personalized water bottle

My husband and I have been helping out with my brother-in-law’s wedding lately. This is our latest project: custom water bottle labels. Since the majority of their guests are coming from out of town, the bride’s mother wanted to welcome everyone with a little gift bag for all the guests staying at the designated wedding hotel. Most of the contents in this bag is a mystery to me but I do know there will be bottles of water.  The bride had asked me to design and make some custom labels for the water bottles. I was really happy with how these came out. They were not only easy to make but going to add a special touch to the welcome bags.

printed labels

To do these yourself. You will need an image editing software (I used adobe photoshop), a color printer, 8.5×11 paper, water bottles, scissors, and glue stick. First measure out the size of the existing label of your water bottles, then use these dimensions to put together a layout on photoshop. Once you have the labels designed, printed, and cropped. Remove existing labels and adhere new ones with a little dab of glue.

finished bottles

bridal shower invitation with pink cupcakes and pink pretzels

My brother-in-law is getting married in August! Yay! I have the wonderful privilege to be a part of their wedding as a bridesmaid. As some of you may already know, I love weddings and what I love most about weddings are the paper goods. For the bridal shower, the bride picked out a cute invitation from weddingpaperdivas, who were a pleasure to work with. The turnaround for the proof and the actual invites was so quick and seamless.

recipe card

For the shower, the bridesmaids wanted to do a recipe box for the bride. Since I was in charge of sending out the invites, I wanted to send these cards with the invitation so that the guests would be able to fill them out before the shower. First, I scanned the invite pattern to create the cards (with Adobe photoshop), so that it would match the invitation. I found a cute recipe box from Hallmark so that it would be convenient for the bride to take home.

Hallmark recipe box

Other than sending out the invitations, I was also put in charge of some of the games. For one of the games, I took the same invite pattern and made blank cards for the “who am I?” game. When the guests arrived, they were instructed to write out a memory they have shared with the bride without including their name. Later on, we had the bride read the cards aloud and guess who each was written by. Imagine the nostalgic atmosphere it created. The cards made a lovely keepsake for the bride.

cards for "who am I?"

Another game we played was the buzz word game. To begin, choose a “buzz word” such as bride, groom, wedding, etc. To go along with the invitation pattern, I made flowers out of felt and put them on bobby pins to use for this game. When each guests comes into the party, we handed them each with a felt flower. Then, if someone hears another person saying any of the “buzz words,” they get to take that person’s flower. The person with the most flowers at the end of the party wins.

handmade felt flowers

This is also posted on madebymelis.

The photo doesn’t quite show the colors right, but the blue strip through the middle and around the edge is bright blue vellum.  The invitation is printed on Pearl White Pearlescent paper.  The inserts are printed on white linen cardstock.  I did find that the laser printer didn’t really like the linen but it was fine on everything else. The “pocket” is a pearlescent “pochette” or “petal card” – these are mailed to you flat, and you just fold them together.

One thing I did differently on this invitation set was that I stuck everything together with Krylon Spray Adhesive.  Best idea ever! To do this, I got some newspaper and made a square with painters tape that went around the outside of the invitation pieces (I made two squares – one for the white paper, one for the blue vellum).  I then lined the papers up inside the squares – this helped minimize getting spray adhesive on the good side of each piece of paper.  And remember, if you’re working with any aerosol spray, make sure to turn the can upside down and spray until you get clear gas when you’re finished!

presents

DIY Wedding Favor Boxes

by Amanda

Source: Finch and Hawk

Source: Finch and Hawk

The Finch&Hawk Paper Goods Store on Etsy.com sells templates for boxes, bags, and even seed packets for your wedding or party favors. There are three different shape designs to choose from: cube box, dome box, and gable bags. The designs also allows to you to choose from an assortment of colors. Some designs will even let you customize your box to include your names and the date of your wedding. Your purchase (priced at $5-$6) of Finch&Hawk Paper Goods products includes instructions and a high quality PDF of your template. All that is required for you is to have a color printer, Adobe Acrobat 6 program (or higher), cardstock and you are ready to assemble! Check out Finch&Hawk Paper Goods selections.

About Our Guest Blogger

Amanda, co-owner of Fresh Events Company, is a talented wedding planner from the Los Angeles area. She delights in wow-ing her clients with her design talents and creating memorable weddings.

Since my lace wedding invitation post, I’ve had a number of people ask me about making them! To answer the question above, here’s how I would go about making them:

For this project, you'll need your choice of papers (I chose Champagne metallic paper and plain black cardstock from paperandmore.com ), black lace (I purchased this on sale for $1.48 p/yard at G-Street Fabrics in Virginia), beige "rat tail" cord (on sale for 52c p/yard), black thread, ruler, pins, paper cutter, printer, double sided tape, and a sewing machine.

For the purposes of this post, I didn’t print the invitations, but that is the first thing you should do (after you’ve figured out your design concept).  For this style, you could fit three invitations to a Letter sized page.  I used metallic paper which is only compatible with laser printers (sadly, it smudges with Ink Jet).  You could also experiment with linen paper, which will work with an Ink Jet.  Personally, I prefer to buy my paper online because there is more selection and it’s usually cheaper.  Check out Paper and More, Blue Dot Paper Shop, and Paper Presentation (which also has a store in New York City) for some low cost samples.  So, now let’s pretend that the invitation is printed and move along!

Use a paper trimmer to cut your printed invitations down to size. Also cut the black backing cardstock in a slightly larger size (depending on what size invitations you make, it might be more economical to use a 12x12 sheet). Craft stores have a good range of entry level slicers available ranging between $10 - $60.

Tape the invitation pieces together with a piece of double sided tape in each corner. I've found that of all the various tape/glue dots on the market, 3M double sided tape works out the most economical. Measure the width of the invitation, then double that measurement for the lace, adding 1/2 an inch.

Fold the measured section of lace in half, securing at the end with a pin. I decided NOT to cut the lace yet - I waited until I had sewn the lace together and confirmed that it was the right fit before doing so.

Using matching thread, sew the lace together, 1/4 inch from the edge. I used a patchwork foot for this because it measures exactly 1/4 inch between the needle and the edge of the foot. If you have a walking foot, that would work even better. Secure the ends by reverse stitching about 2 stitches.

Test the lace by slipping it over the invitation to make sure it fits - it should be tight, but not so tight that it's hard for the guests to take it on and off. When it's right, you're ready to cut! (I used a contrasting thread so that you could see what I did here).

Here's what the back of the invitation looks like. I pushed the seam to one side. If you want, you could open the seam up and press it flat with an iron, but for demo purposes, I decided not to

And here's what the front looks like.

To add some additional interest, I played with wrapping Rat Tail cord (beige) around the invitation. Tying the bow was a bit of a pain because it's pretty slippery. You could also play around with thin beige ribbon - making sure to trim the ends at a 45 degree angle so they don't fray.

So there you have it! The sewing part would get a bit time consuming, but I think it would yield a better result than glue.  You could also play with double-sided iron-on hem tape if you don’t have a sewing machine.  Total cost for the materials in this design works out to be a little over a $1 per invitation (based on getting paper from PaperandMore.com in packs of 100 sheets, giving you leftovers for programs, name cards, direction and RSVP cards).  The price of ribbon and lace varies a lot, depending on what type you get, and printing also varies, depending on whether you are getting them professionally printed or doing them at home.  You’ll also need envelopes! Finally, because of the bulky bow on the front, you may have to pay the higher postage charge (around 65c).

Remember, whenever you have a wedding related question, feel free to send us a message and we’ll try our best to answer it!  And don’t forget about our Haiti cupcake raffle – a $25 donation to World Vision gives you an entry to win a fabulous wedding day treat (and makes you feel good too!)!

Source: hgtv.com I really like this one, because it could be applied to any color theme just by switching out the food coloring, candles, and berries.

Source: hgtv.com This one doesn’t require any flowers, but still has that dramatic winter wonderland effect. This centerpiece could be used on the dining tables as well as arranged on cocktail tables, serving tables, bars, etc.

Source: hgtv.com This one could be created using any type of container that you find and the mix of floral, fruit, and pumpkins is great for fall.

Source: hgtv.com Talk about drama! This arrangement is actually fairly simple when you follow the steps, but the overall effect is definitely memorable. With more votives placed on the tables, this centerpiece would be stunning.

Click on the pictures for step-by-step instructions on how to create these centerpieces!

Baubles are probably my favorite for using in weddings, and are available in tons of colors.  You can fill up a tall clear vase with baubles that fit your theme and use them as centerpieces – just make sure the tops of them aren’t visible from the outside so they look like regular balls and not Christmas decorations!  These balls can also be used to create a wedding wreath, perhaps with some fake or real flowers included too.

Baskets are also usually on clearance around new years, and these can be used for holding programs, rose petals (think flower girls), and bathroom supplies.

If the theme of your wedding is either red, silver, or green, finding ribbons and wrapping paper that are on Christmas clearance are also good finds – just make sure to get patterns that aren’t adorned with Christmas trees or other obvious Christmas patterns.

Another thing to stock up on is tape that’s on clearance – double sided is especially handy, but you’re more likely to find gift wrapping tape. Depending on what you’re doing for favors or thank you gifts, this can be especially useful.

"Love" Garland from the $1 section at Target last year

We’re now getting closer to Valentine’s day, so that means everywhere you go, you’ll find cute/kitschy heart adorned candy, decorations, and kitchen products.  If you’re hosting a bridal shower or bachelorette party sometime this year, Valentines Day is a great time to stock up on bits and pieces for the party!  Keep an eye on Target’s $1 section for some great buys! Last year I found a silicone heart shaped icecube tray in that section and I included it with my sister’s bridal shower gift.  I also found a red glitter heart garland which I used at the entrance to her bacherlorette party.

Valentine's Day M&M's are great for bachelorette parties and bridal showers.

Have you used holiday ornaments in a wedding before? Share how you have used them, or intend to use them!

Last week I was in NYC for Christmas and happened to do one of my favorite things: casually wander into the makeup department of Bloomingdales and get myself a free makeover . Usually I don’t end up buying anything through these makeovers, but this time I actually did – in a somewhat roundabout way.

The look that I got was from the Benefit Cosmetics line and to me, it looked perfect for bridal makeup. I should have taken a photo of myself all dolled up, but the look was a pink shimmery effect.  From memory, the products used included the following:

"Dear John" was used first as a moisturizing base. Since I have plenty of moisturizers, I didn't buy this one.

"That Gal" is a primer which I *love*. It brightens your face and I felt like it made me really radiate.

"Some Kind-a-Gorgeous" is a lightweight foundation available in both "pale" and "deep" shades. This was used over "That Gal".

Now, I am pretty sure they used this one on me. It's called "erase paste" and is a concealer available in 3 shades. Like all concealers, you apply it after the foundation. I already have concealer so I'm going to see how things look with the one I already have.

"Sugarbomb" is a blusher and it looks really great!

In addition to these, she also used eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss – I thought these products were ok, but no real standouts to what I already had at home.  Bloomingdales had a special deal on the Benefit Cosmetics line where if you spent $75 you would get a bonus pack which included mascara, eye shadow, erase paste, and a bunch of other things.  It’s the best deal on Benefit that I’ve seen, but I ended up getting it from Sephora since I had a Sephora giftcard to use up. Sephora also have a sample pack of most of these products for the bargain price of $10 (I think that sale ends this weekend, so be quick!).

If you or one of your bridesmaids are comfortable with putting makeup on (let’s face it, most of us girls do this every day!), then I recommend going to your favorite makeup counter and having a few different makeovers until you find what you want to use.  Pay attention to what the makeup artist does (especially in getting rid of bags under eyes and blemishes!), and then try doing it yourself at home.  Especially if you have a lot of bridesmaids, you will definitely save a lot of money by doing your makeup yourself.