Author Archives: mswildcrd

Unity Ceremony ideas

Are you trying to make your ceremony unique? Want to do something besides a Unity Candle? Here are 25 fun ideas that you can incorporate into your wedding celebration.

Rose Ceremony: A simple unity ceremony where the bride and groom exchange roses as their first gifts to one another. Other variations: the families exchange roses, the bride and groom exchange roses with their families, the bride and groom exchange roses, then present their mothers with the roses.
http://myceremony.ca/rose_ceremony.htm

Credit: Kettle Creek Weddings

Wine Ceremony: The bride and groom each take a carafe of wine and pour it into a single glass, which they both drink from. The below image is a variation of containers.
http://www.yourweddingcanvas.com/cereutywine.html

Credit: ScissorMill.com

Wine Box Ceremony: A wine box sealed during your ceremony with a special bottle of wine to open on your anniversary!
http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com/lovebox.html

Credit: Mossy Holler

Love Letter and Wine Box Ceremony: Similar idea to the wine box ceremony, however, you each add a sealed letter expressing what you love in each other and why you fell in love. Other keepsakes could also be included: photos of the couple, some flower petals thrown by the flower girl during the actual ceremony. The box is to be opened on a milestone anniversary or earlier if you feel your marriage has reached a hardship and you need to reflect upon the reasons you fell in love and chose to marry each other.
http://www.celebrateintimateweddings.com/ceremonylovebox.html

Celtic Oathing Stone: “The couple holds or puts their hands on a stone during their vows to “set them in stone”

Credit : mainlinedesigns

The Pebble Tradition – or well wishes rocks. Have everyone hold a rock and bless it during the ceremony. After the ceremony they place it in a vase or other container for the newlyweds to display in their home.
http://www.chaosangel.com/17feb/ceremony2.html#bell

Credit: thepaperynook

Ring Warming Ceremony – rings can be passed around the room on a pillow or in a bag. The officiant can explain a little about it right at the beginning of the ceremony. http://offbeatbride.com/2009/08/ring-warming-wedding (or search google)
Everyone holds the rings for a few seconds and says a little blessing/prayer for them. Then by the time you do your vows the rings have made their way all the way around the room and all your loved ones have given their blessings.

An alternative is to have them displayed at the ceremony entrance, and have people give their blessings before they sit down.

Credit: Elijah and Jackie Parker

Hand Blessing Ceremony: Bride and groom hold each other’s hands while a blessing if said.
http://www.weddingministerct.com/wedding-hand-blessing-ceremony.htm

The Unity Cross
The Unity Cross is a multi-piece sculpture that is assembled during the Unity Service of your Wedding Ceremony representing how the -Two become One. The Groom places the outer Cross in the beautiful wood base as the Pastor explains how God created man- Bold, Strong, the Defender of the Family yet how he is empty and incomplete without the woman. The Bride then places the more delicate cross inside of the Grooms cross as the Pastor explains how God created Woman- Delicate, multi-faceted, taking care of all of the little things that completes the man, and the -Two become One. The Bride and Groom then use the 3 golden pegs to lock the union (cross) together in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the pastor exclaims that: What God has brought together let no man take apart. Then the Unity Cross is taken home and displayed as a Daily Reminder of your Wedding Day and the Covenant that you both have made.

Unity Cross

http://shop.getmarried.com/Wedding-Ceremony/

Cord of Three Strands: The cord of three strands symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God into a marriage relationship. http://www.godsknot.com/CordOfThreeStrands.aspx

DIY – http://www.themakeyourownzone.com/2012/01/homemade-gods-knot-cord-of-three-strands.html

credit: themakeyourownzone

Feet Washing Ceremony: A beautiful idea for a Christian wedding. A sign of being humble, thoughtful, and willing to serve. Have a beautiful pitcher with just a little water in it, a bowl, and a sponge. The bride and groom take their shoes off, placed the sponge in the bowl, poured the water on top of the sponge, lightly washed each others feet with the sponge, the dried their feet off with a towel, and placed their shoes back on once they were done.You can get special monogrammed towels to go with it.

credit: acresofhopephotography

Handfasting: Handfasting is a simple and traditional ceremony used in Irish, Scottish, and Welsh weddings, which goes back to the medieval and renaissance period. It involves the tying of hands together to symbolize the coming together and remain tied together.
http://www.officiantguy.com/handfastingceremony.html

credit: matchandfusion

Unity Sand Ceremony: a symbolic blending of two different-colored sands into a single vessel. The blending of two different beings, into a single, inseparable unit that is their marriage — the joining of their lives. Hard as it would be to separate out those grains of sand, that’s how difficult it is to separate these two people. Multiple sand vessels can also be combined to include God or children.
wording options: http://www.forthisjoyousoccasion.com/unity-sand-ceremony.html

credit: Sedona Bride | Katrina Andrew Fine Art Photojournalism

Salt Covenant: Many cultures consider salt to be the purest of all natural substances. Salt has also been seen as a symbol of other elements of life, such as permanence, purity and good luck. In the Bible, salt is mentioned in the expression “covenant of salt” in reference to the substance’s binding nature. By pouring the two separate jars of salt together, the couple are totally mixing the grains. It would be impossible to ever distinguish the salt as coming from one person or the others again, much as their commitment to each other before God can never be broken. (Don’t color your salt, then you can distinguish the grains.)
http://www.weddingsfl.com/files/Covenant_of_Salt.pdf

credit: studio512

Your take on the Sand/Salt Ceremony: Mix any two items into one vessel. Are you chefs or have an interesting connection with food? White peppercorns and black lava salt, turmeric and paprika, salt and pepper, cinnamon and sugar.

credit: Sarah Schulte

Hour Glass Ceremony: A take on the sand ceremony but it can be turned on every anniversary. The idea is that when you put each color of sand in the glass they’re inseparable but not entwined. As time continues on the colors become so entwined they are impossible to part. http://heirloomhourglass.com/weddingunitysandceremony.html

credit: chestersmomma

Water Ceremony: “as you pour your yellow water into the container you bring sunshine and wisdom to your marriage…as you pour your blue water into the marriage vessel, you bring confidence, trust and loyalty to your marriage.”
http://www.sacredweddingvows.com/wedding-location-ideas/wedding-ceremony/wedding-ceremony-personal-touche/unity-water-ceremony/

Credit: Joel Navarro, from Imulsion Imagery

“Science” Water Ceremony: clear to pink with phenolphthalein
Cat and Andrew came up with a science-based ceremony: “Since Andrew is a Chemist, and a big science nerd. His favorite moment was our special version of a candle lighting/unity ceremony. We each poured a vase what looked like plain water into a large pitcher, causing an instant color change from clear to pink. Magic! (I mean… science!) The audience gasped and applauded, and we were beaming.”
http://offbeatbride.com/2011/04/unity-ceremony-options#.UwpGIM0XtZq

credit: Whitney Lee

Tasting of Four Elements: An African-American wedding tradition. This ritual dramatizes the “Traditional” promise to love “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.” Lemon, vinegar, cayenne pepper, and honey — represent the sour, the bitter, the hot, and the sweet times of marriage.
wording options: http://www.trystanphotography.com/tips-and-tricks/great-wedding-ceremony-ideas-tasting-elements/

credit: trystanphotography

Chocolate Ceremony: “By sharing this chocolate with each other, you promise to always be present for each other, in darkness and light, in sweet and bitter, in dismal and delicious.” by Celia Milton

credit: thesweetbasket

German Wedding Cup: Centuries ago, in old Nuermberg, the nobel mistress Kunigunde fell in love with a young and ambitious goldsmith. Although Kunigunde’s wealthy father did not approve of this pair, it was clear that she only wanted the goldsmith to be her husband as she refused many titled and rich suitors who asked for her hand in marriage. Her father became so enraged that he had the young goldsmith thrown into the darkest dungeon. It did not end their love, and the father created what he thought to be an impossible task: “If your goldsmith can make a chalice from which two people can drink at the same time without spilling one single drop, I will free him and you shall become his bride.” The young goldsmith created a girl whose skirt was hollowed to serve as a cup and her raised arms held a ‘much smaller cup’ that swivels so that it could be filled and then swung towards a second drinker. The ”Bridal” or “Wedding Cup” remains a symbol; love, faithfulness and good luck await the couple who drink from this cup.

credit: steveonsteins

Red String of Fate: An East Asian belief originating from Chinese legend and is also used in Japanese legend. According to this myth, the gods tie a red cord around the ankles of those that are to meet one another in a certain situation or help each other in a certain way. Often, in Japanese culture, it is thought to be tied around the little finger. The two people connected by the red thread are destined lovers, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break.

credit: purrincup

Tree Planting Ceremony: Plant a tree together with a little dirt from your childhood home. An option is to have the parents water it to symbolize the way they have been an influence in teaching and encouraging love. After the ceremony, take the potted tree, and transplant it at the newlywed’s home to symbolize putting down roots, longevity, and strength within this marriage.
http://www.reynoldstreasures.com/tree-planting-ceremony-as-part-of-your-wedding/

credit: Micah Dahiberg Photography

Unity Candle for an Outdoor Ceremony: Get a 3 hook shepherds hook and lanterns to hold the candles.

For an Outdoor Wedding – Hang landerns

Actually “Tying the Knot”
Both the groom’s mom and the bride’s mom can present the couple with a long piece of thick ribbon or cord (2 different colors, maybe your wedding colors) which you will tie in a knot to symbolize the union of the two families. You can also plan to “tie the knot” every year on your anniversary with the same piece of ribbon/cord.

credit: allthetrimevents

Maybe practice to get it smooth? Do it slow for the photographer.
* practice tying a sailors knot
* The groom first takes his piece of rope and makes a knot on one end of the brides’ piece of rope. Then, the bride makes a knot on her end of the rope.
* Then you both pull one of your ends, and the knots will slide together and “kiss” creating the knot.
* The fisherman’s knot is the strongest knot known – your love is its strongest when tied together.

Officiant:
Groom and Bride have chosen to do something unique and special today in tying “the love knot” (maybe tell something about how you plan to do this every year if you like that idea)

(Groom and Bride will be holding these strands for this part of the ceremony.)
Start Tying of the “love knot” (slow for photographer)

Spoken after you tie the first part of the knot
To start the knot, both Groom and Bride must do their part as individuals.

Groom: As these two strands intertwine
Bride: So we join, your life and mine.
bride and groom finish tying the knot

Officiant: spoken after you finish the knot
In finishing the knot, Groom and Bride will understand that only together, and through continued effort can they create a lasting union.

Truce Bell. A bell is rung on the wedding day, the happiest day of the couple’s lives and then is placed in a central location in the home. If the couple starts to argue, one of them can ring the truce bell, reminding them both of that happiness and hopefully ending the disagreement.
http://www.chaosangel.com/17feb/ceremony2.html#bell

Credit: photographybyknights.com

1,000 Origami Cranes:
Since the elegant bird mates for life, it is a popular motif in weddings. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane. Some stories believe you are granted eternal good luck, instead of just one wish, such as long life of happiness or recovery from illness or injury. The duty of folding 1,000 cranes was initially assigned to the father of the bride who was wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. The the meaning and task of folding 1,000 cranes is now assigned to the bride; symbolic of showing the groom’s family what a patient woman the groom will be marrying. Couples can also do it together to practice patience, determination, and cooperation. If you wish to do this, know that on average, brides report investing more than 100 hours over six months.
http://weddingtraditions.about.com/od/MarriageTraditions/fl/Folding-1000-Wedding-Paper-Cranes.htm

credit: georgestreetphoto

Check out:
http://www.wedd101.com/bxh-outline-wedding-ceremony.html
gives a nice ceremony outline, and some examples of symbolic ceremonies.

ideas pulled from and some other ideas
http://offbeatbride.com/2011/04/unity-ceremony-options#.Uwr2C80XtZo

Flower names by Color

Jan 30

Posted by mswildcrd

Have you ever found a picture of a bouquet and wondered, “What is that flower?” Here is a collection of flower names sorted by color. A few bouquet examples are at the bottom and some non-traditional plant bouquets too.

~ Happy Planning ~

images from weddingflowersbyheidi.com

images pulled from fiftyflowers.com

images pulled from flowermuse.com

Credit: flowermuse.com

Images pulled from flowermuse and fiftyflowers

images pulled from fiftyflowers.com

Here is a GREAT collection of roses all next to each other so you can see the size and color variations.

Champagne and Pink
credit: floralverde.com

Pink and Blush
credit: flirtyfleurs.com

Lavender and Purple
credit: flirtyfleurs.com

Peach and Orange
credit: flirtyfleurs.com

Red
credit: flirtyfleurs.com

http://flirtyfleurs.com does a GREAT flower study where the color, fragrance, size, petal count, shape, bloom life, and bloom opening is discussed.

Some other flowers that are really Pretty in bouquets, but not many know the names of.

credit: bunchstudio.com

If Peonies are not in season, check out Garden Roses!

1. Succlents 2. Siver Brunia 3. Scabiosa 4. Garden Roses 5. Star of Bethlehehm
credit: viniferafloraldesign.com

peonies, lily of the valley, fiddlehead ferns, heleborus, ranunculus, veronica, cymbidium orchids, scabiosa pods, garden roses, cockscomb, bouvardia and green viburnum
Credit: mocharosedesigns.com

Peach Bouquet ideas
Top Row: asiatic lily, hypericum berries, rose, gerbera daisy, calla lily
Middle Row: flowering echinacea, amaranthus, ranunculus, button poms, bells of ireland
Bottom Row: peruvian lilies, polaris cushion pom, spray roses, scabiosa pods, pussy willow

bouquet credit: thefullbouquetblog.com

1. Lotus Pods 2. Pheasant Feathers 3. Garden rose (?) 4. twigs 5. Hypericum Berries
Credit peacockblooms.com

pheasant feather and seeded eucalyptus
Credit: theknot.com

Burlalp, Succulent, Dahlias and Garden Rose credit: noonansdesigns.com

Pheasant feather, rose, other nature elements
credit: lovenfreshflowers.com

Burlalp, Succulent, Dahlias, Dusty Miller and Garden Rose
credit: noonansdesigns.com

pomegranates, lotus pods, lisianthus, silver brunia, brunia baubles, dahlia buds, Amnesia roses, veronica and pepper berries
Credit: bunchstudio.com

…..

Posted in Color Inspirations, Flowers

Yellow inspiration boards

Jan 27

Posted by mswildcrd

What colors go with Yellow? I have created some color inspiration boards over the years and have posted some of my favorites. All images to create these boards were taken off google. Sorry I do not have more information about their origins. Enjoy!

Yellow – Gray
Roses, Tulips, Craspedia (Billy Balls), Freesia, Thistle, Silver Leaf Cinneraria

yellow-black-pewter

yellow-pewter-silver

Pink – Gray – Pewter

yellow-pewter-silver

Wedding line-up created at David’s Bridal.

Yellow – White – Navy

Yellow – Tiffany

White – Tiffany – Yellow

Yellow – Peach – Purple

Pink – Fuchsia – Yellow

Yellow – Orange – Pink

More images and flower examples on my facebook page under “photos”
Yellow Inspiration Boards

Posted in Color Inspirations, Yellow

1 Comment

Tags: black, caption, Color, Fuchsia, gray, Inspiration, Navy, orange, Peach, pewter, pink, Plum, Pool, silver, Tiffany, wedding, what goes with, white, yellow

Red inspiration boards

Jan 19

Posted by mswildcrd

What colors go with Red? I have created some color inspiration boards over the years and have posted some of my favorites. All images to create these boards were taken off google. Sorry I do not have more information about their origins. Enjoy!

Red – Black – Gold

Red & White – Flowers and Tux ideas

Black – White – Red

Red – Champagne – Ivory

Red – Champagne – Gray – Blush

Red – Blush – Champagne – Gray

Red – Blush – Gray – Champagne

Red – Teal – Ivory

Red – Tiffany

Red – Purple

Red – Purple – Pink

Red – Purple – Lilac

Red – Orange – Pink

Red – Yellow – Blue

More images and flower examples on my facebook page under “photos”
Red Inspiration Board

Posted in Color Inspirations, Red

Cake, Cupcakes, Candy Calculators for a Dessert Buffet

Jan 14

Posted by mswildcrd

Thinking of doing cupcake and/or cookie dessert bar? What size cake you should order? Wondering how much candy is needed to fill your buffet containers? How many M&M’s are there in a pound? Here is a collection of charts, tips, templates, and calculators to help you with your dessert bar or edible favors.
~ Happy Planning ~

icedjems.com

Do you want to buy a cake stand and are not sure how big your cake will be? Check with your baker, but this should give you a good estimate on the size tiers needed to feed the guest list. Remember: An option to save money is to have a smaller decorated cake and then a kitchen cake (a sheet cake made by the same baker in the same flavor as the displayed cake.) No one will know if their piece of cake came from the displayed cake or the sheet cake once it is all cut up.

How Much Candy Needed for a Candy Buffet????
# of Guests x 3(oz) then divide the answer by 16(oz) = Total lbs you should buy.
example 155 guests:
155 x 3= 465, then 465/16 = 29lbs of candy (for kilos divide by 2.2 = 13kg)

Some say 1/4 LB per guest, others say 1/2 LB per guest. But it’s all about the way your candy looks. Plan by how you want the display to look, not how many guests are coming.

Take your candy buffet bags/containers that the guests will be taking home with them to your local candy store and fill them the types of candy you will have for your event. Then weigh them. Multiply by how many guests, then you will get an idea of the pounds. Or check out some of the calculators below for how much candy a container can hold.

Don’t forget to check out your local dollar store, garage sales, and thrift stores for deals on containers!

This is a Great Link for Candy Buffet – Pictures, Tips, Ideas, Links, How to….
http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-ideas/candy-buffet-table-101

Candy Calculator

nuts.com

How much candy can these buffet jars, bowls, and cylinders hold? Check out this calculator! Pick the size and shape of your container. Then fill it with Candy: hard candy, wrapped candy, chocolate balls, chocolate covered goodies, gum balls, chocolate hearts, kisses, licorice bites, pretzels, rock candy, taffy, jordan almonds, m&m’s, jelly bellies, espresso beans, nonpareils, etc.

Example of a 2×2 box filled with common candies.

favorideas.com

Use this calculator by favorideas to estimate the amount of candy needed to fill your 2×2 favor boxes. It defaults to the maximum number of candies the box can fit. Remember, you don’t need to fill them to the top! You can add some filler in the box to reduce the amount of candy needed.

favorideas.com

Did you know there is about 530 M&M’s to a pound?
Check out this cheat chart for more estimates.

favorideas.com

Thinking of doing a Dessert Bar?

CUPCAKE Calculator:
http://calculate-this.com/how-many-cupcakes-person-calculator

COOKIE Calculator:
http://calculate-this.com/how-many-cookies-person-calculator

Candy (AKA Sugar Coma) Sources:
This site has a giant list of places to buy candy.
http://www.big-wedding-tiny-budget.com/candy-buffet.html

This site has over 1,000 images of candy buffets for inspiration.
http://www.projectwedding.com/search?q=candy+buffet&resource=photos

Bags and Containers for your candy buffet
http://www.papermart.com/candy-bags/id=34803-INDEX
http://www.orientaltrading.com/party-supplies/candy/candy-buffet-a1-551302.fltr
http://www.koyalwholesale.com/c1207/cake-cupcake-candy-buffet-supplies.html

ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns

DIY container template – check out the trapezoid box, take-out box, scallop box and others.
http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/templates.htm
http://www.designsbymeganturnidge.com/blog/?p=935

Posted in Food & Beverage

2 Comments

Tags: amount of candy needed to fill, birthay, cake servings, cake stand, candy, candy buffet, candy buffet bags, candy buffet containers, candy buffet display, candy buffet for wedding, candy buffet jars, cookie, cookie calculator, cupcake, dessert, dessert bar for wedding, dessert buffet, edible favor, favor boxes, how many cookies, how many cupcakes, how many hershey's kisses in a pound, how many jelly beans in a pound, how many M&M's in a pound, how to, ideas, kisses in a lb, kitchen cake, M&M in a lb, party, places to buy candy, places to buy candy for, round cake, sheet cake, square cake, take out container, take out container template, templates, tips, wedding, what size cake

DIY Photo booth

Jan 10

Posted by mswildcrd

Photo booths at weddings can be a lot of fun for you and your guests. Many have created DIY photo booths and back drops to help cut costs. If you are on a tight budget, and would like to try provide this entertainment for your guests, here are some links to tutorials to Do-It-Yourself.

~ Happy Planning ~

DIY Backdrop by Angel Burgher

~ Angel Burgher ~ created a GREAT blog with instructions and blueprints on how to make your own backdrop! PVC materials comes to under $20!

DIY – Muslim Sheet Backdrop

photos by Megan Christine Studio – Everett, Washington

~ On a Super Tight budget and a little Crafty? ~
Get a giant piece of muslim or a clearance bed sheet and paint your design. Cut a hole and hang with a rope (or from PVC pipes)

Jen H created some cute backdrops on sheets. View some photo examples from her wedding.

DIY – Photo booth Pictures – by Aireen

~ Looking for instructions for the camera/printer set up? ~
Check out this blog entry by Aireen on the supplies and program needed to print out the pictures!

Modified Gazebo by Ashlee C

~ Have an old Gazebo? ~
Cut it down to make it shorter and cut the bars on top to drape the tulle/fabric from. A suggestion from Ashlee, put a solid color behind the tulle to prevent the light from shinning through.

Sequin curtain created by Valene V

~ Have time on your hands and LOTS of patience? ~
Instructions from Valene: I got round sequins at hobby lobby in 2 different sizes. I also bought little round jewelry rings to hook the sequins together. It is very time consuming depending on how long you want each garland and how many strands you need. I bought the foam boards at michaels and bought black wrapping paper and covered the foam boards. It was nailed up on the wall.* {Party was at her home} I think I spent around $60 for everything. The one thing that did get pricey was the jewelry hooks. I tried to buy them when they were 50% off at hobby lobby. *perhaps the wall mounting squares would work

or try this DIY Wax Paper Dot Garland
http://greenweddingshoes.com/diy-waxed-paper-dot-garland/

~ Ideas for back drops ~
Nature and Hanging Frames, Muslim, Cloth, Wood & Wall paper, Foam Board and Wrapping paper, Bed sheet, Bed Sheet painted, Sequins, Streamers, Tinsel Garland, Balloons, Paper Poms, Paper Chain links, Paper pinwheels, Shower Curtain, Plastic tablecloths, Quilt, Wood Circles, more and more!

Credit: marvelousmommy.com

~ Want to print out some props? ~

Credit: ohhappyday.com

Materials Checklist

prop printouts
spray adhesive
heavy cardstock (100 lb. or more)
scissors
glue and/or tape
popsicle sticks, straws, or dowels

Optional:

foam core (to create sturdier props)
X-ACTO (or other utility) knife
cutting mat
embellishments
(feathers, rhinestones, etc.)Click images to get to sites to download the pdf

DIY Props – Credit: Magnetstreet.com

Credit: kensiekate.com – 12 pages of props

Credit: botanicalpaperworks.com

Credit: ohhappyday.com

Credit: ohhappyday.com

~ CHEESE ~

Posted in DIY Projects

Comments Off on DIY Photo booth

Tags: backdrop, birthday party, DIY, diy backdrop, diy wedding, free, mustache, photo booth, photo booth backdrop, photobooth, photobooth backdrop, Printable, printables, putting on a play, pvc frame, pvc pipe, sweetheart table, wedding, wedding planning

Blue and Aqua inspiration boards

Jan 6

Posted by mswildcrd

What colors go with Blue? What colors go with Aqua/Pool? Navy? I have created some color inspiration boards over the years and have posted some of my favorites. All images to create these boards were taken off google. Sorry I do not have more information about their origins. Enjoy!

peach – blue gingham – navy

royal – silver – ivory

navy – pink – gray

navy – fuchsia – pink

navy – yellow – white

Turquoise – Royal – Navy – Aqua

Peach – Teal

Peach – Teal – orange – turquoise

Purple – teal – Turquoise

Fuchsia – Teal – Turquoise

tiffany – silver – ivory

Turquoise – Sunflowers – yellow – teal

Turquoise – Brown – Orange – Olive

Tiffany – red

Tiffany – red – Country

More images and flower examples on my facebook page under “photos” Blue/Teal Inspiration Board

Posted in Blue, Color Inspirations

How to Display your wedding mementos

Dec 30

Posted by mswildcrd

I have come across some cute ideas on how to display your wedding invitations and other mementos after the wedding. Hope you find some inspiration and give some of these DIY projects a try. ~ Congrats ~

1. Create an ornament with your invite.
Cut the invitation line by line so that you have many thin strips. Wrap each section around a pencil to curl the paper. Slide the strips into a clear glass ornament.

Photo by Cydney J

Photo and Ornament by Trena E

2. Create an ornament with flowers from your bouquet.
Dry out your bouquet and drop small flower buds into a clear glass ornament.

Photo and Ornament by Jen P

3. Create an ornament from your Invite.
Cut large sections of your invite and mod podge them onto a piece of wood.

Photo by Tatiana S

4. Make your Cake Topper into an ornament

Photo from Tiffany

5. Create a shadow box.
Use pearl push pins to attach items to a shadow box.

Photo and Shadow box by Desarae

Photo and Shadow Box by Desarae

6. Create a display case.
I took a basket ball display case and placed: my bouquet, my groom’s boutonnière, my garter, hair comb, and our favor inside. Our cake toper is resting on top of the case.

7. Use a Picture Frame.
Get a double picture frame and have a wedding picture on one side, and your invite on the other.

8. Get an engraved picture frame.
Place your photo in the frame and have your wedding invitation wording engraved on the side.

personalizationmall.com

9. Superimpose your Vows or the Lyrics to your 1st Dance over a photo.
Print and frame the image or have it printed on a canvas.

10. Create a “book” from all your wedding cards.
I’ve seen many different ways to do this if you google it. You can buy a 2 ring binder and punch holes in your invite. You can punch 2 or 3 holes in every invite and just use string or twine to hold the “binding” of your book together. You can use 1, 2, or 3 large rings. If you are good at scrap-booking, you can make a cover for your book. A cover can be as simple as taking a card board box and “upholstering” it with fabric.
Instructions: http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/diy-wedding-card-book-instructions-and-pictures/b79c416c288aaf26.html

Photo and Card book by Desarae

Hope this inspires you with ideas on how to display and showcase your wedding mementos. ~ Happy Planning ~

Posted in DIY Projects, Stationery

2 Comments

Tags: cake topper, christmas, glass ornament, holiday, invitations, invite, invite display, invite ornament, ornament, shadow box, wedding invitations

Wedding Planner.Checklists.Worksheets

Dec 18

Posted by mswildcrd

Looking for checklists to keep you on track? Starting to plan your wedding, and don’t know where to start? Here are some tips and links to help you out. ~ Happy Planning ~

First you need to sit down with your future husband/wife and decide how much money you can afford to spend on the wedding. Look at how much you can take out of savings, and how much you can save per week in the next year. Then you can find a Budget Calculator tool to help estimate how much you can distribute to each portion of the wedding to stay on budget. These can be found via google on theknot, weddingwire, or even http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Events/Weddings/Calculator.htm

If you are not sure how much weddings in your area cost, check out this site.
http://www.realsimple.com/weddings/budget/wedding-cost-calculator-00000000008302/index.html
Here is a more detailed breakdown of a cost estimate. Enter your zip code and see what comes up. http://www.costofwedding.com/index.cfm/action/costest.index

Then, think about the size of your event. Also have an idea of what mood and atmosphere you want your celebration to have. Are you going traditional, casual, intimate, elaborate, unusual, unique? Do you want a small wedding 20 – 40? More around 100-130? Huge with 200 plus? Remember the more people the more you will spend on dinner and drinks. The venue (food and drinks) will take up most of your budget.

Once you have a budget and guest list, you can start talking to the venues to sign the ceremony location and reception location. Check out the amount the Budget Calculator distributed for Reception: Food & Beverage. Take that amount and divide it by the number of guests you plan to have. This will give you your “Dollar Per Plate” amount. You will need to know this amount so you know how expensive of a location and meal choices are available in your budget.

If you don’t care When you get married, you can get some great deals if you pick a date in the off-season. The most popular dates are May – October. But off-peak wedding months vary according to regional climate and the desirability of the weather.
*Be sure to find out the policy on changing dates just incase something comes up.
After you sign contracts you can think about colors. You don’t want to pick Colors and a Mood for your wedding and have the atmosphere of the venue clash with your choices. You can always start with a favorite flower and find things to match it.

Take a look at this site for some ideas. They have some really great color combos to consider. http://www.squidoo.com/weddingcolorcombinations

A great site to see color combinations in a new way
http://design-seeds.com/index.php/search

Here is a color wheel site
http://colorschemedesigner.com/
You can slide the little dot around to pick your first color. Then pick what type of color combination you want. You can move those dots around to do the following:
Mono- different shades of the same color
Analogic – colors that are next to each other on the color wheel
Complements – colors oposite on color wheel – give the most contrast
Triad – three colors spaced an equal distance apart
Tetrads: color harmonies 4 colors

*** LOOKING FOR A WAY TO ORGANIZE ALL YOUR THOUGHTS AND FINDINGS? ***

Here is a link to a 57 Page Wedding Planner by Russell and Hanzel that you can print out and place in a binder to help you with your wedding planning. I wrote a table of contents for you, so you can print the whole thing, or just the pages you need. Some pages, i.e. Guess List tracker, you would print out multiple pages as needed.

http://www.russellandhazel.com/PDF/WeddingTemplate.pdf

Page 1 – 5 : Monthly Timeline Checklist
Page 6 – 7 : Beauty Worksheet
Page 8 : Wedding Party Contact Worksheet
Page 9 : Bridal Salon Appointment
Page 10 – 11 : Bridesmaid/Bride Fashion Worksheet
Page 12 – 16 : Budget Worksheets
Page 17 : Ceremony Worksheet
Page 18 : Day of Wedding Checklist
Page 19 – 20 : Destination Wedding Event Schedule/Travel Worksheet
Page 21 : Emergency Kits
Page 22 – 24 : Floor Plans
Page 25 : Flower Worksheet
http://www.russellandhazel.com/PDF/wedding/FlowerWorksheet.pdf
Page 26 – 27 : Groom & Groomsmen Fashion Worksheet
Page 28 : Guest List Tracker
Page 29 : Honeymoon Travel Details
Page 30 : Menu Worksheet
Page 31 : Music Play/Do Not Play Worksheet
Page 32 : Music Planning Worksheet
Page 33 : Photo Shot list
Page 34 – 36 : Registry Worksheet/Registry Checklists
Page 37 – 39 : Rentals Worksheet
Page 40 : Transportation Worksheet
Page 41 : Travel & Accommodations Worksheet
Page 42 – 52 : Vendor Contact Information
Page 53 : Wedding Cake Worksheet
Page 54 : Wedding Day Timeline Worksheet
Page 55 : Wedding Gown & Accessories Order Worksheet
Page 56 – 57 : Wedding Invitation Worksheet

and here is a link to “The Packet”
15 page itinerary
It is more for the week/day of the wedding. (for the OCD bride or great for OOT weddings)
www.weddingbee.com/2008/08/07/the-packet/

Posted in Wedding Tips

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Tags: Budget Calculator, checklist, color wheel, DIY, Free Wedding Planner, Printable, template, Timeline, wedding, Wedding Checklist, Wedding Planner

Timeline Templates

Dec 8

Posted by mswildcrd

I noticed a lot of people looking here for timeline templates, so I thought I would try to create one for you to download. I have an example of some, and images that you can use to create your own. Hope you like it.

Link to Documents – to open, find “download” under the “file” drop down. Then open and edit in your own program. Hope it works? Sorry, I’m still learning how to make templates.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B66XWpwAcxdPMTJTWlN1LS10REk&usp=sharing

All Fonts Used can be found by searching for Free Fonts to download
– Copper Alt Caps Expert
– Amperzand
– Harrington