DIY Wedding

credit: care04 on theknot.com

credit: care04 on theknot.com

As I browse through wedding boards planning my own wedding, I’m seeing there is growing popularity among women choosing bird cage veils either as their veil all day or for a smaller reception only veil. These classic veils can be adorned with beads, jewels, flowers and feathers to further make the veil “your own”. If you love the look of these veils but do not want to spend $100-$200 dollars on one, making one is extremely affordable. (You may just need a bit of patience working with the netting to achieve the shape you like..practice with it til you love it!)

I found a fantastic tutorial online by “care04” (From theknot.com!) who created her own bird cage veil and was nice enough to share the instructions with us!

You will need…

• 1 yard of Russian Netting (9″ wide for a smaller veil like care04 created OR 18″ wide if you plan to cover your entire face)
• 2 small combs for a smaller veil to be placed at each side of your head (with optional 3rd small comb to place in center to better hold the veil in place and further shape the netting) OR 1 large comb for a full face veil which would be placed at the top/middle of your head
• invisible/white/ivory thread, depending on the color of the netting and your preference (Care04 recommended and used button thread)
• hair pins to further shape veil once finished and placed on your head
• Scissors
• Optional: String to use as a guideline when cutting the veil shape

Let’s create a bird cage veil!

1. Lay out the netting so that the longest part is parallel with your body and decide on the veil shape. (Care04 used string to get an idea of the veil shape she wanted to cut and give the scissors a guideline to follow).
2. Cut off the hard corners of one side of the veil. Cut along the string line with sharp scissors so that you have one long edge with hard corners and one long edge with a rounded edge.
3. You will start your sewing at the hard corner and sew along the edge, through the rounded corner and across the top, then back down the opposite rounded corner, and finish at the hard edge opposite to the first hard edge. (This will pull the edges of the veil up so that it is a more rounded shape around your face.)
4. Using your thread (Care04 used button thread because of its strength), loop it once through a “diamond” of the netting at the first hard corner and make a very small knot so that the thread will hold. Use a running stitch through the open weaves of the netting. (Make sure to thread in between the diamonds that are complete – when you cut your netting, some of the “diamonds” will be cut, so if you thread through those broken holes the thread won’t stay!)
5. As you pull your thread for the running stitch, bunch up the fabric on the thread (it will be sort of like a drawstring) to your desired width. (Care04 used a 3.5 inch comb, so she gathered it to 3.5 inches – gather to the width of your comb(s)!) When you have gathered to the width you need, finish with a small tight knot.
6. Next, using your thread sew the bunched edge of the veil to the comb using a looping stitch, through the material and around the top/head of the comb and in between the teeth).
7. If using 2 small combs and wrapping, repeat step to attach the second comb to the other side of the veil.
8. Lastly, add embellishments! Scatter pearls or crystals as you see fit, attach feathers or even a flower (a silk gardenia would be pretty!). Be creative! (Note: You may also choose to make smaller embellishments on the veil itself, and then save the bigger ones like feathers and flowers for a separate comb to use along with your bird cage veil. This would allow you to place the larger flower/feather pin to hide pins or combs and also the ability to remove the bird cage veil after ceremony and wear only the flower/feather clip at the reception!)

That’s it! It may take a bit of patience playing around with it on your head to get the look you are going for. Be sure to further shape the veil to your hair with hair pins to complete the look you have in your head!

As always, we’d love to see your finished products..so if you make your own bird cage veil using these instructions send them in to us! We want to see your beautiful creations

credit: nelley from theknot.com

credit: Mrs. Kennedy from theknot.com

credit: mrk_photo on flickr.com

Food is the perfect wedding favor (it never goes to waste!), and what would be more perfect for an edible wedding favor in the fall than do it yourself homemade candy apple favors? These yummy chocolate caramel covered apples will leave your guests drooling when they see them at your place setting, and they are quite darling wrapped in cellophane with a colored bow to match your theme! You can even attach little tags with your names, wedding date..even your personalized monogram! They are so easy to make and can be customized in so many different ways to create a delicious favor all your own.

You’ll Need…. (This recipe creates 5 apples, multiply as needed to treat all your guests!)

• 5 large Granny Smith apples
• wooden craft/popsicle sticks
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 14 oz. package of individually wrapped caramels (unwrapped)
• 7 oz. chocolate candy bar broken into pieces (Milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even white chocolate will do! Or, you can do without it completely if you only want your apples covered in caramel!)
• tbsp Shortening (if also dipping in chocolate, ignore if only dipping in caramel)
• Goodies/topping to further decorate your treats – chopped nuts, sprinkles, coconut, chopped pieces of candy/candy bars (chopped peppermint candy or even heath bars!)
• Wax Paper
• Cooking Spray

Let’s start!

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and dip each apple in briefly to remove any wax that may be on the skin from the grocery store. Wipe dry and let cool.
2. Insert craft/popsicle sticks into each apple, through their core.
3. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spray with cooking spray to prepare a place for your apples to cool.
4. Melt unwrapped caramels in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave with the two tablespoons of water. Cook on high two minutes, stir (be careful it gets hot!), and continue heating and then stirring in one minute intervals until the caramel is completely melted.
5. Holding each apple by the stick, gently dip each apple into the melted caramel and then carefully transfer it to the wax paper you prepared earlier. If you are going to be dipping your apples into chocolate, refrigerate for 15 minutes. If you are only dipping your apples in the caramel skip ahead to step 7 to coat your treat with nuts, chopped candies or sprinkles instead of allowing to dry and then refrigerate to set.
6. Next, heat chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave with the tablespoon of shortening until melted and smooth. Dip each caramel coated apple into the melted chocolate to cover the caramel and then hold apple over the bowl allow the excess chocolate to drip off.
7. Once you have allowed the extra chocolate to drip off, gently roll in the chopped nuts, sprinkles or chopped candies you chose to decorate your apple treats.
8. Set on wax paper and allow to set (If you skipped chocolate, it’s best to set your apple in the refrigerator)…and you’re done!

That’s all you need to do to create these delicious autumn themed favors! Once the apples have set wrap them in cellophane (clear or colored to match your theme!) and tie with your favorite colored ribbon. Place one at each guests place setting or gently arrange in a big basket for your guests to grab on their way out. It’s so easy to make, and they are so delicious! Your guests won’t leave these treats behind and their tastebuds will thank you

credit: erica8431 on flickr.com

credit: eric_kilby on flickr.com

My previous post I featured a project by David Monn, an event designer featured on Martha Stewart. This is another fantastic autumn project he created that would add some warm autumn colors from an unexpected place! Sure, you have autumn florals and centerpieces..but how about some fall decor cascading from the ceiling? These Cascading autumn leaves are extremely affordable and easy to create and would look stunning in a number of places on your wedding day! Hanging around doorways, above tables or maybe just above the cake table to make your autumn wedding confection pop out even more! Let’s get started!

You’ll need…

• Monofilament (a fancy word for clear fishing line!)
• Scissors
• Pressed Leaves from your yard or faux silk leaves from the craft store
• strong craft glue that dries clear

Now is to create these dandgling beauties!

1. Take your monofilament and cut it into lengths you want the cascading leaf strands to be. Make them as long or short as you wish!
2. Mark the monofilament with a pencil where you want each leaf to be spaced on the strand. Place a spot of glue in the center of a leaf, and then attach it to the monofilament strand where you made your mark.
3. Add another spot of glue on the leaf now glued to the monofilament and push another leaf on top. Double facing the leaves will hide the spots of glue used when attaching!
4. Repeat gluing 2 leaves on each premarked spot on your monofilament strand until each mark is covered.

That’s it! make as many strands as you wish and hang them at your ceremony/reception site to add rich natural warm colors of autumn from an unexpected place – the ceiling! I think they are an absolutely perfect add on to your fall wedding decor..Every little detail personalizes your big day!

Make sure you send in your pics if you use these leaf cascades at your wedding!

David Monn (a Nyc event designer) was on the Martha Stewart yesterday and he did a wonderful presentation of easy fall table decor that I thought would also work beautifully in some cases for a fall themed wedding! One of his wonderful creations was a perfect autumn centerpiece, a pumpkin filled with colorful autumn leaves. It’s an extremely easy centerpiece to assemble, and also extremely affordable this time of year – especially if you have rich autumn leaves laying all over your yard or park that can be used for free!

Here’s what you will need…

• Low, Squat Pumpkin (if you want this to be a nonperishable centerpiece, the craft pumpkins would probably work from the craft store too as long as its low and squat and can be scooped out into a bowl!)
• Fall leaves from outside, pick a rich variety of colors – reds, yellows, orange and green! (like with the pumpkin, if you want them to last you can use silk leaves from your craft store)
• Carving knife
• Floral foam (Oasis)
• Floral Wire
• 3 inch floral sticks

Now let’s start!

1. Cut your pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and carve your pumpkin into a bowl.
   
2. Cut your floral foam to fit inside your pumpkin bowl and push into your pumpkin.
   
3. Attach five leaves of different sizes to a floral stick using floral wire to form a branch.
   
4. Push your branch into your floral foam and repeat until the foam is completely covered. You will end up with a pumpkin bowl with an overflowing colorful abundance of crisp leaves.

Now just repeat as needed until you have the number of centerpieces needed for your reception! These would also look beautiful as randomly placed decor throughout your ceremony and reception. Maybe place one near the guest book, or a couple around your altar! It would bring the beautiful crisp autumn colors into your big day to compliment a wonderful fall theme.

Credit: Martha Stewart and David Monn for the idea and images!

These floating tea light candles are extremely easy to create, and so very affordable too! They would make a beautiful centerpiece addition, surrounding your main centerpiece..or even used in a group (maybe in differing heights?) to be the main centerpiece. I got the idea when I was watching Get Married this morning, tried it out with some of my chunky candle holders..and it worked beautifully!

All you’ll need are…

• Small Clear Glass Candle Holders (Square, Round, tall, short..whatever fits the style of your day!)
• Water (tap water is just fine!)
• Food coloring in your choice of colors to fit your wedding theme
• Small tea light candles or small floating candles (I used plain old tea lights!)

Now all you need to do is fill each of your candle holders with a bit of water and add a drop of food coloring. A little bit of color goes a long way, I only used one drop per holder! If you put in one drop and still want to go darker, add another drop and stir. If you add too much you can always pour it out and start over again!

Once you achieve the color(s) you like in each holder, gently place your tea light or floating candle into the water and you’re done! Just light the candles and they are ready to glow all night!

If you like, you can fill an empty gallon milk carton with water and add food coloring drop by drop to get the color you like. Then just bring the gallon(s) of colored water, candles and candle holders to your ceremony/reception site so you can quickly set your candles up there (or get your friends or family to do it! You’ll probably be busy getting beautiful.. )

That’s it! Have any ideas to make this project more unique please comment! And, as always please send in your pics if you create this candle project.

credit: talkoftomatoes on flickr.com

Chocolate covered stirring spoons are a delicious idea for a diy wedding favor or coffee bar treat! Also, with the large variety of colored spoons at party stores and the variety of colors you can find of the candy making chocolate wafers..they can be made to fit your wedding theme to a tee! Guests will love dipping these hand dipped chocolate spoons in their favorite hot drink..from coffee to hot chocolate! Yum!

You will need:

• plastic spoons
• chocolate (the chocolate wafers found in most grocery stores and craft stores are perfect! They are small discs of chocolate that come in a ton of different colors, and are created specifically to be melted down for projects like this! Otherwise, any chocolate should do if you aren’t looking for any specific colors.)
• baking paper
• cellophane bags or wrap
• ribbon
• optional: parchment cone (disposable pastry bag)
• optional: candy sprinkles

Now let’s make some yummy spoons!

1. Start by melting down your chocolate. This can be done however you feel most comfortable! Some like to use a microwave or double boiler. Personally, I like to take one of my medium size pyrex glass bowls and set it on top of a medium sized sauce pan that is boiling a small amount of water. Either method you use, make sure you stir often and do not allow the chocolate to burn! Once melted, allow the chocolate to cool just slightly so it will adhere to the spoon without being too runny.
2. Next, dip each plastic spoon one by one into the melted chocolate (fully submerging the head) and lay them on a sheet of baking paper. If you are going to add candy sprinkles, sprinkle them on spoons before chocolate hardens! Allow the chocolate to cool and set.
3. Optional – If you want to add more color to the spoon, feel free to melt another color chocolate in the same way as above, fill a parchment cone with the chocolate and pipe swirls, designs or zig zags across the head of each spoon.
4. Once the chocolate on the spoons have completely set, wrap each spoon with cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon.

That’s it! Once completed you can either set one spoon at each place setting for a yummy favor (maybe include a small bag of hot chocolate or coffee too!), or group in large mugs or vases near the coffee bar. Your guests will love this thoughtful treat..and you’ll love how affordable and easy they are to create! So delicious!

credit: talkwithtomatoes on flickr.com

credit: ThalloDesign on flickr.com

Do-it-yourself hanging jars are an extremely affordable project you can incorporate into your wedding! Very few materials are needed, they cost hardly anything and they can be created in minutes. Once completed they can be used either with candles to make glowing lanterns or with fresh flowers to make hanging colorful vases. They can also be customized beautifully with ribbons and trinkets to fit your theme..and a multitude of items can be put into the jar to further add to the customization.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Jars (Any size will do as long as they have a rim. Any color will do too if it will fit into your theme!)
• Your Choice of (choose one, or mix them up jar to jar):
  - Fine gauge metal wire, wire cutters and needle nose pliers OR
  - Ribbon/String/Raffia and Scissors
• Tealights/Votives OR fresh flowers (daisies, dahlias, whatever you like!)
• Optional: Fillers for the jar such as sea salt, gravel, marbles, dried peas, sand and shells, candy sprinkles, river rocks..etc. (Be creative but keep in mind – what you choose here also depends on if you are using the jars with candles or flowers… Salt would work wonderfully for candles, not so much with fresh flowers!

Let’s get started

1. First, you will need to measure how much wire or ribbon/string will be needed to loop the rim of the jar and also create a loop for hanging. To do this, if you are using wire – wrap your wire around the rim, loop it up to create a handle and back down to the opposite side of the jar. Add an additional inch and cut. If you are using string/ribbon/raffia – Cut enough to wrap around the rim of the jar twice and leave you a handle of your preferred length. Add a few inches and cut.
2. If you are using wire (skip this step if you are not!) – Wrap your wire around the rim of the jar just under the lip, forming a ring.  Using your pliers, twist the wire close to the jar to secure.  Be sure to leave a little room in the ring to allow for attaching of the wire handle!  Bend the excess wire  over the top of the jar and attach them to the metal ring  looped around the rim, securing with your pliers, to create the handle.
3. If you are using string/ribbon/raffia – Wrap the string twice around the rim of the jar and knot tightly, making sure you have secured the loop beneath the lip of the jar. Loop the long end of the string up and around for your handle (the more you leave here, the longer the handle will be!), securing it tightly to the opposite side of the jar by knotting it to the loop you tied securely around the rim. If you have enough left over, wrap the remaining string/ribbon/raffia around the rim of the jar again for extra security, and knot. Trim excess!
4. Now that your jars have secure handles, its now your time to customize. If you are adding candles, filling the jars with sand, salt or the like can look beautiful. River rocks or marbles with fresh flowers can look great too. Or, go even simpler and add a touch of food coloring to the water your flowers will be in for additional color. Another idea could be adding charms that coincide to your wedding theme to the rim with a ribbon or even taking some craft paint and painting little designs here and there on the jar..(little ladybugs would be adorable..or stars!)

That’s it! The jars will look fabulous any way you decide to use them. Hang them from shepherd hooks down the aisle, tree branches or even fake tree centerpieces IF the jars are light enough for the branches to support. (Think baby food jars with tealights!)

Note: Please make sure if you are creating the lanterns and lighting candles and using anything other than wire make sure the string/ribbon cannot catch fire. Safety first!

Please make sure you e-mail us ALL of your pictures if you use this project to create these beautiful hanging jars. We’d love to see your gorgeous creations!

credit: keri and kevin on flickr.com

credit: Mrs. Cherry Pie on WeddingBee

credit: the adventures of f & j on flickr.com

credit: ThalloDesign on flickr.com

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.

credit: Miss Cherry Pie on WeddingBee

If you are looking for a really cheap and affordable way to customize your favors, hand-stamped favor tags are the perfect solution! The tags can be tied to a multitude of favors, such as bags of cookies or candies, filled favor boxes and more.

You can buy the tags at your local Officemax or Staples office supply store for only $4.99 per 100 tags! Then you can customize the tags with your choice of stamps. There are millions of different stamp designs available if you scour the web and your local craft stores. You can even order custom stamps online that may include your wedding date and/or the names of you and your fiance.

Some stamp design ideas…

• Simple “Thanks” Stamp
• Starfish
• Butterfly
• Snowflake
• Moon or Stars
• Variety of Flowers
• Monogram or Letters

The project is so easy there really isn’t any need for step by step instructions! All you’ll need are…

• Paper Shipping Tags
• Stamp(s)
• Ink Pad (Choose colors that compliment your wedding theme or favors!)

Just lay the tags out, dip your pretty little stamp in the ink pad and stamp away. It’s so easy, but the results are simply stunning. Chic and classy..and you hardly spent a thing! You may choose to further customize your tags by attaching ribbons or string that further compliment your theme and favors. If you’re feeling really ambitious, adding some color to the stamped designs with colored pencils can turn out really nice!

Note: If you like your handwriting and/or drawing skills you can skip the stamp and decorate each tag by hand. Just buy a pretty pen at your local craft store (the scrapbooking section would have a huge variety of pretty pen options!) and let the creative juices flow!

What designs do you think would look fantastic stamped on these tags? What are you tying them to? We’d love to hear!

credit: deeljea on flickr.com

credit: deeljea on flickr.com

credit: everything.in.blue on flickr.com

Tissue paper pom-poms are a beautiful decor addition to any casual wedding reception or bridal shower. They are just as unique, colorful and classy as the circular paper lanterns..except they are much more affordable! Hung at varying heights from the ceiling, these large paper flowers will make your wedding theme colors completely POP! With only a few materials and some practice, you can easily make these wonderful decorations for your big day.

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.

That’s all you need to do to make these affordable, gorgeous pom-poms! Repeat the process as often as you need to fill your whole room with pom-poms of all colors and sizes. Fantastic! I’m definitely going to hng these at the reception of my tent wedding next summer. I hope you’ll share pictures and suggestions if you like this project and make some of your own!

credit: Martha Stewart.com

credit: casaazul on flickr.com

credit: amandabel on flickr.com