landlocked bride | midwest wedding inspiration

It’s no surprise I’m not a DIY fan. Let me re-phrase. I don’t like to actually do DIY projects myself – but I love to see what everyone else comes up with.

When I found these adorable (and, easy) ribbon wands, I couldn’t not share them. Like I said, they’re easy to make, plus, they are a great alternative to bubbles or birdseed for a wedding exit.

So, what do you need?

- One or two feet wooden dowels (Quantity will vary based on your guest count)
- Ribbon, cut in strips at 3/4 yard in length (The more ribbon per dowel, the better the effect)
- Scissors

This project includes no glue, staples or sewing. Simply tying ribbons onto wooden dowels. And, let me tell you, it’s the perfect project to recruit your bridesmaids to help with (and, you can include wine without feel of stabbing or poking yourself with something sharp).

Images courtesy of Project Wedding

While DIY is not in my blood (well, it is a little), I love when a bride can truly harness her creativeness and put together a great project.  I only recently stumbled upon these invites, which were originally featured on the bride’s blog, and then on EAD Weddings as the EAD DIY Project Contest held back in 2008.

At each step of the process, the bride really paid attention to detail, but I what I love the most is how she packaged it all together (with the help of friends, of course).

The invite and all of the enclosures were placed inside a handmade pocketfold.

Plus, the bride glued a doily to the back of the pocketfold, and tied it all together with ribbon and a die cut circle with her and her fiance’s first initials.

Those pieces were placed inside a purple envelope that was tied with twine and a few die cut circles, and the entire invitation suite was packaged into a vellum envelope (which I seriously love).  She used a custom cut sticker on the front for a mailing label.

All images courtesy of Lee & Hamilton Wedding via EAD Weddings

And, as ambitious as the project may have been, her hard work definitely paid of.  How can you not appreciate that?

If you have my family, chances are you don’t need any games or ice breakers to get the party going.  I come from a long line of talkers and have-a-good-timers.

BUT, that doesn’t mean you still cannot entertain your guests with a little fun during the cocktail hour or reception.

This particular bride, Jenny, created a wedding “I Spy” game, encouraging guests to take pictures (there were disposable cameras on the tables).  Not only would this get your guests going, but it’ll provide you and your significant other with some interesting and entertaining photos from the evening.

Image courtesy of Jennifer Dery Photography via Polka Dot Bride

When I first saw these on iDIY, I assumed they were printed just like Miss Cowboy Boot‘s map.

I mean, the yellow is rich and the detail looks great. I was pretty sure they were screen printed, or maybe even Gocco’ed. But, better yet, they were printed at the bride’s home, on her ink jet printer. Wha?! Yeah, that’s right.

Images by tulle and feathers

By using a technique that involves ironing freezer paper to the back of the handkerchief, you can print directly on fabric using your ink jet printer (so long as it is not water resistant).

You can visit the bride‘s blog for more details.

Wedding signs are clearly a new trend.  You’ll find them all over Style Me Pretty and other wedding blogs, so it’s no surprise that there are a million different variations on them.  I found this one thanks to Cyd over at The Sweetest Occasion.  Since I work at a design company, I have developed a love for typography.  I already have a sad (or crazy, however you look at it) obsession with fonts, so it should be no surprise that I love this sign.  And, I realize, most of what I feature on this blog I love, but I wouldn’t feature it if I didn’t love it!

The sign was made using nails and string. I really do remember doing something similar to this in elementary school, but we didn’t exactly make letters. I’m pretty sure we made something simile like a circle. We were still figuring out our cursive lettering, so I think sticking to shapes was a safe bet.

The yellow string really pops on this sign, plus, it is definitely something unique and classic enough that could be hung in the home after the wedding. A great way to remind you of your wedding day.

All images courtesy of Kyle Read via The Sweetest Occasion

Not everyone is a DIY bride.  I’m not necessarily one, although I do like to scrapbook occasionally.  Most of the time, I prefer to pay someone else to craft, which is why I love Etsy.

Nonetheless, I wanted to share this great DIY story, originally featured on Design*Sponge in mid-January.  D*S reader, Renee headed down to her local Goodwill to pick up an array of plates and candle stick holders.

Image courtesy of Weddings and Cookies

After she washed and dried all of her plates, vases and candlestick holders, she used E6000 glue to glue the vases and candlestick holders to the plates.  And, as she mentions in her original post, make sure you have a well ventilated area and give them 24+ hours to dry completely plate-side down.  To paint them, she purchased non-toxic spray paint from Lowes (in which the label said it was good for all household items*) to spray the platters and stands.

Image courtesy of Weddings and Cookies

This is not only a great project for wedding showers, but would be a great addition to a candy or dessert buffet at a wedding reception.  What sort of DIY projects have you tackled? If you would like to have your DIY wedding project featured on the blog, send me a note (brit at landlockedbride dot com)!

*To be safe, still include a piece of parchment paper or doilies under the food, unless you are able to locate a food-safe paint.

Let’s face it. Not everyone is having a religious ceremony with readings and songs.  So, that begs the question, why have a program?  You see, the Pilot and I go back and forth on this one every day.  My Aunt is performing our ceremony, but we are not having any readings or songs, no unity candle and nothing involving other people in a family/circle of friends.  The only purpose our program would serve would be to let our guests know who our attendants are.

Part of the eco-friendly in me doesn’t want to have programs printed just so all of our guests know who my Maid of Honor is and so on.  But the other half of me is worried about the guests who may not know our friends well enough to know who they are.

So, while the Pilot and I continue to go back and forth, I’m sharing this.  A fun little idea, if you’d rather not have programs printed, but are looking for a way to share the information with your guests.

Image courtesy of StudioThisIs via With This Ring Blog

Obviously, the chalkboard would need to fit in with the look and feel of your wedding.  But opt to do something different by having a sign created with your program information, or you can draw up a chalkboard like this one.

If you are still hooked on the idea of having programs printed, but do not want to print one for every guests, here are a few tips:

1.  Only print half as many as the number of guests you are expecting.  More often than not, guests do not all take one.

2. Only print one for each female guests.  Honestly, the guys usually do not care all that much about the details of the ceremony, but you know us ladies do!

3.  Have them printed front and back to save on paper costs.

4.  Have them double up as something else, like hand-held fans, if your ceremony is outdoors.

What sort of program idea did you come up with?

I always love when I can find a creative decor idea from a couple.  Sometimes we all get caught up in the idea of just using flowers (which there is absolutely nothing wrong with).

This particular couple hung about 40 different glass ornaments above the table.  In the dim holiday light, over candles, they really sparkle, and add an element of wonder to the celebration.

Images courtesy of Anna Sawin Photography via Style Me Pretty

The takeaway?  Don’t forget that you can hang things over tables, too!

Most couples are opting out of the traditional wedding guestbook for obvious reasons (what do you really do with a book of everyone’s name and/or addresses other than send out thank you cards).

So, what is the new trend?  A guestbook photobook of your engagement photos.  Guests sign on a blank page of a book filled with images of you and your fiance.

BUT, when I saw this idea last week, I thought this was a fantastic idea!

Image courtesy of Jonas Peterson via Earth Friendly Weddings

It’s a “Wedding Tree.”  Have each of your guests place their thumbprint somewhere on the tree.  Then, the happy couple can have it framed and put it in their home.  The “Wedding Tree” is a great memento and a great guestbook alternative.  It would probably work best with a smaller wedding, but if you have a hefty guest list, you could do a few different trees and have a collection of artwork for your house.  It’s fun and different, and just plain awesome.

A big “thank you” to Martha Stewart for this one.  Not only is this a great way to recycle old magazines, but it is great a for holiday decor or for wedding decor.

Image courtesy of Amy Atlas

You can spray them in festive colors like the gold and silver above, or do colors that coordinate with your wedding.  And, because I’m a lover of almost all things Martha Stewart, I had to share with you the steps on how to make them!  You can also visit the Martha Stewart site for a video tutorial.

Tools and Materials

Old magazines of any size
Gold, silver, or clear spray paint
Glitter in desired colors
Bone folder (optional)

Magazine Trees How-To:

1. Open magazine and bend to break spine.

2. Fold individual page from top right corner to inside seam. Fold same page from bottom right edge to gutter.

3. Fold bottom triangle of each additional magazine page up, making the bottom of the tree flat. Then, fold top of all pages down to form tree shape.

4. Spray-paint folded tree desired color. Immediately sprinkle glitter over wet paint. Let dry.

Tip: Use a bone folder to smooth paper edges if desired.

Happy Holidays!

(Directions from the Martha Stewart website)