Hello wonderful ELD readers! This is Megan from Glamour and Grace filling in for Lauren as she has some fun up north. I usually focus my posts on amazing images and minimal writing, but Lauren asked me to share some of my personal experiences with DIY and why I have a love/hate relationship with the whole idea. But I will sprinkle in some pretty photos, because it is just more fun that way!

April and Michael’s wedding by Kristina Hill

DIY has become a popular idea with weddings in the last couple years (note: I consider DIY any wedding without a planner or with a lot of homemade details). It all sounds like a great idea, right? You are a brand new bride just starting to research your possibilities when you begin to realize all this wedding stuff is way more expensive than you thought. So you decide, well, I can probably save $ if I do x, y, and z myself. But DIY is not always that saving grace and can quite often turn into a major thorn in the side of your wedded day bliss. I have personally experienced both sides of the DIY wedding coin, positive and negative, so I thought I’d share what works and what doesn’t.

Katie and Shawn’s wedding by Troy Grover

Lets start with how not to DIY (also known as DIY hell). I was recently a bridesmaid in one of my good college friend’s weddings. Because they were on a limited budget, she decided she would DIY most of the wedding. The big problem with this is that she hates to DIY. So it now becomes, crafty-bridesmaid-and-a-couple-relatives-do-it-themselves (not so fun). Not only was this a lot to ask for from the wedding party and family, but it created tons of stress the months and weeks before the wedding. Also, beyond not even really liking to DIY things herself, she left a lot of the big projects for the last 2 months. Add on top of that that she finds out she is pregnant a month before and is now too sick to work on the wedding at all. There were also several other family events that happened around the same time to make things more difficult. Furthermore, her nor any of her family members were the organized type and hadn’t been to many weddings. So long story short, the whole week I traveled up to be with her was spent caring after a sick woman, tea staining programs, creating table numbers, hot gluing centerpieces, organizing the bridal party, and more. It was seriously one of the most stressful times in my life (can I add in no sleep from a nightly deflating air mattress?) I love my friend, and would help her again if there were a redo, but DIY was not for her wedding.

What to take away from this example of DIY hell:

Don’t take on DIY projects unless you like to craft and are creative.

Don’t DIY unless you have some willing and able friends and family to help you.

Don’t DIY if you do not have the time to put into the projects you plan.

Don’t wait until the last 2 months to DIY, spread them out throughout your engagement.

Don’t DIY if you (or someone outside the bridal party) are not an organized person.

Lindsay and Ryan’s wedding by Lauren Piper

Now that you all think I hate DIY, you should know that my own wedding was DIY. I did not hire a wedding planner and made a lot of the details myself. One of the main reasons I could pull this off is that I love to make things. I also had the amazing support of my mother, who I inherited my organized, yet creative mind from. Another point on my side is that I had time on my hands. I had just finished school and was only working part time at an internship (the 3 months before the wedding I had no job and was able to fully commit myself to planning). I also knew exactly what I wanted and had the tools to create them (i.e. Photoshop and Illustrator were my best friends).

April and Michael’s wedding by Kristina Hill

Now one of the most important things that I had, that I make sure everyone who wants to DIY their wedding has, is someone (outside the bridal party) to take charge come wedding day. When you DIY your wedding, it is easy to get over involved and want to be in complete control of all the details. This, for sanity’s sake, is just not possible. I was fortunate enough to have my mother, who knew my complete vision and every detail’s place, along with two family friends who love weddings and designing to help. I will be forever grateful for my mother, who the Wednesday night before the wedding, reassured me that she would handle all last minute details and that everything was under control and would be beautiful. This was the all-important moment that contributed to my ability to relax and enjoy the rest of the wedding week. Also, my two family friends left early for the venue with a truck packed up with decorations and took over for my mom to make sure everything was perfectly placed and helped deal with all the vendors.

Joanna and Jeremy’s wedding by A&A Photography

So, DIY weddings can work and they can turn out beautifully, just be sure you do your research and have the time and resources to manage your projects. Don’t just DIY to save some money, because in the end, a lot of projects don’t save on time and sanity.

Will you be venturing into the world of DIY for your wedding and do you think you’re prepared? Do you have some DIY horror stories? How about some DIY successes?

Courtesy of Fleur Anning Portraits

What a better way to welcome spring than to share a DIY post all about flowers? Fresh flowers from a florist can take up a HUGE portion of a wedding budget, so using paper flowers even for the smallest of details (invites, escort cards, napkin holders) can actually make a big difference. These tissue paper flowers are so easy and inexpensive, but when done correctly can look trendy and oh-so lovely. Surprisingly, to create these budget-friendly beauties you will only need 3 supplies:

1. Tissue Paper

2. Yarn, String, Twine, or Ribbon (depending on the look you’re going for)

3. Scissors

Step One = Fold multiple sheets of the tissue paper in an accordion style. The more sheets you use the bigger your bloom will be. If you do not want flowers as wide as the tissue paper then simply cut out a smaller square from the sheets.

Step Two = Tie your string of choice around the middle of your folded paper. It should just fit around so don’t tie too tightly. Then cut the ends of each side of the paper so that you have nice rounded ends as seen below.

Step Three  = Simply begin fanning out the individual layers of paper. Be gentle though, it is only tissue paper!

Step Four = Keep playing with the petals until your string is covered. You can either keep the flower as a large ball of petals or as seen below you can flatten one side –

The options for your homemade blooms are endless! Here are some creative ways I have found to decorate using paper flowers –

Escort Cards

Favor Bags

Courtesy of Christine De Lessio Photography

Napkin Rings

Courtesy of Martha Stweart Weddings

Centerpieces

Courtesy of The Inspired Bride

So there you have it, another great DIY tutorial from Nicole of Fashionably Wed! A big huge thank you to Nicole for this DIY, and don’t forget to check out her blog for some fashionable wedding inspiration! (I promise I’ll be doing a DIY post soon too- just as soon as I can actually post the shoot photos that I did the DIY for!)

I love how the bridesmaids are all wearing different colored dresses, but they still all match so very nicely! I just love these simplistic, handmade country weddings! Thanks for sharing with us Team Rhodes!

For today, these are all great DIY table number options! I love fun, innovative ways to display table numbers, and these are just a few of the many different ways. They’re all of course things that can easily be done yourself!

Row 1: Burlap Number, Centerpiece

Row 2: Bottle, Bag, Free Standing Number

Row 3: Free Standing Numbers, Frame

I’m still trying to decide on which one to do for the photo shoot this weekend…any suggestions or requests?

For today I chose to do my table numbers, which I loved. I’m very much a lover of table numbers, which you will soon discover from the table number inspiration board I recently made that I’ll be posting soon. I wish I had something cooler and more creative than just some pieces of heavy stock paper, but it’s pretty, and it was functional and simple, especially since we had 25 tables. (And it just hit me that we had 25 tables! OMG!)

I chose to make double-sided tented table numbers. I created the design myself on Adobe Illustrator using a script font and a graphic I purchased on iStockphoto that was similar to a symbol on my invitations (which were not custom made- ugh, the things I wish I had known). It was quite a feat to teach myself enough Illustrator to create these, but this was before I was aware that there are actually tons of designers who can whip things like this up in no time! (Which is what I would recommend doing)

The table numbers at my wedding…

Materials:

- 8 1/2″ x 11″ - Pearlescent Metallic Cardstock (you can use regular text weight paper as well)

- 11″ x 17″- Pearlescent Metallic Cardstock

- Printer

- Table Number Designs

- Glue/tape/your choice of adhesive material

- Paper cutter

(Once again, I apologize for the bad quality iPhone photos. I am still without a functioning digital camera. Who knew that could occur in 2010, right?!)

Instructions:

Step 1: Print your choice of table number design. I printed as many numbers as I could (3) on each piece of paper.

Step 2: Cut each separate table number to size. The way I designed my table numbers included a line for me to cut, so I didn’t have to worry about measurements and such.

Step 3: Cut 11″x15″ paper in half. Fold this long piece of paper in half lengthwise. This will give you the marker of where to line up the table number (about 1/2 an inch below the fold line). Fold the bottom portion as well, approximately 1″ to 1.5″, being sure to leave 1/2″ of space to border the number on the bottom.

Step 4: Center your number on the long piece of paper, using the folds as your guidelines. Paste, tape, sew…do whatever you wish to attach the number to the long piece of paper. You can do just front, or front and back, which is what I chose to do.

Step 5: Wait for the numbers to dry, if you used glue.

Step 6: Complete the fold of the tented numbers. Attach the bases together if you wish. I used tape because it was easier and I like to do things the easy way. :) Depending on the size of your tented number, you may not need to tape or glue at all, it may just stand on it’s own.

Simple enough, right? Basically all you need is pretty paper, a nice font, and a printer, and you’re good to go. You don’t need a design of any sort, but if you want to add something, you could always get a stamp with a pretty design! What are some other simple ideas for table numbers you guys have? I’m looking for a cool idea for my upcoming {ELD} photo shoot, so please do share! :)

Note: Please forgive me for the bad quality iPhone photos. My 5 year old camera would not be any better than these.

Stamped Design

Materials Needed:

• – Gift bag (Kraft paper works best to absorb the ink)
• – Your choice of stamp design(s)
• – Your choice of ink color

Step 1: Decide how you will be positioning the stamp. In this case, I used one stamp, and just alternated the direction that I stamped in.

Step 2: Ink your stamp, making sure there is enough, but not so much that it will bleed. You can test the stamp on a piece of paper or paper towel if you would like.

Step 3: Use the corner of the bag to help you line up the stamp. Press the stamp down firmly and lift. Repeat in your choice of direction and pattern!

Step 4: Let the first side dry (5-10 minutes) and repeat steps 2 and 3 on the opposite side!

Voila!

Stencil Design

Materials:

• – Gift bag (again, Kraft paper is preferred)
• – Your choice of paint color
• – Your choice of stencil(s)
• – Stencil brush

I’m a HUGE fan of damask (in case you couldn’t tell by the background of the blog), so I chose a damask stencil for this bag. This bag involves a bit more time and positioning than the stamp design bag. Using some sort of stencil brush or a spongy brush works best so the paint doesn’t bleed under the stencil. You are not able to use spray adhesive because the paper will tear.

Step 1: Decide what the positioning of your stencil(s) will be. If you have to, trace some of the stencil on the bag to give you a better idea of where each portion will end up.

Step 2: Blot the paint on your brush prior to stenciling. Hold the stencil down in position as best as you can. You can use tape on the sides if you wish. Be sure not to put the tape directly on the bag. In a blotting motion, fill in the stencil with paint. You can also use a brushing motion, whichever your prefer. I found that both methods work just fine.

Step 3: Carefully lift the stencil and place in the next corner. Repeat step 2.

Step 4: Move to the next corners of the bag.

Step 5: Wait about 5-10 minutes for the corners to dry. Stencil the center, the sides, and the corners of the bag.

Step 6: Wait for the first side to dry completely before attempting the other side. (I think there’s enough prettiness on the first side, so I didn’t do the opposite side.)

They’re not perfection, but adding that special DIY touch to a gift will make the recipient feel so special! Definitely perfect to put your wedding party gifts in too! I gave my sister-in-law one of the stamped bags, and she had no idea I made it!

Photo via Design*Sponge

I found this pretty tote on Design*Sponge, and when I discovered that the DIY instructions were on the Ashley Ann Photography blog, I definitely had to try it myself!

My immediate vision was to put this design on a gift bag for Christmas gifts. I went to the store, bought doilies and kraft paper gift bags, and rushed home to give it a try.  The first trial was a failed attempt because I didn’t have the spray adhesive. The second attempt was another fail due to the adhesive being too strong and pulling the paper off of the bag, destroying all stenciling. It was then that I came to the realization that the project was originally done on a canvas bag (DUH)! So, I ended up putting some pretty stamp patterns on the paper gift bags, but I will most definitely be trying this again on a canvas bag…or two or three! I’m so in love with it… it just HAS to work!

Does anyone have any other suggestions for how to use this doily design? I’m obsessed!

Photo via Martha Stewart Weddings

Commonly a seating chart is seen as a more formal seating option, but this is a fun way to keep seating organized and get guests involved!  I love these types of seating charts!  Thanks to Martha Stewart Weddings and the bride, Cheree, the full set of instructions with photos and templates can be found {here}!  I really wish I had a reason to make this seating chart…any takers??

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?

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?