Wedding Week III: A Few Favorite DIY Ideas
When we think of heart-stoppingly gorgeous and touching weddings, we can’t help but think of Style Me Pretty- a blog that’s chock full of some of the most creative and lovely celebrations that we’ve ever seen. So of course we were thrilled when Abby Larson, SMP’s leading lady, agreed to drop in with her ten favorite DIY wedding touches (which can also be adapted for non-wedding-related events and even used to spiff up your house if you’re itching to tackle a crafty project or two). So without further ado, Abby’s top ten:
First of all, Happy Wedding Week to Sherry and John! They just might be the world’s cutest couple, and ever since we featured their wedding on Style Me Pretty, we’ve kind of fallen in love with them. So when they asked us to be a part of wedding week, we jumped hook, line, and sinker. As a wedding blogger, I have the luxury of digging through our archives to find inspiration for pretty much every project, every party, every whim I ever get. And without a doubt, my favorite archive collection to revisit is our DIY folder. Why you might ask? Well… the projects that are tucked inside are SO cool and so useful, on so many different levels (whether you’re tying the knot or just looking for a fun weekend project) they will definitely make you all craft happy inside.
So although I could blab on forever, I’ll just get to the goods. Here are my ten favorite DIY projects, which are ALL easy on the wallet.
1. Painted Vases. This idea by Twig & Thistle is a really genius way to deck out your wedding for next to nothing. By spray painting a hodge podge of vases found at garage sales and flea markets, you can create a really chic, cohesive look that seems incredibly expensive. Take the idea one step further and you can paint a hodge podge of picture frames filled with images of friends and family- or you can even spray paint a collection of found chandeliers to make a really beautiful overhead element. Learn how to create these vases here.
2. Ice Cream in a Jar. Umm, yep. You read that right. Crafted by City Cradle Designs, these jars are filled with the simple tools and ingredients for your guests to make a little taste of ice cream right in their hotel room. PERFECT for these toasty summer weddings! Not just a getting hitched idea, these are also a fun little treat for birthday parties with the kiddos. Learn how to make them here.
3. Customized Favor Bags. Another awesome idea designed by Kathleen at Twig & Thistle, I heart these bags (which are actually personalized on the front). You can fill them with any sweet on the planet… homemade chocolate chip cookies, penny candy, whatever you want. The options are endless! Learn how to create them here.
4. Cute Confetti Containers. Crafted by Smitten Studios, these adorable cones can be used for SO many different things. Fill them with scraps of ribbon or mini paper poms to toss at the bride and groom OR stuff them with french fries and use them as a cute appetizer holder. You can really get creative with this project, from containers for your candy buffet to vases that you can tie on the end of your church pews. The world is your oyster with these babies. See how they’re made right here.
5. Pinwheels. I die over these. Seriously, how cute are they? Crafted by the girls at Papier Gourmet, these are an adorable addition to your wedding. Line your outdoor wedding aisle with them, give them to guests as wedding favors, place them on the kids’ table as gifts. SO. Freaking. Cute. Learn to make your own here.
6. Yo-Yos. Designed by the cute girls at Posh Paperie, I am OBSESSED with these little fabric gems. Whether you gussy up a plain white tablecloth or stitch them onto a simple clutch for your bridesmaids to carry, these are the cutest (and cheapest) way to add texture and style to your big day. Love, love, love them. Find out how to make them here.
7. Lace wrapped Candles & Vases. This is a project that I’m not only obsessed with for weddings, but I also kind of love it for my home. Especially for the holidays. Designed by Beth Helmstetter, this little number is basically instant style. By adding a little bit of lace to a simple inexpensive glass vase or candle holder, you can bring a sense of elegance and style to your look. Love this. Love, love, love this. See how they’re made here.
8. Custom Matchbooks. They say that it’s the little things- the details- that really transform a pretty wedding into an awesome wedding. Well, what’s more awesome than custom matchbooks? Even if there isn’t a single smoker in the bunch, they are still so freaking cool. Kind of like a collector’s item from your big day. Designed by Elaine, one of our lovely featured brides and the designer behind the brand Papermade, these little gems will be loved by all. Learn how to make them here.
9. Table Runners. This particular wedding blew me away. The amount of DIY that went into the day was insane and yet the wedding seemed like it was right out of a glossy magazine. I asked the bride to send us over a DIY of her choice and she picked the burlap table runners that she and her mom created. And they are really, really great. Placed over an inexpensive white tablecloth, your look is instantly transformed into elegant, organic style. See how they’re made here.
10. Homemade Pie Favors. I love this project for two reasons. One, they are really stinking cute. And two, yours truly baked them (a task that is unfamilar to put it very lightly). I think that homemade gifts are the very best kind of favors. They don’t cost much, they bring your personality in, and they are always made with love. You really can’t get much better than that. Add a cute white bakery box and an adorable custom tag and voila: cuteness overload. Find out how to make them right here.
So there you have it. Ten super cute, super affordable, super charming projects that you can infuse into your wedding day style. In my opinion, every wedding must have a little bit of DIY. It doesn’t really matter what your budget is, it’s the small personal details that make a wedding special and memorable. Plus, it’s really fun to crack open a bottle of bubbly with your girlfriends and make a little something-something for your big day. Just don’t have too much bubbly or things could get crazy! And crazy with a glue gun ain’t pretty. Thanks again to Sherry and John for having me!- Abby
No THANK YOU for stopping in with such inspirational eye candy Abby! Now we want to get married all over again, or at least throw a big backyard bash to celebrate Burger’s birthday or something (he does love pie…). What do you guys think? Do you have any favorites from the roundup? Are there any that you’d like to tackle yourself? Or do you have other fun entertaining ideas to toss into the mix? Spill those par-tay planning beans.
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My sister’s getting married Oct 2 so I love having all these ideas at the tip of my fingers, thanks!
Oooohhh!! I am positivly *squealing* in girlyness over here! It’s my two favorite blogs, married for a day! Fabulous!
Thanks for teaming up! LOVE the ideas and can’t wait to tell my gal pal who’s getting hitched next June! We’re so ON IT!
Happy (belated) Anniversary Sherry & John!
Those little pie favors are too cute!
I love the painted vase idea. You could save some serious money with that one. The others are also fun, but not as necessary. (I guess vases aren’t necessary b/c you could do away with centerpieces altogether….)
Like Beth, it IS very exciting when two of your fav blogs come together.
I wish I knew about all this before I got married! We had a few DIY things at our wedding. But the ones I love the best from this bunch are the lace on the candle holders or vases and the pies. Both would work great for holiday entertaining… or just entertaining period! I can’t wait to dress up some candle holders with some lace this Christmas and make some mini pies for guests next time we have people over. Thanks!
I agree with you, Sherry, this post totally makes me want to get married all over again as well!!! Luckily, many of these could be incorporated into all sorts of future celebrations. Love the spray painted vases idea!
These are such great ideas. It makes me want to run right out and get married. And I don’t even have a boyfriend. I love knowing that you can spraypaint things and it not look tacky! LOVE that this can also be used for more than weddings. And go ahead, throw Burger a birthday bash!
LOVE the pie idea!!! Makes me want to have a party!!
I agree…throw a Burger-birthday-bonanza! I combined a housewarming and dog birthday into one party a few years ago…and only the dog got any gifts!
These are such cute ideas! I really appreciate the DIY wedding postings. In fact, I first found your site when researching bargain wedding ideas. My boyfriend and I are currently saving to pay for our own wedding and all of these ideas prove that we can have an elegant and personalized wedding without breaking the bank (or going into debt).
My faves are the painted vases, the cones, the personalized pies (a great idea for favors for a bridal party luncheon) and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the matchbooks. They’re so simple. But, I love the difference tiny details can make.
Happy Anniversary John and Sherry!
Our favorite diy element from our wedding was also candle related and super easy. We took old pictures of our families and printed them on vellum paper. We attached those papers (using glue dots and ribbon) to thrift store cylinder vases with a candle inside.
These are all great!
We did much of our own wedding ourselves and I was always so happy with it (and of course it also saved us lots of $$)!! From printing our own invitations and even menu cards for the tables, doing our own flowers with 1000 roses purchased from a floral wholesaler (from the bridal bouquet to all the guys flowers to the centerpieces and even the flowers on the cake!). It was a lot of work but also made it so much more personal and fun.
Love the DIY details! I remember hunting for them when we were planning ours a year ago. We wound up doing a DIY wonderland under a tent. It was overwhelming, but everything from our own flowers, my sister-in-law folded a ton of cranes that we strung across the tent, she even created a special graphic just for us that I put on our invites, matchbooks, place cards, programs, even attached to hand fans placed on the table. I actually looked to your website for a lot of inspiration too. I didn’t think that people would remember all the details, but a year later I’m still hearing about it! Was worth the time and effort to make it special. You’re wedding week is making me start to miss the planning!
My favorite wedding DIY was from my best friend. Her MIL to be was a wedding cake baker. Of course she wanted a cake from her future Mom-in-law, but didn’t want to saddle her with such a HUGE task the day before the wedding. They came up with the idea to make a ‘fake cake’ using fondant, styrofoam forms, and laquer, then ordered cupcakes to serve to guests. The result, a beautiful and heartfelt cake, made several months in advance, and delish cupcakes to serve to guests for the party. I have a pic of the cake, but am not sure how to get the little avatar working to show how gorgeous it turned out. It was an Alice in Wonderland themed wedding (my friends favorite movie of all time) and it was one of these Mad Hatter cakes that’s been trendy for a couple of years, except that they used all ivory fondant for a very elegant touch. Bonus, a year later, my friend still has the cake!
I am bookmarking Style Me Pretty right now and I’ve been married 25 years! My favs are the spray painted vases, the lace candles and the pies … the pies are a definite for my next party! All so simple and chic. Thanks for making us look good!
I love the first picture with the spraypainted vases! I’ve heard of that idea for years, but always done in white. I’m really digging the deep purple, and I’m sure other colors would also look fantastic.
MMmmmmm, burlap and mini-pies – with this crazy heat, it’s making me long for a cool autumn!
i just forwarded this to all my engaged girlfriends. love love LOVE. thanks for sharing!
Maybe I just feel this way because I am 16 months into an 18 month engagement, but all of these ideas seem silly and unnecessary. I have planned my wedding well and I am excited, but my advice for other brides to be is don’t stress yourself out painting vases, making crazy favors, DIY matchbooks and DIY candle holders.
Geez what a stress fest and honestly guests will remember good people and food more than time consuming little details.
cute! the ice cream is GENIUS, and i love the pies. being the piefairy, i’m making a few batches of pies like that for the dessert bar at a friend’s wedding in a few weeks. homemade makes it more work (but so worth it!), but if you’re fine with the pre-made crusts and fillings then it really couldn’t be simpler. =)
What a great post! I discovered Style Me Pretty about the same time that I discovered your blog, and I absolutely love them both! I just wanted to make a quick comment to say congratulations on your ridiculously gorgeous baby girl, and on your blog. I wondered if the quality of your posts would change with the arrival of your new addition, and they have: they have only gotten better! You guys are doing great things, keep up the good work! :)
Aw thanks Kimberly! We’re so happy to hear it!
xo,
s
I love the pinwheels! I’m on a pinwheel craze. I just did some for a first birthday party I planned for twins – so fun, so easy, so pretty. See it here: http://diyingtobedomestic.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/thing-1-thing-2-birthday-party/
Love the vases & totally thinking about doing this for my house. The fact that they are matte is what is so amazing to me. The purple color is also amazing, not sure how many colors you can pull this exact look off with, but I am going to try it :)
Oh my gosh, those ice cream favors are the bomb! (And I don’t even like ice cream!) Wracking my brains trying to figure out how I could possibly work them into some event…argh!
Those vases look like chocolate! hmmmm.
I love the painted vases! What a great way to save and create a great look. I think I will try this for my house!
For my wedding this past August, I had a button themed wedding. I used the lace wrapped candles on half of my tables. I used a cotton eyelet instead of lace, and they looked awesome!!
I love the DIY Favor Bags. I want to give our wedding guests something cute when they check into the hotel for our wedding weekend and these are PERFECT!!!
I also love the ice cream idea! Yummy!!
Thanks for sharing!
These ideas are wonderful and their site is gorgeous! The flat painted vases are a great idea!
Thank you Thank you Thank you!! I am planning for my own DIY wedding coming up so this was unbelievably helpful!! This blog is the best. :)
I can’t wait to make those ice cream favors! LOVE THEM!
Oh my gosh! When I read 10 DIY ideas I was curious, when I saw what they all were, I got all giddy inside. Thank you sooo much, I help with weddings alot, and plan parties and showers ALL the time! I want to use all of these ideas, their great! Thank you for what you do!!!
Style My Pretty is a fabulous website! Thanks for sharing these great DIY ideas.
Also, our anniversary was about a month ago and I’ve been posting segments about creating wedding registries. Feel free to stop by and share your favorite or least favorite registry items! :)
Wow, what a great post! We’re getting married next year in September, and it will be spring over here in Australia so some of these ideas suit me to a t!
I already designed our DIY favours, mini lolly jars for guests to take to the lolly table and fill up. I glued lace around the jar and tied white ribbon around the lid for the tag, so it looks like I can steal the ‘lace around the candles’ idea too!
Awesome ideas, and happy anniversary :)
Oh, great post! I love Style Me Pretty and frequented it as I was planning our wedding last year. I love the idea for the lace wrapped candle holders–so beautiful. I’m definitely tucking that idea away for around the house.
I blogged about our wedding for our anniversary in May and we had a lot of DIY details (my favorite being our invitations!) Here’s the link if anyone’s interested in sneaking a peek at some of our ideas:
http://aisletoaloha.blogspot.com/2010/05/wedding-week-reception-part-two-details.html
How fun to see my ice cream favors here today:) Thanks so much to SMP for including them in your list of favs- you guys are the best!
I just love the lace wrapped candles, what a fab idea! I’m obsessed. Must do this for next party I throw…now I want to get married all over again too! I wanted to let you guys know also that I linked to you and used your photo w/ credit of course for the Target file folders for my Fabulous Friday post. I hope you’ll come link up and check it out, would make my day! If it’s not ok for some reason though, please let me know. I just wanted to send you all a little love. Here’s the link: http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com/2010/07/fabulous-friday-file-this-under-s-for.html
Have a great weekend!
What a life saver! Or should I say wedding saver! I am having a DIY backyard wedding on Sept. 25th (gasp!) and I have been floundering trying to come up with elegant (but on the cheap) ideas…YHL and SMP just saved the day! Thanks!
Shannon
hey Sherry (& John) I just stumbled upon this Etsy and thought you’d be interested. She uses all organic and natural materials. There are a lot of different items!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewnnatural
Thanks for the link! Off to check it out…
xo,
s
The only time I wish I would have waited to get married is when I see all these adorable ideas!! Absolutely adorable!
these are awesome ideas!! mix tapes are always fun ;)
I love the confetti containers! so cute
You did a moodboard for SMP way back….do we ever get to see the final product?
Hey Rebecca,
We’re still waiting to see how their office turns out. Can’t wait! We wish these things could be completed in a snap but it takes some pretty decent time to order and arrange everything (especially with such a busy blog and a sweet little one around). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
thanks for featuring our custom matchboxes! :) love all the DIY ideas!
Thanks for spreading the gorgeous ideas around. I am planning my wedding and have been gathering ideas from stylemepretty and greenweddingshoes. I came across this one that totally reminded me of Sherry’s affinity for ceramic animals and those great drinking glasses she scored at World Market. They are using them as votives here which I am sure are lovely in low light. Enjoy:
http://greenweddingshoes.com/a-mod-baroque-table-design/
Amazing!!!! You’re so right- we’re in LOVE!
xo,
s
Well, so much for getting up early on Saturday. Great guest post – very YHL since it’s DIY, and it led me on a morning-long link-to-link tour of wedding and craft blogs. Love it, thanks guys and happy anniversary!