An Owl Inspired DIY Wedding

Happy Monday! I have such a treat for you all today - a gorgeous handmade wedding from Nine Photography that includes everything from a pie and biscuit bar to lavender and owl touches. The best part? The couple planned the entire wedding for under $15,000! Proof that you can create a gorgeous vintage inspired wedding without spending an arm and a leg!

Compliments:
Floral Design: Bows and Arrows Deluxe
Paper Goods: Southern Fried Paper
Photography: Nine Photography
Source: Oh Lovely Day
Style & Design: Birds of a Feather Events
Venue: Winfrey Point, Dallas, Texas

To Remember: Fly-tying Boutonnieres

Today was very emotional and heartfelt for myself and family as we celebrated the life of my Grandfather. With my wedding just months away I feel it is important to remember that a wedding is not just a celebration, but a time to look back and remember the loved ones that have shaped you into the person now standing at that alter. With that in mind I have been reflecting on special ways to honor my beloved Grandfather as I take the first step into the journey of marriage. My sister ingeniously suggested using fly-tying as boutonnieres to honor our Grandfather. I couldn't love the idea more, a fly-tying is the perfect way to commemorate our avid fisherman Grandfather! I will definitely be making this idea a reality for my big day.

For all you other brides, not only is this a unique and meaningful twist on the traditional boutonniere but it is a budget-savvy option too! Here are a few fly-tying/fishing boutonnieres that have me inspired:

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BHLDN Yard Stake DIY

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I adore these "Of The Meadow Yard Stakes" from BHLDN but there is no way I am going to spend $68 for them, yikes! Thankfully the talented people over at Susie Mey and A Subtle Revelry offer a fantastic DIY tutorial for these beauties! So without further adieu, here is how to get this look for less;

What you will need:

• Branch
• Scissors
• Two 6-foot bundles of twine
• Vintage milk or pop bottle

Step 1: Carefully use a saw or knife to sharpen the end of the branch. This will allow for easier entry into the ground.

Step 2: With the sharpened end of the stake facing downwards, align the glass bottle along the top of the stake. Fasten the twine to the place you will begin attaching the bottle, see above.

Step 3: Loop the twine around the bottle 1-2 times. Next, reverse directions looping the twine around the stake.

Step 4: Repeat this until the bottle is tightly fastened to the stake. Next, tie a knot at end to fasten.

Step 5: Using the second line of twine, repeat above steps to ensure the bottle is secure to stake.

Step 6: On the wedding day, fill with flowers and enjoy!

Thanks so much to Susie Mey and A Subtle Revelry for such a great tutorial! I cannot wait to give this DIY a try for my big day!

Lo Bjurulf Inspiration

I am all about budget-savvy weddings. However, just because you are on budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your style! Swedish stylish Lo Bjurulf for Ikea has done just that. Yes that's right, Ikea! The talented designer combines great taste with budget conscientious decor pieces to create some unbelievable events, talk about some smart inspiration.

Compliments:
Style & Design: Lo Bjurulf
Source: Wedding Nouveau

Thrift Store Find

I am beyond giddy to share with you a thrift store find of mine today. A dozen glass milk jars for; drum roll please... six bucks! Yes that's right, $6.00! This is why I love all antique stores, flea markets, and thrift stores. With a little patience and imagination the finds are endless!

I plan to incorporate the set into my big day as bud vases! 

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DIY Dipped Marshmallow Pops

How adorable are these little marshmallow treats for the dessert table?! Not only are they delicious but are also an easy and budget-savvy DIY;

What you will need: 
(Ingredients needed for 25 pops)

• Parchment or wax paper
• 25 sip stick straws (coffee stirrers) or lollipop sticks
• 25 large marshmallows
• Candy sprinkles
• 1 cup any flavor chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or vegetable shortening

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Begin by preparing your area; line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place lollipop sticks/straws into the center of each marshmallow, and pour sprinkles onto plates (a plate for each kind of sprinkle). 

Next, melt chocolate chips in a small, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl following the package directions. Stir. Then, stir in oil as this will help to keep the chocolate fluid.  Next, dip marshmallows halfway into the melted chocolate; shake off excess.

Then, roll chocolate covered marshmallows in sprinkles.  

Place marshmallows onto lined baking sheet and let set for at least 30 minutes. 

Cute right?! Use different colors and kinds of sprinkles to fit into your wedding theme! Try packaging the marshmallow treats in decorative bags or by placing each pop onto a cupcake liner.

Compliments:
Source: Nestle Kitchens

DIY Burlap Banner

I absolutely adore when brides incorporate banners into their engagement pictures and/or wedding.  So of course for my recent E-session I couldn't resist getting a little crafty and making my own DIY banner; 

What you will need:

•  Burlap
• Lace Fabric
• Colored Fabric
• Letter Stencils
• Sharp Scissors
• Hot-Glue Gun
• Hot-Glue Sticks
• Twine
• Marker

Step 1:  Create a flag stencil with a marker and straight-edge.

Step 2:  Using the flag stencil and marker, outline the stencil onto the burlap.

Step 4: Once triangles have been outlined, use a sharp scissors to cut out the triangle shapes. 

Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 on the lace fabric. However, be sure to create a smaller sized flag stencil for this fabric.

Step 6: Use a hot-glue gun to apply small lace triangles to the larger burlap triangles.

TIP: Use small bead sized amounts of the hot-glue to fasten the fabric. 

Step 7: Once hot-glue has dried, turn the triangles face down.  Then glue a string of the twine to the back of the flags. 

Step 8: Use stencil letters to trace out a desired saying onto the colored fabric.

Saying ideas: "Save The Date", "Just Married", "Mr. & Mrs.", "Newly Weds", "Thank-You", "Hitched", "Here Comes The Bride", your names, your wedding date, etc..

Step 9: Cut out letters and hot-glue them onto the flag banner. 

Step 10: Let dry and ENJOY!

DIY Tin Can Lanterns

Today I have a budget savvy DIY that I guarantee will add the perfect touch of ambiance to your rustic-chic wedding! I couldn't be more excited to share this DIY with you all because it is not only super inexpensive but beyond simple to make, no special tools or materials necessary! 

What you will need:

Tin Cans
Marker
Hammer
Nail
Candles

Step 1: Collect a range of various sized tin cans and carefully detach the lids. Be sure to clean the cans of any remaining food remnants and soak to remove the labels.

Tip: Apply some Goo Gone to the sticky stuff still on the can and it should come right off!

Step 2: Fill the cans with water and freeze.

Tip: I got a little too excited and started on my cans before completely frozen, so I recommend leaving them to freeze overnight to ensure they are fully frozen!

Step 3: Remove one can at a time from freezer and place on a towel.  Using a marker draw out a dotted pattern of your choice. Be creative, anything from hearts, monograms, to table numbers will look beautiful!

Step 4: Using a hammer and nail punch out the pattern.

Tip: Begin nailing at the bottom of the can; as you get towards the top ice tends to start chipping away.  Also, ice will start to melt around the edges so you may need to put the can you are working on back in the freezer for a bit and begin on another can. 

Step 5: Once you have completed the patterns, place the frozen cans in the sink to thaw and wash off any visible marker.  

Tip: Running hot water over your can will help speed up the melting process!

Step 6: Add a votive to cans and light!

 Tin lanterns, or "pierced wear" were hugely popular during the Colonial era.  Sometimes even referred to as "poor man's silver" due to the inexpensiveness of the material. So for a present day bride on a budget, history will attest that this is a fabulous bargain as well as a gorgeous table topper!

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Compliments:
Source: Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics
Source: Ruffled