Some Crafty Wedding DIY Tips

Some brides spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a wedding planner. If you have the money and don't really feel like being involved, that's perfectly fine. In fact, a wedding planner can take away a ton of stress if you happen to be feeling overwhelmed.

The rest of the brides, however, may want to plan their own wedding, and this is beyond fine. In fact, it's downright fun! I have seen a ton of DIY wedding tips out there that really save on money as well as enhance that special day.

My first tip: Use everyday items to enhance your wedding. For example: food coloring.

By adding a few drops of food coloring into your wedding vases or to your water activated diamond light display, you are adding a bright color with virtually no cost. This is a great way to illuminate your wedding reception. Especially if it's at night!

My second tip: create your centerpieces from your favors. It kills two birds with one stone. For example, my wedding was beach themed. I took a clear plate with play sand and centered my mini beach bags (filled with chocolates) and some shells. This was the most adorable centerpiece that I did myself (very VERY cheap!) and each guest took home a beach bag.

Wedding Favors

The Grooms Cake - A Fun Twist on the Wedding Cake

 

Originating in the south, he grooms cake is a fun way to celebrate the groom during the wedding reception.  It was intended to be a surprise present from the bride to the groom. Generally, it's something that the groom absolutely loves! A sport, TV show, hobby, etc. It was traditionally dark, and had 'masculine' themes such as sports, hunting, etc. Over time, as weddings became less extravagant, the cake began to be seen as an unnecessary expense and was phased out from wedding ceremonies.

As usual with these types of thing, this old tradition is coming back with a vengence. Brides are getting more and more creative with their surprise grooms cakes. Couples with disposable incomes are splurging big time on a day that will come once in their lifetime, and are experimenting with their ceremonies. The groom's cake, thus, becomes a good idea to invest in, adding a layer of 'awesome' to the ceremony.

The purpose of the groom's cake can be endless. Some brides serve it as a dessert at the rehearsal dinner, or can be an alternative choice to the main bridal cake at the wedding. Custom dictates that the cake be placed next to the bride's cake at the ceremony. It is then cut into wedges and placed in boxes to be given out to guests. Such slices can even serve as a wedding favor (thus eliminating one expense!). You can have the cake placed in stylized boxes and add a further layer of 'chutzpah' to the ceremony.

Legend has it that single women who sleep with a slice of the groom's cake under their pillows dream of their future husband that night. While you of course don't have to compel the single women to take this course, it can make for a wonderful excuse to have this cake at your wedding!

Fun Cake Toppers

Bellacroft’s Wedding Budget Advice

 

Weddings these days are very expensive, which is why most brides and grooms choose to plan their wedding based on a budget. You don’t need to look at your budget as the end of your wedding world, however. It can simply mean thinking “outside of the box” to get the most bang for your buck! Bring your ideas back down to basics and try to focus on your guest to make sure that you accommodate them.

The first step is to create your budget, even before you select a venue or guest list. You must know your limits before you decide on how many guests will be It is important that you set a budget before making a list of who to invite. You need to know what you can spend so that you know how many people you can have at your wedding.

The next step is to decide what you can do yourself. If you are pretty skilled with crafts, you may want to tackle the favors and décor on your own. If you have a friend or family member that knows photography, see if they will do your photo shoot pro-bono (or for a reduced cost). All of these tiny details will help you to keep your budget for other aspects, such as food and venue.

If you can’t afford certain things, try to find help or resources that will make them within your reach, allowing your budget money to be spent elsewhere. A great idea is to buy a used or pre-owned wedding gown. If you think about it, this dress has most likely been only worn for an hour or two. The cost will be reduced in half, a great savings for most brides!

Remember that you should spend time planning a wedding so that cost do not get out of hand. If you being your planning well in advance, you will find that you aren’t feeling rushed and overwhelmed, you will have plenty of time to research your wedding essentials and stay within your desired budget.

Affordable Wedding Accessories

Wedding Flowers: The Orchid

 

Flowers are considered a main part of the wedding décor. In fact, if you’re not careful, they can take up a huge portion of the budget.  Flowers omit elegance, beauty and symbolism. Because of this, it’s hard not to incorporate the orchid into your wedding.

Aside from the traditional rose, orchids are one of the most popular bridal flowers. The orchid's structure is delicate, intricate and luxurious. Beautiful in bunches, even a single orchid flower looks stunning. Picture the exceptional beauty of a selection of these tropical flowers and their delightful colors complementing your wedding ceremony and reception.

Orchids have attained such favor as wedding day flower is because they keep their fresh look for a long time without having to add water. This is particularly important if your wedding takes place in an air-conditioned venue or during hot dry weather. Orchids can be found in shades of pink, white, yellow and light green. Their flower petals are full-bodied and bendable, they are very resistant to drying out.

Orchid can be used in several ways, such as in a bouquet, as a cut flower or floated in a crystal bowl. While orchids appear delicate and fragile, they are actually firm and sturdy.

If you’re in love with orchids but want something a little more original, consider pairing them with roses or lilies. This contrast is extremely attractive and unique, creating a floral appearance that any bride looks forward to. Whatever your wedding ideas might be, orchids will easily accommodate the special effects that you are looking for and life up to your expectations of the most beautiful of all your wedding blossoms.

After your wedding event your orchids can live for up to two to three weeks. The combination of orchids and weddings is an instinctive match. The beauty and enchantment of both the bride and the orchids are an invincible combination for an everlasting cherished marriage ceremony memory.

Cathy's Concepts Affinity Wedding Reception Vase

What are Save the Dates?

 

I read somewhere that brides should send out their "Save the Dates” about 6 months in advance. When I was discussing this with my sister in law, she asked the common question: What exactly is a Save the Date and why is it different from a wedding invitation?

A save the date is a notice stating the date of a significant event. In this case, a wedding. It is generally addressed to those likely to be interested in attending so that they can keep this date free of other activities. Many brides opt for the save the date to be formal, however, if the wedding isn’t extremely formal, the bride will just verbally inform everybody.  

For weddings, save the dates usually take the form of a card. These days, this card can be customized for coordinate with the wedding theme, if the bride has picked it out already. Save the Dates are usually mailed out at least six to twelve months before the wedding date. They are followed by the formal wedding invitation, which is detailed with times, locations, etc. While the save the date started as a wedding formality, it is now used by individuals, businesses, and organizations to announce the date of any special event.

Save the Dates

Wedding Cakes, Cupcakes or Both?

 

I went traditional with my wedding cake. I did a 3 tier vanilla cake with buttercream frosting. It was beach theme so I had a beach wedding cake topper and there were edible chocolate shells. It was quite delish, if I must say so myself.

I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that the cake was the most fun part of planning my wedding. I tossed the ideas around and browsed pictures for hours. At first, I wanted a cupcake tower. I searched for hours, found so many that I liked and printed pages and pages of samples.

Then, I changed it to a half and half cake. The top was a 2 tier traditional wedding cake and the bottom was a huge cupcake display. This option is so fun because you can get creative – colorful and really use your imagination.

In the end, the traditional cake won. I found my cake topper worked best on a traditional cake – however, I cannot tell a lie. My heart ached for some cupcakes!

Whatever you decide to do, you can mix it up and get creative with various cake toppers and styles.

Weddingstar Floral Art Deco Filigree Paper Cupcake Wrappers

Signature Wedding Cocktails

 

Drinks are a huge thing at a wedding. Many brides and grooms ponder the idea of an open bar for hours. If you’re on a budget, an open bar might not even be an option. If you really wanted to serve your guests a drink, consider a “signature cocktail”. In fact, this idea is so popular, it’s even available WITH an open bar!

A “Signature Cocktail” is a cocktail that is prepared and sometimes even named after the bride and groom. They are generally fun, tasty and a huge hit at any wedding reception! The best part, the bride and groom have the “grueling” task of testing each and every cocktail until they find one that works the best! Sounds like a rough evening, right?

If you have a particular color theme for your wedding, you may want to try and coordinate your Signature Cocktail with this. Especially because a beautiful tray of cocktails can certainly help finalize your “table-scape”.

Here is a great idea from the Weddingstar Blog:

Sophisticated Jello Shooter

Sophisticated Jello Shooter

1 package of Jello
1 cup boiling water
1 cup chilled Champagne

Add the Jello and boiling water and stir until powder is dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Slowly add the champagne and stir in. Pour into an ice cube tray and refrigerate until set. When the Jello has begun to set you can dust them with sprinkles or colored sugar for a little extra pizazz.

To loosen shots, dip the bottom of the trays in hot water for 5 seconds and then run a knife around the outside of the shot. To remove, tip the ice-cube trays upside down over a plate. Place on a serving tray and serve with tongs or serve individually in the glass of your choice!

The above images show a strawberry kiwi Jello – however, if you’re doing a different color, go ahead and switch up the flavors and colors!

If you do some research, there are millions of different cocktails out there. You can fancy each one up with your own style by using fancy cocktail glassware, straws and other items to “doll” up your famous mixture.

If you think that your cocktail will be a hit, think about incorporating the recipe into the favor for your guests to take home. You can also create recipe cards for your guests to pick up and take home.

A fun way to inform your guests of your Signature Cocktail is to include a sign at the front of the reception or announce it as drinks are handed out. Many brides and grooms include “beverage tickets” as a fun twist as well.

Keep in mind: Signature cocktails  can have a non-alcoholic version as well. I prefer to call these “mocktails” and they are fun for kids too!

Weddingstar Sippers Candy Striped Paper Straws