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There are so many little details that make up your big day and your wedding day outfit (and all the little accessories) are a pretty important part! Luckily, those special little details don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. When you DIY (or do-it-yourself) you can save a lot of dough while still customizing your day (and look) to fit you! Making your own custom one of a kind lacy wedding garter is a great way to save some money while matching your look to your wedding theme! (Or maybe your favorite sports team, etc. The possibilities are endless – it is all about you!)
These diy frilly garters will look fantastic on any bride. You can even make them for your bridesmaids! Or if you are planning for prom you can use this tutorial to make the perfect prom dress accessory too!
It’s so easy if you follow these instructions!
You will need…
1.5″ Ribbon (Your choice of color!)
Pins
Lace
Scissors
A lighter
Elastic
Needle & Thread (To match the ribbon or a contrasting color!)
Safety Pin
Charm(s)
Let’s get started!
First, take your measuring tape and measure your thigh in the spot you want your custom garter to sit and multiply that number by 1.5. This is your “final number”.
Add 1″ to that final number for seam allowance and measure that length from your ribbon and cut.
Lightly burn the edges of your ribbon to stop fraying. Basically you want to hold it close enough to gently melt the edge to finish it. (If you are uncomfortable with the idea of using the lighter you can also use a little bit of clear nail polish to stop fraying too. Just go lightly and only at the edge as it can occasionally cause a little bit of staining!)
Fold the ribbon in half and then pin the ends together.
Using a needle and thread (or sewing machine) sew the ends of your ribbon together but only to the half way point, snipping the loose thread.
With the wrong side facing down, fold the seam allowances down and sew them down. The part of the garter that has the opening will be the inside of your garter.
Now, fold the ribbon in half the other way, sewing a seam along the fold to connect the two halves of the ribbon together.
Cut a piece of lace in the amount of your final number (calculated above!) plus 0.5″.
Starting at the inside opening sandwich and pin the lace within the two sides of your ribbon until you reach the opening again. Then overlap the lace a tad, adding your last pin.
Sew along your pin line and then pin the loose threads.
Now it’s time to cut your elastic! To determine the length of the elastic to cut, wrap it around your thigh and test to see how tight you want it to be.
Attach a safety pin to one side of the elastic to help you thread it through your ribbon.
Feed the elastic through the one open end of your ribbon (safety pin first) until it comes out the other side. Then overlap the elastic, pin and sew!
Tuck the elastic safely inside your ribbon and distribute the fabric evenly.
Find the middle of the front of your garter and sew on your charm(s)!
You can get creative here if you like and add anything else that may suit your personality and theme. Feathers? a little glitter? Buttons, beads or crystals? The possibilities are truly endless!
If you plan on throwing one garter and keeping another just repeat the process to make a matching garter.
That’s it! It is so easy and you can design it in your wedding colors with charms and little touches that reflect you and your big day. If you create your own garter be sure to send in photos. We would love to see what you come up with!
I found these awesome instructions on youtube from craft goddess Corinne from craftzine. If you find it easier to watch a video check it out below!
As the cold of winter is upon us a lot of us indulge in things during our free time that scream warm and cozy. Soaking in a hot bath is one of things that comes to mind for me and adding some relaxing bath products like homemade bath fizzies or bath bombs just ups the comfy cozy factor. That’s why I thought they would make an awesome affordable diy project for all of you looking for a favor your guests will be excited to take home and use to relax after partying the night away at your wedding or party!
They hardly cost anything to make (fantastic for your budget!) and if you wrap them up in a cellophane bag or shrink bag with a pretty ribbon or even drop them into cute little jars with a label and directions they will look really cute at your guests seat or on a favor table! Plus since you are making them yourself you can make them in colors and shapes to match your theme! (Think pretty soft green and aqua blue seashells for a beach wedding or icy blue snowflakes or snowballs for a winter wedding!)
I found my recipe on the Martha Stewart site and wanted to share!
You will need…
1/2 cup citric acid (You can often find this at a local authentic indian food markets or home brewing (wine/beer) supplier. If no luck there search on google and a ton of options come up!)
1 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup organic cane sugar
About 6 drops food coloring or gel tones
10 to 15 drops essential oil(s)
2-ounce travel-size spray bottle (filled with water or witch hazel – Some recommend the witch hazel instead, saying they turn out better!)
plastic pipette
baking, candy or ice cube mold(s)
Let’s get started!
credit – MarthaStewart.com
Stir together citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch in a glass measuring cup.
Pass mixture through a fine sieve or a flour sifter into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar.
Fill spray bottle with water (or witch hazel), and add food coloring. Spritz mixture lightly (it should become damp but not fizzy) until you can pack mixture with your hands.
Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Using a metal spoon or your hands (you will want gloves so you don’t risk staining your hands!), mix ingredients until color is even throughout (mixture will begin to dry out; when this happens, spritz until packable again).
Spoon into mold, pressing firmly. Let dry at room temperature overnight. Pop out of tray gently.
Then you are ready to put them in jars or bags and pretty them up! Add some ribbons, labels with name and directions and you have yourself completely customized wedding favors your guests will love!
If you would rather watch a video showing how to make your own fizzies I found a great one on youtube by DIYBathBodyandHome. Her recipe is very similar only she also adds soluble dextrose which helps make the fragrance in the bath bomb last longer (Can’t go wrong there!) and she adds sweet almond oil so the bombs are moisturizing. She also oils her mold with the almond oil so they slide out easily. Great idea!
If you use these instructions to make bath fizzies for your wedding please send in photos so we can share!
With summer just around the corner weddings are back in full swing again and what could be more classic and beautiful than a diy bridal up-do? Fafinettex3 on youtube was kind enough to share a video detailing step by step how to create a gorgeous classic updo that would work wonderfully for all of you upcoming brides (and bridesmaids too!). Whether you are getting married in a church or on the beach I think this diy wedding hairstyle would be perfect for you.
All you need are some hair clips for separating your hair while you curl, a curling iron, some bobby pins, hair spray and maybe a pretty clip in flower or fascinator to complete the look!
Watch the video below…
As always if you use this video to diy your own wedding hair we would love to see photos so please send them in!
Manzanita branch trees have been growing in popularity in the wedding scene as both beautiful centerpieces and stunning decor (like a manzanita wish tree!). Tree centerpieces and decor give your wedding an ethereal, whimsical beauty that can give your wedding a modern fairy tale feel or even a lush green forest!
Buying them already made can be quite costly.. So why not make them yourself? The branches aren’t exactly cheap -BUT- it is much cheaper than buying the whole tree already completed. You could also skip using manzanita branches altogether and gather branches from your backyard for an even cheaper alternative!
You will need (for one tree):
Manzanita Branch(es) or branches you have gathered in the park/backyard (Make sure you allow them to dry out a bit before building!) Also – If you plan on hanging heavier objects from the branches (like votives) make sure the branches you have collected/purchased are strong enough to hold them without breaking. You don’t want your guests attacked by falling candles!
Container to use as a base of the tree (A pretty wide mouth vase, a cute pail, a clean flower pot…Use your imagination! Just make sure the mouth of the container is wide enough to allow arranging of the branches.)
Something to keep the branches in place (I have seen marbles, river rocks, floral foam, aqua beads, etc!) If you use floral foam you will want to hide the foam with marbles, rocks or moss when you have finished arranging.
Optional: Silver/White paint(or any color you like!), Glitter paint, Glitter & Glue (If you do not want to leave the branches in their natural state!)
Things to hang/decorate the branches – The possibilities are endless! Butterflies, silk or preserved flowers (preserved orchids would be stunning!), strands of crystal, lush amaranthus, fake petals strung on fishing line, lights and even hanging votives if the branch can handle the weight! Little squares of pretty paper would also look pretty for guests to write their wishes and advice upon to hang.
Let’s get started! It’s SO simple
First, if you plan on painting or glittering your branches do this first! Spray paint them in pretty metallic silver or a clean white…You may need more than one coat of paint! Then, add some glitter paint or glue on crystals/glass glitter as well if you like! (Which would be stunning for a winter wedding!) To be safe it is best to allow the branches to dry overnight before moving onto the next step. If you are leaving the branches natural skip to the next step!
Add your river rocks, marbles, aqua beads….(whatever you plan on using!) to the container. Add the branches and play around with them until you get them to look the way you want them to look. You may also choose to hot glue floral foam into the bottom of your container and then arrange the branches in the foam. Then just hide the foam with moss, crystals, rocks or marbles!
Now all that is left is to decorate them! Glue on silk flower and butterflies, drape sparkling strands of crystals or strands of flowers, hang votives..etc! So gorgeous!
That should do it! Whether you make one tree or multiple trees for centerpieces I’m sure your guests will be impressed by their beauty…and you can say you created them yourself!
For further inspiration I found this fantastic video on youtube to help you make your tree:
As always please share your photos if you create your own – we’d love to see!
I found this fantastic how-to video on youtube showing step by step how to make your own wedding card box. Wendy Dahl from Dahl Wedding Company does a beautiful job explaining and showing just how easy it is to make an adorable card box that will match your wedding theme and colors. It’s affordable too! All you need is a chip board box with a lid (she ordered hers from papersource.com), some glue, pretty wrapping paper to match your wedding, scissors, a pencil for tracing, pretty ribbon and a craft knife.
Here is her fantastic video!
Please send us your photos if you make your own..We would love to see!
If you are one of the diy brides doing their own makeup for the big day I think you’ll love these youtube videos by TiffanyD. The first video she goes over step-by-step how to create a fantastic bridal makeup look from prepping with primer, applying foundation and concealer and then creating a beautiful natural look for the eyes. It would be perfect for morning and afternoon weddings or girls who don’t want to look too made up but still want to wear makeup to play up their natural beauty on their wedding day.
The second video continues with this gorgeous bridal look by finishing up the eyes , grooming the brows, applying blush and lip color.
The videos are perfect for both those looking to look as natural as possible..all the way to those wanting to be glam! Just follow the videos and add as much or as little as you wish to personalize your wedding day look for you..You’ll be stunning!
If you are taking on the task of making your own wedding cake for the big day, this great video I found on YouTube by realmeals is just for you! It’s a fantastic step-by-step video showing how to bake your own simply lemon wedding cake and frost it with buttercream icing. They go over the wedding cake recipe very thoroughly – including mixing the batter, filling the pans, baking, mixing the buttercream frosting and even showing you how to assemble the cake one it is baked (including creating multi-colored buttercream roses)! The women teaching how to create this delicious wedding cake are truly cake divas! They make it look so simple!
The lemon cake sounds like it would be a delicious flavor for a summer wedding, especially with the addition of passionfruit puree to the buttercream icing..yum! Who am I to kid..this cake would be delicious year round..I could really go for some right now..heehee
(Here is a quick mock-up so you can see what they look like, I’m sure you can do a prettier job embellishing! )
I found this fantastic video on youtube by tommr1 showing how to make your own wedding favor seed envelopes very easily and affordably! You only need a few items to craft these cute little envelopes. Your guests will love these little seed favors and can think of your wedding every time they see the little plant they grew from your special favor.
You will need:
8 1/2″ x 11″ Paper (Standard printing paper size) – You can use parchment paper, scrapbook paper or plain colored printing paper. Choose something that would compliment your wedding theme or colors!
Scissors
Seeds
Optional: Embellishments such as a rubber stamp, pens/markers, glitter, crystals etc. to adorn your envelope with after folding
Here is his informative video showing how to fold your paper into an adorable seed envelope…
Once you fold your envelope you may choose to embellish the envelope with your names and wedding date, a themed rubber stamp, your monogram, or even a little wedding poem pertaining to seeds and growth. (Click here for an excellent group of wedding seed favor poems that would work great on your handmade favors!)
The seeds you use can also reflect your wedding colors and/or theme. For example, if you are using gerbera daisies as your main flower for the day then daisy seeds may be a cute favor! Another idea may be pumpkin seeds if you are having a fall wedding.
Here are some other ideas for seeds…
Daisy Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Wildflower Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Forget-me-not Seeds
Carnation Seeds
Love-in-a-mist Seeds
Evergeen tree Seeds
Herb Seeds
These handmade paper seed envelopes are not only affordable and cute they can also be considered green favors, especially if you go the extra mile to get recycled paper for your envelopes!
Make sure you send in pics if you make these seed favors for your big day, we love seeing our visitors beautiful work!
If you are making your own wedding cake for your big day and want to decorate it with edible roses I found a perfect video for you on YouTube! It teaches you how to create them with Marzipan, step by step!
Marzipan is a sweet dough made of ground almonds, sugar and sugar syrup. Once mixed it makes a perfect edible modeling clay perfect for molding decor for your cake. (Marzipan can usually be purchased at your local grocery store or where cake items are sold!)
Donna (djcssp) is clearly a professional at making these beautiful sugar flowers and her video is very detailed to make creating the roses very simple, even if it’s your first time working with edible modeling clay.
Send us your pics of handmade flowers if you create some! We’d love to see
I found this diy video on Youtube and I had to share with you crafty brides! The video describes in depth how to create these dainty pearl earrings. They would look gorgeous on any bride and you can tell everyone you made them yourself! They don’t require a lot of materials, so they are also inexpensive, especially if you compare them to all the overpriced jewelry you’ll see in every bridal shop.
You will need: Earring findings, Jump Rings, Coin Pearls, eye pins, head pins and rice pearls
If you haven’t made jewelry before you may also need some tools..although most people probably have some of them in their garage or toolbox! For tools you will need: 2 pairs of chain nose pliers, round nose pliers and nipper pliers.
Watch the video for the step-by-step instructions!
Know of any other DIY jewelry projects that would be perfect for a bride or her bridesmaids? Please share with us! Also, as always, be sure to send in pictures if you create your own classy pearl earrings for your big day.
Add some ribbons, labels with name and directions and you have yourself completely customized wedding favors your guests will love!
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