Celebrate your big day without spending big $$$

More wedding freebies

2009-06-16T07:01:00.003+10:00

The Guide to Romantic Harbourside Weddings in The Rocks and Darling Harbour has all the information you need on indoor and outdoor locations, places for your ceremony, intimate or large reception venues and picture perfect spots for stunning wedding photos that feature the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House as backdrops.

The guide features original jewellers, personalised wedding candles, and unique lollies with personal messages for your guests. There's even a few suggestions for handmade original gifts that make a wonderful thank you for bridesmaids and groomsmen.

And because no wedding is complete without a boys' and girls' night out there's also a few fun suggestions on how to get the most out of your pre-marriage celebrations.

If you can imagine yourself enjoying a romantic harbourside wedding, The Guide to Romantic Harbourside Weddings in The Rocks and Darling Harbour can help make it a reality.

Start with this guide. It was put together especially with you in mind for your free copy fill in your information here

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The Wedding Guide of New South Wales is packed with information on wedding professionals - it's the easiest way to choose your suppliers.

Simply fill out this form and They will send you your free magazine - the complete guide to the perfect wedding! (For NSW brides only)

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A free personal wedding website that you can edit and send to friends and family . . . keep everyone up to date on all the happenings of your wedding . . .

You can upload photos, there's a great countdown to your wedding and even a guest book for visitors to leave messages.

ALL FREE !! Simply follow the instructions here to make i-do.com.au your homepage and get your free wedding website.

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View a copy of the latest Wedding Style guide magazine free online. Its jam packed full of wonderful wedding ideas. To view, simply click here

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Get ready for some exciting new Bridal Tools to help and assist in your wedding planning!

The Wedding Shows research and development team have been working with brides and grooms to help better understand your needs and develop a new benchmark in a Bridal tool set!

Be the first to receive these new innovative planning tools!

Register Now to be the first to receive these innovative Bridal tools upon release for FREE and the chance to Win your very own Dream Honeymoon and remember by becoming a wedding show member you will receive:

1. The latest on NEW wedding show programs coming your way!
2. Up and coming information on COMPETITIONS!
3. Special offers and wedding supplier discounts exclusive only to our members
4. The Wedding Show Newsletters and much more!

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Travel Registry, Australia's only free, do-it-yourself honeymoon wedding registry. Honeymoon registries are a reasonably new thing in Australia, with many couples already living together before they tie the knot. Traditional bridal registries are somewhat useless for a lot of couples in this situation, because they already have their homes decked out with all the things they need. With this in mind, why not offer your guests the chance to contribute to your honeymoon?
It's so simple. Once you have signed up for free, they will build you a registry website that you can tell your guests about in your wedding invitations. You will get access to create an itemised, categorised honeymoon registry, in which you can include all aspects of your honeymoon, such as accommodation, flights, dinners, cocktails on the beach - whatever! Guests visit your registry website and they can elect to buy whichever gift(s) they like by sending you the money. They can pay you by cheque or bank transfer - these details will be provided to them when they choose which gift(s) to buy.

Cocktails

2009-06-15T08:13:00.003+10:00

If you are planning on catering your own wedding, try these yummy cocktails!

Cosmopolitans

Ingredients (serves 6)

1 cup (250ml) Grand Marnier (or orange liqueur)
1/2 cup (125ml) chilled vodka
1 1/2 cups (375ml) chilled cranberry juice
1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
Ice cubes, to serve
Lime wedges, to serve

Method

Combine the Grand Marnier, vodka, cranberry juice and lime juice in a jug. Place ice cubes in martini glasses and pour over the cosmopolitan mixture. Serve immediately with lime wedges, if desired.

Chilli mojito

Preparation Time

5 minutes

Cooking Time

5 minutes

Ingredients (serves 8)

170g (3/4 cup) white sugar
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
2 egg whites
16 fresh mint sprigs
160ml (2/3 cup) lime cordial
2 limes, coarsely chopped
24 ice cubes
320ml white rum
Soda water, to serve
2 long fresh red chillies (optional), halved, deseeded, thinly sliced

Method

Place the sugar and chilli flakes in a mortar and pound with a pestle until finely crushed. (Alternatively, use a coffee or spice grinder.) Transfer to a small plate.
Use a fork to whisk the egg whites in a bowl until frothy. Dip the rim of 1 serving glass into the egg white, then into the chilli mixture to coat. Repeat with the remaining serving glasses. Set aside until set.
Divide the mint, cordial and lime among the glasses. Use the end of a rolling pin to gently pound until coarsely crushed. Divide the ice cubes and rum among the glasses. Top with soda water. Add a slice of chilli to each glass, if desired, to serve.

Notes & tips

Time plan tip: Make this recipe just before serving.

Blue lagoon

Ingredients (serves 8)

1L (4 cups) bought pineapple juice
500ml (2 cups) chilled lemonade
250ml (1 cup) blue curacao
250ml (1 cup) dry gin
Fresh pineapple wedges, to garnish

Method

Place the pineapple juice in a shallow metal container. Cover with foil and place in the freezer for 4 hours or until just set.
Roughly break up the frozen pineapple juice with a metal spoon and quickly transfer to the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer to a large jug. Add the lemonade and stir until just combined.
Pour the blue curacao and gin among 8 serving glasses. Pour over the pineapple mixture. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and serve immediately.

Notes & tips

Allow 4 hours freezing time.
Blue curacao, a rum-based liqueur with a subtle bitter-orange flavour, is the base for this cocktail.

Berry punch

Makes

4 litres

Ingredients

125g blueberries
125g raspberries
250g strawberries, hulled, sliced
1.5 litres raspberry and cranberry juice, chilled
1 cup vodka
1 lime
1.25 litres lemonade, chilled
ice cubes, to serve

Method

Place blueberries, raspberries and strawberries in a large bowl. Add juice and vodka. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavours to develop.
Thinly slice lime. Cut slices into small wedges. Stir through punch. Add lemonade and ice. Serve.

Watermelon mai tai

Preparation Time

5 minutes

Ingredients (serves 8)

500g peeled watermelon, chopped
125ml (1/2 cup) Golden Circle pineapple juice
125ml (1/2 cup) white rum
60ml (1/4 cup) triple sec liqueur
1 tsp grenadine
Crushed ice, to serve

Method

Place the watermelon, pineapple juice, rum, liqueur and grenadine in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth.
Divide the ice among serving glasses. Pour over watermelon mixture to serve.

Notes & tips

Note: Make this recipe just before serving.
Tip: To make this drink suitable for designated drivers, omit alcohol and increase the pineapple juice to 1 cup.

Frozen cosmopolitan

Ingredients (serves 12)

2 cups chilled sugar syrup
6 large limes, juiced
2 cups classic cranberry juice
2 cups vodka

Method

Pour sugar syrup into a 3-litre container. Strain 1 cup lime juice into a jug. Add lime juice, cranberry juice and vodka to syrup. Mix well. Cover and freeze overnight.
Stir frozen cosmopolitan to combine. Spoon into glasses. Serve immediately.

Passionfruit Champagne cocktails

Preparation Time

5 minutes

Ingredients (serves 6)

375ml (1 1/2 cups) passionfruit pulp
125ml (1/2 cup) brandy
1 x 750ml btl chilled Champagne or sparkling white wine

Method

Spoon the passionfruit pulp among twelve 30ml ice-cube trays. Place in the freezer for 4 hours or until firm.
Pour the brandy among serving glasses. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine and passionfruit ice cubes. Serve immediately.

Purple wedding inspiration

2009-06-13T16:59:00.003+10:00

Create your own wedding ring with Amazon

2009-06-11T20:00:00.002+10:00

Now you can choose your engagement and wedding rings right at the comfort of your home with Amazon. You get to choose exactly what you want — size, shape, setting, color — without the pressure and awkwardness of having a salesman hovering over you. And because there are no overhead costs, buying over Amazon saves you money could be spending on your other wedding needs.

Try it for yourself:

Open up Amazon's Create Your Own Ring page, and the first thing you'll encounter is a set of sliding bars to help you narrow your choices and select your diamond. Start by picking your diamond shape. Then you can further refine your search by adjusting the sliders to set a range for price, carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. You can click "see results" at any point in the process to view all the diamonds that match your criteria.

Once you've found and selected the diamond you want, you will move on to choose the setting. Here, you can narrow your choices to a particular style of setting or a specific metal type. The images will show you how your diamond will look mounted in the setting.

After you've chosen the setting that appeals to you, all that remains is to select the ring size, and then-you're ready to order!

Black and White Damask Wedding

2009-06-11T13:24:00.003+10:00

Bargain wedding dresses

2009-06-11T07:55:00.002+10:00

'Charlize' Embroidered Wedding Gown - $299 from catch the bouquet

Pronovias Sweetheart Neckline - $1500 from Bridal Trading Place

C005 - $595 from Cheap Wedding Dresses

Kara in Silk Satin - $550 from Cheap Wedding Dresses

Lishona - $595 from Cheap Wedding Dresses

DIY seed packet favors

2009-06-11T07:27:00.003+10:00

Kodak have a free downloadable template here, for you to print out and make your own seed packet favors.

A 'rocking' guestbook idea

2009-06-11T07:24:00.003+10:00

How cool is this! Ask your guests to write their message on pebbles then after the wedding you can display them in your garden!

DIY Vase for Free (Using Recycled Light Bulbs)

2009-06-11T07:19:00.000+10:00

Free, Green, and Easy! I hope you have loads of fun making these...

(Image from Esprit Cabane)

Supplies:

(Image from Esprit Cabane)

Below are the directions translated from Esprit Cabane

Red weddings

2009-06-10T22:38:00.003+10:00

Eco friendly weddings

2009-06-10T06:58:00.002+10:00

Use natural linen like hemp for your tablecloths and napkins. Accent napkins with fresh herbs or (or a less-expensive greenery option, like the bouquets of mixed greenery available at grocery stores - usually for around $5 - or event leaves from your backyard. White blossoms also look gorgeous as napkin accents.And use china crockery rather than disposable plastic and paper.

Ask the florist to use only locally grown flowers ( yes, they have to ask their outlets) or order organically grown and fair trade flowers, this may cost a little more and it may also reduce the amount of flower variety available: so plan to simplify your designs and your expectations. If you have a green planner or florist in your community, seek them out to help you

Serve your guests only locally grown and organic food. That way, you are supporting both the local economy and reducing gas emissions that are spent in transporting food that is grown elsewhere.
Also consider holding both the ceremony and the reception at the same venue (or within walking distance) to avoid both the cost of transportation, as well as the wasted emissions.

Instead of using a traditional cake platter...why not use a beautiful old tree stump.

Green Field Paper Company has handmade paper wedding invitations that have seeds embedded wedding invitation paper. The paper will grow wildflowers if kept moist! They also offer wedding invitations made from junk mail as well as tree-free wedding invitations including hemp.

Here’s an example of their Fern Wedding Invitation with Monogram as seen in InStyle weddings Winter 2006 edition. It is made with seed embedded paper and is a very elegant wedding invitation.

They also have a unique all-in-one wedding invitation and reply card as shown here. This wedding invitation is also on seed embedded paper. It has a perforation for your guests to tear off the response card with your return address is already printed on the back.

These eco friendly wedding favor ideas are easy on the earth and your wallet. No need to buy junk that will end up in a landfill for your wedding - and this includes wedding favors!

After all, wedding favors are generally a little token of appreciation that represents you as a couple, so if you are a "green" couple, then your favors should be too!

Twig Colored Pencils - I absolutely love these as wedding favors and place card holders too! Not only are they eco friendly wedding favors, but they are functional too. Be sure to have some recycled paper at the tables that say, "Draw a picture or write a special note to the newlyweds" and have someone collect them at the end of the night. When you read these later on, you'll see how silly the messages get as the night goes on - and as the wine keeps pouring.

You can get these twig pencil sets for just a few bucks each from Wanda an eBay seller. To make it even cheaper I'd split them up so each guest gets just a few. If you don't see them listed, write her a note and see if she can get you some.

For easy tags, buy a paper punch in a shape you like (like my leaf) and punch through some recycled paper!

How about using a bike as your 'getaway car'? Not only is it eco friendly, it makes for some pretty awesome photos!

Here’s a pretty cool green wedding favor idea. As your marriage grows over the years so will these trees in the yards of your friends and family. I think it would by pretty neat to be able to show your kids these trees when you go to see family. Not to mention you are doing something good for the environment too!

Did you ever think you could get away without providing seats? Well, the traditional kind anyway. Benches of hay covered in floral fabric give this wedding a down home, country feel. photography by Tec Petaja, found via Green Wedding Shoes

A tree trunk can make for a unique place to display photos. By providing an opportunity to share photos of other family member's weddings, it's a great way to include mom and dad.
photography by Tec Petaja, found via Green Wedding Shoes

Buy a recycled dress or have one made by a local seamstress with organic materials. Let the wedding party wear their own clothes or something they'll actually wear again.

What about a wedding with no electricity! While it's certainly eco-friendly, is it feasible? This means no microphones, speakers, lights. Here are a few ways to achieve this:

Skip the lights. Hold your wedding outside in daylight.
Hire an acoustic band. Keep the guest list small and intimate so they can hear the music without speakers.
Although you have no control over how guests actually get to your wedding, have your ceremony and reception in the same place so that guests can walk between the events.
The biggest obstacle is food. It might be tricky (and it might elicit a few choice words from your serious meat eating cousin), but...it can be done! To serve food at a true zero-electricity wedding, think BIG salad bar. Vegetables, salads, pasta salads, breads, fruits, cheeses, and cold cuts are just some of the goodies you could offer.
Another option? Use a gas grill, which emits a lot less CO2 than charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid. This will satisfy that meat eating cousin and you can even create some very interesting desserts with a grill - think bananas foster or grilled peaches. Speaking of which, for dessert you should take advantage of things that keep well and will transport easily, such as cookies, cupcakes, baklava, biscotti, and petits fours. You could also serve MRE's (meals ready to eat) or freeze dried space ice cream (which could be pretty fun!), but that might be weird.

Upside down centrepiece

2009-06-09T23:48:00.002+10:00

There's no reason to hide your mismatched stemware in the back of the cabinet anymore! With just a few flips of the glass, designer Annie Selke—owner of home furnishings company Pine Cone Hill (pineconehill.com)—created a modern candle-and-flower arrangement that we're just crazy about for a warm-weather wedding. Her idea: Place your goblets upside down on a table, tuck large blooms underneath and top with colorful votives. It may only take a few seconds to pull together, but the elegant impact will last all night.

Childhood photo placecards

2009-06-09T23:44:00.002+10:00

Printing an old snapshot of each guest next to his or her name is a perfect way to honor your nearest and dearest — as well as an instant conversation starter to break the ice at your reception for guests who won't already know everyone at their table.
For the full instructions, head on over to Evite Blog

Watermelon Keg - great for a casual outdoor wedding

2009-06-09T23:39:00.004+10:00

Want to impress guests with a DIY watermelon keg of your own?

Read on to find out how...

What you'll need:
• 10-pound seedless watermelon
• Sharp knife
• Big spoon
• Big bowl
• Drill with a 1/2-inch drill bit
• 3/4-inch ball-valve faucet with a handle that's easy to turn with one hand
• PVC-to-faucet adapter that will screw into the back of the faucet
• Rubber O-ring that fits the back of the faucet
• Blender
• Sieve
• Pitcher
• 1 1/2 cups rum
• 4 limes
• About 90 minutes of your time

1. If your watermelon is wobbly when standing on one end, use a knife to trim off the stem end of your watermelon rind just enough that the melon sits flat. Then decide which side of your melon looks best — that'll be your front. Cut the top jack-o'-lantern style, big enough to fit your hand through, but center the cut more toward the back of the melon so you can't see the seam from the front.

2. Use a big spoon to scoop out the fruit into a large bowl. Eat some of the watermelon as you're scooping it out to make sure it doesn't poison your guests. Pour any juice in the bottom of the melon into your pitcher.

3. Drill a hole a few inches from the bottom of the melon for your faucet. Then use a knife to slightly widen the hole till it's just a little smaller than the diameter of the back of the faucet.

4. Gently screw the faucet into the hole, putting your other hand inside the melon for leverage. Don't jam it in or you'll bruise the outside of the rind and compromise your seal. Inside the melon, carve away a little more fruit from around the back of the faucet (don't go through the rind) to make room for screwing on the adapter.

5. Slide the O-ring onto the back of the faucet, then screw on the adapter. To test for leaks, fill the melon halfway with water, then turn on the faucet. Once you've confirmed that your watermelon is indeed operational, pour out the water through the top.

6. Reserve some watermelon to eat tomorrow for breakfast, then throw the rest into a blender and puree. Use the back of a spoon to push the puree through a sieve placed over your pitcher so you're left with just juice. Discard any solids. You should have about 6 cups of juice. Mix the juice with 1 1/2 cups of rum and 1/2 cup of fresh lime juice (about four limes' worth).

7. Pour the mixture back into the watermelon. Put the top back on the melon and set it on the edge of a counter or table to serve.

From Evite blog

Wedding competitions

2009-06-09T07:10:00.003+10:00

When I was getting married, I entered every competition I could find. In the end, I won my hens night invites made, free salsa dance lessons, a nights stay at the hilton & Leo Sayer singing at my wedding! It really does pay to enter!
I've found a few wedding related competitions for you to enter. Good luck and be sure to come back and let us know if you win!!

Win one of three Romance and Seduction Packages at The Stamford Plaza Melbourne thanks to Bride Magazine

Win a 5 night honeymoon at the beautiful Likuliku Lagoon Resort Fiji thanks to The Brides Diary

Win your dream wedding in Noosa thanks to Bride online

Win a night of decadence at The Observatory Hotel thanks to Bride magazine

Win a honeymoon on Hamilton Island at I-do.com.au
WIN a $10,000 Dream Wedding Package at Sunshine coast brides
Win Koala Dude and Koala Bride Fun Wedding Thank you Cards thanks to Your Wedding Wardrobe Blog

Wedding hair

2009-06-01T09:25:00.002+10:00

Pink & Black wedding inspiration

2009-05-27T08:20:00.003+10:00

Wedding Food Ideas

2009-05-18T14:02:00.002+10:00

Pizza ships

Open roast pumpkin & feta pies

Bruschetta with ricotta, grilled capsicum and artichoke topping

Individual bacon and egg tartlets

Antipasto garlic bread

Crab and goat's cheese tartlets

Bacon and chive tarts

Chocolate pistachio strawberries

Chicken and almond ribbon sandwiches

Cheese platter with dried muscatels and walnut bread

Avocado dip with Turkish chips

Nacho bites

Roast beef canapes

Antipasto platter

Mini pikelets with smoked salmon and creme fraiche

Travel Themed Wedding Inspiration

2009-05-16T11:46:00.004+10:00

Travel Themed Wedding favors @ Polka David

Travel Themed favors @ Beau Coup

Travel Themed Wedding Invitations at Custom Paper Works

Rock n Roll Wedding Inspiration

2009-05-16T08:14:00.002+10:00

From Cakes by Paula Surrette

From Earlene's cakes

From Ask Ginka

From Good Things Wedding Favors

From Offbeat Bride

These awesome dresses are part of the 2009 Rock ‘N Roll Collection by Designer Claire Pettibone

Chakra ~ Ecru embroidery with nailhead embellishment:

Gothique ~ Jeweled corset with velvet and tulle chevron skirt:

Midnight ~ Antique embroidery with amethyst straps and black rose:

DIY: Kissing Tree

2009-05-16T08:09:00.002+10:00

From Style Me Pretty

As an alternative to the clinking of glasses, the guests approach the tree and pluck off a matchbook. The MC then reads aloud what they have to do to have the bride and groom kiss. Things like answering bride and groom trivia, singing a love song with your table and preforming a charade of a “wedding” movie…

To Make the Kissing Tree…

Insert tall, sturdy branches into the base of a vase (using the green styrofoam). Hang matchbooks that have been adorned with fun tasks, to each of the branches. Make sure to only have about 25 matchbooks on the tree so that the game doesn’t get boring or redundant. And, make sure to prep your dj ahead of time so that he understands his job!

DIY bird cage veil

2009-05-15T23:35:00.002+10:00

credit: care04 on theknot.com

I found a fantastic tutorial online by “care04” (From theknot.com!) who created her own bird cage veil and was nice enough to share the instructions with us!

You will need…

1 yard of Russian Netting (9″ wide for a smaller veil like care04 created OR 18″ wide if you plan to cover your entire face)
2 small combs for a smaller veil to be placed at each side of your head (with optional 3rd small comb to place in center to better hold the veil in place and further shape the netting) OR 1 large comb for a full face veil which would be placed at the top/middle of your head
invisible/white/ivory thread, depending on the color of the netting and your preference (Care04 recommended and used button thread)
hair pins to further shape veil once finished and placed on your head
Scissors
Optional: String to use as a guideline when cutting the veil shape

Let’s create a bird cage veil!

Lay out the netting so that the longest part is parallel with your body and decide on the veil shape. (Care04 used string to get an idea of the veil shape she wanted to cut and give the scissors a guideline to follow).
Cut off the hard corners of one side of the veil. Cut along the string line with sharp scissors so that you have one long edge with hard corners and one long edge with a rounded edge.
You will start your sewing at the hard corner and sew along the edge, through the rounded corner and across the top, then back down the opposite rounded corner, and finish at the hard edge opposite to the first hard edge. (This will pull the edges of the veil up so that it is a more rounded shape around your face.)
Using your thread (Care04 used button thread because of its strength), loop it once through a “diamond” of the netting at the first hard corner and make a very small knot so that the thread will hold. Use a running stitch through the open weaves of the netting. (Make sure to thread in between the diamonds that are complete - when you cut your netting, some of the “diamonds” will be cut, so if you thread through those broken holes the thread won’t stay!)
As you pull your thread for the running stitch, bunch up the fabric on the thread (it will be sort of like a drawstring) to your desired width. (Care04 used a 3.5 inch comb, so she gathered it to 3.5 inches - gather to the width of your comb(s)!) When you have gathered to the width you need, finish with a small tight knot.
Next, using your thread sew the bunched edge of the veil to the comb using a looping stitch, through the material and around the top/head of the comb and in between the teeth).
If using 2 small combs and wrapping, repeat step to attach the second comb to the other side of the veil.
Lastly, add embellishments! Scatter pearls or crystals as you see fit, attach feathers or even a flower (a silk gardenia would be pretty!). Be creative! (Note: You may also choose to make smaller embellishments on the veil itself, and then save the bigger ones like feathers and flowers for a separate comb to use along with your bird cage veil. This would allow you to place the larger flower/feather pin to hide pins or combs and also the ability to remove the bird cage veil after ceremony and wear only the flower/feather clip at the reception!)

DIY Ring Bearer Pillow

2009-05-15T23:28:00.001+10:00

The very talented Mrs. Spring Roll from Weddingbee has given instructions on how to make this super cute ring bearer pillow.

Supplies needed:

½” yard silk fabric
½” yard chantilly lace
Paper to create template
Good pair of fabric scissors
Sewing machine or needle and thread
Fiberfill
1 ½” thick ribbon
1/8” thick ribbon

Steps:

1. Create a square template using a sheet of construction paper. (I made my square 8”x8”).

2. Trace the template onto the silk fabric and cut (you should be left with two squares). Then, cut two pieces of lace with a border of approximately 8”x 3”.

3. Using one piece of square fabric, place one piece of silk, border facing the top, about 1” from top. Place the second piece of silk, border facing the bottom, about 1” from bottom. Pin silk into place.

4. By hand, sew the edges of the lace to the square fabric.

5. Pin the square fabric with lace to the other square fabric. Make sure that the good sides are facing “in”.

6. Sew square together, leaving a 2″ gap to insert fiberfill into.

7. Reverse pillow so that the good sides are now facing “out”.

8. Fill with fiberfill until you are happy with fullness.

9. By hand, sew 2″ gap close.

10. Cut 1 ½” thick ribbon approximately 8” long. Place ribbon on the center of lace. Sew ends of ribbon to the edge of pillow.

11. Cut 1/8” thick ribbon approximately 16” long. Tie ribbon onto center of thicker ribbon. (This will become the hanging ribbon that rings are tied onto)

12. Cut 1 ½” thick ribbon approximately 16” long. Make a bow, cutting the excess ribbon off. Sew bow onto center of 1 ½” thick ribbon.

DIY: Hand-painted Parasol

2009-05-15T23:22:00.002+10:00

These beautiful hand painted parasols are perfect for a garden or beach wedding.

The “Thank You” parasol in a photo would make a great thank you card for after the wedding

You’ll Need..

* Paper parasol in your choice of size - just make sure that the paper is slightly transparent to allow you to see your pattern through it, most brides go with a simple white parasol (See Paper Lantern Store or Oriental Trading (bulk purchase) to order online)
* Acrylic Paints
* Pencil
* Tape
* Fine Paint Brush (Don’t go too cheap here, you’ll want a soft fine brush able to glide along the paper and paint intricate lines…In other words, don’t use the paintbrush from a kids watercolor paint set!)
* Computer/Printer to print pattern
* Optional - Embellishments such as swarovski crystals (and glue!)

Some suggestions for designs…
Just Married
Flowergirl
Bride
Groom
Bridesmaid
Groomsman
We Did!
I Do
Thank you!
Love
Your Monogram
Your Wedding Date

Making the parasols are extremely simple! Just gather your materials and steady your hand..here we go!

1. Decide what you want on your parasol. You will want to prepare your pattern on the computer to use as a guide for painting. How you do this depends on the programs you have available on your computer, however most brides seem to use Microsoft Word to type out the words/letters they want in the font style of their choice. Enlarge the font size (or design) till you get the size you want - you’ll have to play with this (and test print) till you get the size you are looking for. If the lettering/design is small you may be able to fit a word per sheet of paper. Some designs may require one letter per sheet..and some designs (a monogram perhaps?) are so big they may require several sheets of paper taped together. When you’ve successfully printed the letter(s)/design(s) for your parasol in the size you want you are ready for the next step!
2. Take your printed sheet and some scotch tape and GENTLY tape it to the underside of your parasol where you want the design on the sheet to be. The printed design should be face up so it peeks through the see through paper of your parasol - this is why your parasol -must- be see through to some degree and not opaque! This will act as a guide for painting onto your parasol.
3. Gently trace the design with a sharp pencil using the pattern you taped underneath as a guide.
4. Next, begin painting! Take your fine paint brush and begin painting your design using the pattern you traced. guide. Don’t rush this! Be very slow and gentle to fill in the pattern you traced. Some suggest using small strokes to avoid botching the design when you paint over the parasols ridges/bumps. If you are painting with more than one color, be sure to allow the first color (and each thereafter!) to dry before starting a new color.
5. Once your painting has dried you are done! You may now choose to further embellish your design to further customize your parasol. (Some swarovski crystals glued in select areas of the design could be very pretty!)

That’s it!

From DIY Wed Central

How to make a wedding garter

2009-05-15T23:19:00.001+10:00

Keep in mind that many brides choose to have two garters if they are planning on doing the garter toss. One to throw and one to keep! Some element of blue such as blue beads, trim, lace or ribbon is also often used for the "something borrowed something blue" tradition.

Materials

Fabric strip - 3 inches wide by one and a half times leg measurement
Lace - any lace is fine, this is used as trim, same length as fabric strip
Elastic - 1/2" wide
Charms, etc - You can add personalized charms, beads or other trims as you wish. These can be sewed on or glued on with a glue gun.

Instructions for How to Make a Wedding Garter:

Be sure to measure your thigh where the garter will go. Use this measurement plus 1/2 to get the correct length of fabric and lace trim.

Fold fabric strip in half lenthwise with the wrong side out. Sew this edge then turn inside out so the correct fabric side is facing out and the sewed edge is in the center of the fabric tube.

Iron the tube so the seam is in the back center (which will be hidden against your leg) and then sew the lace onto the bottom edge.
Slide the elastic into the tube. If this is difficult you can put a safety pin on the end of the elastic to help glide it through. Wrap your bridal garter around your leg and trim the elastic to where it is a comfortable fit. Sew the elastic edges together and finishing by hand-sewing the ribbon and fabric ends together.
Lastly, you can sew on additional charms, beads, bows, rosettes or whatever embellishments you like!

From Do It Yourself Weddings

DIY Wedding Programs

2009-05-15T23:13:00.002+10:00

From Style Me Pretty

Materials

Two types of fabric (both of which we incorporated into a variety of other DIY projects)
Satin ribbon
Cardstock Paper
24-lb Paper
Pinking Shears
Hot Glue Gun
Paper Cutter
Sewing Machine
Computer/printer

Instructions

1. We only had a limited amount of fabric, so the first decision we made was the size of the programs. They ended up measuring 5.5 x 7″. In order to incorporate two design themes we were working with, we used two types of fabric - one on top of the other on the programs. The fabrics were used on the front cover of the programs only, so we cut pieces of fabric that matched the dimensions exactly (although the “top” variety of fabric was slightly smaller and had a decorative edge).

2. Next, we wrote the content of the program and formatted it using Microsoft Word. The document size matched the program dimensions, but we made sure to leave extra space on the left margin of each page for the seam of the program. We printed the pages using my home printer, front-side only. Because the paper was too big, we cut the pages down to size (5.5 x 7″) using a paper cutter. The back cover of the program was printed on cardstock, to give it some heft. (We didn’t use cardstock under the fabric in the front because it made the program too difficult to flip through!)

3. We then collated all the individual pages together, with the fabric pieces for the front cover and the cardstock sheet for the back. To hold them together, we machine-sewed a seam down the left margin. (Note - this was a thick booklet, so it took some tinkering to get the right needle and machine settings!)

4. Finally, we tied a bunch of bows using 3/4″ satin ribbon and hot-glued one to the corner of each program.

5. Voila! All done!

DIY: Lacy Saucer Centerpieces

2009-05-15T12:55:00.003+10:00

From Once Wed

What You'll Need

Terracotta Saucers

Spray Paint (two colors)

Paper Doilies (smaller in diameter than your saucers)

Spray Adhesive

Newspaper or Butcher Paper (to cover your work surface)

Candles, Blooms and Leaves (to trim your saucer)

Scissors

Latex Gloves

Respirator/ Mask

Resources:

Terracotta Saucers are available at craft stores, home improvement stores, and garden supply stores and Ikea.

Paper doilies are found at party supply stores, and craft stores. (look in the cake decorating section).

Ikea has just about the best prices on candles.

For this project, you should work outside, or in a well ventilated space. When using spray paint and spray adhesives, it's best to protect yourself with a respirator mask. Please follow all safety instructions on spray cans.

Directions:

1. Start by covering your work surfaces with newspaper or butcher paper.

2. Place you saucer face down, put on your gloves and mask, and spray paint the bottom and sides of the saucer using either of your two colors. Allow time to dry and apply a second coat if needed. (see fig 1)

3. When the saucer has dried, flip it over, and paint the front side using the lighter paint. Apply a second coat if needed and allow to dry.

4. You'll be using the doilies as your stencil for the trays. You can use a whole one, or you can take your scissors and carefully cut away the center, and just use the lacy border. (see figure 2)

5. Take your doily and lay it upside down on your protected work surface. Spray a light coat of spray adhesive on the back of the doily. (see figure 3)

6. Allow the adhesive to dry for a minute, then place it in the center of your dry, painted saucer, and smooth it down. (see figure 4)

7. Using your darker paint color, spray a coat on the saucer, over the doily stencil. Keep the can parallel to the saucer as you spray. Touch up, or spray a second coat if needed. (see figure 6)

8. Let the saucer set for a few minutes, then carefully lift your doily stencil to reveal your lacy pattern. (see figure 7) (You will be able to use your stencil for several more saucers. Just allow it to dry between uses, and spray a little more adhesive on the back if it starts to lose it's stick. )

9. Place a cluster of candles on your saucer and trim with loose blooms and foliage.

How To Make Your Own Wish Tree

2009-05-14T22:46:00.003+10:00

From Here Comes The Bride

Here is what you need to recreate the tree shown in the picture:

8 Manzanita Branches: You can spray-paint them gold or silver, or you can leave it the way nature intended.
Crystal Garland for use on the tree and in the vases
2 Large Glass Hurricanes or Floral Vases
Ornament Hooks
2 pens for guests to write with
2 Large serving trays which can be used to display the wish cards before the guests hang them on the tree. (If you want the guests to be able to access both sides of the table you will need 2 Large serving platters 2 frames and 4 pens.)
1-2 frames: The frames are placed between the hurricanes on either side of the table. Inside the frame, place card stock with the wording: “Best Wishes Brides Names & Grooms Name.”
Wish Tree Notes: To keep it simple, you could have your invitation vendor create the notes in the same style and card stock as your wedding invitations, place cards, programs and guest cards. Or, you could choose card stock in any shape or color you want to fit the theme or look of your wedding. It could look like an actual leaf or it could be done in the shape of a sea shell or snow flake. You just want to make sure there is enough surface space on the card for the guest to write her message.

Useful tip: Make sure to get 15-20 extra notes more than your total guest count.

Here is how you would construct your Wish Tree:

1. Wrap the inside the hurricanes with the crystal garland in a circular direction so that you get a good base in which to place the manzanita branches.

2. Place the two hurricanes about a foot apart from each other on the table on which the wish tree will be displayed.

3. Arrange the manzanita branches in the hurricanes.

4. Take the remaining crystal garland and drape them throughout the branches. This could take some time and you might need to make adjustments. You just don’t want to have any huge holes.

5. Place a ornament hook on each wish card and display them on the table. You can use the a serving platter to display the cards on, like it is in the picture, or you can just spread them on the table itself. (This step was the most time consuming for me.)

6. Place the frames in the center of the two hurricanes

7. Place the pens on either side of the serving platter

Useful tip: To get the most sparkle out of your tree place it near a great light source or add a few votive candles around the tree.

Scottish Wedding theme

2009-05-12T22:23:00.003+10:00

Picture from The Scottish Weaver

Above 2 pictures from Scottish Wedding Flowers

Picture from Truly Madly Weddings

Picture from Design Wedding Cakes & Toppers

Picture from Hearts Desire

Picture from Honeypot Sugarbush

Picture from The Scottish Nook

Giftbox templates

2009-05-12T11:40:00.003+10:00

Arent these just the cutest little gift boxes?!? You can find the template over at A Little Hut along with a heap of other fantastic cheap & easy craft ideas!

DIY satin stole

2009-05-12T11:36:00.002+10:00

This satin stole is just beautiful. Perfect for over your wedding or bridesmaid dresses. Best of all, it's fairly easy to make. Head over to Weekend Designer to find out how.

Coffee tin candle holders

2009-05-12T11:25:00.004+10:00

Photo from Apartment Therapy

Super simple to make, these coffee tin candle holders are a great way to light up an outdoor wedding.
All you need is come large empty coffee tins (try asking cafe's, restaurants, friends or even your workplace canteen if you can have their empty ones) some spray paint and tea light candles.
Using a can opener or tin snips, cut a few holes in the coffee can using what ever pattern you like. Make sure there are no sharp edges and then spray the tin using what ever color spray paint you'd like. You'll need around 3-4 coats, letting each coat dry in between.
Drop in your tea lights and viola!

Beautiful DIY light board

2009-05-12T11:20:00.003+10:00

I found this beautiful light board on the Team Sugar website. A few of these around the room or even outdoors would make a lovely addition to any reception. Click on the team sugar link to get the instructions.

Processional Wedding Ceremony Songs.

2009-05-12T08:21:00.003+10:00

Here are some ideas for songs to walk down the aisle to. Click on the name of the song to go to youtube and hear the song for yourself.

Only Hope - Mandy Moore

I Do (cherish you) - 98 degrees

Heaven - DJ Sammy

Only time - Enya

I dont want to miss a thing - Aerosmith

All my life - Kci & JoJo

If I aint got you - Alicia Keys

The Prayer - Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion

I will - Allison Krauss

So much in love - All-4-One

Canon in D - Pachelbel

Highland Cathedral - Phil Coulter

Rigaudon - Andre Campra

A whiter shade of pale - Annie Lenox

Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole

At last - Etta James

Stand by me - Ben E King

Forever - Ben Harper

Feels like home - Chantal Kreviazuk

Me and You - Kenny Chesney

Paper flower fairy lights

2009-05-12T08:11:00.002+10:00

These cute little paper fairy lights can be made pretty much as long as you need them to be and in any color you like!
The instructions on how to make them can be found at Apartment Therapy

Everyone loves a freebie..

2009-05-11T22:59:00.003+10:00

Free giftcard templates from Canon

Free origami templates from Canon

Free graphics downloads from Vecteezy

Free Damask Wedding Invitation Set from Mujka

Free frames from lucky me

Free design sparklers from Fishscraps

Free fonts from Kevin & Amanda's Font for Peas

Bubble gum bouquets

2009-05-11T22:37:00.002+10:00

You could use these funky bubble gum bouquets for the flower girls as they walk down the aisles and then as favors to hand out to your guests, or you could have them on a candy buffet table.
A Hot Pink Petticoat has the step by step instructions.

Photo table numbers

2009-05-11T22:34:00.003+10:00

Another great idea from Martha Stewart Weddings

Take photographs of you and your groom holding up numbers and use them as your table numbers. Print them in black and white so they dont clash with your flowers. You can use different poses for each different number.
For something a bit different, try dressing up as different characters for each photo

Hanging Place cards

2009-05-11T22:31:00.003+10:00

These funky place cards are great if you dont want a cluttered looking table. You can personalize them in the theme & color of your wedding.
The instructions on how to make them can be found on Style Me Pretty

Monogrammed Cuff Links

2009-05-11T22:28:00.002+10:00

These monogrammed cuff links from Purl Bee would make a great thank you present for your groomsmen.

Simple DIY ring pillow

2009-05-11T22:24:00.003+10:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Martha Stewart's website? It has the most amazing things to make on there!
These beautiful ring pillows are fairly simple to make using hankies or dollies

It's only fitting to present the symbols of a new union on a beautiful "something old": a pillow embellished with an heirloom handkerchief or another vintage linen. A few stitches keep everything in place and can be snipped later. If you don't have a vintage piece, you can find one at a flea market.

Ring-Pillow How-To
For a square handkerchief (ours is 10 inches), you'll need a square pillow just big enough for the handkerchief's corners to slightly overlap at the center (the one above is six inches). Place the pillow on the wrong side of the linen as shown; fold the corners in, overlapping them. Hand-sew the middle of a satin ribbon to pillow center, sewing through the linen's corners and pillow; use two or three stitches (when ready to remove linen, cut the thread). A few stitches in the center will also secure a small doily (4) or cocktail napkin (6) to the pillow's top. Or you can make the pillow itself from vintage fabric (3). To attach rings, thread them onto the ribbon and tie a bow.

Coca Cola Wedding favors

2009-05-11T15:45:00.004+10:00

Is this not the coolest thing ever! Wedding Bee had coke bottle as wedding favors!

I
seriously contemplated giving bottles or cans of coke as wedding favors. I even looked at coke magnets, keyrings, stubby holders, anything coke related. I am known in my circle of family and friends to have a slight coke addiction so having some sort of coke favor would of been perfect. In the end, I couldnt find anything that I liked, it all seemed so tacky. If only I had found this 6 months ago!
Coke bottles comes in many shapes and sizes. Glass bottles look the nicest. I suggest shopping around and finding somewhere that you can buy them in bulk at a cheaper price. You can make the tags yourself or have a look on etsy at all the gorgeous tags that sellers make.

DIY wedding shoes

2009-05-11T15:42:00.004+10:00

These are just beautiful and the best thing is, you can dye them any color you like! You can find the step by step instructions on Vintage Glam Blog

DIY pearl necklace

2009-05-11T15:33:00.003+10:00

These beautiful pearls would make a lovely bridesmaid gift or make them to wear yourself. Instructions can be found on vintage glam blog

posy parasols

2009-05-11T15:27:00.004+10:00

How cute are these parasols? These are from the 2009 Spring edition of Martha Stewart weddings.
Dress up some simple rice paper umbrellas with these crepe paper posies for your flower girls! Crepe paper can be picked up quite cheap from your local craft store and the umbrellas/parasols can be found in asian shops or even try ebay. You can find the templates and instructions for the posy parasols on Martha Stewart Weddings

DIY hair accessories

2009-05-11T12:01:00.004+10:00

Elizabeth Anne Designs has the instructions on how to make this super cute hair flower

The instructions for this lovely veil can be found at 100 layer cake

You can find the instructions for this gorgeous fascinator at Happy Hour Bride

The instructions for this beautiful flower hair piece can be found at Wedding Paper Divas

Outdoor wedding decorations

2009-05-09T15:02:00.004+10:00

From Australia's Wedding Directory

From DIY Wed Central

From here comes the guide

From Your Best Wedding Blog

From wedding themes

From the bride & groom

From my eco chic wedding

From Table Jewels

From Australia Entertains

Decorating with balloon's

2009-05-09T14:55:00.002+10:00

From the Wedding Decoration Warehouse

From www.atouchofperfection.com.au

Starfish boutonnieres

2009-04-13T22:43:00.004+10:00

Arent these cute! A great alternative to a floral boutonniere at a beach wedding. You can find how to make them at the style me pretty blog

Flower crown

2009-04-13T22:28:00.002+10:00

This flower crown is simple and cheap to make. It can be made in half an hour for a few dollars. What more could you ask for!
Instructions on making this beautiful flower crown for your flower girl can be found at one hour craft.

Gypsy lanterns

2009-04-13T22:24:00.003+10:00

These sweet little gypsy lanterns would be perfect for lighting up an evening garden wedding. Instructions on how to make them can be found at one hour crafts.

Napkin rings & favors rolled into one

2009-04-09T08:13:00.004+10:00

This cute napkin ring from wedding-decoration-ideas is perfect for a bride on a budget. The candy bracelets can be picked up fairly cheaply and once the napkin is un-wrapped, your guests have an edible favor

White chocolate rose wedding cake

2009-04-08T12:07:00.003+10:00

Prep Time	Cook Time
6 hours	4.5 hours

Ingredients

2 x 375g packets White Choc Melts, melted
3cm x 1.8m ribbon
Fresh roses, to decorate
Base cake:
375g unsalted butter, roughly chopped
225g white cooking chocolate, roughly chopped
3 cups caster sugar
1 1 /2 cups milk
2 1 / 4 cups plain flour
3 / 4 cup self-raising flour
1 / 2 tsp rose-flavoured essence
3 eggs, lightly beaten
Top cake:
150g unsalted butter, chopped
100g white cooking chocolate, roughly chopped
11 / 3 cups caster sugar
2 / 3 cup milk
1 cup plain flour
1 / 3 cup self-raising flour
1 / 4 tsp rose-flavoured essence
1 egg, lightly beaten
Vanilla butter cream:
500g unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tsps vanilla extract
6 cups icing sugar mixture

1. Grease a 17cm and a 25cm round cake pan. Line with baking paper, extending 2cm above edges.
2. To make each cake, over a low heat stir butter, chocolate, sugar and milk until melted. Whisk if lumpy. Transfer to a large bowl. Cool to room temperature. Stir in sifted flours, essence and eggs. Pour into pans.
3. Cook cakes separately in moderately slow oven (160C) for 2½ hours for base cake and 1¾ hours for top cake. Cover with foil if over-browning. Cool in pans. Remove. Trim tops to sit flat.
4. To make chocolate shards, cut five 10cm x 60cm strips of baking paper. Lie flat. Spread quickly with Choc Melts. Let set. Slice strips into 4cm-wide pieces. Peel off paper.
5. To make icing, beat butter and extract with electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add icing sugar mixture. Beat on low until smooth.
6. Spoon ¼ cup of icing onto cake stand. Place base cake upside down on stand. Spread with 2⁄3 remaining icing. Place top cake upside down on base cake. Spread with icing.
7. Starting at the top, gently press shards, overlapping, around cakes. Wrap with ribbon. Attach with two dress pins. Arrange roses over cake

Thread LED Tealight Cover

2009-04-07T08:46:00.004+10:00

This cute tealight cover is made mainly from things you have around the house. Check out coinpurse for the instructions.

Wine glass candles

2009-04-06T10:13:00.002+10:00

Supplies:

8-1/2" x 11" sheets of vellum (one per lamp)
Scissors
Decorative bladed scissors
Decorative paper punch
Glue Pen
Wine glasses
Tealights or an LED battery operated tealight
Candle putty (floral clay)

Here's how, from Save On Crafts:

Download and print out this lampshade pattern.
Trace the pattern onto your vellum sheet. Cut out the shape with your regular scissors. If you want, you can use decorative bladed scissors along the bottom edge to add another element to the shade.
If you like, use a paper punch to punch holes evenly or haphazardly throughout the shade, as shown in the PDF.
Using the glue pen, apply a thin line of glue to one straight end. Wrap the other end over the glued end, and adhere together, forming the shade.
Secure the tealight with the candle putty, and set the lampshade on top of your glass. Fini!

Silver Chain and Crystal Pearl Necklace

2009-04-06T10:11:00.003+10:00

From Associated Content

Supply List

68" of sterling silver cable chain

8 - 4mm sterling silver open jump rings

11 - 10mm off-white crystal pearls

18 - 8mm off-white crystal pearls

15 - 6mm off-white crystal pearls

1 sterling silver three-strand clasp

44 - 1" sterling silver eye pins

Wire cutters

2 flat nose or chain nose pliers (for opening and closing jump rings and eye pin

Round nose pliers (to make the loops at the end of the eye-pins)

Finished size: 20" at the shortest strand and 26" at the longest strand.

Instructions:

Start by cutting all the sections of silver chain needed. Use the wire cutters to cut nineteen sections of chain, each measuring three quarters of an inch long. In addition, cut twenty-three sections of chain measuring an inch and a half each and six sections measuring three inches each. Put them aside making sure the different lengths of chain don't get mixed up.

Next, place an eye pin through each of the crystal pearls and create a loop on the straight end of each pin. The loops on each side of the pearl should be approximately the same size. Once looped, cut off any excess wire. There should be 44 pearls with a loop at each end.

For the first strand, connect an inch-and-a-half section of chain to each loop of a 10mm pearls. Continue alternating chain sections and pearls until there are 11 10mm pearls and 12 sections of chain. Always start and finish each strand with a section of chain.

For the second strand, repeat step 3 using eighteen 8mm pearls and nineteen three-quarter-inch sections of chain.

For the third strand, use ten of the 6mm pearls and eleven of the inch-and-a-half sections of chain.

Finally, for the fourth strand, use the remaining five 6mm pearls and the six three-inch sections.

To assemble the necklace, connect the first strand to the bottom loop of one side of the clasp with jump rings. Attach the second strap to the middle loop of the clasp. Connect the third strand to the third loop of the clasp and the fourth strand to the fourth, or top, loop.

Following the instructions on step 7, connect the loose ends of the strands to the corresponding loops on the other half of the clasp.

multi-colored & rainbow wedding inspiration

2009-04-05T14:58:00.004+10:00

black and white wedding inspiration

2009-04-05T14:44:00.003+10:00

Colored petticoats/slips/crinolines

2009-04-05T14:33:00.004+10:00

I love this idea! It was another thing that I really wanted to do for my wedding but never got around to it. Instructions can be found on the Dylon Australia site but please, make sure you do a test run first!

Submerged centerpieces

2009-04-05T01:02:00.004+11:00

These absolutely beautiful centrepieces, plus many more can be found at Mocha Rose Floral Designs

garden chandelier

2009-04-05T00:58:00.001+11:00

Perfect for an outdoor wedding, this garden chandelier can be made using jars bought from op-shops & garage sales. Full instructions on how to put together this lovely garden chandelier can be found on Michelle Kaufmann's blog

Water balloon luminaries

2009-04-05T00:56:00.001+11:00

Using a balloon filled with water and candle wax you can make these cute candle holders. Instructions can be found at candletech

Pine cone votive candles

2009-04-05T00:54:00.002+11:00

These pine cone candles would be great for an autumn wedding or for an outdoor wedding. Instructions for how to make them can be found on Zakka Life

Paper fortune cookies

2009-04-05T00:52:00.004+11:00

Perfect for an asian themed wedding, these paper fortune cookies, from Kimberly Crawford are super cute. You can find instructions on how to make them on her blog.

Teacup candle favors

2009-04-05T00:50:00.003+11:00

These cute little tea cups are from Martha Stewart. Tea cups can be picked up from op shops and garage sales quite cheaply and they dont have to match.

Beautiful flower girl headband

2009-04-05T00:47:00.003+11:00

Instructions for this beautiful headband can be found on Design Mom's blog. It's perfect for a flower girl or even for the bride at a vintage themed wedding. You can personalised it with flowers similar to your bouquet.

Wedding card holder

2009-04-05T00:45:00.004+11:00

This stylish wedding card holder can be made to suit the color and theme of your wedding. You can find the instructions on Maida Vale

Fabric covered vases

2009-04-05T00:42:00.003+11:00

For instructions on how to make these beautiful fabric covered vases are here

Beach themed table decorations

2009-04-04T14:05:00.006+11:00

Both these gorgeous centrepieces can be found on Promised Hearts Inc

This is perfect centrepiece for the bridal table at a beach themed wedding. You can add colored sand or personalized toasting glasses.

Above 3 photos from Beach themed weddings blog

From total wedding planning blog

The instructions on how to decorate this cute guest book table can be found on ehow

Purple Dendrobium Orchids with Sand and Seashells from Sun Kissed Weddings

Asian themed centrepieces

2009-04-04T10:17:00.002+11:00

From LotusHaus Flowers

This beautiful asian inspired table setting is from Hostess Blog. Check out her page for all the details.

Instructions for this can be found at the WeddingAces page

Instructions on how to make these beautiful cherry blossom lights can be found on Craftser

Wedding cake alternatives

2009-04-04T09:23:00.002+11:00

In lieu of a wedding cake, a dessert buffet at the reception is laden with sweets from a favorite local bakery. Extra seating cards are calligraphed with the names of the desserts; patterned paper bands and red and blue cotton ribbon trim the cake stands.

I found this on a forum and thought it was a cute idea. Each guest at the wedding made a mini pie (apple, blueberry, pecan etc) and brought it along to be arrange on the cake stand.

Stack chocolate truffles in a tall tower that's reminiscent of a cake.

From Exquisite Bride Blog

From Bride Ca

From Martha Stewart Weddings

From Cakella

Wedding Dress creator

2009-04-04T09:20:00.002+11:00

If you are thinking about making your own wedding dress. Try The Wedding Dress Creator. Its a downloadable program that lets you 'make' your wedding dress how you want it.

Fingerprint love hearts

2009-04-04T00:25:00.003+11:00

I came across this at Sunsetcookies Esty shop and love it! Using the bride and grooms fingerprints to make love hearts! She's making them into invites but you could use them for anything!

Simple centrepieces

2009-04-04T00:10:00.004+11:00

These tall lime & orchid centrepieces found on the Best Destination Weddings forum are splendid for a summery beach wedding. I think the ocean blue linens really round out the refreshing combination.

These are actually origami flowers! The instructions can be found on WedLog

From Wedding Flowers Guide

Edible centrepieces

2009-04-03T18:27:00.002+11:00

Kill two bird with one stone and have your favors incorporated into your centrepieces. At the end of the night, have the MC/DJ announce that the favors are there for the taking, or have little cards on the table letting everyone know to take one at the end of the night

Arrange some lollipops in the color theme of your wedding in a pretty vase

These glass cylinders can be customized in an unlimited number of ways with whatever decorative elements you choose. Fill them with M&Ms, smarties or other little lollies/chocolate and have little favor boxes for people to fill at the end of the night.

A large martini, champagne or wine glass, filled with individual chocolates

Vintage wedding Inspiration

2009-02-18T08:19:00.005+11:00

Vintage wedding

2009-02-18T08:11:00.003+11:00

The resurgence of vintage-styled clothes, dances and songs has renewed the interest of brides-to-be on this wedding theme. What would it take to have your very own vintage wedding? Here are a few ideas...

Pick an Era, Any Era
Every decade has a definitive style, a unique place in history. There are so many to incorporate that spirit and panache into your wedding design. Be thorough with the design elements and you’ll have an impressive theme.

VICTORIAN:
Defining Trends - Society structure was strict and coded. Afternoon tea in the Garden was an elegant soiree.
Attire - High-collared, lace-corseted gown with bustle. Opt for large brimmed hats or jeweled hair combs rather than a veil; gentlemen in top hat & long coat. Look to the movie “Titanic” for design inspiration.
Decor - English garden or Victorian home; antique lace in ivory shades and pale pastels. Accent with pearls.
Music - String quartet elegantly flows in the fresh afternoon air. First dance is a waltz.
Menu - Tea sandwiches, scones, Champagne Punch.
Magic Moment - Recess down the aisle in a shower of floating feathers.

JAZZ AGE:
Defining Trends - Prohibition couldn’t stop the energy of a decadent decade.
Attire - Light layers, shorter hemlines and longer veils. The waistline is non-existent. Black-tux with tails and top hat reigned for the men. Rent “The Cat’s Meow” or “It Happened One Night” for fantastic attire ideas.
Decor - Au Art Deco Hotel serves as your speakeasy. Let the architecture inspire your cake shape, invitation fonts, and flower accents.
Music - Ragtime piano during cocktails and a swing jazz hand to dance the Charleston. First Dance is a fox-trot to anything by George & Ira Gershwin.
Menu - Cocktails were essentially invented during this era; create a menu of specialty offerings (The Side Car, Bathtub Gin Martini, etc.).
Magic Moment - Guys take home their very own personalized flask and a pink flask for the ladies!

HOLLYWOOD GLAM:
Defining Trends - During economic strife, Hollywood kicked into high gear with streamline fashion and musical extravaganza.
Attire - Dresses accented the feminine body, clinging and sensual. Fabrics are lush (heavy satin) to accent a simple design. Double breasted suit and bow tie for the gentlemen. “The Aviator” will provide plenty of inspiration for the apparel.
Decor - Give your guests the red carpet treatment, with screaming autograph seekers and paparazzi vying for their attention.
Music - The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals lends a library of classic tunes. First dance in Fred & Ginger style to "Cheek to Cheek."
Menu - The Cosmo came into vogue during the ‘30s.
Magic Moment - Place a Polaroid from the paparazzi into a mini film tin as the party favor.

SWING ERA:
Defining Trends - Simplicity was key, but certainly not boring.
Attire - Even with wartime rations, 1940s gowns were distinct. Sophisticated hair styles accented with a flower help define the era. Military dress uniform or double-breasted business suit with fedora for the gentlemen. For inspiration, rent “The Palm Beach Story.”
Decor - After a trip to the courthouse, treat your guests to a swing dance lesson before the dinner reception at a supper club.
Music - Only the Big Band tunes will do—Goodman, Miller, Dorsey. Let Ella serenade your first dance "For Sentimental Reasons."
Menu - Straight from mom’s kitchen: home cooked comfort foods. Send guests home with a slice of groom’s cake (a traditional wedding favor).
Magic Moment - Making your get away in a 1940 Packard Limousine.

ATOMIC AGE:
Defining Trends - The return to innocent, a boom in invention.
Attire - Gowns were fitted and bell shaped with lots of tulle and decorative accent. Veils were fingertip length. Gentlemen are styling in a midnight blue tuxedo jacket. The original “Father of the Bride” is a definitive example of 1950s wedding glamour.
Decor - Think sock hop, book a bowling alley or transform a high school gym into a “prom night.’ Color palette of cotton candy pink, mint green and lemon yellow.
Music - A DJ can spin early rock & roll standards. Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is a dream of a first dance selection.
Menu - What would June Cleaver serve? Gourmet-up the menu of Tuna casserole, macaroni & cheese, meatloaf with mashed potatoes—milk shakes for dessert!
Magic Moment - Guests are treated to a special appearance by Sandy & Danny look-a-likes.

From Hanson Ellis

Bride's Attire

Go for a slim fitting suit or a drop shoulder slender fit satin dress with full length gloves and a hat with a netted face veil. Finish it off with accessories such as seamed nylons and spiked healed shoes (make sure they are comfortable though.)

Groom's Attire

Pin striped suits were still all the rage, or because of the war, army uniforms were often worn.

Bridal Party

The bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen clothing should be along the same lines as the bride and groom.

Big Band Wedding Theme Invitations

If you're making your own, decorate the invitations with pictures of either big band instruments (saxophone, trombone, tuba, bass, trumpet). Another choice is to use a graphic of a wine bottle draped with a string of pearls.
Use a sepia photo (one that has been made to look antique) featuring you and your fiancée as your background. Surround the picture in a border created to look like it's in an antique frame. Print your wording on vellum paper and secure it over the photo.

1940's Vintage Wedding Decorations

Fill balloons with helium and float them above the dance floor.
Create several balloon bouquets and place around the room.
Secure a mirrored, slow-turning "disco" ball over the dance floor.
Add strings of small lights over doorways.
Buy cheap children's musical instruments (saxophone, trumpet, etc.) and create an arrangement on the main food table as a centerpiece focal point.
Have a fountain that produces bubbles.
Use posters of famous people of the forties. Hang on the walls.
Find pictures of cars, bi-planes, etc. that relate to that period. Hang on the walls.

Theme Favors For a 1940's Vintage Wedding

Give an actual antique photo of yourselves in an antique looking frame.
Create a music sheet with your favorite song, roll up and secure with ribbon.
Present small bottles of wine or champagne decorated with some ribbon and a string of fake pearls.
Another idea is to buy cheap champagne glasses and fill with rose petals or mints.

Themed Centerpieces

You could use wine bottles draped with pearls or army dog-tags.
Lay long white gloves in the center of the table and scatter rose petals over them. Place a tall vase with a single rosebud next to the gloves.
Buy a large champagne glass for each table and fill with glass beads; place a candle in the middle of each and drape fake pearls along its stem.
Create a musical arrangement centerpiece. At a craft supply store, purchase miniature musical instruments (saxophone, trombone, trumpet, etc.), along with a small "music stand" and place an antiqued sheet of music with your songs on each stand.

Suggested Pewmarkers

Buy the small, plastic horns, drums, etc. available at craft stores (usually I've seen them in the Christmas section). Create small music song sheets and secure the instrument to the sheet with a ribbon. Hang as pew markers.

Wedding Programs

Make your wedding programs look like a music book, with a dark "leather-look" cover with your initials or names on it. On the inside, use a music score sheet for your backgrounds (faded, watermark type background) with your program information written within.

1940's Vintage Wedding Music

Any of the big band music that features Jazz and/or Blues -- basically, think "Lawrence Welk" (for those of you who remember who this is - if not, follow the link for a Wikipedia explanation.) You could hire an actual band or find a D.J. that enjoys this type of music and knows what to play.

Search for the appropriate music by the following artists:

Andrews Sisters
Louis Armstrong
Fred Astaire
Gene Autrey
Cab Calloway
Nat King Cole
Count Basie
Bing Cosby
Dorris Day
Tommy Dorsey
Duke Ellington
Gracie Fields
Ella Fitzgerald
Benny Goodman
Fletcher Henderson

Ink Spots
Spike Jones
Sammy Kaye
Franky Laine
Guy Lombardo
Jeanette MacDonald
Glenn Miller
Mills Brothers
Cole Porter
Artie Shaw
Frank Sinatra
Mel Torme
Fats Waller
Woody Herman

A 1940's Big Band Wedding Cake

Get a regular wedding cake (2 or 3 tiers) and place small, plastic musical instruments along the edges. For the topper, have two figures standing in front of a music stand.
Have the cake shaped into a musical instrument such as a saxophone, trumpet, drums, piano, tuba, guitars, etc. Brass instruments were very popular then.

Beach themed wedding cakes

2009-02-17T12:43:00.002+11:00

Asian themed wedding cakes

2009-02-17T12:37:00.003+11:00

Photo wall with a difference

2009-02-16T13:50:00.005+11:00

From Wedding Obsession

Set up your own picture station with a laptop, digital camera, and photo printer. Have a friend or hire someone to man the booth. Pose, snap, and print! Consider setting up rows of string like the picture above and hold the snapshots with butterfly clips. The photos will be ready to go when it’s time for the guests to head home.

Or, if you prefer, use the ‘clothes-line’ idea to put up any pictures of you and your groom (baby pix, when you first met, first date etc.). I’m sure it will be a great alternative from the usual slideshow presentation.

Jelly centrepieces

2009-02-16T13:47:00.001+11:00

From Rachel Ray Magazine

- Combine six boxes of Jell-O powder in half the amount of water specified (to get a more vibrant color).
- Chill the mix in your choice of vase for approximately 30 minutes.
- Push the flowers into the semi-firm gelatin.
- Leave to set

Rose Ice Cubes

2009-02-16T13:40:00.003+11:00

From Jonathan Fong Style

Rose Ice Cubes

For a truly romantic evening, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or an anniversary, show your love with this wine bucket filled with roses encased in ice. They’ll melt any heart.

Is it edible?

Most roses are indeed edible. However, many growers use pesticides on the roses, so I would avoid putting these ice cubes in drinks unless you’re sure there were no chemicals used. Just use the ice to cool the wine or champagne bottle.

What you’ll need:

(per ice tray)
12 spray roses (the small ones)
12 twist ties
2 wooden skewers
1 ice tray
Floral tape

1. To keep the roses submerged in the ice trays, we have to build a framework that will weigh them down. Cut the spray roses, leaving about 2 inches of stem, and use twist ties to attach the stems to the skewers.

2. Place the roses, which are attached to the skewers, upside down in their individual ice compartments of the tray.

3. Tape down the skewers at the ends of the ice tray to keep everything from floating when you add water. Your ice tray should look like the one in the photo.

4. Add water to the ice tray and freeze overnight.

Easy to make chair covers - step by step video

2009-02-14T19:06:00.004+11:00

From Charming bows

Parasol Seating Cards - perfect for a beach themed wedding

2009-02-13T14:41:00.003+11:00

From Martha Stewart Weddings

These cheerfully colored umbrellas sporting seating assignments dot miniature sand dunes at the entrance to a summer reception.

You'll need a 1-inch-deep tray, a sheet of 1/4-inch foam board cut to fit into bottom of the tray, and some sand. Lay the foam board in the tray, and cover with sand. Drizzle sand unevenly, sifting a bit more here and there to form dunes. Print your seating assignments onto colored paper, and cut them into strips; glue strips to the shafts of the umbrellas. Poke the umbrellas through the sand into the foam board at an angle so guests can easily find their names.

Save the date ideas

2009-02-13T14:16:00.003+11:00

From Elizabeth Anne Designs

Scrabble: Spell out your save the date card on a scrabble board. Include the words “Save the Date”, names, wedding date and city, and your wedding website. Take a photo and mail prints as your save the date card!

From Off Beat Bride

I love these save the date cards! Visit a photobooth and use your imagination! Hold up a sign, write on your hand...the ideas are endless

Bookmarks

Remind guests of your wedding with every page they turn. These bookmarks were printed on lightweight card stock, five per sheet, and trimmed to 2-by-7-inch strips. Punch holes; add store-bought tassels. Mail in glassine envelopes with card-stock inserts bearing the address.

From Martha Stewart Weddings

Ribbon Reminder

Open this card, and the details (literally) come spilling out. Cut date from card stock using number punches; pierce tops with a hole punch. Slide onto 1/4-inch ribbon, tying bows before and after each pair. Cut two slits in a note card; thread ribbon through, and tie a bow. Download envelope liner here, or use a word-processing program to cut and paste words in different colors all over a page; print out. Cut to size (use unfolded envelope as template); affix with glue stick.

Fortune cookies

2009-02-13T08:04:00.005+11:00

From HomeHints

These are a great idea for a bit of fun at your wedding. The guests will love opening them up to read their 'fortune'

Makes 45

What you will need

60g unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
2 eggwhites, at room temperature
1/3 cup (50g) plain flour
45 messages on 1 x 5.5cm pieces of paper

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Place butter and sugar in a bowl. Using a wooden spoon, combine well. Add eggwhites, 1 at a time, stirring until smooth. Stir in flour and a pinch of salt until smooth.

2. Using an 8cm pastry cutter as a guide, trace 4 circles, 4cm apart, on to a sheet of baking paper. Flip paper over and place on a greased oven tray. Using a metric measuring spoon, spoon a slightly rounded tsp of mixture on to each circle. Use the back of a spoon to spread batter to fill circles.

3. Bake for 6-7 minutes or until cookies begin to brown around edges. Working quickly, slide a spatula under each cookie to loosen, then place a message on top of each. Fold hot biscuits in half to enclose, pressing edges together, then bend in half the other way, over the edge of a glass, to create crescent shapes. Hold for a few seconds. Place on a wire rack to cool.

4. Repeat with remaining batter. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes & tips * Cook's tip: Baking paper can be reused up to four times; any more and cookies won't be as smooth.

Funny messages -

He who throws dirt is losing ground.

You can always find happiness at work on Friday.

Do not mistake temptation for opportunity.

A woman who seeks to be equal with men lacks ambition. Ouch!!!

The greatest danger could be your stupidity.

He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.

He who laughs last is laughing at you.

A closed mouth gathers no feet.

A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.

A cynic is only a frustrated optimist.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind, and won't change the subject.

It doesn't matter. Who is without a flaw?

The world may be your oyster, but it doesn't mean you'll get its pearl.

Flattery will go far tonight.

Love Messages -

A warm smile is testimony of a generous nature.

A secret admirer will soon send you a sign of affection.

Love asks me no questions, and gives me endless support. Shakespeare

In the end there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.

Don't forget, you are always on our minds.

Love is for the lucky and the brave.

If you continually give, you will continually have.

If you want the rainbow, you must put up with the rain. D. Parton

If you would be loved, love and be lovable.

The one you love is closer than you think.

Love always and deeply.

Your heart will always make itself known through your words.

Love begets love.

We cannot do great things; only small things with great love. Mother Teresa

Love is like wildflowers...it is often found in the most unlikely places.

Love is the only medicine for a broken heart.

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. H.L. Mencken

Much more grows in the garden than that which is planted there.

One who admires you greatly is hidden before your eyes.

Only love lets us see normal things in an extraordinary way.

The greatest gift is love.

The time is right to make new friends.

There is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure.

Those who have love, have wealth beyond measure.

To love is to forgive.

Hearts are not to be had as a gift, hearts are to be earned. W.B. Yeats

Your heart is a place to draw true happiness.

Love conquers all.

Count your blessings by thinking of those whom you love.

Downloadable wedding bits and pieces

2009-02-12T11:57:00.005+11:00

Gift boxes

Engagement notice

Photo cubes

Also check out Microsoft Office Templates. They have a heap of invitations, save the dates, programs and more that you can download and print out.

DIY Boutonnieres

2009-02-12T10:32:00.002+11:00

From JR Roses

If you are craft-inclined and want to add a handcrafted touch, try making the groom's boutonniere. We suggest using a hardy flower with a big head such as a rose or miniature calla lily; they can survive being handled. You can make a boutonniere the day before the wedding, and be sure to get extra flowers for practice. Here's a step-by-step guide on do-it-yourself boutonnieres.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Blooms for boutonnieres

Bucket

Floral wire

Green waxed floral tape

Ivy leaf, fern frond, or other greenery

Pearl-tipped corsage pins

Pencil

Resealable plastic sandwich bag

Ribbon in a complementary wedding-day color (optional)

Stem cutter or sharp knife

Stem stripper

Wire cutters

STEP 1: Selecting & Preparing the Bundles of Blooms

Pick your bundles of bouquets. Remove excess foliage and thorns, and pull off damaged petals. Fill a sink or bucket with water, and holding the stems underwater, use the stem cutter or knife to cut the stems at an angle about two inches from the bottom. Allow the flowers to drink for a few seconds with the stem ends underwater, then place the stems in a bucket filled halfway with cool water until you are ready to use them. Note: If you are working with roses and the heads aren't open yet, you can force the blooms open by placing the stems in a bucket of hot water; do this only for a couple of minutes just before you are going to use the roses, otherwise you might kill them.

STEP 2: Choosing & Preparing Particular Flowers

Choose a particular stem and/or flower for the boutonniere. Use a stem cutter or sharp knife to cut the stem to a length of approximately three inches. Create a bed for the flower: Take an ivy leaf, fern frond, or other bit of greenery and place it behind the flower. Knot Note: The bed should not extend much beyond the top of the flower and should be visible from the sides. Place a six-inch piece of wire behind the stems.

STEP 3: Crafting the Boutonniere

Prepare the stems: Starting from the top of the stems, begin to wrap floral tape down the stems in a spiral to secure them together; wrap until about 3/4 of an inch is covered. Trim away the excess stem and continue to wrap floral tape around the wire about three inches down, then wrap the tape back up toward the flower head. Once you're back at the top, wrap tape around several times to be sure it's secure. Trim the excess tape.

STEP 4: Securing the Boutonniere

Finish the boutonniere stem: Trim the wired and wrapped stem so the total length is about 1 1/2 inches. Curl the end around a pencil point and pinch the tip to finish it. Attach a ribbon bow (if you like). Depending on the weight of the boutonniere, insert one or two pearl-tipped pins into the stem to use later for attaching it to the lapel.

The boutonniere is now complete! Mist it with water and place it in a resealable plastic sandwich bag (blow a puff of breath into the bag before you seal it to provide airspace around the boutonniere). You can place up to two boutonnieres in the same bag.

DIY Bouquets

2009-02-12T10:24:00.003+11:00

From JR Roses

A simple single-flower arrangement is not difficult to make, and the classic dome shape of this round bouquet complements most wedding gowns. Be sure to stick to hardier flowers like roses, which are easier to arrange and can endure a little manhandling. To make a bridal bouquet about 8 inches in diameter, just follow the instructions below. This bouquet takes between 30 and 60 minutes to construct, and about 30 to 60 stems.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

30 to 60 stems of a hardy flower like the rose (20 to 40 for each bridesmaid bouquet)

Bucket

Paper towels

Ribbon (in a complementary color), 1 to 2 inches wide Rubber bands or green waxed floral tape

Stem cutter or very sharp knife

Stem stripper

Straight pins or pearl-tipped corsage pins

STEP 1: Preparing the Flowers
Use your hands or a stem stripper to remove excess foliage and thorns, and pull off damaged or unattractive outer petals. Fill a sink or bucket with water, and holding the stems underwater use the stem cutter or knife to cut the stems at an angle about 2 inches from the bottom. Allow the flowers to drink for a few seconds with the stem ends underwater, then place the stems in a bucket filled halfway with cool water until you are ready to use them. Note: If you're working with roses and the heads aren't open yet, you can force the blooms open by placing the stems in a bucket of hot water; but only do this for a couple of minutes just before you are going to use the roses, or you might kill them otherwise. Keep the stems long while you work with them and trim them to a shorter length when you've finished constructing the bouquet.

STEP 2: Assembling the Flowers

Take one stem at a time with one hand, and use your other hand to hold the flowers in place. Assemble four flowers at an even height in a square shape -- these will be at the center of the dome. Arrange the other flowers one by one around the center flowers to create a dome shape. Note: To better see what the bouquet will look like in your hand, stand in front of a mirror as you construct the bouquet to observe how the shape is progressing.

STEP 3: Securing the Bouquet

Use a rubber band or floral tape to bind the stems at the spot where they naturally join (about 3 to 4 inches below the flower heads). Repeat the binding toward the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches of excess stem beneath the bind to trim later. Either place the stems in water and wrap them later or continue to Step 4.

STEP 4: Finish the Handle

Cut the stem ends so they are all the same length, about 7 to 8 inches long. Dry off the stems with a paper towel. Cut a length of ribbon about three times as long as the length of the stems. Tuck the end of the ribbon inside the top bind and start wrapping in a spiral down the length of the stem. When you reach the bottom, wrap in a spiral back up the stem. At the top, tuck the cut end of the ribbon underneath and secure with a couple of pins pushed through the ribbon and into the stems. If you'd like a bow, cut a separate length of ribbon and tie it just beneath the flower heads.

STEP 5: Preserving the Bouquet

Wrap the bouquet in tissue. Store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to leave for the ceremony. For ultimate freshness, it's best to make the bouquet the morning of the wedding. Once the bouquet is constructed, keep the bare stems in water as long as you can and mist the heads well. Then when you're ready, wrap the stems.

Chocolate Truffles Topiary

2009-02-11T07:17:00.003+11:00

From Betty Crocker

Materials -

1 round florists foam topiary with dowel and base, 5 inches in diameter
1 flower pot to fit topiary base, about 6 inches in diameter
Rocks to weight the pot
Toothpicks
Around 50 truffles (with firm centres)
Glad wrap or aluminum foil
3 cups of fresh raspberries
White & Gold ribbon

Directions -

Press topiary base securely into flowerpot (glue if necessary) Fill pot 2/3 full with rocks
Insert toothpicks into topiary ball and then push the truffles onto the toothpicks.
Line top of pot with glad wrap or foil and then cover with raspberries.
Tie the ribbon into a bow on the dowel



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Hearts and Flowers Topiary

2009-02-10T23:15:00.004+11:00

From BHG

You Will Need

6-inch block of florist's foam
6-inch clay pot
(2) 9-inch cinnamon sticks
7-inch heart-shape plastic foam (Styrofoam) form
Miniature dried roses
Glue gun
2-inch piece of hanger wire
Dried moss

Instructions

Wedge the florist's foam inside the pot, trimming as necessary to fit.
Hot-glue two cinnamon sticks together and push them into the center of the florist's foam.
Hot-glue dried roses to heart shape.
Push the wire piece halfway into the pointed end of the heart shape. Push remaining end of wire into the top of one cinnamon stick. Secure with glue.
Cover the base of the topiary with moss.

Paper Fans

2009-02-10T23:08:00.001+11:00

From BHG

What You Need:

12 x 12-inch sheet of patterned scrapbook paper
Scissors: scallop-edge and straight-edge
Crafts glue
1/8-inch hole punch
24-inch length of 1/2-inch-wide seam-binding ribbon

Instructions:

Trim opposite edges of the scrapbook paper with the scallop-edge scissors. Beginning with a straight edge of the paper, make accordion-style pleats every 3/4 inch across the paper. Firmly finger-crease each pleat.
Fold the pleated piece in half to form a fan and then unfold. To eliminate bulk where the unit folds in half, use straight-edge scissors to cut away a piece of the paper about one inch long on the inside pleat.
Refold the fan, spreading out the pleats, and slip one edge of each inside pleat over the other; glue in place. Use the hole punch to make a hole at the bottom of the center pleat. Insert the ribbon through the hole and tie a bow.
Use the hole punch to make a hole at the bottom of the center pleat. Insert the ribbon through the hole and tie a bow.

Not budget , but still pretty cool

2009-02-10T22:55:00.003+11:00

I came across this site while looking for something else and thought I would share. Custom Printed M&MS

It's based in the US but does have a number you can call to enquire about shipping internationally.

You can choose from a heap of different colors and then personalise it how ever you like! One side has a picture of the bride and groom on it and the other side has text. You can also make them with text on both side rather than a picture. They make great favors.

Even if custom printed M&Ms are out of your price range, they do have some pretty cool ideas on how to decorate cakes with M&Ms so check out their page.

Celebrate your big day without spending big $$$

More wedding freebies

Cocktails

Cosmopolitans

Ingredients (serves 6)

Method

Chilli mojito

Preparation Time

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Ingredients (serves 8)

Method

Notes & tips

Blue lagoon

Ingredients (serves 8)

Method

Notes & tips

Berry punch

Makes

Ingredients

Method

Watermelon mai tai

Preparation Time

Ingredients (serves 8)

Method

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Frozen cosmopolitan

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Passionfruit Champagne cocktails

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Purple wedding inspiration

Create your own wedding ring with Amazon

Black and White Damask Wedding

Bargain wedding dresses

DIY seed packet favors

A 'rocking' guestbook idea

DIY Vase for Free (Using Recycled Light Bulbs)

Red weddings

Eco friendly weddings

Upside down centrepiece

Childhood photo placecards

Watermelon Keg - great for a casual outdoor wedding

Wedding competitions

Win one of three Romance and Seduction Packages at The Stamford Plaza Melbourne thanks to Bride Magazine

Win a night of decadence at The Observatory Hotel thanks to Bride magazine

Win a honeymoon on Hamilton Island at I-do.com.au

Win Koala Dude and Koala Bride Fun Wedding Thank you Cards thanks to Your Wedding Wardrobe Blog

Wedding hair

Pink & Black wedding inspiration

Wedding Food Ideas

Travel Themed Wedding Inspiration

Rock n Roll Wedding Inspiration

DIY: Kissing Tree

DIY bird cage veil

DIY Ring Bearer Pillow

DIY: Hand-painted Parasol

How to make a wedding garter

DIY Wedding Programs

DIY: Lacy Saucer Centerpieces

How To Make Your Own Wish Tree

Scottish Wedding theme

Giftbox templates

DIY satin stole

Coffee tin candle holders

Beautiful DIY light board

Processional Wedding Ceremony Songs.

Paper flower fairy lights

Everyone loves a freebie..

Bubble gum bouquets

Photo table numbers

Hanging Place cards

Monogrammed Cuff Links

Simple DIY ring pillow

Coca Cola Wedding favors

DIY wedding shoes

DIY pearl necklace

posy parasols

DIY hair accessories