Dollar Store, Michaels, & DIY Glowing Table Numbers

Weddzilla is one of my favorite wedding blogs! It is written by a group of bloggers so you get an interesting combination of wedding ideas.  The blog offers creative and interesting info on all things bridal, so sign up to follow it today!

Until then you can click on this link to their directions to make glowing table numbers.  Everything you need can be purchased at your local Dollar Store or Michaels craft store.  (See Michaels coupons for 50% off for this Friday!) While I am not in love with the numbers in red on the candles(which you can see in the additional photos their blog), the gold votives are great and an inexpensive addition to your tablescape. 

The table setup above is just a mock up not using the actual flowers, but just shows the set up for the tables.  I really love the way the candles glow and are burnished with gold! So don't forget, sign up to get Weddzilla sent to your email address for all their great ideas hot off the press! Just fill out where it says 'Never Miss a Tip, Subscribe Now.'

Dying Lace? Is This A DIY Project?

Photo by Veronica Sheaffer

Ever need lace that is ivory instead of white but been faced with not being able to find just the right color?  If so, consider using tea to tint the lace to ivory.  Veronica Sheaffer gives you simple DIY directions that even I managed to duplicate at home (although she used Earl Grey Tea, mine was boring Lipton).  Click on the link to her web site for the complete directions for dying your lace the perfect color.  Also check out all her wedding crafts and projects, she's an expert at this stuff!

Decorate Your Own Cookies--Budget Friendly and Personal Favors

Photo from Galaxy Cookies

Always wanted to learn how to decorate cookies and make them look like the pros? Head on over to Cookin' Canuck for a step by step DIY cookie decorating post.  While the cookies demo'd are for Easter, the basic tenets are the same no matter what occasion the cookies are made to celebrate.  The good thing about wedding cookies is you won't need as many different colors since many wedding cookies are white on white or white with blue or pale pink.  Dara, the author of Cookin' Canuck, gives you tips and techniques to help ensure your cookie making is successful.  Visit her site to see how to make and ice your own wedding cookies.  All budget conscious brides will agree, who wants to pay $3 to $7.00 for a cookie you can create yourself?  Making your own cookies makes your cookie favors both more personal and more budget friendly. 

DIY Invitations -- Pretty Pouchette From Download and Print Web Site

Download and Print gives you a step by step tutorial on how to make these easy but beautiful wedding invitations. For the DIY bride these invitations will not only save you money but are easy enough for the DIY challenged bride. I ought to know! I'm one of them! (DIY challenged that is!). So save money and have the satisfaction of personalizing your wedding by making your own invitations.

Download and Print has a variety of designs, so if this one isn't quite your style, check their web site for a design that fits your personal sense of style.

GreenvelopeTutorial-Electronic Invitations and More!

Greenvelope offers brides the chance to send invitations by email that look like regular snail mail invitations.  Check out their YouTube Video and see how it works.  Notice they also give you the option to send your thank you notes by email.  You can also manage your responses and guest list on their site.  Easy, less expensive, and very green!

Chocolate Covered Cookies Decorated For Your Wedding

Looking for homemade wedding or shower favors? Love chocolate? Try making these chocolate covered Oreo Cookies! Made with Double Stuff Oreos in candy molds and decorated with chocolate in another color, these cookies are both pretty and delicious.  Not to mention easy to make--high on my list of must haves for DIY projects.  Just store with care so they don't melt together.  For the recipe for Chocolate Covered Double Stuff Oreo Cookies click here.

Votive Candles With Added Zing

Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings these easy to make votive candles make a statement about your wedding theme but are easy to make too!  Just glue cameos to a soft rose colored ribbon and wrap it around your votives! Easy enough even for the least talented DIY'er.  Read more about this wedding and some of their great ideas for inspiration for your wedding at

Marthastewartweddings.com: West Coast Real Weddings -- Martha Stewart Weddings.

Coupons for Making Your Own Wedding Projects at Michael's

Looking for some wedding invitations, silk flowers, candles, vases, or scrapbooking supplies? Michael's coupons for the DIY creative bride or her wedding party are available online. These coupons are good until April 9, 2011, so grab them now and hit the stores running tomorrow!

Micheal's has the Yudu Screen Printing System for under $100., it usually retails for $299.99. These would be great for making some of those t-shirts that label 'bride,' 'groom,' 'bridesmaid,' 'flower girl,' etc. Sure beats paying the prices some of the party stores are selling them for!

Also be sure to look under the 'Projects' heading for projects for the DIY'er. The Kissing Ball is particularly attractive and looks easy to make. They show it using Gerbera daisies, boxwoods, and adorned with a butterfly and ribbons. Perfect hung from a shepherd's crook for an outdoor wedding. Head over and check out the Kissing Ball and other projects.

Beach Wedding Centerpiece

Make your own candle centerpiece for your beach wedding.  This centerpiece by Verona is $799 but you can make it yourself for far less by substituting real shells for the ceramic ones they use.  Shells are available online or if you live near the beach hit the boardwalk looking for a shell store.  Spray paint them white and glue to a hurricane.  Add a beachy candle in white (or your choice of colors and voila! A simple and easy centerpiece!

If you are looking for shells, I was in Home Goods today and they had large containers full for less than five dollars! Perfect for this project.  They also had candles and hurricanes.  One stop shopping...except for paint and glue!

DIY Ribbon Pomanders

Want to know how to make these great looking ribbon pomanders? Katie O. posting at Ruffled has all the directions for you.  Ruffled also has other great DIY projects for you wedding.  Head over and take a look, and be sure to leave comments for them about your favorite projects. 

This project looks easy and will save dollars if you buy the ribbon with coupons or on sale.  They are easy to customize with your wedding colors.  Happy crafting!

Wafer Paper To Decorate Cookies-A Fast and Easy DIY Way To Decorate Cookies

Black and White Floral Wafer Paper lets you make fancy wedding cookies without piping a lot of icing! To decorate cookies, simply trace the shape of the cookie you wish to decorate with a cookie cutter. These edible, sugar free printed wafer paper designs come in a variety of designs many of which are wedding appropriate. Add a 3 dimensional effect by using small sugar pearls, dragees, sugar decorations and/or edible glitter. Adhere using a small dot of clear piping gel. Voila! Perfect wedding favors or cookies for a your sweet table.

If your wedding is looking for a gilt look, try these gold DIY wafer paper initials with an added three dimensional decoration.  This pattern makes a beautiful cookie for a wedding favor. For added sparkle, we highlighted the filigree pattern with a thin line of super gold luster dust.


There truly is something for every bride!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words--Or Is It?

If you think your photos might not communicate quite what you want them to make some of these comic blurbs on a stick, just paint some cardboard cutouts with chalkboard paint and your guests can send you a message when they get their photo taken! Fun photo op for you and your guests! See Offbeatbride.com post under  Jescia & Matt's Wedding Extravaganza.

Not shown in this pic are the two photos of the bride and groom's parents looking down with disapproval at the antics of their son and daughter...fun and funny!

Machines to Make DIY Cake Pops, Mini Donuts and Mini Whoopie Pies!

The Daily Grommet once again brings us a great gadget to make a DIY wedding easier! These simple, easy to store and easy to use machines make DIY Whoopie Pies and Cake Pops and Donuts easy to make for you for your wedding day.  They look like a George Foreman Grill but with a different design inside(and you know how easy those are to use!) You could make all your own sweets for your sweet table with thee with just a few days work.

DIY Lunch Bag for Picnic Weddings

Having a casual or eco-friendly picnic wedding? Make your own colorful and reusable lunch bags for your guests.  These can double as wedding favors and an easy way to serve your food. 

While some DIY experts could make their own patterns, those of us with less expertise will love the directions and pattern available at Haberman Fabric's web site.  Yet another easy DIY project brought to you by The Wedding Queen's DIY Weddings blog.

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DIY Moss Covered Wine Bottles

What could be easier? These DIY moss covered wine bottles let you have the fun of drinking the contents and enjoying making them to use as centerpieces for your wedding.  It's an eco-friendly way to re-use wine bottles and use them as vases.  The bottle above was made with moss from the floral supply or craft store that comes in sheets with a mesh backing.  All you have to do is cut the sheet to fit your bottle and hot glue the moss to the wine bottle.  Choose some ribbon to accent your wedding colors and wrap it around the bottle hot gluing the ends or using a product to prevent fraying, and add a decorative medallion. Add a bright flower or two and a little greenery. Simple! Fast! Easy! What could be better? Click the link above to find more DIY projects at Jonathan Fong Style.

Easy DIY Rose Topiary Centerpiece

This DIY rose topiary (just click link for exact directions as well as for other great projects) is easy to make and you can keep costs down by ordering your roses in bulk. The trickiest part is taking the rectangular floral foam and shaping it into something resembling a ball (don't worry, no one gets theirs to look like a ball, more a rounded octagon! But as you add the flowers it will round out.)

The different shades of roses give the topiary extra depth. You use a candle holder with a prong at the base to hold the foam in place and tie a ribbon around the bottom for extra decoration.

My criteria for DIY projects is can I (the queen of messing up DIY projects!) manage to pull it off. The hardest part of this one is cutting the foam and anchoring it (I told you, I'm a real butterfingers!), so as you can see, that shouldn't be too hard for even the DIY challenged like me! Give it a try. You don't have to experiment with roses for your trials. Also you can put the balls and holders together well in advance so you aren't overwhelmed closer to your wedding. Add a couple of candles or votives to the side for an extra accent and a variation in height. Enjoy this fun project!

Chill It With Roses

Rose filled ice cubes are perfect for using in champagne buckets or to chill pretty bottles of lemonades. Use them as anchors at either end of a self-serve bar. This is an easy way to add flowers to your wedding without needing a florist! Just click on the link for simple directions on how to DIY.  Be careful not to use iced roses in drinks unless you are positive the growers did not use any pesticides on them! What a pretty accent for your wedding day or bridal shower.  This is an EASY DIY wedding project. 

Daisies and Gingham

Do it with daisies! This simple DIY project (yes it REALLY is simple) needs votive candles, daisies, ribbon, and glasses.  Cut a length of ribbon to fit around the metal rim of the votive candle.  Cut off close to the entire stem of the daisy, open petals and put in glass with water.  Top each daisy with a lit votive candle.  You can have one of these for each guest or run several down the center of your tables.  Definitely pretty in pink!

Home, Paper, Scissors

Home, Paper, Scissors (Decorative Paper Accessories for the Home) by Patricia Zapata and available at Amazon.com has projects for creative brides.  Consider filling the bowls on the cover with cookies or candy on your sweet table.  Or using them to surround a glass vase for a colorful centerpiece with gerbera daisies.  The sky is the limit with this book full of great ideas for the bride who is willing to thing outside the box.

Paper, Scissors, Ribbon, Voila!

Save money on your decor by using these great kits from Paper Source.  This creative paper wreath is perfect for decorating the doors or walls of your venue or church.  It's less expensive than real flowers but shows your creative bent as well.  The best part is all the pieces come ready made in a kit for under $20. 

All you need is a bone folder,double stick tape, and scissors and a little bit of time! Any bride can manage to put these together and have them look like a pro did them. 

Similar items are for sale on Etsy.com at a much higher cost.  The Paper Source also has paper bouquets of flowers that you can use to decorate your tables or use to accent your napkins.  I just love a project that is so easy my eight year old could do it!

More DIY Wedding Favors In A Jar

(This in Kristan's (of Confessions of A Cookbook Queen) Great Photo! And using those disposable spoons and twine and recyclable jars are just more reasons to recommend this for Eco-friendly brides!)

Desserts in a jar...hmmm...not messy, easy to transport, show off your creativity, yes I think that all adds up to a great idea for a wedding sweet table or wedding favor for the DIY bride. I've seen many versions of these on the web but the one that makes my mouth water is by Kristan at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen. (use that link to find this recipe (with yet more photos as well as the exact recipe) and other creative ideas Kristan offers her readers on a regular basis!) Check out other recipes for cupcakes in a jar as well!

Also don't forget you could use peppermint flavoring with some red food coloring for a wedding with a pink theme. It's all in the details ladies!

Think how much your guests will enjoy both the taste and presentation of this well thought out gift from you and your new spouse. Now head over to Kristan's blog for more great ideas to make your mouth water!

Chocolate to Go

DIY Jars of Cocoa

These are so simple.  Buy the jars and sterilize them.  Let dry overnight so they are all the way dry.  Fill with high quality cocoa mix and seal.  Add decorations by using a ribbon in your bridal colors or in brown to accent the cocoa, and add a snowflake punch or if you are having a spring/summer wedding try butterflies etc. (see your craft store for assorted punches).  Add a jewel in the center for a little bling.  This is so easy! Done in two days, and one of those days is the one you spend sterilizing the jars.

DIY Counted Cross Stitch Ring Bearer's Pillow

Photo from Southern Wedding Magazine

Looking for a project to keep your mom or the mother of the groom busy?  This counted cross stitch pillow is a perfect DIY project to keep them, dare I say 'out of your hair?' while you take care of other wedding details? Kidding aside, anyone with some skill at cross stitching can make this pillow for your ring bearer to carry down the aisle.  Personalize by using your own wedding accent colors.  This will become something you can hand down to your daughters for their weddings.

Give Those Mason Jars a Lift--Add Your Monogram Yourself!

As pretty as these mason jars are, check out the upgrade below to see how to really make them pop!

Mason jars are perfect for serving summer cool drinks like lemonades but sometimes it's the presentation that makes all the difference.  Use etching cream (like Armour Etch, found at your local craft store) and make a template by tracing your monogram onto some Contact paper.  Cut out your monogram with a craft knife and stick the Contact paper to the mason jar.  Use a Q-tip for an applicator and put the etching cream over your monogram (use gloves so no etching cream gets on your hands).  Let sit for about five minutes. Rinse and peel off paper, then let dry.  It may look like it isn't etched after rinsing, be patient, it will.  Then wash to be sure all etching chemicals are removed.  Serve you drinks at your wedding in these upgraded mason jars with your own personal touch.  Photo and basic directions courtesy of Southern Bride Magazine.

Rubber Stamp DIY Project For Wedding Showers

Paper Source Rubber Stamping on Plates

Looking for a great way to decorate for a wedding shower? Try this unique idea from the creative minds at Paper Source. 

Start with sugar covering the bottom of a small bowl, then add liquid food coloring until you get your desired color (go slightly darker since the sugar will lighten the color) and add a splash of water, the consistency should be comparable to PVA glue. Just play with it, adding and balancing until you find the right mix.

Then apply the edible paste to the rubber stamp of your choice with a paper towel to control the coverage and gently and evenly press the stamp onto a plain glass plate like the one in the photo.  Let plates dry before stacking.  Once dry you will have no problem stacking for your buffet.  An idea that isn't expensive but sure looks it!

Where to Buy Flowers For The DIY'er

American Floral Distributors says"

     "Nothing says elegance and beauty like fresh cut flowers. When you need flowers in virtually any quantity at truly great prices—there’s no place like American Floral Distributors. We’re proud to be the leading online wholesale flower company serving the public and retailers directly with the largest selection of exquisite flowers in every color and shape shipped directly from the growers.
Whether you’re looking for wedding bouquets online for a single ceremony or bulk flowers for your business or an upcoming event, you’ll find it here—at wholesale prices. plus trade discounts for wedding vendors."

Not only do they provide you with a wide array of flowers to choose from but they also provide items like floral tape, aisle runners etc. for the DIY Bride.

But BEST OF ALL they have DIY Videos on how to make a variety of bridal bouquets and other wedding flowers.  This site is a must use for any DIY bride who is doing her own flowers.  So head over to American Floral Distributors for EVERYTHING you need to create great floral displays for your wedding or other special event.  They even offer wedding vendors trade discounts.

Great DIY Book for Brides

Handmade Weddings available on Amazon.com is full of crafts, easy and hard, for the DIY bride (and her groom).  The book is full of great ideas to inspire you to create pieces for your own wedding.  It offers 50 different projects for you to consider. 

One suggestion. Don't leave DIY projects to the last minute or try to do it all yourself, rope in some friends or a crafty mom to help out and have some fun while you're crafting!

Calligraphy? No, It Just Looks Like It

All photos courtesy of Primele

Patricia Mumau can create your own calligraphy stamp to use on your thank you notes or even the envelopes of your wedding invitations.  Visit her site, Primele to see a variety of stamps available.  Her stamps make this one easy DIY project for any bride.  Partricia also does custom designs work.  Take the time to enjoy her blog as well.  She's one creative lady!

DIY Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Pops

Chocolate Dipped DIY Cheesecake Pops

Caterer Wendy Crispin makes these cheesecake pops that are dipped in chocolate and have nuts on top.  Cut your cheesecake into squares while cheesecake is very cold, nearly frozen, then dip into dark chocolate.  Top with ground walnuts or hazelnuts.  Yum!!! Serve with fruit at the side or with strawberry or raspberry coulee. 

Visit Wendy's web site to find her other catering gems! If you live in the Dallas Texas area call Wendy to caterer your next event.  She offers food that not only tastes good but looks wonderful!

DIY Stir Sticks

Print out this template to make your own stir sticks for your picnic or outdoor wedding.  Project courtesy of:

Style Me Pretty.  Add the print outs to Popsicle sticks and put in a pretty glass holder near your drinks.  This simple DIY project is so easy every a child could do it! It might be a great way to involve your flower girl in you wedding projects.

DIY Garlands of Lilies by Martha Stewart

Lily Garland from Martha Stewart

Scent your wedding/reception with garlands of lilies.  Lilies are most abundant during the spring wedding season but you can always use silk lilies during other seasons.  For long spaces or double layer strands (see picture), wire several garlands together on the day of the wedding.  Use florist wire and string up 16 blooms each in sections, then cover wire with beautiful ribbons.  Be sure to remove the yellow anthers from the lilies because the pollen from them will stain.  For directions for these garlands visit Martha's web site or see all her other incredible DIY ideas for flowers for your wedding. 

Per Martha Stewart directions for Fragrant Garland of Lilies:

Thread 26-gauge wire through first bloom; attach at base with floral tape (or, for an end, tape wire to base of a closed bulb). Then slide on second bloom, to overlap previous flower a bit; tape base. Repeat until you reach desired length, leaving wire for hanging.

Italian Sodas -- Delizio!

Simply Sweet Blog photo of bright colored Italian Sodas

The designers and caterers at Simply Sweet suggest Italian sodas keep things fresh and fun at your wedding. Guests can choose their favorite flavor(s) and create the beverage...DELIZIO!

If you're planning on making these yourself check out the syrups at stores like Home Goods.  Or surf the web for a variety of recipes in your wedding colors.  Think how much money you'll save not serving alcohol!

DIY Aisle and Altar Flowers

Pink and Yellow Rose Petals make a unique aisle for the bride and her attendants courtesy of Martha at: DIY Aisle or Altar Flowers

Place large hurricane vases (made for floating candles) and add rose petals to the pretty floating candles and use the along the side of an aisle of multi-colored rose petals.  Be sure to fill in any small holes under the aisle area to make a smooth aisle.  Visit Martha's web site for additional ideas for DIY Aisle or Altar Flowers. 

Butterfly Wedding Theme? See This Easy DIY Centerpiece Project

Photo by Colin Cooke/design shown on Sweet Paul web site:

http://sweetpaul.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/10/decoupage-pumpkin.html

A little paper, your printer, clip art, and craft glue and Sweet Paul (a total genius!) has made these great pumpkin centerpieces that have decoupaged butterflies on them.  Perfect for a wedding with a butterfly theme!  Decoupaging on pumpkins can be used with any theme you can find great clip art on.  Just print out the clip art on thin paper and glue them to the pumpkin with regular craft glue.  Simple and sweet! And the price is right.  An easy DIY project perfect for brides on a budget.

Visit Sweet Paul's web site for ideas for centerpieces and also for great easy recipes to impress!

Marbled Marshmallows to Fit the Season

Make Your Own Marshmallows Courtesy of Kraft Trends

Whether your wedding is during the holiday season, spring, fall etc. you can personalize these marshmallows to suit.  While these have peppermint flavoring you can experiment with different flavor extracts during different times of the year.  These are also great for favors at wedding showers.  Experiment ahead of time with the depth of colors you want.  Package for your guests to take home with them or put them out on your sweet table.  (Can you tell I LOVE sweets?)  Enjoy!  Recipe on http://redhot.bettycrocker.com.

Wedding Cupcake Poppers

Photo from Moogie and Pap's blog; recipe from Betty Crocker Trends web site

Looking for a dessert table item that pops? (Do you suppose that's why they call them poppers?) Betty Crocker Trends at http://redhot.bettycrocker.com/trends gives you an easy recipe to make these poppers from their white cake mix (obviously you add some food coloring).  They also offer a recipe for a marshmallow cream frosting for the centers.  The recipe makes 60 mini-cupcakes for your dessert table.  Simple and oh so sweet! Great for wedding showers as well. 

Cherry Tomatoes - Bocconcini Lollipops

Photo and recipe from: http://moogieland.blogspot.com/

Looking for something a little different for an appetizer? Try this easy to make but attractive recipe that is based on caprese salad.  This pairing of mozzarella and tomatoes is a perfect combination for picnic weddings or appetizers anytime of year. 

Photos courtesy of Dahan Caterers Washington DC

Moogie from Moogie and Pap's web site suggests using black rice inside a tall glass to stabilize the skewers, but you could easily serve this on a base of seen above of grass, inserting the skewer into the field of green. 
Ingredients:

12 cherry tomatoes (stems removed) You can use regular cherry tomatoes or Trader Joe's sells heirloom cherry tomatoes.
12 bocconcine (baby Mozzarella)
2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

1. With a sharp knife, remove the top 1/4 inch of each tomato.

2. Skewer the bottom of each tomato with a large wooden or bamboo skewer. For the most eye-catching presentation, stand the lollipops in tall glasses. (I put black rice inside my glass to help stabilize the lollipops)

3. In a bowl, combine the seasoning and olive oil, and parsley. Drizzle a little over each tomato before serving.

White Chocolate, Peaches, Apricots, Cake...All In A DIY Cake!

All Photos courtesy of The Cilantropist at  http://cilantropist.blogspot.com

Are you salivating yet? There are two kinds of people in the world, those of us who love white chocolate and the ones who well, those other people! This cake is for the former. I posted this recipe for brides who are either making their own cakes or have someone making them for them or for anyone throwing a pre-wedding party. This is a perfect cake to use the multilayer cake stands if you want to make your own cakes and not involve the bakery. The slivered almonds on the outside hide any icing deficiencies you may have and the filling for this cake is indescribable! The filling is part apricot part peaches so for brides having a summer wedding this is a great cake choice.

All Photos courtesy of The Cilantropist at http://cilantropist.blogspot.com

For the recipe, go to http://cilantropist.blogspot.com where The Cilantropist gives you her version of this cake which is adapted from one in Bon Appetit, June 2003 via Epicurious. The Cilantropist also gives you great icing tips so your cake will look as great as these pics! So head on over to her blog to grab the recipe (guarantee you'll spend another hour at least perusing all her other posts! This is one yummy blog!)

DIY Classes In Lansdowne PA

Photo courtesy of: http://www.pendance.us/

Looking for art classes or calligraphy classes? Art Space Lansdowne at http://artspacelansdowne.com/art-classes/#art11001 offers classes in calligraphy as well as jewelry making and other crafts.  Head over to their web site and sign up now.  Deadlines are fast approaching for Art Space Lansdowne's Spring Classes and Workshops. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of these fun learning experiences. Classes are affordable, convenient, and a great experience for DIY'ers or take your bridesmaids to a jewelry making class as a thank you.

Do It Yourself Felt Bouquets and Boutonnieres

Photo by Claire Marika on Bride's Cafe

Have you ever seen do it yourself felt bouqets or boutonnieres? Are you looking to save money on your bouquet and boutonnieres? Visit The Bride's Cafe and see how to make felt floral bouquets and bouts.  This is a relatively simple DIY project although it may take some time so don't leave it until the last minute!

Or if you'd rather work with crepe paper go to the the Bride's Cafe  for ideas for a similar crepe paper bouquet seen below. And for tutorials on making paper flowers.

Make Your Own Terraium Placecard Holder

Photo and info courtesy of: http://wednesdaycustomdesign.com/

What can you make from the lid of a mason jar and a clear Christmas ornament? Your own custom terrarium place card holder.  Fill with flowers to compliment you decor and add a interesting fillip to your table setting at your wedding or shower.  For directions go to: http://wednesdaycustomdesign.com/blog/P15