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All photos and ideas from Martha Stewart Weddings.

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Escort-Card Posies: All you need are fabric flowers, map pins, and glue to bring your seating assignments into bloom. Would look great with little multicolored fall leaves, too!  Click here for the  How-To!

Blossoming Backdrop: A string of white lights, vellum and card stock, hole punches, and glue!  Click here for the How-To!

Paper Links:Vellum and double sided tape make paper chains chic! Mix-n-match colors to get the perfect look. Click here for the How-To (as if you really need it!)

Wooden Seating Cards: Paper-thin wood veneer, craft punches, and calligraphy pens make these distintive place cards! Get the How-To Here!

Flower Girl Cardigan: Sequins and fabric glue make it fun!  Works wonders for all sorts of other things too, including shoes, sashes, bouquets, headbands, and favors.

Poster Guest Book: Instead of having your loved ones write messages in a book, put out a poster on which they can sign their names. You can download the editable (and free!) clip art here, send the file to a printer, and it’s done! Or put together your own poster using stencils, paint, ribbon, and anything else you fancy! Get the How-To here!

Seasonal Fruit Favor: You’ll need fruit, tissue paper, and rubber stamps for this one! For personalized stamps, have an office-supply store make a rubber stamp with your names, wedding date, and  illustration. Get the How-To here!

Harvest Wedding Centerpieces: The beauty of these is that they can be made weeks in advance!  Wheat, grains, and other dried grasses (available at crafts stores), tied with a luxurious satin bow. Get the how-to here!

Mini Candied Apples: For these dainty nibbles, embellish candied apples with a paper leaf. You’ll need a leaf-shaped craft punch, glue, and short skewers. You can hand-write, stamp, or print “Enjoy” on each leaf. Get the Candy Apple recipe here!

Flower Girl Basket: For this charming look, get yourself a pretty basket, some cotton fabric, silk ribbon, and leaves. You can order pressed leaves if you don’t have any real ones in your area! Get the how-to here!

Fall Wedding Boutonnieres: Incorporate the shades and symbols of autumn into festive boutonnieres. Get the How-to here!

Pipe your own Roses

Frozen Delights

All you’ll need to create these delightful sorbet bombes is a mixer to soften the sorbet and a metal container (such as cake molds or a vase). Once the sorbet is smooth in consistency, spoon it into the containers (for visual flair, layer different flavors), and freeze overnight. At your wedding, just slice and serve! Lemon, peach, coconut, and pink-grapefruit sorbets are showcased here. You can easily substitute ice cream!

Lemon Icebox Wedding Cake

Isn’t this pretty? It’s made out of scalloped lemon cookies and honey mascarpone cream. Just build it from the bottom up and top with candied lemon slices for a tangy-sweet cookie-cake treat! (These cookies were made from scratch, but store-bought ones work just as well; try Moravian Meyer lemon cookies, Salem Baking Co.)

• Swarovski crystals
• ribbons & trims
• laces
• appliques
• buttons
• buckles
• handbag handles
• cords
• jacquards
• nailheads
• sequins & rhinestones
• beads
• flower pins
• & lots more!

Their blog has some great ideas and photos to inspire you! Here are some projects to take a look at… and let the creative juices flow!

• Magnetic Save The Date Cards!
• Bridal Wedding Veil
• Wedding Cake Embellishment
  
• Unity Candles
• Bridal Shoe Clips
• Velvet Ribbon Wedding Corsage
• Bridesmaid Organza Beaded Necklace
• Dog-of-Honor Ribbon Collars
• Ring Bearer Pillow
• Bride’s Garter Belt
• Toasting Flutes

This photo is of Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen, who wore a silver ribbon as a headband to the white party.  One way to get this look yourself is by using a metallic silver mesh ribbon. Visit M&J Trimming for more info!

Easy Ribbon Headbands

Click here for the tutorial at Altered Cloth.

All you need is some ribbon and ponytail elastics!

Elaborate Bridesmaid Headbands

Click here for the tutorial from Once Wed. For these headbands, you’ll need ribbon, 2 types of trims, elastic, needle & thread, and a hot glue gun.

Double Leather Cord Headbands

The headband in the photo below, from Anthropology, grabbed the attention of Forever Chic, and she decided to make one herself, using some leather cords she cut off a vintage dress, and a couple ponytail bands! See how she did it here!

Embellishing a Colored Headband

The instruction from a headband class at M&J Trimming led participants like the neon tea party and friends to create all sorts of headbands, from glamorous to funky. You start with a store-bought headband, then use your imagination and a glue gun to add ribbons, flowers, and other any other embellishments you fancy. Viola!

1950′s Polka Dot Hairband

Here’s a super cute headband made by Rascal Kosher on the Crafster community board. You can make your own using ribbon with an elastic band and a button in the back. She used the Crafster Book tutorial, but looks simple enough that you can figure out how to DIY!

DIY Marc Jabobs Headbands

Here’s a gorgeous, glimmering headband fashioned after the  headbands at Marc Jacobs. You’ll need some netted metallic fabric, flat-backed rhinestones, and super glue. Take a look at the tutorial here at Fashionista!

Here are some of my favorite ideas…

Just Married Signs

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  This is perfect for your reception decor or getaway car (or carriage)! Definitely classier than smearing “Just Married” on your windshield  with lipstick!

  Get the Template

Lace Backdrop

Create your own photo booth with an oversize canvas backdrop. Download this design and take it to a copy center that can print the large file (like FedEx)

Get the Template

Paper Magnolia Centerpieces

You can create these stunning centerpieces all by yourself! Download the petal template to make the perfect crepe-paper magnolias.

Get the Template

Luminaria Centerpieces

To make these sweet luminarias, inspired by a cake-decorating stencil, download the template and print onto 11-by-17 paper. Fold the paper like an accordion or wrap around a glass cylinder.

Get the Templates

Cupcake Towers

This project is a piece of cake to construct, and also incredibly budget-friendly. Print the clip-art borders (use text-weight paper) and cut them to fit an assortment of round boxes and lids.

Get the Templates

Flower Girl Parasols

Pile on even more cuteness! Instead of having scattering blossoms as they amble down the aisle, your flower girls can be the blossoms by carrying these petal-topped rice-paper umbrellas!

Get the Template

Floral Paper Fans

Keep your guests comfortable at outdoor weddings with these lovely handmade fans. They features a floral motif on one side and a quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on the other. After you download the template, you can have a calligrapher add a monogram, then print onto medium-weight paper and cut out. Glue a wooden ice cream spoon between the two sides, and tie on a pretty ribbon.

Download the Template

Click here for more Martha Stewart Do-it-Yourself inspiration!

Weekly manicure can do wonders for your nails and cuticles. Professional manicures are a treat, but can be expensive if done on regular basis. Home manicures cost less and, with a little practice, can get you the same beautiful results!

You will need:

• nail polish remover and cotton balls
• nail file
• cuticle cream and orange wood stick (available in drugstores)
• moisturizing hand lotion
• base coat
• top coat
• nail polish in desired color
• for a French manicure: tip guide strip
• for a French manicure: neutral polish (pale, sheer shades, with a pink, beige or peach cast)
• for a French manicure: white polish. (or you can buy a French manicure kit that offer everything in one convenient box)

Get started:

1. Start by removing old polish. For natural nails, use a non-acetone remover.
2. File nails to desired shape. What looks modern now is a shortish nail,straight across the top with rounded edges. When you file, be sure not to saw back and forth– it weakens the nails. Instead start at one edge and move across the top in one fluid motion.
3. Soak in soapy water for 5-10 minutes to soften cuticles.
4. Dot a cuticle cream on the cuticles and rub in. Use an orange wood stick to push back cuticles.Be sure not to cut your cuticles, which can cause infection and damage the nail.
5. Massage hands with a hand lotion for extra moisture.  Wipe nails with a damp cloth to remove excess oils.
6. Apply a base coat. Let dry for one minute. Base coat is applied to protect your nails and to help prevent chipping.
7. For French manicure, see guidelines below.
8. Apply two coats of your favorite color. Always apply polish by starting on the side of the nail. You should be able to cover the nail in three stokes, one on each side and one in the middle.
9. Apply a top coat. (Remember: If you use a fast-dry top coat, your polish will not last as long.)

For a French manicure, follow steps #1-6 above. Then follow these guidelines:

1. Peel off a guide strip and affix it below the tip of a nail, following its natural curve. The guide will allow you to paint an even white tip with ease and precision.If you don’t have the guide strips then follow this method: For a square look, paint a straight line across the tips; for a rounded appearance, follow the curve of the nail; and to get a pointed style, paint in from each side to the center.
2. Paint each nail tip white, extending the brush stroke from the top of the guide to the end of the nail. Take care not to get any white polish on the body of the nail below the guide. Let the tips dry.
3. Once the tips dry remove all the guides. Dissolve leftover glue by rubbing it gently with a cotton swab dipped in nail remover solution.
4. Apply two coats of the neutral polish, letting the first coat dry before the second application.
5. Finish with a thin layer of top coat.

For more beauty tips, visit Marie Claire or Knot for Life.

Click here for Do-It-Yourself Pedicures!

Paper Source

This website deals in fine, handmade papers from around the world. Their spectacular selection is sold in a wide range of forms – large sheets, pre-cut and packaged letter sized sheets, envelopes and accessories. The palette includes colors developed by and exclusively manufactured for Paper Source.

Red Bumble Bee

For the bride who’s searched high and low for the perfect invitation, this site provide exquisite stationary design, high quality service, and great prices. You can choose from existing formats, or have something customized to truly celebrate you and your unique wedding style!

Printable Invitation Kits

These invitation kits are both luxurious and economical. You will find beautiful styles that range from classic to ultra trendy. You can order thee invitation kits and print them yourself!  You’ll get professional results even on a tight budget.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com has a selection of printable invitations from a variety of sellers.

Style on a Budget

As the name of the website suggests, Style on a Budget offers an enormous selection of materials and tools, tailored to your budget.  You can creat a custom DIY package, or schedlue a consultation with their custom design studio.

Invite Site

Modern and eco-friendly, many of these contemporary invitations are made from tree-free papers, handmade papers, fine European papers, and 100% postconsumer recycled papers. They believe “affordable” should never look cheap or “homemade”. Your wedding invitation kit comes with everything you need to produce modern, elegant invitations!

Formal Invitations.com

Here, you can find gorgous templates, luxurious papers, embelishments, for under $1.00! (If that’s not affordable, I don’t know what is!) Order heavyweight cards available in handmade petal paper, rich solids in the latest colors, modern and vintage prints or shimmering metallics. Then add keepsake embellishments to create chic, affordable invitations without having to sacrifice quality or style. Plus, you can find high quality invitations made from 100% recycled papers and tree-free recycled cotton.

Thanks to About.com Wedding for pointing us toward all these fantastic sites!

Please check out the comment section to see more great sites our readers recommend!! And, if you have another DIY invitation website, please add it to the list!

DIY brides can now take a stab at DIY wedding favors! American Bridal has everything you need, from bags & boxes, ribbons & bows, tags & stickers, candies & other edible goodies, charms, wraps, aroma beads, and more! You can also find wedding favors for under $1.00 each!

After buying some books on the subject, she began making her own silk wedding flower creation from her home. After some time, she took a job with a local florist and fell in love with fresh flowers, and moved on to become the manager of a busy flower shop and the head florist designer…. and the rest is history.

What it all comes down to is that Louann has tons of experience she wants to share with the rest of us about flowers, from ordering them to making gorgeous wedding arrangements. I suggest you check out her site, Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas, for ideas, pictures, advice, and tutorials, to get you started on your own wedding flowers!

Here are a few of my favorite ideas. Your guests will “ooh” and “ahh” over these unique and beautiful designs, in addition to being astounded at your creative genius!

Centerpieces in a Bag!

Something as simple as a brown paper bag, adorned with a cheerful bow can hold a blooming plant as a simple, attractive (but cheap!) wedding centerpiece!

Fish Bowl Centerpieces

Create quick and elegant centerpieces using fish bowls , Oasis florist foam rings, and flowers. You can add colored water and floating candles to the fishbowl, or delight your guests with real goldfish! (Photo courtesy of John Henry.)

Dainty Candle Centerpieces

These small candle centerpieces can be tucked most any where – on supper tables, near dinner reservation cards, bridal showers and more. Here we have a small candle nestled in the center of a rose, (with center petals removed) and an unusually pretty, rustic-looking candle holder made of fresh leaves, such as ficus or lemon, glued to the sides of a candle cup.

Delightful, Fruity Centerpieces

When life hands you lemons… make centerpieces! These over-the-top centerpieces are certainly out of the ordinary! (Photo courtesy of John Henry.)

Black Magic Bouquets and Centerpieces

These dramatic black magic roses create quite an impact, both in your bridal table centerpieces and in your bouquets. When using these flowers, use some bright red or hot pink for contrast.

If you are interested in designing your own flowers, be sure to check out the Easy Tutorial pages and the Supply Store, where you can find all the products you need, from bouquet holders and stands to centerpiece supplies. These products are sometime difficult to find, as they are usually only available to professional florists.

You can also find galleries of inspiration for the following wedding-related themes: Wedding hair styles, bridal bouquets, flower girl baskets, corsage and boutonnieres, wedding cakes, bridal shower ideas, church decorations, weddings by color and season, invitations, and more! Check out Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas for hundreds of photo galleries full of wedding-inspiration!

DIY Wedding Favors, too!

Are you interested in making your own wedding favors to go along with your hand-made centerpieces? Check out American Bridal’s Wedding Favor supplies for incredibly creative, unbelievably cheap wedding favors your guests will love. Whether you’re looking for edible goodies or luxurious aroma beads, American Bridal has an impressive selection of cheap and discounted wedding supplies to create wedding favors that are fun and functional!

American Bridal also has candles and tea lights that you can use as wedding favors or as part of your centerpiece designs!

In particular, I’ve been loving these wooden items that you can paint yourself. Mirrors, picture frames, door plaques, wall hangings, keepsake boxes, bowls, trays, mezuzahs, and more! Check out your local crafts store to see what other kind of fun things you can make yourself.

Here are some things I’ve recently made for friends…

Another fun idea is a door plaque. This one says simply, “Welcome,” but you can also put the couples names, such as “Bill & Laura” or “The Smith’s”…

For your Jewish friends, a hand-painted mezuzah is a nice gift! (I actually used a wedding invitation I found online for the design inspiration… I am sorry but I don’t know where the original picture came from… But isn’t that a great idea for a friend who’s getting married… using their wedding invitation as the inspiration?!)

For a gift with extra feeling, add a personal message or favorite quote. I love these personalized frames from Etsy:

What will you need to get started?

• unfinished, wooden piece you want to work on
• acrylic paint
• paintbrushes (thick one for the base color and a slender one for details)
• varnish
• rhinestones, beads, sequins, ribbons, for extra bling!

Have a great time! The bride and groom are sure to love it!

Simply desserts points out that some bakers charge by the “serving” for decorating fake tiers (about $2.50 per serving) so this can actually add a significant amount to the final cost of your cake. Explore all your options to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible!

Take a look at the two cakes below (I got this picture from the savvy event, via  Rachael Ray’s website)… One cost $250 while the other was $2500. The fake cake has a real bottom layer, and the top three layers are fake. The couple cuts from the bottom layer for pictures, then the cake is moved to the kitchen where the bottom is served in addition to a cheaper sheet cake. (One website I looked at pointed out that if you use an entire real cake, much of it gets wasted in the kitchen anyway, since it gets messy and falls apart while being cut.)

You can also create an entire fake cake, and serve sheet cake from the kitchen. If you want to do it yourself, you can find tips on faking a cake here at thrifty fun or party pop. They suggest using styrofoam “cakes” that you can find in craft stores, in all shapes and sizes.  Use a Royal Icing (egg white based icing) that dries hard to cover the styrofoam and decorate as you would a real cake.

Aside from fake cakes, there are other ways to cut costs on your wedding cake. A great source for ideas is big-wedding-tiny-budget. They point out that much of the cost of decorating wedding cakes comes from the labor involved: applying icing or fondant and creating intricate designs. Keeping your cake design simple can save you a bundle.

1. Add fresh or fake flower:

2. Add a Swiss dot pattern and simple piping:

3.Add a jeweled monogram cake topper (which could be a fun do-it-yourself project):

4. Create an elegant, textured look by applying “messy” icing:

Click here for more creative ways to save! Check out Ultimate Baker, Wilton.com or SugarCraft.com for all your DIY wedding cake supplies.