DIY Illuminated Table Numbers

Even though the holiday crafts are beckoning to me, I thought we needed some wedding related DIY goodness today. For some reason, I absolutely love table numbers, and when I saw these, I thought, "Why didn't I think of that?!"

These illuminated table numbers were featured on the Intimate Weddings Blog and were made by Tuppence of Momfetti. Tuppence used these as her table numbers and they came out beautifully! The elegant paper combined with the glow from the candlelight adds instant intimacy to any event.

Photos via Intimate Weddings Blog

The full instructions can be found {HERE}...it seems easy enough! (I actually almost got up to make some for myself, but then I realized that I didn't need table numbers anymore.) These would also be great for some sort of themed party. You can easily change the look of them depending on the font, shapes and paper you use! Plus, they're functional and are a perfect way to add some decor to your event! Who else is loving these table numbers?

DIY Holiday Decor: Ribbon Wreath

This week officially starts the holiday season for many people, but it's kind of hard for me to get in the "spirit" when it's still 80 degrees outside! So, to start getting in the holiday spirit, I thought I would share this DIY piece of holiday decor that was found on iDIY.

Via the long thread

Using grosgrain ribbon, some scissors, and a a foam wreath form, you can create a homemade wreath! The full materials needed and instructions can be found on the long thread, and step-by-step photos are here on Weddingbee. Use whatever color you want, or combine different colors to make a multicolored wreath. The wreath isn't really exclusively holiday-ish, so you can even use a color that matches the decor in your house and have it hanging year-round!

Via Weddingbee

If you're looking to add some decor to your wedding, these are great for a rustic wedding! You can hang different sizes of these wreaths from trees or off of fence posts.

I'm going to be starting my holiday crafting this weekend while I'm at my parents' for the holidays, and this wreath is at the top of my list. There will be more DIY holiday decor items to come...I've been accumulating them! Has anyone ever made any other type of holiday decor? Or used something like this in their wedding decor?

DIY Letterpress? Yes Please!

Everyone knows how much I love letterpress, and when I heard about this giveaway on iDIY, I was jumping out of my chair with excitement! iDIY is giving away Lifestyle Craft's L Letterpress to ONE special winner! If you're considering doing your invitations yourself, take a look at this wonderful new letterpress machine!

Photo via iDIY

Letterpress is an intricate process, since it's done by hand, one-by-one, piece-by-piece, but it's gorgeous and it adds a special element to whatever you're letterpressing! You can use the L Letterpress to make invitations, thank you cards, business cards...whatever your heart desires!

Photo via iDIY

Don't you want to be able to do beautiful letterpress on your own?! The contest ends this Wednesday at 11:59PM EST, so go over to iDIY and get your entries in to win this amazing contraption!

DIY Monday: Tin Can Lanterns

These tin can lanterns are perfect for a rustic outdoor wedding at any time of year. I can imagine these lanterns lining the aisle of an evening ceremony or the walkways outside of a reception, instead of using the paper luminaries that are commonly seen. They would be especially great now, since with the time change it's now dark by 6:00 PM!

Via Intimate Weddings Blog

You can go over to the Intimate Weddings Blog for directions on how to make these lanterns. They seem simple enough! It basically involves a pattern, something to poke holes through the can, and spray paint in your choice of color.

What a great way to recycle cans and be able to reuse them! These would even be great to use as holiday decorations with holiday patterns and colors. Whatever event you decide to make these for, they're a great addition of candlelight and decor!

DIY Monday: Stir Sticks

For this week's DIY project, I thought some stir sticks would be a fun and easy project to do! Stir sticks will add instant pizazz to the drinks served at your cocktail hour or bridal shower! They may be small, but they will definitely add A LOT to the look of your event!

Via Style Me Pretty

{Instructions from Abby: So, all you need to do is print this template out on 80lb card stock (try Paper Source). Using a 3.5″ hole punch, cut out the circles. Then using either a small amount of glue or some double stick tape, adhere them to corn dog or popsicle sticks (corn dog sticks are a little bit longer). Voila!}

Via Bridal Party Tees Blog

{Click on the link above. You can save the templates and change the wording yourself in Word or Photoshop!}

Via PrintYourParty's Etsy Shop

{The stir stick designs above are $10 for the template, and can be color customized for $5-10, depending on how much customization you would like done! Take a look at the options, they're super cute! You just download your custom labels, print them out, and cut or punch out (using a 1.5 inch round punch) to your heart's content!}

Via Style Me Pretty

{Another stir stick project from Style Me Pretty! The materials needed and step-by-step instructions can be found at this link. They're a bit more than just cutting out circles, but they look great!}

I'm imagining a photo of several drink glasses in guests' hands, with gorgeous stir sticks in them! It may be something small, but it can add a huge amount of pretty detail to your event! Is anyone planning on using stir sticks like these at their wedding or bridal shower?

Friday's Finds: Free Printables!

For some reason, I've been thinking about paper goods lately, and these free printable designs came to mind. I thought I would share some of the printables from that past few months that have been seen around the blogosphere! These are designs that are available to be downloaded (free of charge) for you to print on your own! They are a mix of wedding-related and life-related, so everyone can enjoy and use them!

{Wedding Invitation and Response Card Set via The Wedding Chicks}

{Thank You cards via Color Me Inspired}

{Fan Templates via Color Me Inspired}



{Lists via Leo On the Loose}


*You can now also purchase note pads of these lists at the Vale Design Paper Goods Shop!*


{Notecard Set via Ruffled}



{Bride and Groom signs via Lucky and Lovely}

There are of course many more free printable designs around the Internet, these are just a few that caught my eye! If you want something more customized, you can always enlist the services of a designer! There are quite a few out there that specialize in weddings...if you need some referrals, I would be more than happy to help!

I hope you enjoy these free printables! I have some of the lists by Vale Design, and they surely play a part in keeping my days organized! Are there any suggestions for other free printables that would be useful?

DIY Monday: Fall Family Tree

Since this is the last week of October, I thought I would end it with this pretty DIY project. Laurie Cinotto shared this craft with The Bride's Cafe as an alternative to displaying family photos at a wedding. This fall family tree would make a wonderful piece of decor at a wedding, but it would also be incredibly functional as a piece of home decor!

Via The Bride's Cafe

It could even be revamped a little bit! The possibilities go on and on-small palm branches for a beach wedding, or willow branches for a spring wedding. Add some Christmas tree branches, different colors and shapes of ornaments, candy canes, or snowflakes, and voila- you have a new holiday decoration! Full instructions and more photos are on The Bride's Cafe.

Using something like this would also be an excellent way to do escort cards! I see escort card displays being integrated into the decor of an event more and more, and I love it! Is anyone thinking of using something like this for their wedding or event?

DIY Menu Wheel

When I saw this very cool DIY project, it immediately went on my list of things to share with my readers!

Photo via Design*Sponge

Anna of Rifle Design created this incredibly fun menu wheel! Since this is a somewhat time intensive project, it would be ideal for a small wedding. However, it would also be a great idea to just put one or two at a table! It would be a great icebreaker for your guests too!

{The instructions, along with detailed photos, can be found on Design*Sponge.}

I would love to host a dinner party where I could make a few of these! I'm thinking of perhaps making these for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, in the appropriate colors. Anyone have an event coming up that you could make these for?

DIY Decor: Pom-Poms

I'm still in wedding decor mode from the amazing wedding I helped with this past weekend, so it seemed fitting to share one of the trends in wedding decor I've been seeing!

You may have recently seen a lot more tissue paper pom-poms being used as decor at weddings. These fun and whimsical decorations are also perfect for a bridal shower or baby shower! Thanks to Martha Stewart and her tutorial on how to make them, tissue paper pom-poms are becoming a common decor item! It's a wonderful DIY piece of decor to add a pop of color to an event and it's also such a fun element!

Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings


Photo from Style Me Pretty


Photo from Style Me Pretty, by Katie Anderson Photography


Photo from Rock, Paper, Scissors

You can also get a pom-pom DIY kit from the Prost to the Host Etsy Shop! You can save yourself the time of cutting and measuring, but still put the poms together!

Photo from Prost to the Host

Are any of you planning on using tissue paper pom-poms for an upcoming event, or have you? I can't wait to have an excuse to make them!

DIY Favors

I wanted to share an array of Do-It-Yourself favor ideas that would be good for a wedding, bridal shower, or even a bachelorette party! Just remember, when considering DIY, definitely think of how many guests you will have. Baking cookies for 250 people would not be considered fun a few days before your wedding! {Click on links for the tutorials}

These DIY favors can be used for the packaging to go along with a Candy Bar. With a candy bar, you'll be able to "kill two birds with one stone" with the added decor of the candy bar along with the favor of the candy!

Candy Tins

Via The Inspired Bride

Favor Packaging

Via Style Me Pretty

These next favors are other great DIY favor ideas. Don't forget to consider how many guests you will be having, because baking cookies for 250 people would take a very long time!

Cookies

Via Thoughtful Day

Pie Pops

Via EAD and tutorial @ Luxirare

And finally, some favors that won't involve eating or baking.

Matchbooks

Via Offbeat Bride

Potted Herbs

Via Intimate Weddings

Also take a look at this previous post on Edible Favors for more ideas. Will anyone be doing a DIY favor for their wedding or bridal shower? Share your ideas!

DIY Decor

I've had questions about ideas for DIY items, so I wanted to share some great DIY decor ideas. Every bride almost always ends up doing some sort of DIY project, whether it's for the bridal shower, bachelorette party, or the wedding. There's an urge that overcomes you when planning a wedding. You just HAVE to make something. And of course what better way to fulfill that urge than to make something useful and beneficial to your wedding? So behold, some great DIY decor ideas for you crafty brides (and bridesmaids, and mothers, and friends).

Ice Cream Sundae Buffet

Instructions found at Eat, Drink, Chic

Wishes Banner

Instructions found on Style Me Pretty's Style Circle

Stir Sticks

Instructions found on Style Me Pretty's Style Circle

Lighted Garland

By Anna of Rifle Designs, Instructions found at OnceWed

No-Sew Garland

Instructions found at paper n stitch

Any other ideas for DIY decor? Are you incorporating any DIY items into your wedding?

I'll be posting some DIY favor ideas next in the DIY series. Feel free to send over anything that you've "done yourself" for your wedding, bridal shower, or just any party! I'd love to see what everyone is doing!