold the pop until the coating hardens a little bit (it doesn’t take too long), this may create a flat spot or smoosh some of your decor. Once the candy coating has hardened, your cake pops are ready to go! If you need to store them, they keep packaged (as in cello bags) on the counter or stored in an airtight container.

 

DIY Pom Poms

If you're looking for something dramatic to hang from the ceiling of your reception hall, or to decorate the seats at your ceremony with, I've got the perfect idea for you. These tissue paper pom-poms can be as big or as small as you want them, and you can make them in virtually any color you want. They make just as much of an impact as paper lanterns, but at a fraction of the cost. They're so versatile, and easy to make so you can crank out quite a few of them if need be.

You will need…

• Tissue Paper in Your Choice of Colors or Patterns - 17″ x 30″ for Medium Pom-Poms and 20″ x 30″ for large Pom-Poms, 8-11 Sheets per Pom-Pom Ball (the more sheets, the fuller the ball)
• 24 gauge floral or craft wire - About 6 inches of wire per Pom-Pom Ball
• Monofilament or string for hanging
• Scissors

Now you’re ready to make some poms!

1. Stack 8-11 sheets of your choice tissue paper(s) and make 1 1/2″ wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold. You can either make the ball one solid color by stacking 8-11 sheets of the same color tissue..or it may be neat to stack 2 varying colors (pink/yellow/pink/yellow) to incorporate multiple colors in one ball!
2. Fold a 6 inch piece of wire in half and slip over the center of the folded tissue and twist to secure. With scissors, trim the ends of your folded tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.
3. Separate the layers, pulling away from the center one at a time.
4. Tie a length of monofilament or string to the floral wire twisted in the center for hanging.

credit: Martha Stewart.com

credit: casaazul on flickr.com

 

Get Bubbly! (DIY Bridesmaid gifts)

Finding unique and personalized gifts for your bridesmaids can be tricky. So, why not try making something you know they'll love? You girls will know your took the time and effort to create something just for them. Homemade bubble bath is the perfect way to tell your bridesmaids how much you appreciate everything they've done for you and encourage them to relax (either before the big day, or after all of the planning and hectic-ness is over). There's no doubt that they'll appreciate it. And with this DIY, you can not only make the bubble bath, but make your own labels to go on them. You can get as personal as you'd like.

Try this DIY from Wedding Window



HOMEMADE BUBBLE BATH
According to this article by Abigail Beal , the basic ingredients for bubble bath are:

• 1 quart of distilled water
• 1 bar of castille soap (4 oz. Bar)
• 4 ounces liquid glycerin

You then add the appropriate oils to concoct the desired fragrance and mood. (Obviously you adjust measurements depending on your bottle size.) Check out her recipes including Sweet Dreams (for relaxation) and Love Potion (for putting you in a romantic mood!)

^{(back of bottle)}

PACKAGING
For packaging I hunted down a frosted glass bottle (I've recycled a bottle previously used for a Japanese spirit) and used a cork from Riot Art and Craft. Alternatively, you can use a screw top- this would probably also look good. I did some digging and found this great frosted glass bottle with a cork online at Save on Crafts. They have quite a range of glass bottles and they also sell corks in various sizes.  A good way to hunt down glass bottles online is to do a search on Kaboodle. For the labels I've chosen a very light brown recycled paper to print onto for a slightly vintage feel, however you can also print onto white to get a very striking, high contrast image.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR YOUR PACKAGING:

• Scissors/Scalpel or Guillotine
• Double-sided tape
• Colour inkjet or laser printer
• Medium sized glass bottle - (preferably frosted glass with cork)
• Light brown recycled paper or white textured paper
• Bottle Labels - Download

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PACKAGING

• Print out your labels on your colour printer.
• Carefully cut around the edges of your back and front labels with a scissors.
• Cut out your round seal. I found that cutting carefully around the seal with a scissors was sufficient but if you want to be really precise try using a circle punch of a similar size or an adjustable rotary circle cutter.
• Cut a thin rectangular strip of paper for the top seal- the dimensions of this depend on your bottle. Experiment and see what looks best.
• Use double-sided tape to stick your labels and seal in place on bottle.

And you're done!

 

Not-so-ordinary candles

Look at these absolutely adorable DIY lace votive holders! I cannot get over how stinking awesome they are. And they're all SO simple to make, seriously! The reason I love these so much is because they add such a special touch to ordinary candles. The lace is cute and romantic, and they can be completely personalized. Just pick a lace pattern or color that goes with your color scheme, and it will look like you paid big bucks for custom candle holders. Nobody has to know you made them. Trust me, I won't tell :) Here's three different versions!


Project #1: Black Lace Votives by Family Chic

You will need:

• Votives or candle holders (glass)
• Black lace trim (can be found in the ribbon section of fabric stores)
• Glue/Needle & Thread

Now for the instructions:

Measure enough lace trim to go around your candle

Cut the lace to the exactly right length

Glue or stitch the ends together

That's it!

Project #2: Lace Votives by Martha Stewart
                                                                                           You will need:

• Tea light or votive candles
• Small Glass Votive Candle Holders (to keep the project safe!)
• Rectangular pieces of lace - 5″ wide by 14-21″ long works well but practice with one first to decide on what size works best with your glass holder. The Martha site recommends guipure lace but says any medium to heavyweight lace will work. (Lace can be found in any fabric store and it can be dyed different colors to fit the theme of your wedding or left a clean white, depending on the look you are after!)
• Balloons
• Fabric Stiffener
• Needle and thread(to match the lace)
• Optional: Fabric Dye (if you are dying the lace), Glitter

 Now the instructions:

1. Cut lace into a rectangle in the desired size. Trim one of the long sides, which will be the top of the votive holder, following the lace’s motif. Sew across the bottom with a loose running stitch and connect the 2 ends. Pull the thread, gathering the bottom into a tight circle, and knot. Whipstitch the short sides together.
2. Place a balloon inside the lace, and then blow it up to fit the lace’s dimensions. Set the balloon upright in a paper cup so the lace form is upside down. Arrange the gathered lace to create an even bottom. Spray with fabric stiffener until saturated. Let dry.
3. Pop the balloon.
4. Your votive holder should be all set! Now if you like add some subtle glitter or leave it alone Just slide in your glass votive holder and it is ready to light up your wedding!

  










Project #3: Doily Votives From Evansville Moms





You will need:

• Food coloring
• Water 
• Paper doilies
• Kitchen tongs
• Paper towels 
• Scissors 
• Colored tissue paper
• Straight-sided glass votive holders
• Paintbrush
• Craft glue

Now the instructions:
Doilies:

1. In a large glass pie plate or pot, mix a dye bath using approximately 20 drops of food coloring (more for deeper colors) and 2 cups of water. 
2. Slide a doily into the dye bath and push it down with the tongs so it's covered completely; let it sit for five seconds to two minutes, depending on the desired shade. 
3. Remove doily with tongs and place it flat on a stack of paper towels. 
4. Immediately blot it dry with another paper towel, then set it aside to dry on a clean paper towel.

Votives:

1. Cut a rectangle of tissue paper that is 1" longer and ½" taller than the votive holder. 
2. Cut a piece of doily the same size or smaller. 
3. Use a paintbrush and coat the entire votive holder with a thin layer of watered-down glue. 
4. Adhere tissue to votive and use your fingers to smooth the bottom edge underneath; turn upside down to dry. 
5. When dry, trim the excess tissue paper so that it's flush with the top edge. 
6. Apply glue mixture to the entire surface of the tissue-covered votive and adhere doily strip. Press down lightly with fingers and set it aside to dry. 
7. Trim the excess doily pieces from the votives, then brush a thin coat of glue on top to seal it; let dry completely.

  Aren't these fantastic? They make regular candles look so....blah. Craft away brides! Which ones do you like best?

 

 

Trend: Origami

One trend that I've noticed popping up into weddings lately is origami. Cute little (or big) pieces of paper are folded into any shape you want and placed throughout the wedding decor. In many cases, the origami IS the decoration for the wedding. Often, couples prefer to use paper cranes because their presence wishes a thousand years of happiness and prosperity onto the couple. A thousand years of happiness sounds pretty fantastic, huh? I certainly think so.

Photos Courtesy of Style Me Pretty

If you'd like to try origami for your big day, why not start with a paper crane? It's fairly simple and quick to make, but you may need to gather some friends to help you if you're planning on making a large amount of them.


Here's instructions from Lil Sugar to get you started.

DIY: Blooming Favors

Wedding favors can be a waste of money, especially if it's something  your guests are just going to take home and throw away. That's why I love the idea of these tulip favors: they can be enjoyed even after your wedding is over! They're cheap, easy to make, and will look adorable sitting at your place setting. They would be great for an outdoor or garden-themed wedding, or dress them up for a more traditional affair. If you want to get clever you can always put in a cute saying that has to do with flowers like something to do with  your love "blooming" or "growing". Get creative!

Thanks Project Wedding for sharing the idea.

photo by Mary Swenson

These seasonal favors are easy, inexpensive, and oh-so-charming!  Put them atop each place setting, arrange them en masse on a favor table, or even group them together in the center of each table for a casual centerpiece that guests can easily take home at the end of your event.
We picked up small pots of bulbs in bloom at our local grocery store for $3.99 each; each pot had 3 flowers in it, which averages to $1.33 per stem.  (Tulips are a colorful and widely-available choice; hyacinths are also a pretty, very fragrant alternative.)



We removed each bulb from the pot and planted it in a small plastic cup.  Each cup was placed inside a mini brown paper bag, decorated with guests' initials.  (If you're using a group of these flower bags as a centerpiece, you can write the table number on each one.)  We punched holes at the top of each bag, and added grommets to the front holes for a finished look.  Stringing ribbon through the holes is a pretty finish, and also keeps the flowers straight in the bag.


Sources:  Mini paper bags can be found at Paper Mart; small white cups by Solo; white paint pen by Elmer's; ribbon and grommets from Michaels
Images Courtesy: Mary Swenson

Drunk on Sugar @ the Candy Bar

I love the idea of a candy bar at weddings. It's tasty, it looks pretty, it keeps the kiddos occupied for a while, and you've instantly got something to send home with your guests (leave out cute plastic baggies and voila: favors!).

Making a candy bar yourself is simple.

1. Stock up on dishes and jars. Don't buy a bunch of the same; a variety of shapes and sizes will look best. Think about what kind of candies you're going to have to determine which container would be best. Twizzlers: long, skinny jars.  Reese's: round, fat jars. You get the picture.

2. Buy candy. This is a big duh. You can buy in bulk to save money, or go with smaller amounts of each kind of candy, with more of a variety.

3. Set out cute baggies or boxes for your guests to fill up. That way they can take candy back to their seats to munch on, or even take some home at the end of the night. Get creative with the containers: monogrammed stickers are an easy way to personalize.

Here's some of my favorite candy bars:

Photos courtesy of Style Me Pretty & The Knot

 

 

DIY Fabric Flowers

These are beautiful fabric flowers that even the least craft-adept person can manage. You just need to know how to work a thread and needle and you'll be on  your way to sticking these babies everywhere: headbands, sashes, bobby pins, centerpieces, you name it! Thanks projectwedding.com for the idea.

Materials:
Fabric (anything works - from silk organza to your old bedsheets)

Needle

Thread (in a color that matches the fabric)
Large circular object (for tracing around)

Medium circular object(about ¼” - ½” smaller in diameter)
Small circular object  (about 1” in diameter)

Scissors

Process:
1. Trace the large circular object onto your fabric 9 times.
2. Trace the medium circular object onto your fabric 1 time.
3. Trace the small circular object onto your fabric 1 time.
4. Cut out all 11 circles.
5. Set small and medium circles aside.   Take a large circle and fold it into quarters.




6. Place this quarter on top of another large circle.


7. Using a needle and thread, sew the tip of the fabric quarter onto the flat circle.  Make sure you sew through all the layers.
8. Take 3 more large circles, fold them into quarters, and continue to lay them out onto the circle.  To keep the flower perfectly balanced and proportional, make sure all the openings face the same direction. Sew each quarter as you lay it down.  After all 4 quarters have been laid out and sewn, sew a couple times between the quarters to connect them together.


9. Fold another large circle into quarters.  Place this directly on top of another quarter on the bottom layer, and angle it 90 degrees. Again, make sure the opening faces the same direction as the quarters on the bottom layer. 


10. Sew the quarter onto the bottom layer.
11. Repeat this using 3 more of the large circles.  This should form an entire top layer.


12. After the top layer has been completed, remember to sew between the quarters again.
13.  Take the medium circle now and fold it in half.


14. Roll it up into a cone shape.


15. Place it flat against the top layer with the tip pointing toward the center.  Sew the very tip into place.  It should be able to stand upright when you are done.


16. Flip the flower over.  Take the smallest circle fabric and sew it onto the back to cover up your stitches.  If you are attaching a hair clip or headband to the flower, put it between the flower and the small circle fabric.  Sew the circle into place with the hair clip headband sandwiched inside it.


17. Flip the flower over again and fluff it up!