Quick Inspiration: Vintage Table Book Numbers
We love this idea from oncewed.com for oh-so-many reasons. For starters, it's real simple (phew). All you really need are those must-read titles, some colorful tape and an X-acto blade or scissors. If you're book lovers, this idea is extra special. Start by perusing rare book stores (or your own bookshelves) and handpicking the ones you want to share. (Score major points with books with extra pretty spines!) We heart this project because you're working with tape (not messy glue!) Plus, there are so many fun, patterned tapes available today. You can also try this very same idea using journals and encouraging friends and family to leave you a handwritten note (just be sure to leave a few pens on the tables!).
Link Love: Favors, Place Card Holders, Bouts and More
Our favorite DIY tutorials from the last week:
1:Card box with a rustic spin (c is for…CHARMED)
2:Charming bouts (Oh How Charming!)
3:Favors with a fruity touch (Design Mom)
4:Blooming place card holders (Project Wedding)
5:Favors with a hint of grosgrain (Classic Bride)
Want to see your own projects featured here? Send links to editors@mydiyweddingday.com
Cardbox, JK Photography; bouts Elizabeth Messina; blooming place card holders, Sir Harrison Photography
Quick Inspiration: Charming Place Cards
We totally fell in love with this precious place card idea that we saw on AlisonUlshoffer.blogspot.com. It's so perfect for so many of your pre-wedding parties and get-togethers. Those little details that are so memorable for an engagement party, bridal shower, bridesmaids' luncheon or rehearsal dinner. The best part about this project: it's pretty simple. (We even tried it at home!) All you really need are some wood veneers, a fun hole punch and some miniature cups (and any other accent pieces!). We're all about the birds but if they aren't your style, you can pick a hole punch design that works for you. Do you love this idea as much as we do?
How to: DIY Centerpieces with Wrapping Paper
Materials:
Glass vases (Use what you have, Nope,they don’t need to all be the same!)
Wrapping paper (we love the double-sided paper from smockpaper.com
Glu dots
Ribbon
Steps for a Full Wrap Treatment
Step 1:Measure paper around the vase. Leave about 1″ on the neck for a ribbon treatment.
Step 2:Cut the paper. Adhere one edge of the paper to the glass with glue dots. Wrap the other side around and secure with more glue dots.
Step 3:Cover the top rough edges with a grosgrain ribbon.
Steps for a Middle Band Treatment
Step 1:Measure paper around the vase.
Step 2:Cut first band to measure 5″, second to measure 3.5″.
Step 3:Stick first wrap to the vessel with glue dots. Layer on the 3″ band,again using glue dots.
Step 4:Top it off with ribbon treatment.
How to: Table Numbers
Who doesn’t love those unexpected surprises? Especially the ones waiting for you at your table. Some brides get really creative with their table naming (we love that!) while others can add a little something and still get big cheers. Here’s a really simple idea that involves letting your signature color and favorite pattern step in and act as a table number frame.
Materials:
Frames
Wrapping paper
X-acto
Table numbers
Pencil
Glue stick
Step 1: Remove original backing from frame.
Step 2: Trace this photo backing frame template on the paper that you have chosen.
Step 3: Cut the template out.
Step 4: Glue your new border onto your table number cards.
Step 5: Pop them into frames and set them on your tables.
RSS source: http://www.mydiyweddingday.com/2009/08/how-to-table-numbers.html
How to: Envelope Liners
We’re all about simple crafting ideas (especially those that make a big impact!). That’s why we love this amazing envelope liner kit that we spotted at Paper–Source.com. The best part about it is that you’ll get a template for pretty much every envelope size out there.
Materials:
Envelope Liner Template kit
X-acto blade or scissors
Glu Dots
Paper
Pencil
Step 1: Place your paper pattern-side facing down. Trace your envelope liner on the paper.
Step 2: Cut out what you’ve traced.
Step 3: Insert your liner into your envelope.
Step 4: Pop on some glu dots to keep it in place.
Quick Tip: Personalized Fans
We’re all about sprinkling personal details throughout your wedding day. And we love the idea of starting with the ceremony. Here’s a cute spin on the classic bamboo fan that Jordyn and Bradley put together for their celebration. The couple blew up one of their favorite snapshots and attached it to one side of a fan; ceremony details were included on the back. Yes, handwritten programs are totally acceptable. Stick them on a popsicle stick and create major wow. Have fun and pick more than one photo and really give your guests a treat.
Link Love: Bike Baskets, Seating Charts, Favor Boxes and More
Our favorite DIY tutorials from the last week:
1:Favor boxes (A Windy City Wedding)
2: Seating Chart (Lucky Orchid Weddings )
3: Bike basket (Style Me Pretty)
4: Napkin treatment (Lucky Me)
5: Centerpiece by David Stark(Something Old, Something New)
How-To: Banner
Materials
Twine, string or filament
Double sided decorative papers
Fiskars punch with decorative edging
Bone folder
Scissors
Glue
Step 1:Cut your patterned paper to the desired flag size. Keep in mind where you’ll be stringing them and how large or small they should be. We like the idea of making one template and tracing that shape on all of your papers.
Step 2: Take the Fiskars punch and create those pretty patterned edges.
Step 3: Now that you have your flag shapes, you’ll need to create a pocket. Make a fold at the top. (Tip: Here’s where you’ll want to take out the bone folder to perfect the crease.)
Step 4: Apply glue to the underside and wrap the edge around the string.
Step 5: Repeat with the other flags. Space accordingly based on how many you’d like hanging along each line.
Quick Tip: Be Creative with Your Escort Cards
Simply make your own cards with your guests’ names and table numbers. This couple added a personal touch by hand-stamping their guests’ names in cobalt blue ink, their signature color. They inserted them into the corks and lined them up. Simple and sweet.
Images: Jessamyn Harris Photography
Going Paperless
Let’s talk invitations. Generally, there is a lot of paper involved. If you want to be a little less traditional (and reduce the environmental impact of your wedding), consider going paperless (or at least reduce the amount of paper you’re using) with your invitations. This can save you a ton of money, [...]
Rosie Picks: Cake Makers
I’m so proud to be Canadian! No truly. And, not just because I was born here, but working within the wedding industry has shown me that we have some pretty darn good talent out there. So, starting every Monday for the next while, I want to highlight and give props to three vendors across Canada [...]
On-set Romance
True Blood stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer, found true love while working together on the TV series. The pair, star as the waitress meets vampire couple on the show, recently announced their engagement earlier this month. According to Hello Magazine, Moyer who plays the bloodthirsty vampire Bill Compton was actually inspired by the shows’ [...]
Mmm, donuts!
Wow. It’s almost the end of August and I feel like I haven’t fully experienced all that summer has had to offer, which brings me to my post today: Tiny Tom Donuts. I have to give credit to Jenn for this, it was her idea, and until now I’ve finally had a reason to post [...]
Indie Style
How do you find the perfect dress if you’re not a “typical” bride? My suggestion is to seek out an independent designer in your area and have something made just for you. The resulting dress will appeal to your desire for something unique, and it will fit you like a glove! Plus, most dress designers [...]
Magical Proposal
Aww! This proposal was so sweet I had to share right away. I read about it in the morning paper, and as soon as I got to work I searched for the video on YouTube. Basically, Arvin proposed to his girlfriend Cindy via a magic trick show in Toronto. It’s so cute. Check it out [...]
Destination Weddings are BIG
So we’ve been having this little contest in our corner world—the Weddingbells Blogger Search—and if you don’t know about it or haven’t entered we are in the final countdown to the contest deadline (it’s September 7 at midnight). We are looking for bridal bloggers in seven different wedding categories and one of the categories we’ve [...]
The Write Type
Awhile back I posted about an awesome calligrapher in Toronto–Barbara Kua. I’m happy to announce that I’ve found another amazingly talented individual in Toronto who also specializes in calligraphy–Claire Reyes. All her fonts are very unique from one another and quite distinctive. The most popular type for weddings is her UZES style (which is the [...]
Birds Do It, Bees Do It
And this bee — and her mister — did it this past weekend!
We’ve just finished packing up — the post-wedding cleaning up will hafta wait — for our dreamy dozen days in Italy. As much as I want to sit and replay every. single. moment. of our wedding (and the days leading up to it) with our nearests and dearests, I’m also giddy at the thought of having my husband (!!!) whisk me away. I couldn’t board the plane, though, without giving the hive a little something to buzz about until we get back…
We watched in awe as our friends and family came together Saturday to celebrate something so simple, and yet, so significant: our love. The day — 5AM ’til midnight — was filled with unexpected surprises, intense emotions… and amazing photography.
(Cindy Patrick’s responsible for the drool you most likely now have dripping on your computer keys.)
Much, much, much more to come!
Lotsa love,
MRS. Bruschetta
Manzanita Branches
A couple months ago I did not even know what a manzanita branch was. Now I’m OBSESSED with them. I drive down the road and see fallen branches and think, ‘Can I turn that into a manzanita branch centerpiece?’ We all know the answer to that… no. But it does not stop me from really thinking about it. While we are at the park with our dog, Mr. Fro Yo is searching for walking sticks and other things to whip cactus with, and I’m looking for manzanita branches. It’s sad really, but they are so expensive I can’t even begin to think how much it would cost to have an arrangement on every table. And then after the wedding, what am I going to do with 16 manzanita centerpieces? Maybe I can settle and have them on one table? I don’t know, but I must have them somewhere. Look how gorgeous they are:
And another with just some manzanita elements:
I Googled “manzanita centerpiece wedding” and this wonderful tutorial came up with what looked like just three “ingredients”.
Now I’m starting to get brave, except the problem is one of the “ingredients” is plaster, and there aren’t just three steps. This will not be easy. What the heck, why was I born with ZERO crafting ability? I can dream things up, but just can’t execute them. Sigh…
Have you attempted your own manzanita branch centerpieces? Do you have any tutorials or tips to share?
A Bee’s Life: Star in the Spotlight
I totally used to be one of those fourteen-year-old girls who had a LiveJournal account with dozens of silly entries talking about everything from the boy I liked at the time to the poetry I’d been working on. So it makes perfect, logical sense for me to have an inner blogger that was just waiting to emerge! It’s only shocking to me how long it took for me to really discover the world of blogging as a grown-up!
I started my personal blog, Diary of a Manhattan Actress, about a year and a half ago, right after we moved into New York City. Mr. Star was working a lot and I was making a concerted effort to explore the city as much as possible. I saw some crazy things and often wished that I had more people to share them with who would understand my passion for the city. I also loved sharing some of the wacky experiences that you inevitably have when you’re working as a NY actress!
Why I decided to apply to Weddingbee:
I had been reading Weddingbee and yearning to become a bee blogger for months. I commented on posts and board threads every now and again, but mostly tried to keep my mouth shut, for fear of giving away any of our wedding details in the unlikely event that I became a bee! I kept talking about applying, but was always too afraid to try. Plus, I didn’t even have a wedding blog to show for myself at that point!
Finally, Pengy posted about the new generation of Weather bee icons that were being unveiled, and this just about pushed me over the edge. I wanted to be Miss Star SO BADLY!
I mean, how perfect was that icon for me? And yet, I still just pined to be a bee for days and kept whining to Mr. Star about it. Finally, he turned to me and said, “You have GOT to apply. I don’t know why you don’t think you’d get accepted, but I know you’re never going to be satisfied unless you blog for Weddingbee, so do it!” He knows me so well. I probably never would have gotten over my fear of being rejected without him pushing me to write and encouraging me when I felt like no one would want to hear about our wedding. So I started a whole new blog and wrote about what I felt like were some of the more interesting and unique parts of our wedding.
Why I got picked to be a bee (umm, I think…):
Besides Mr. Star’s encouragement, there are a few reasons why I think I am now a bee. One, I had good timing. I knew that there had been a lot of recent bee weddings and that the time was ripe for applying. Two, I knew what was potentially interesting and unique about our wedding and how to sell it. I was really worried that because our wedding is in New York and Mrs. Swan was already writing about her New York wedding, that we wouldn’t have a unique enough perspective to offer. So in my application I emphasized a few things:
- How young I am and how I thought younger brides didn’t have enough representation on the blog!
- Our willingness to really let the wedding represent us, even if it meant doing something totally different like getting married in a theater
- The fact that we’re having a relatively affordable wedding in a major metropolitan area
- How much Weddingbee has been an emotional support system for me and that I want to help pass that on to other frazzled brides
Those were the things that I thought were my strongest suits as a potential Miss blogger, and I was ready to sell, sell, sell!
I’ve also found from the several bees I’ve met in person that they are exactly how you would expect them to be in real life. I think that’s an indication that bees are really great at letting their individual voices come out in their posts! I try to always write how I would talk, even if it makes me sound a little goofy or spazzy sometimes!
Why Miss Star?:
I guess it’s probably pretty obvious by now why I would choose “Miss Star” as the cover for my top-secret identity. 
I thought it was too perfect to pass up, although I was initially a little torn between Star and Cavalier, since we have our own little Cavalier pup! I was also secretly hoping that the obvious perfection of the nickname Star would help me get picked, although I now know that had nothing to do with it!
What the experience has been like:
I love sharing the ups and downs of wedding planning with such an immensely supportive group of ladies (with a few guys thrown in for good measure!). And when even just one bride comments on one of my posts saying that she’s inspired to try a craft project I’ve shown or that I’ve made her feel so much better about being a young-ish bride, it makes all the time and effort spent worth every second!
Blogging for Weddingbee has become one of my favorite things to do (what am I going to do after recaps??) and being a part of this community has taught me how to be a much better bride and wedding guest, alike! I have learned how to be so much less judgmental about people’s choices and have even made some really special internet friends. A year ago, I would have scoffed at people who had made friends they met on the internet, but now I’m happy to say that I have lots of them, and don’t regret it for a second!
More Flower News
Remember my flower belts post?
Well, my friend Lulu has found a great Etsy designer who makes flower pins! I can simply buy ribbons and pin these on to them to make belts!
From the Etsy shop of Accessoire
With or without beads? I’m thinking without.
Do you think felt structural flowers or soft silk flowers are better?
How to Pack the Dance Floor
A couple of people asked on my last post about how the dance floor got so packed so quickly. I must say, the same thing happened at my younger brother’s wedding this summer – and didn’t happen at many of the other weddings we have attended. It seems that there are a few things that can make a difference.
1. The bride and groom must be happy.
If they are happy, it is much easier for everyone else to be happy.
2. The right music is crucial- and live music helps.
Of the three weddings we’ve attended with live music, 2 had tons of dancing. Of the DJ or iPod weddings, roughly 25% (2 of 8, I think) had a lot of dancing. Regardless of how the music is played, it should be music that everyone, from grandparents on down, should be able to tap their feet to. Our big band played standards from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s; my brother and his wife had a funk band that played classics from the 1970s through today. But in each case, most people knew most of the songs.
3. A dance floor in the middle of the room helps.
All of the weddings that I’ve attended with a lot of dancing had the dance floor in the middle of the room, surrounded on three sides by tables, with the DJ or band on the 4th side. This makes it easier for people who are not dancing to be part of the dance floor, and if people stop to take a break, it is much easier for friends to get them back on the floor.
4. Booze is important.
‘Nuff said.
5. The bride and groom must be on the dance floor.
My mom asked me if we would go around from table to table at the reception. To her initial dismay, I said no—we were having a receiving line so we wouldn’t need to do that. I said that I planned to be on the dance floor the entire night, and if people wanted to talk to me, they could dance with me. Whether it was the right thing to do or not, it worked.
Anyone have other tips to add about how to get the dance floor moving?
PRO: My KPW Photo Shoot No. 2: The Story Behind the Photography
Check out part 1 of the Kate Parker Weddings photo shoot to see the behind the scenes details on the “bride’s” hair and makeup.
Spending a day with Liesl from Claris Photography is no ordinary day. Her ability to find unique locations and capture elegant moments is amazing and quite an art form (her sense of humor is also one-of-a-kind)!
Time of Shoot: 2:00PM
Bride: Kate
Hair: Hair that Moves - Lena Hartford
Makeup: Joya beauty – Joanne McDonough
Photographer: Claris Photography
Accessories: Occasions Bridal and Tuxedos
Flowers: Apotheca Flower Shoppe
Location: selected urban areas in Portsmouth
Liesl shares with us some of her thoughts around the shoot and particular shots…
Co-Ed Girls’ Night?
Mr. Mary Jane’s aunts threw me an awesome shower this past Saturday. I brought my camera, but I was having such a good time, I forgot to take a single photo! Until I get the photos from other attendees, you’ll just have to trust that there was plenty of this…
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And many of these thoughtful things…
[source]
A considerable amount of this…
[source]
And even some games involving this.
[source]
But as the sun went down, the shower turned a little nasty! In a good way, of course. I don’t know if you can call it a bachelorette party, but I’m fine with that (I didn’t really want one of those anyway). We broke out the champagne and played a couple of naughty games, which were really fun. Then the men starting showing up!
Yes, the men.
Mr. Mary Jane comes from a large family and has many cousins, most of whom are male. It’s kind of a joke as to whether his family is able to actually have female babies. In addition to aunts, grandmas and neighbors, my shower was attended by three of the four female cousins and a girlfriend of one of the guys. But the guys weren’t far off! The shower started at four, at by 8:30 the house was filled with family. Young and old, male and female. Sitting and standing, eating, drinking, chatting, laughing, joking and having a great time. I texted Mr. MJ and he and a friend came over as well.
At one point, one of the hosts apologized for having so many men at what was supposed to be a girls’ night, but I assured her I didn’t mind at all! I in fact thought it was completely awesome. I love those ladies, but the guys are great too. It was a perfect night spent just hanging out with my soon-to-be family, socializing, goofing off and tossing back a few adult beverages.
I went home with Mr. MJ at about midnight, got some sleep, and felt completely fine the next morning. That’s my kind of night!
Have any of your “girls-only” events been crashed by the opposite sex?
