Archive for 'DIY'
DIY Wedding Décor
You want the wedding of your dreams but on a budget. We hear this all time from brides and decided to pass along tips for some do-it-yourself projects for related to wedding décor. Below are only a few suggestions offering ways to incorporate color or special details into the table décor.
Table Cloths, napkins and table runners
One way to dress a table on your own is to make napkins, table runners or table cloths (We don’t suggest all three at the same time). Regardless of if you know how to sew or not, there are several ways to create your table dressing with a bit of recycled or purchased fabric. If you can’t sew, then use pinking shears to finish the edges if the fabric allows. Some fabrics such as burlap can have a slightly unfinished edge which adds a rustic feel to tables and makes it an easy to use option. You can choose to use solid color fabrics or an eclectic mix of patterns. For a low cost vintage fabric, recycle old sheets found in thrift stores. Other options include creating your own design using block printing with fabric paint for a custom print or using dye to create an ombre effect on the fabric. These can be a bit more time consuming but the results may just be worth the extra effort. The options are endless.
http://www.designmom.com/2012/03/diy-confetti-sprinkled-linen-napkins/
http://bklynbrideonline.com/21335/wedding-inspiration/living-in-ombre/linens?czone
http://rexandregina.com/blog/2010/03/02/burlap-tablescapes/
Custom Flatware
Keeping with the table theme, consider creating your own custom colored flatware by dipping or spray painting the handles of inexpensive purchased or second-hand flatware. You can paint to match your color scheme as well as use it for an added a pop of color. Just be careful not to paint the part of the utensil used for eating since most paints are toxic. Only the handles should be painted for health reasons.
http://creativelychristy.blogspot.com/2010/11/colored-spoons-tutorial.html
http://shannondarrough.com/tablescapes/tablescape
http://www.saniapell.com/athomeblog/diy-craft-projects/fluro-cutlery/
Menu Napkins Wraps
Finding a unique way to display a menu on an already crowded table can be daunting. Make it a quick DIY project by creating a menu that serves a dual purpose. A napkin wrap with the menu printed on it makes a pretty presentation on the table and gives you an easy, practical way to display the menu to all guests. There is no need for guests to search the table for a menu because it’s right in front of them and it won’t clutter the table. Choose to add a unique detail by using a decorative punch border or by adding ribbon.
http://wedding-ink.blogspot.com/2012/07/kathryn-and-justin.html
http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/2011/06/wedding-details-creative-menu-ideas/
http://blog.catieronquillo.com/2011/06/inspiration-shoot-vintage-travel-with-a-dash-of-france/
With dessert and weddings on the brain, and their always on the brain, we were intrigued by the latest wedding trend: bars – dessert bars, popcorn bars, doughnut bars, cookie bars, sundae bars, smores bars, waffle bars, and cigar bars (had to throw one in there for the boys!). These options are endless and the list goes on. What makes this concept so perfect? More is always better when it comes to treats. Check out some of our favorite “bar” ideas.For a spring or summer wedding, consider a sundae and ice cream bar. Make your own sundae bars are perfect for these warmer months shindigs. Think about the amazing (and affordable) selection you could provide – sprinkles, cherries, whipped cream, ooey goeey marshmallow sauce, cookies (think ice cream sandwiches!), and any thing you could imagine on an ice cream sundae. For a refreshing and lighter choice, offer a few flavored sorbets as well. If you’re big day is during a spring month, integrate some of the seasons best fruits. Read the rest of this entry …
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| For the home decor enthusiast |
When I think about guestbooks I’m reminded of a Sex and the City episode where Miranda’s wedding duty was to “man” the guest book. In the episode she’s standing next to a book on a table, with a pen in her hand saying, “sign the guestbook?”. Gone are the days where a guestbook consists of a book and a pen. These days couples are breaking boundaries of creativity and being inspired by what they love… music, photography, home decor, and using their guestbooks to incorporate them into their guests into their daily lives.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words; here, your guests can have the best of both worlds. Set up a table with a Polaroid camera, blank-paged guestbook, and several pens. Each guests or couple can have their own page where they will post their Polaroid portrait and have ample room to write their best wishes, advice to, or favorite memories of the newlyweds. Larger weddings will require a larger guestbook (or just more paper) while a photo booth (DIY?) could take the place of a Polaroid camera. Not only will you have a special note from your loved ones, but you’ll have priceless pictures of them the very momoment they wrote it!
Read the rest of this entry …
Read the rest of this entry …
Disclaimer: There is a soft spot in my heart for Sweet and Saucy cakes. Please be prepared for inspiration overload!
For a refreshingly unique (and often less expensive) way to end yourreception’s dinner, couples are moving away from the traditional tiered weddingcake. Instead, they opt for a more distinctive style: several smaller cakes, anassortment of homemade pies, and cupcakes to create a bite-size dessert buffet. While a larger cake has its appeal (grand design, picturesque, verytall, more to eat), this contemporary approach certainly has its advantages. 
Multiple dessert options allow you to satisfy many sweet-tooth levels.Believe it or not, some guests do not actually like dessert (gasp!), but forthose who do, what’s better than multiple options? If you choose a cake or pie buffet, it will encourage your guests to mingle as they fill theirplates (and mouths) with a bit of deliciousness. Check out inspiration from Sweet and Saucy Shop (by far one of my favorite cake designers for inspiration) and of course a few more from around the world wide web. These cakes are lathered with cream cheese or buttercream and adorned with over sized beautiful blooms such as peonies and dahlias. These cakes could easily be made at home (transportation is on your own!) with the floral picked up at either your local floral shop, grocer, or wholesale shop. Include blooms from your bouquet to keep things cohesive.
In broadening your dessert horizon, you can also incorporate yourwedding colors or theme into your dessert. Are you looking to create a gardenexperience? Adorn your cakes with an array of flowers and garden creatures(think butterflies or over sized peonies!). Think your cupcakes are missing something? Add yourinitials in icing. The options are endless and there is so much room forcreativity. Want to involve your family and help keep costs down? Ask close family members to bake theirfavorite pie for the wedding. Incorporate the rustic atmosphere of the season with multiple flavored pies (likeseasonally appropriate favorites such as pumpkin and apple in the fall, and cherry and strawberry rhubarb in the summer). 
Like what you see? Then head on over to Pinterest and check out our Cake board… and of course there are about twenty-seven others. Trust me, we spent hours being inspired and clogging up our followers feeds!
Also, we would like to introduce one our newest bloggers Lauren to the mix… and how appropriate that her initials just happen to be “LG”. Coincidental, or was it?
Disclaimer: There is a soft spot in my heart for Sweet and Saucy cakes. Please be prepared for inspiration overload!
For a refreshingly unique (and often less expensive) way to end your reception’s dinner, couples are moving away from the traditional tiered wedding cake. Instead, they opt for a more distinctive style: several smaller cakes, an assortment of homemade pies, and cupcakes to create a bite-size dessert buffet. While a larger cake has its appeal (grand design, picturesque, very tall, more to eat), this contemporary approach certainly has its advantages.
Multiple dessert options allow you to satisfy many sweet-tooth levels. Believe it or not, some guests do not actually like dessert (gasp!), but for those who do, what’s better than multiple options? If you choose a cake or pie buffet, it will encourage your guests to mingle as they fill their plates (and mouths) with a bit of deliciousness. Check out inspiration from Sweet and Saucy Shop (by far one of my favorite cake designers for inspiration) and of course a few more from around the world wide web. These cakes are lathered with cream cheese or buttercream and adorned with over sized beautiful blooms such as peonies and dahlias. These cakes could easily be made at home (transportation is on your own!) with the floral picked up at either your local floral shop, grocer, or wholesale shop. Include blooms from your bouquet to keep things cohesive.
In broadening your dessert horizon, you can also incorporate your wedding colors or theme into your dessert. Are you looking to create a garden experience? Adorn your cakes with an array of flowers and garden creatures (think butterflies or over sized peonies!). Think your cupcakes are missing something? Add your initials in icing. The options are endless and there is so much room for creativity. Want to involve your family and help keep costs down? Ask close family members to bake their favorite pie for the wedding. Incorporate the rustic atmosphere of the season with multiple flavored pies (like seasonally appropriate favorites such as pumpkin and apple in the fall, and cherry and strawberry rhubarb in the summer). Like what you see? Then head on over to Pinterest and check out our Cake board… and of course there are about twenty-seven others. Trust me, we spent hours being inspired and clogging up our followers feeds!
Also, we would like to introduce one our newest bloggers Lauren to the mix… and how appropriate that her initials just happen to be “LG”. Coincidental, or was it?
Im super in love with shades of gold and chevron patterns right now, and have been working them into my home over this past year. It came to no surprise to me when I started pinning metallic pumpkins on Pinterest when the fall season was approaching, so I guess you could say this was a Pinterest challenge of my own, but technically it was out of holiday laziness and decor friendliness!My family actually went pumpkin picking a little late in the season this year… only a couple of weekends ago. But, my thoughts were clear… pick late and let them be used as double duty for Halloween and as close as I can get them to Thanksgiving. So far, so good! I picked out pumpkins, birdhouse gourds, mini pumpkins, gourds, and cinderalla pumpkins (the white/ivory ones). I went for different sizes and types!
I went to my local hardware store and picked up some Rustoleum Metallic Spray Paint in Gold, Silver, Copper, and of course in Black (in Halloween spirit), and then some Frog Tape painters tape (which would be used to tape out the chevron pattern). Outdoor firepit blazing, glass of wine in hand, and of course a big piece of cardboard, I went to town and enjoyed a Saturday evening to myself with a few cans of spray paint (and of course some girlfriends as well!). I have to admit, the chevron pattern around the pumpkin was a little bit of a pain, but I am super excited for the turnout! I have recieved a lot of compliments from our neighborhood trick or treaters, and of course from fellow Facebook friends who seem to be taking this trend and using it for next year! In the mean time, enjoy my photos and let me know what you think (or share any pointers!).
I went to my local hardware store and picked up some Rustoleum Metallic Spray Paint in Gold, Silver, Copper, and of course in Black (in Halloween spirit), and then some Frog Tape painters tape (which would be used to tape out the chevron pattern). Outdoor firepit blazing, glass of wine in hand, and of course a big piece of cardboard, I went to town and enjoyed a Saturday evening to myself with a few cans of spray paint (and of course some girlfriends as well!). I have to admit, the chevron pattern around the pumpkin was a little bit of a pain, but I am super excited for the turnout! I have recieved a lot of compliments from our neighborhood trick or treaters, and of course from fellow Facebook friends who seem to be taking this trend and using it for next year! In the mean time, enjoy my photos and let me know what you think (or share any pointers!).
nicole brennan . 302.545.0412 . nicole@lovelygirlsevents.com . wilmington
Summer is coming to an end, andthe cooler temperatures have just started to take a turn for, shall we dare sayit, comfortable. This is just around the time when I actually enjoy outsidecocktail hours and watching the bride and groom from afar, especially theguests. Most often times they linger, and strike up casual conversation and oftentimes find an excuse to go grab another cocktail and move onto the next guest. Whynot turn up the FUN factor?After watching so many outdoor cocktailhours at a distance, the one trend we have enjoyed (and even giggle at onoccasion) is watching guests partake in interactive games on the lawn. Yes, youhave read this correctly. Games. No, not the cheesy games that you dread whenattending a baby or bridal shower (and even those haven’t been so bad as oflate), but actual lawn games. Yes, the ones that you may find at a tailgate oreven at a BBQ, but none the less… interactive and enjoyable to watch; evencrowd pleasers! Think cornhole, horseshoes, bocce, and croquet. Black tie orkhaki suited, we don’t mind if we do. It is a great way to entertain yourguests and just another way to work your theme and colors into your wedding(think custom colored bean bags and silhouette painted boards!). We just adorethese images shared by BG Productions from Marissa and Brians vintage wedding at the John J. Audubon Center this past season. Don’t forget to place Adirondack chairsfor the spectators because we promise this will be a crowd pleaser! Enjoy the inspiration <3
Summer is coming to an end, and the cooler temperatures have just started to take a turn for, shall we dare say it, comfortable. This is just around the time when I actually enjoy outside cocktail hours and watching the bride and groom from afar, especially the guests. Most often times they linger, and strike up casual conversation and often times find an excuse to go grab another cocktail and move onto the next guest. Why not turn up the FUN factor?After watching so many outdoor cocktail hours at a distance, the one trend we have enjoyed (and even giggle at on occasion) is watching guests partake in interactive games on the lawn. Yes, you have read this correctly. Games. No, not the cheesy games that you dread when attending a baby or bridal shower (and even those haven’t been so bad as of late), but actual lawn games. Yes, the ones that you may find at a tailgate or even at a BBQ, but none the less… interactive and enjoyable to watch; even crowd pleasers! Think cornhole, horseshoes, bocce, and croquet. Black tie or khaki suited, we don’t mind if we do. It is a great way to entertain your guests and just another way to work your theme and colors into your wedding (think custom colored bean bags and silhouette painted boards!). We just adore these images shared by BG Productions from Marissa and Brians vintage wedding at the John J. Audubon Center this past season. Don’t forget to place Adirondack chairs for the spectators because we promise this will be a crowd pleaser! Enjoy the inspiration <3
Where do I begin? I heart it! So, it has taken me about three weeks, four coats of ultra white Behr paint, touch up paint because I was impatient, two coats of a polyacrylic (?) for protection because I was impatient, some new hardware, and a can of gold spray paint for the hardware… but its now complete! If you are just joining us and you have no idea what I am talking about… I just recently inherited “my new PARSONS desk!”, and it was going to need a complete redo. And yes, I do consider paying $25.00 for this desk the same as inheriting. It was basically a steal! Check out some images below of it placed in my home:
There are two pretty staple things that I had to have for my desk. One was of course my favorite book, Domino: the Book of Decorating, which I consider to be a bible to all inspiration (and of course my desk). The second thing I had to had to have was my gifted bronze horse (which is now gold thanks to a can of purchased spray paint) from Delaware Park Race Track and Slots because you should never forget your roots. If you did not know, I held employment there for eight years until 2008 before venturing out on my own.
I pretty much think that my inspiration was matched, but needless to say… you do not have much of a desk without a chair. That will more than likely become a task for the flea market guy. I have a few ideas in mind, and hopefully he will be able to scour the local markets with success! However, if he is not able to find a chair similar to the chair below on your left, then we will probably pick up the Ikea Gilbert Chair similar to the one on the right in a black/brown.
How do you think I did?
nicole brennan . 302.545.0412 . nicole@lovelygirlsevents.com . wilmington
Martha Stewart does it again… First the tissue hanging pom fad (which we love), and now this amazing Tissue Paper Petal Lantern that closely resembles a peony flower just before bloom! And if that was not enough, these masterpeices only take about thirty minutes each. If you have not picked up your Martha Stewart Living Spring June ’11 Issue, then do not worry, we have the complete how-to here :
Tools and Materials: Double Sided Tape
5″ Tissue Paper Circles in Pastel + Primary, $6 for 480, hyglossproducts.com
Wire-frame Spherical Paper Lantern, $3.25 to $4.25 for 14-18″, pearlriver.com
Martha Stewart even offered up the ideas of creating an ombre pattern (gradations of the same color), or even using round green tissue paper at the top for the illusion of berries! We honestly cannot wait for the opportunity to use these at our next event… whether it is a shower, wedding, or 30th Birthday Party (hint hint – that’s right, mine is coming up soon!)
Directions
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Starting at th ebottom of the lantern, use small squares of tape to being attaching tissue paper disks around the hole, overlapping them. You will use approximately 70 of the 5″ tissue paper disks, depending on the size lantern that you choose to use.
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Working toward the top, continue sticking and overlapping disks to cover the lantern.
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Tip: You may find it easier to rest the lantern upside down before you start sticking the circles from the bottom up.
Seriously. Thank you Martha!
nicole brennan . 302.545.0412 . nicole@lovelygirlsevents.com . wilmington
