Free Valentine's & Wedding Favour Stickers

When I'm meandering around the internet, picking up wedding blog ideas, one of my favourite places to visit is Cup of Jo. It's a gorgeous blog, full of creative inspiration, most of it non-wedding, but equally fabulous! Yesterday Jo posted these cutie-pie print-your-own Valentine's stickers, created by the hugely talented team at Twig & Thistle, and I knew I had to share. Aren't they the best? For instructions, head over to Twig & Thistle's blog. They'd definitely work as wedding favours as well.

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All Sewn Up

Sewing and stationery go hand-in-hand with these gorgeous DIY greetings cards. Create your own mini-heirloom by stitching a personal message and sending it to a friend. The brainchild of graphic designer Laura Trimmell, she promises they're super-easy to sew - just like connect the dots. Each 'Curious Doodles' pack includes five cards and matching envelopes, so you can share the love far and wide.

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Top Tip Week ♥6

Of course, you don’t have to give your guests favours, but it’s a sweet touch and it leaves your guests with fond memories of your big day. Also they don’t have to be too pricey, particularly if you’re good in the kitchen. Jam, biscuits, truffles and sloe gin - all can be handmade and packaged up a tag saying ‘Love is sweet’. Domestifluff will help you with recipes.

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Top Tip Week ♥4

Florist fees can be pretty pricey, but you don't want to end up with an undecorated reception venue, so what to do? Well thanks to Before the Big Day's Top Tips on how to save money, you will go to the ball {or something like that - I'm having a Cinderella moment!}.

Top Tip ♥4
Eco friendly brides are turning against cut flowers in favour of living plants that can double up as presents for favoured guests. Splash out on a bridal bouquet by all means, but potted plants make for gorgeous table displays, and they save on florist fees. Worried that you don't have green fingers? Buy fairly mature herbs like lavender or rosemary and slip them into simple white Ikea planters for a professional, elegant look. The added benefit? They'll make your venue smell gorgeous.

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Top Tip Week ♥2

Looking to save a few pennies while planning your wedding? Don't miss the Before the Big Day Top Tip Week {TM!}. Top Tip 2 is all about stationery, but click here for more money-saving DIY ideas, and sign up for free Before the Big Day updates to never miss a helpful hint!

Tip ♥2 - Your Stationery
Invitations are only the first step in the world of wedding stationery. You're going to need response cards, menus, place markers, table guides, thank you cards and an order of service for each guest. Phew! It's not surprising that the average couple end up spending over £500 on paper goods alone. This is where DIY comes into its own. Plenty of graphic designers have cottoned on to the fact that brides want to cut costs, and they offer print-your-own invitation templates at a fraction of the price. Try Swoon & Creative or Ella & Grace Stationery for ideas, plus Download & Print for *free* printables - woohoo!

Photo Credits - {from top} 1. Download & Print, 2. Swoon & Creative, 3. Ella & Grace Stationery

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DIY Pom Love

Pompoms. I'm obsessed. They're something about their frothy loveliness and their vulnerable tissue petals that makes me want to hug them. Of course I can't, because that would crush them, but that just adds to their hugability. It's the same feeling I get when I see kittens, or pugs, or babies' fat legs. {Ahem, moving swiftly on...} Anyway, I'm seriously thinking of decorating my own wedding with hundreds of them, so I started to look into how easy they are to DIY. The good news is that they're incredibly simple. The bad news for my girlfriends, is that my hen party is now going to be a pom-pom making party. If you don't want to spend the next few months up to your elbows in tissue paper, you can buy them from Pom Love, but if you want a DIY tutorial...check this out! P.S. You can make confetti out of the leftover bits of tissue paper, if you buy a paper stamp from here.

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Carve Your Heart

These are so whimsical and old fashioned, that they're the very essence of romance. Instead of carving your names into a tree, Jessica from Minature Rhino {I know, interesting name!} will do it for you, in her own inimitable style. Each item is carefully embroidered by hand, and they're heirlooms of the future. They'd look great on a sweetheart table, or you could simply send one to your future husband on the morning of your wedding. Alternatively, you could ask Jessica to create a custom design for your bridesmaids. Don't miss her Etsy shop or her website, for a feast of inspirational ideas.

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Lets get nautical!

I decided to try this summer party decor idea from Martha Stewart.  This would be perfect for a nautical themed wedding!  It turns out adorable, but does take a lot of time.  Here's what I made:

It looks a lot cuter hanging, but I just didnt have time to take the photos.  Also I apologize for the photo quality, I was limited on time!

Here's what I did:

I bought grograin ribbon, drapery cord (the smallest available), fabri-tac permanent adhesive, yellow fabric paint marker.  And you'll need a ruler, scissors and patience with getting glue all over your fingers (and work area).

 I wasn't that happy with the ribbon I was able to find, so I decided to make some alterations.  I bought black and white stripped ribbon, then colored in the white stripes with the yellow fabric paint marker.  This was way easier than I thought!

I also made blue and white stripped "flags" but adding a smaller piece of blue grosgrain ribbon to a larger white grosgrain.

I cut all the ribbons into 4" pieces, applied the glue and folded them over the cord.  I spaced them out 1 - 2," I wasn't exact.  The glue is pretty tacky and sets fairly quickly, so I was able to easily move onto the next ribbon.  A small clamp of some sort may have made this a little more time-friendly.  But overall this was a very easy project, just time consuming.

I also bought some lanterns ate JoAnn Fabrics, they're currently 50% off!

I Do Tattoo

Okay, so I have to admit, this is not one for me. But if you're going to get a tattoo for your wedding, why not try something temporary before you take the plunge?  I Do Tattoo promises a modern twist on the timeless tradition of wearing something blue, so if you're not the type of girl to wear a garter, you could always try a tattoo. And for the ladies out there who are thinking of getting Mrs X on their body, I have three words of warning...... Mrs Cheryl Cole.

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Real Wedding: Carmen & Vincent

Decorating your wedding reception in these post-credit crunch days doesn't need to be difficult, particularly thanks to the help of the lovely ladies over at Utterly Engaged e-zine. I'm loving the use of eye-catching blue lanterns at Carmen and Vincent's gorgeous wedding, plus the balls of blue carnations. Just goes to show that if you pick a stand-out colour as the basis of your big day theme, then everything else falls into place. Perfect if you're new to party planning. See the feature in full by clicking here.

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A Labour of Love

Copying doesn't come easily to me - I was never one to look over my classmate's shoulder during a maths test, but when something as gorgeous as this tumbled into my Inbox, I couldn't resist! Cotswolds-based textiles designer Charlotte Macey sent out a DIY project for cute lavender sachets via Daily Candy, and I simply have to pass it on..... She promises it's easy-peasy, with no crafting experience required, so check out the instructions below. Never picked up a needle? Buy ready-made hearts from Charlotte here!

You’ll need:
Handful of lavender ♥ An old shirt or patch of fabric ♥ Needle and thread ♥ 1 cute button ♥ 1 pretty ribbon ♥ Piece of card approximately 15 cm by 10 cm ♥ Pinking shears

1. Pick a handful of lavender from the park {don’t get caught, and don’t blame us if you do}, bunch it together and hang it upside down to dry in a cool, dark place for a week. Once it’s dry, remove the buds with your hand.
2. Make a heart-shaped template approximately 9.5 cm wide and 13.5 cm high using a piece of folded card. Trace around the template onto two pieces of fabric, then cut with pinking shears. Sew button onto the middle of one.
3. Lay one heart piece on top of the other and loop ribbon in between to create a hook (any length you like), then pin it all together.
4. Sew around the heart, approximately 0.5 cm in from the edge, leaving a 4 cm gap on one of the long sides of the heart. Remove pins.
5. Fill with the dried lavender buds and sew the last few centimetres of your heart to seal it up.
6. Hang your creation inside your wardrobe to keep hungry moths away from winter clothes or place it under your pillow for a peaceful night’s sleep.

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Seriously Cool

Got something to say? These seriously cool cake toppers will add a dollop of Danish chic to your cupcakes and canapés. Whatsmore, they'all double up as fabulous photo-props for your guests - particularly the moustaches, which come in several styles and sizes, from Mexican to Bearded. Designed by crafter Sarah Goldschadt from her home-studio in Copenhagen, you can buy them from her Etsy shop, Goldylocks, or pick up the DIY templates from her website.  

DIY: Butterfly Cakes

Take one simple white wedding cake, add a flock of butterflies, and caboom! you've got an incredible, dramatic work of art. Just goes to show what a touch of DIY can do. Each butterfly is handmade, complete with antennae {!}, and they come in a variety of species and colours. Buy your beautiful bugs from Butterfly Bazaar, and learn how to decorate your cake in a special tutorial here. For plain white wedding cakes, you can't do better than good old Marks & Spencer.

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Real Inspiration: Crystal & Cary

Last June Crystal and Cary were married at Damascus United Methodist Church in Damascus, MD. Their photographer, Dani Leigh, caught amazing candids and the lighthearted fun of their special day.

With the help of her maids, Crystal put on her beautiful beaded strapless dress she bought from the Columbia Bridal Boutique. She wore her grandmothers' pearls and matching earrings. A perfect complement to her gown!

The beautiful pink bridemaids dresses came from David's Bridal. There are Davids in Glen Burnie, Bowie and Rockville, MD. The bride and her maids all wore flip flops! Love it! Crystal's flip flops were white Reefs. Her maids wore silver flip flop sandals from Payless.

A truly Baltimore tradition, tying cans, Natty Boh cans, to the bumper of the bride and groom's car! The couple head off in Charm City style to their reception at Smokey Glen Farm in Gaithersburg, MD. A beautiful venue with rolling green hills, nature trails, and covered bridge. Smokey Glen Farm was as picturesque as it was meaningful; its where the bride and groom first laid eyes on each other.

The bride and her talented wedding party made the flower arrangements and bouquets from wholesale flowers they bought online. (Tip for the DIY bride: try Costco for fresh bulk flower delivery). The bride and her sister made the adorable seating board and matching table signs.

Crystal picked out her cupcakes at Canapes in Frederick, MD. Cupcakes are a new trend for weddings. Cupcakes are cute, easy to serve and easier to eat! The bride and groom can still participate in the ceremonial cake cutting with a small cake of their own. Visit here for more cupcake display ideas.

One thing that Crystal wanted was the bounce house! She rented it for her day and it was a hit with the guests! Not to mention the priceless photos of the bride and groom bouncing!

 

Crystal's favorite part of her wedding was that "everyone seemed to have fun!" She also loved the paddle dance. I had never heard of the paddle dance, but what a great idea for a wedding! More about this fun dance:

"It begins with opposing lines of men and women. A man may start at the top of the line holding a boat paddle with the first two women at either side. He decides which one he wants to dance with and hands the paddle to the other woman. As the music plays he dances down the center of the lines with his chosen partner while the rejected woman gets ready to chose one of the first two men in next in line. They dance in their own style, as there is no prescribed dance step."

What a fun wedding!

Congratulations Crystal & Cary!

DIY: Japanese Tape

Washi Tape is here! This fantastic Japanese decorative masking tape is the perfect tool for quick and easy crafting projects, and thanks to several US suppliers, you can now buy it outside Tokyo. Much cheaper than the airfare. Originally designed to prettify presents, it's now being used every which way you can imagine, and thanks to all the different styles and shades, there'll be at least one that fits in with your theme. Use it to decorate vases, edge your stationery, tie your bridesmaids' bouquets and upgrade white candles. Don't miss the fab DIY ideas from To Be Charmed in the centre of the picture, and try Pretty Tape for your tape purchases.

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The First Sign of Spring

Daffodils!  They're popping up all over Baltimore despite our freakishly cold weather!  Every time I walk out my front door they remind me...Spring is here!  So if you're having a spring wedding in Charm City, why not feature this classic spring flower?

Daffodils, also known in the South as jonquils, make great centerpieces.  They're also native to North America and are grown locally.  Using them in your wedding instead of importing other flowers reduces your carbon footprint, costs less, and gives your wedding the spirit of spring in Baltimore!

Keep the theme going.  You can order these personalized stamps at zazzle.com.  Mail out your save the dates or invitations with daffodil stamps!

Daffodils can also be mixed with other flowers for bouquets. Remember daffodils come in different sizes and colors, including white.

Lately I have seen a lot of fresh flowers on cakes and I love it!  However, Daffodils are toxic, so you don't want them around your food.  Instead use icing to create a sugar garden on your cake.

As your wedding favor you can send your guests home with a daffodil plant.  Every year they will think of you as it blooms!

Photos:  Centerpiece 1, Centerpiece 2, Bouquet 1, Bouquet 2, Bouquet 3, Daffodil Boutonniere, Cake, Daffodil Favor