Crafting Advice - DIY Bride

DIY Wedding: 15 Things to DIY Instead of BUYING for the Big Day

Preparing for the big day is not a piece of cake. A lot of things should be done and should be considered and of course, have your cash and cards ready coz you will surely spend thousands of money as you purchase each and every item to complete and tick off different items from your long wedding checklist. But, wait! You don’t need to buy everything! There are actually several items that you can DIY instead of buying it in shops and stores.

DIY items doesn’t only help you to save money but also, can help you to bring out the creativity in you. Yes, DIY items may not be as good as the ones which are ready-made in shops and store but, what makes it more special is the effort given as you create these items. Are you excited to know the items that you can DIY instead of buying? Well, we have 15 great items for you.

1. Paper Cone Flower Tosser

Paper cones where you put all those flower petals for tossing doesn’t need to be bought. Yes, there are petal cones in shops and stores which are well made but did you check the price? For sure they are quite expensive. So instead of buying those paper cones, why not make them on your own.Just choose good quality of paper, fold it and make a cone out of it and viola! You now have a DIY paper cone that you can hang on every chair or place them in a basket and let your guests get one.

2. Boutonnieres For the Groom and Groomsmen

To make the gentlemen’s look complete, boutonnieres pinned on the left side of their chest shouldn’t be forgotten. Some florists would include the boutonnieres in the package but some doesn’t. If your florists does not include boutonnieres in their package, you don’t need to worry. You can actually make them by yourself using simple yet elegant looking flowers

3. Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are really quite expensive and it will cost a lot especially if you are expecting a lot of guests for your big day. Well, try to save money by making DIY wedding favors. Wrap some candies or chocolates or maybe tie a ribbon around the succulent pot, add some “Thank You” tag and now, your wedding favors are ready to go.

4. Guestbook

One of the things that you should have on your big day is the guestbook. Of course during the wedding, you won’t be able to notice who among your friends are present and who among the invited guests didn’t make it. Weeks before the wedding, try to make your own guestbook. Decorate the cover or every single pages of the guestbook, making it more personal.

5. Wedding Arch

Another DIY project that you will surely enjoy doing is your wedding Arch. You don’t need to buy one coz it will surely be too pricey. Instead gather your team and ask for their help! Together, create a wonderful wedding arch that you dreamed of.

6. Invitations

For sure there are already a lot of ready made wedding invitations to choose from and a lot of them surely suits and matches your wedding theme. But don’t you think having a personalized wedding invitation is more fun?Well, I can tell you it is! Stop patronizing those ready made items and start being more creative and artistic.

7. Wedding Sign

Ready made wedding signs are usually pricey especially the bigger ones. So, instead of spending quite a lot just for a wedding sign, try to have a DIY wedding sign instead. If you don’t have a good penmanship, ask a friend to do a calligraphy for you! For sure, your friend will never say no and it will be a big pleasure to help!

8. Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Accessories

Flower girl baskets, head dress and ring bearer’s pillow. These accessories completes your little guests’ attire. And these things can actually made by you! Various resources online can actually teach you how to make one. Aside from flower baskets and head dress, there are actually other flower girl accessories that you can make.

9. Photo Booth Props

Wedding reception will be a bit boring without a photo booth where your guests can be silly while wearing formal attires. But hold on! If you want to have a more personalized photo booth, why not make a DIY photo booth props? It will surely make your photos unique and is like no other.

10. Bridesmaids’ Hair dress

Aside from making sure that you’ll be the most beautiful woman during your big day, of course don’t forget to make your bridesmaids look extra fabulous. Prepare a hair dress for them . You don’t need to purchase them in stores. You can actually make them on your own! DIY bridesmaid hair dress!.

11. Table Centerpieces

One of the things that makes your wedding unique and different from other couple’s wedding is how you make it more personalized and how you show your personality through the designs and decorations. So why don’t you show off your personality as you design and create your table centerpieces? It will surely be more memorable than those provided by your coordinator.

12. Wedding Venue Backdrops

Part of having a DIY wedding is handcrafting some possible wedding decors instead of purchasing them in stores. One of the decors that you can possibly do on your own is the wedding venue backdrop. Making one is surely more affordable, plus, you can actually show your creativity and artistry as you design your own wedding venue backdrop.

13. Placecards or Table Numbers

Yes, you may ask your entourage to assist your guests to their tables during the reception. But for sure, your entourage isn’t enough to assist each and every guests. So, have a DIY placecards or table numbers to guide your guests.

14. Special Signage

Tired of the usual flower basket that your flower girl carries down the aisle? We have a solution for that! Create a special signage for your flower girls! “Here Comes the Bride!”

15. Wedding Cake Topper

Your wedding cake may never be complete without the Mr and Mrs sign placed on top. So, instead of buying one, why don’t you just create your own wedding cake topper? Instead of just a simple Mr and Mrs sign, why not include some of your most romantic photos? Guests will surely love to look at them.

Wedding is really expensive. But, you don’t need to spend a lot especially if you know that you can actually DIY some of your wedding decors and other necessary things for your wedding. It’s not just practical but also will help you show your artistic side.

DIY Marbled Paper For Your Wedding

A popular trend in wedding design is marbled paper. It can be found everywhere, from the invitations to the wedding decor. Luckily, this is an easy look you can recreate to save you money while still looking elegant. Match the colors to your wedding color scheme for a professional feel.

This guest DIY Bride Tutorial brought to you by FTD teaches you how to marble paper for a trendy and unique look on your wedding day Try creating custom place cards for your big day and then carrying the look through to your thank you notes after the festivities are done.

Just follow the steps below for stylish look!

Materials

Baking Sheet
Shaving Cream (must be foam not gel)
Watercolors and Acrylic Paint
Cardstock
Paint Brush
Dropper
Scraper (paint scraper, ruler or any lat edge)

Step 1 : Fill the baking sheet with shaving cream

Step 2: Smooth out the surface of the shaving cream.

Step 3: Add in two to three colors with a dropper.

Step 4: Swirl the colors in a figure 8 pattern.

Step 5: Lightly press the cardstock into the shaving cream.

Step 6: Remove and scrape off the extra shaving cream.

Step 7: Let dry and use for wedding decor!

Paper or Plastic? Choosing the Best Tableware for Your Reception

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Fw6nOTesO4c

Your wedding should be a reflection of the love that you and that special someone share. From the moment you say “yes”, to the second you declare “I do”, you will plan every detail of the big day. Of course, it’s important to have a wedding that is uniquely you, and that will require learning about all your options for things like flowers, music, and tableware. Here, we share our tips to help you find some of the more eco-friendly options to create a memorable event.

Earth-friendly Like You’ve Never Seen It

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/gnm2op0m2pw

One of our favorite trends is the use of environmentally friendly responsible materials for everything from wedding rings to lively table linens. Shop for products made of renewable or biodegradable materials, or try using what you have on hand. Eco-chic is all about thinking outside the box.

When it comes to choosing dinnerware for your reception, there’s more to consider than just ‘paper or plastic’. The word plastic may conjure up images of a floating mass of trash in the ocean or bags hanging from a tree, but, when disposed of properly, plastics can be recycled. There are even some that are made of plant materials and can be composted. And what about paper — Is it as planet-safe as they say?

Naturally Beautiful

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/nYugmV-SY6s

There are pros and cons with every choice, but here are some of the basics of disposable tableware to help you make the best decision for your special day:

PET: Traditional plastics are made from petroleum products. Not all of this can be melted down and repurposed because of the harmful chemicals involved, but PET (polyethylene terephthalate) can be! So, although plates, utensils, and cups made from petroleum are from non-renewable sources, they are often recyclable. Just be sure to check for the small “please recycle” label stamped on the item, and give them a rinse before placing them in the appropriate green or blue bins.
PLA: There are the plastics made from plant sources like PLA (polylactic acid), which is a chemical derived from cornstarch. This dinnerware can be easily broken down by bacteria, but only if disposed of properly. For example, they will not decompose in a landfill or in a home compost system. There are facilities, however, that can be biodegrade PLA products, so you can enjoy the delicious cake at the reception without worrying about all those dishes.

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/22JxStzTxwo

Sugarcane: Last of the renewable plastics is the kind sourced from sugarcane. The pulp left over after juicing sugar cane is called bagasse, and its fibrous nature is a great building block for bowls and plates that look like porcelain. The best part is that, because it’s plat fiber, it’s compostable, even in a home set-up.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/5g8exOobDjg

Traditional Paper: We haven’t mentioned paper yet, but it is another option in the realm of disposable plates. Paper can be recycled and trees are a renewable resource when forests are managed properly, but the production of paper is more energy intensive than that of plastic.
Plant Leaves: Bamboo and palm leaves can be pressed into very unique shapes. The plant does not have to be harvested to get the raw materials, and the end-product, typically eco- friendly plates and bowls, are entirely compostable. Even better, the dinnerware made from leaves will have an organic look that evokes images of warm, tropical beaches.

Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Tg_Du1s-WU0

Bamboo and Wood: Crafting dishes from wood can take finesse, which could be why they are a bit more expensive than others. But, if you’re looking for something will a light, natural wood grain and sturdy build, these are totally worth it! Wooden items are also inherently biodegradable, as long as they haven’t been treated harmful chemicals.

Now For the Fun Part!

So, as we said, there are pluses and minuses for each choice. Some are pricier, while others may require a special process to dispose of them in an environmentally sound way. Now that you’re armed with some basic knowledge, however, you can plan and shop accordingly.

Image Source : https://unsplash.com/photos/TclQHtlkzRc

Just remember, the serving ware you opt for can really complement the food being serve, as well as the decor you spent so much time considering. There is sure to be something that is exactly what you’ve been looking for and will fit into the design of your dream wedding. So, have your them in mind as you scroll through pages or walk down aisles of napkins, cups, utensils, and plates, and have fun!

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/love-valentine-flower-creative-3243465/

Author Bio: Casey Pontrelli is a freelance writer and content strategist. She has collaborated with a variety of industry insiders and worked with a number of brands, writing about everything from events, to fashion, travel and more.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialdiybride/

Twitter: @diybride

Instagram: @diybrideblog

Five Ways to Personalize Your Bridal Shower

Image from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/anniversary-birthday-blue-bow-264787/

Your bridal shower is an opportunity to bring together your closest girlfriends and family members to celebrate before your big day. So, make it count with personalized touches that evoke your sense of style.

These days, brides are getting more and more creative when it comes to decking out their showers in style. Whether you want your bridal shower to feel relaxing and calm, romantic and sweet, or glitzy and a little bit glamorous, here are five ways to personalize your bridal shower.

Come Up Withe the Perfect Theme

Image from : https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-plate-flowers-table-134575/

Personalizing your bridal shower will come naturally when you decide how you want your bridal shower to feel. The details about the best venue, decor, food, and so on, will all fall into place. Do you want to inject a sense of whimsy in your shower with a tropical themes bash or a nautically inspired party? Or are you more of a traditionalist, who appreciates an intimate, polished brunch gathering at your local country club?

To make your shower feel like “you”, create an experience for your guests that is influenced by your personality and your style. If you love boho chic style, a bridal shower with 70s-inspired decor and a morse rustic setting could be a great fit, while classic fashionistas will go crazy over the refined elegance of this Chanel-themed bridal shower. Here’s a great guide to some fun hem options- choose one you love, or mix and match elements of each to create the bridal shower of your dreams. And remember, this party is all about you, so don’t forget to have fun while you plan!

Personalize your Decor

Image from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/arts-arts-and-crafts-bloom-blooming-529927/

Image from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-blackboard-935867/ & https://www.pexels.com/photo/pink-and-yellow-flowers-931179/

Chalkboards are a great option for bridal shower decor because you can use them in a variety of ways and they are easy to decorate with a custom message. Whether you want to let guests know about the food and drink menu, offer a countdown to the big day, share a bridal shower hashtag, or write a fun welcome message for their arrival, chalkboards are a fun and flexible decor item that will help your shower feel more personal.

And no matter what your theme is, fresh flowers or succulents will help make any venue feel gorgeous and celebratory. But save your big flower budget for your wedding day and opt to make your own flower crowns, bouquets, and arrangements with store-bought flowers. Here’s a handy guide for making perfect, professional-level arrangements on your own.

Customize Your Invitations,Place Cards, and Your Menus

Image from: https://www.twenty20.com/photos/9ce2fb61-2445-4331-aa85-2fb00d978436

There are so many online resources that make it easy and inexpensice to order or print your own custom paper products for invitations, menus, and more. Once you’ve decided on your theme and bridal shower locale, you’ll have a better sense of how to best customise your invitations and any other details you want to make for your shower. We love this guide for printable bridal shower invites that you can DIY ( check out that super cute Hawaiian themed invitation! ) Making your own place cards will also add a personalized touch to your shower and will make your table settings pop. Here’s a great resource for DIY place setting ideas that range from cheerful to rustic to sophisticated.

Offer a Custom Cocktail

Image from: https://pixabay.com/en/lime-drink-mineral-water-ice-mint-2353741/

A custom cocktail is a sweet way to welcome your guests to your shower and help them get settled in. Depending on the time of year for your shower you can create a chilled option ( check out these fun punches, sangrias, and slushes), or do a cozy, comforting cocktail, like one of these amazing spiked hot chocolate variations, for warming drink during the winter months. There are also so many delicious non-alcoholic options for those who don’t drink – here are some tasty mocktail ideas to get you started!

Send Guests Home with Amazing Favors

Images from: https://pixabay.com/en/wedding-shower-bridal-shower-2447531/ & https://www.lifetimecreations.net/personalized-bachelorette-wine-glass/

Make sure that your guests can take a little bit of the party home with them with customized bridal shower favors. But don’t worry, favors don’t have to be extravagant or complicated. Like with any party, food favors are always a fun way to go: we love the idea of sending your guests off with something sweet like personalized M&Ms with your name on them, a petite box of champagne truffles, or a package of cute custom cookies. Another fun option is personalized wine glasses, so they can continue to toast o your special day in style. You could even round things out by giving your ladies a split of prosecco with their wine glass. Remember, the best bridal showers are the ones where you and your guests are able to have fun and enjoy one another’s company. Your bridal shower doesn’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to do anything by the book. And as the date of your shower approaches, just remember to savor this amazing day with the women you love and bask in this amazing moment when they all have come together to support you as you get ready to embark on this new phase of your life.

Image from: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cakes-chocolate-close-up-cupcakes-959079/

Katie McDaniel, freelance writer and editor, enjoys and loves writing about party planning, weddings, and other decorating trends.

DIY Wedding Invitations With a Twist

DIY means do it yourself – we know that, but when it comes to DIY wedding invitations you don’t have to do ALL of it yourself! Leave the hard parts to the pros and only take the fun parts into your own hands. Let us explain…

When you think DIY wedding invites you think heading to the kraft store with your mom or a good friend, picking out the paper and the accessories, and heading home to a solid month’s worth of cutting, gluing, and trial and error in order to create the perfectly custom wedding invitations. Right?! That can be fun if you are having a small get together or maybe for your bridal shower or bachelorette parties, but when it comes to your big day sometimes DIY isn’t your best option. If DIY is your thing though we have a win/win solution for you it’s called Basic Invite!

Basic Invite is an online stationery design company. They carry stationery products for all of those major life moments like newborn announcements, graduation invitations, and of course our favorite topic… wedding invites. There is so much to love about this company especially for us DIY lovers because you can get the best of both worlds; custom designs with a little less do it yourself.

When choosing Basic Invite as your wedding invitation vendor there are so many options that will make your wedding planning process so much easier! They have almost 800 wedding invitation designs to choose from which mean any style you have in mind will be at your fingertips. With 180 custom color options and the ability to instantly edit every aspect of the design you choose means a truly custom wedding invitation every time. Their instant preview technology makes it so easy to mix and match colors and font styles until you land on the perfect combination and a unique overall look.

This is an option that will allow brides who like to have more control over their wedding plans the peace of mind to create something custom and unique, but with a lot less work and much more fun! Who doesn’t want to be their own digital designer?! Basic Invite has real wood wedding invitations, an all-new clear collection, they offer raised and flat foil in three different color options, and they just rolled out their online wedding website builder which are to die for! You can choose a design to match your wedding invitations, collect your guest addresses online, and provide all of your day of details to make things super simple for your guests.

Basic Invite is a DIY lover’s dream! And they are currently offering 15% off everything with code 15FF51. Check out their social media on all platforms at @basicinvite for all the inspiration you can handle and get to customizing!

Wedding Vendor Communication Problem

This question came in from a potential client.. check it out.

I’m not personally having this problem, since I’m not at this stage of planning right now, but what do you do if a vendor doesn’t get back to you? You get in contact with them, set things up and everything is going well, but then when you need to be updated, they won’t answer you? Has anyone had this problem before? If so, what did you do about it? I like to ask in advance in case something like this happens.

You got engaged. Yay! Then you start with wedding planning. Vendors picked and contracts signed. Everything is running smoothly on the first few weeks but all of sudden, updates just stopped coming.

Wait! What? Oh no no no, don’t panic! Breathe. Count 1 to 10. Get yourself composed. Read below.

Review your contract. Go over the prefered mode of communication. If via email, send an email. If via phone call, give them a call. If still no reply, proceed to #2.
Keep planning and moving on while waiting for a reply. Give them at least 3 days to get back at you. However, while doing so, make sure you are still working on the other details. If after the waiting period, there still is no reply, don’t lose hope, you can do #3.
Give them an ultimatum to reply within the next day. You should emphasize the urgency of the reply from them. When this time lapses and nothing came through, it’s about time to do #4.
Visit their office or shop. Sit down with them.Be nice to ask what improvements they can do in regards updating you. Make sure you’ve agreed at everything.

Everything can be resolved with an honest to goodness conversation. However, if none of the above worked, then it is a sign for you to find new vendors.

DIY: Lined Envelopes

Purchasing lined envelopes can really add up, but creating your own will really elevate your invitations to the next level all the while saving some money!

Supplies

Envelopes
Paper to line the envelope
Glue stick
Scissors
Pencil

Time

2-5 Minutes per envelope

Difficulty

This was not very difficult, but did take some patience and precision.

First, you will want to trace the envelope to the piece of paper you will be using for the liner.

Next cut out the liner from your paper of choice. Once the envelope shape is cut you will want cut off a very small amount on either side of the paper. This will ensure that the liner can easily slide in your envelope. There is not need to measure this. Just a small sliver on each side will do the trick.

Slide the paper into your envelope.

Fold the flap down to create a crease.

Trim off any remaining liner paper that may appear once the envelope has been folded. Use your glue stick to glue down the top flap.

Now you’re envelope is complete! How cute and how simple.

Did you create your own lined envelopes? Tag @DIYBrideBlog on Instagram or email us at hello@diybride.com to show us your creations!

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Teacup Candles

I feel like I have seen teacup candles all over gift guides on the internet and while I think they are absolutely adorable I refused to pay the price that comes along with these trendy gifts. Read below to see how I made these DIY teacup candles for less than a dollar a piece!

Supplies

Something To Melt The Wax In
Candle Wax
Wick
Teacup

Time

10 Minutes not including cool time.

Difficulty

So simple and so chic!

Your local thrift shop will be your best bet when on the hunt for teacups. Start by getting the wax melting for your candle. If you remember I had made some ombre candles in the past so you can click here to see the best way to melt your wax.

While your wax is melting, measure your wick and trimming off the extra length.

Place the wick in your teacup and pour the wax into the cup.

Set to cool and you’re all ready to give these as gifts or decorate tables for your afternoon tea bridal shower.

What did you make with teacups? Post your photos to our Facebook wall or tag @DIYBrideBlog on Instagram.

Xoxo,

Alex

DIY: Painted Vow Books

Supplies

Small Notebook
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush
Paint Marker

Time

5 Minutes

Difficulty

The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your one-of-a-kind vow books.

Tip

Use stickers or painters tape on your notebook, paint over them, then peel away for beautiful and creative designs.

Did you make your own vow books? Be sure to tag us on Instagram using @DIYBride or email us at hello@diybride.com!

Xoxo,

Sarah

DIY: Ombre Terracotta Pots

With a few simple supplies you can turn your ordinary terracotta pots into beautiful planters. Look how we transformed these ordinary pots into ombre terracotta pots!
Supplies

White Spray Paint
Terracotta Pots
Tumble Dye
Bowl With Water

Time

5 Minutes

Difficulty

This DIY is very simple, but makes a big impact.

Tip

The spray paint can make it difficult for the dye to adhere to the pots, so if at first you do not get the desired color try adding more dye to your water!

Tag us on Instagram using @DIYBride or email us at hello@diybride.com to share your dyed terracotta pots!

Xoxo,

Sarah