Category Archives: DIY Wedding Ideas

20Aug2012

Check out today’s Bargain Find from getmarried®!

 Have you visited getmarried.com yet? If you haven’t, there’s no time like the present! It’s filled with fun ideas and unique inspiration, and it just so happens to be where I found today’s Bargain Find, DIY Tassel Garland

DIY Tassel Garland

The materials are cheap, the labor is easy and the look is fantastic! Tassel garland will add a dazzling element of décor and lots of color to any venue. We think you’ll love it along with the many other inspirational gems you’ll find at getmarried.com.

Are you a DIY kind of bride? Check out DIY Wedding Favors: Get 6 Different Looks with 1 Box.

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31May2012

Make envelope addressing easier and extra stylish!

Available in 10 design choices and 38 color options, Ann’s mailing labels are the perfect complement to any wedding invitation ensemble. And, guess what? Each of our mailing labels matches an existing invitation design!

Coordinating Addressing LabelsEtiquette says guests’ addresses should be handwritten or nicely printed, so how should you use print-your-own address labels?

• As return address labels on wedding invitations, respond cards or respond postcards.

• As main address labels on shower invitations and thank you notes.

• As return address labels on shower invitations and thank you notes. 

Using Ann’s print-your-own address labels is easy, too!  Just download the Word document in this post, enter the address information and print.

Print Your Own Address Labels – Template

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07May2012

Tie it all together! Decorating with Bulk Ribbon

Finding affordable wedding decorations can be difficult, but bulk ribbon is a money-saving trick we use ALL the time. You can prettify pretty much anything with a little ribbon.

Bulk Ribbon Rolls

Ann’s offers colorful satin ribbon in two sizes: 3/8” and 5/8”. Both sizes are sold in rolls of 100 yards. What does that mean for you? 100 yards of ribbon equals:

• 240, 2-inch favor boxes when knotted and wrapped around the box. We use 15-inch ribbon lengths.
• 180, 2-inch favor boxes when tied in a bow and wrapped around the box. We use 20-inch ribbon lengths.
• 100 dinning chairs, wrapped around the back. We use 36-inch ribbon lengths.
• 37, 8-foot tables as table runners from end to end.
• 30, 10-foot tables as table runners from end to end.

Try some of these great ideas for using ribbon.

Use Ribbon to DIY

You can buy ribbon at your local craft store, but be careful. Not all craft stores sell large rolls of bulk ribbon, which means you may need to order it in advance or hit up a couple different stores. Getting it from different stores means you might not get an exact color match.

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16Apr2012

Take your place! Check out these ideas for DIY wedding place cards.

Help guests take the guesswork out of seating themselves! DIY place cards can be designed to fit your wedding reception style. See the super cute ideas below…

Wedding Reception Place Card

Wedding Reception Place Card

Wedding Reception Place Card

Wedding Reception Place Card

Wedding Reception Place Card

DIY place cards can be as simple as adding stick-on rhinestones or pearl embellishments, or even self-adhesive bows. Go that extra mile to add some color with unique fabrics, scrapbook paper, buttons and silk flowers — there is no limit to creativity.

Place cards aren’t the only things you can DIY! Embellish your escort cards, which direct your guests to their exact seat. Escort cards are placed at the reception entrance for guests to grab as they come in. If you’re using place cards and/or escort cards, you’ll also need table number cards. Feel free to get creative with those as well so you have a uniquely coordinated look from the moment guests walk in to when they sit down. Show everyone that you’ve thought of ALL the details!

You’ll want to decide exactly how you’re planning to seat people before making place cards, escort cards or table number cards. Check out our post from Monday, “10 Steps to Creating a Wedding Reception Seating Plan.”

TIP: Not ready to DIY all of your wedding guests place cards? Have place cards professionally printed and add special touches like the rhinestone and pearls we’ve shown above, or just DIY place cards for the head table and special family members.

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15Mar2012

Check Out Ann’s “Creative and Crafty Ribbon Ideas” Featured on Project Wedding

 

Visit ProjectWedding.com for some fabulous DIY ribbon ideas you can add to your wedding invitations, favors and decorations. You’ll love the slideshow of colorful and creative photos, plus tips for achieving the look.

Wedding DIY Ribbon Ideas

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23Feb2012

Adding a DIY Touch to Your Wedding Invitations

I love the stylish yet affordable invitations we offer at Ann’s. I especially love that so many of them are easily embellished with that perfect DIY touch, adding unique character to your invite.

Best of all, we do the hard part! Our invitations are professionally printed, so you can have fun adding your own DIY details and tying those elements into the rest of your wedding. We even sell our ribbon in bulk rolls so you don’t have to worry about running out.

Whether you’re a DIY novice or expert, here are some ideas to get you inspired!

Wedding Invitations with Ribbon & Rhinestones

1. Feather Fancy – Invitation with Free Respond Card. Added a 3/8” aqua satin ribbon and aqua rhinestones to accent the feathers.

2. Positively Glowing – in petal pink. Added a 3/8” pink satin ribbon and a white chiffon ribbon to tie knot with a romantic twist!

3. Floral Shadow – in canary yellow. Added a golden shimmer backer card (find at a scrapbook store), 3/8” brown and canary satin ribbon tied together in a knot and secured with hot glue.

4. True Serendipity – in petal pink. Added a simply sophisticated touch with a black satin stick-on bow. Stick-on bows are easy, beautiful and perfect every time!

5. High Style – Separate and Send Invitation. Added a 5/8” amethyst satin ribbon, tied a knot at the center of the invite and wrapped the ribbon around the back. Secured the ribbon edges with hot glue on the back. Also added a ribbon knot to the matching Damask Favor Boxes.

6. Happily Ever After – Tri-fold Invitation. Used purple chiffon ribbon and tied a large, luxurious bow around the invitation to give it that fairy-tale feel.

7. Framed Monogram – in lagoon green. Kept it simple and elegant with clear rhinestone accents within the design.

8. Pretty Patterns – Separate and Send Invitation. Added a splash of color with 3/8” purple and fuchsia satin ribbon. Cut a slit above and below the oval design and weaved ribbons over the top of the invite, under oval frame and back threw the bottom slit.

Don’t forget you can request a free sample of your favorite wedding invitation, then decide how to embellish it! Remember the size of the embellishments you use may affect the size of envelopes you’ll need. Be sure you have room! If not, you’ll need to find larger outer envelopes — or just give us a call. We’ll give you a larger envelope with your order.

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20Feb2012

How to keep DIY wedding invitations fun and creative!

Have you been searching high and low for the perfect wedding invitation? Do you want something truly unique, but for the right price? Think doing it yourself is the way to go?

 

If you have never DIY-ed before, this is a must-read! Consider the following:

1. Creating a design is just the beginning. You’ll also need to format the design with your wording for the invitation and all enclosure cards to make everything print ready.

2. You’ll more than likely have to buy extra paper and multiple ink cartridges — all of which can add up to more than the cost of professionally printed wedding invitations.

3. You may have to go to multiple locations to gather enough paper and embellishments.

4. Plan to print every invitation one-by-one, starting with lots of test prints due to possible formatting mistakes or printer malfunctions. And then it’s on to the enclosures!

It’s easy if you have us print your top layer for the invitation and enclosures. Plus you can get your ribbons and embellishments from Ann’s. Check out the 3/8” and 5/8”, 100-yard satin ribbon rolls, 7/8” 25-yard chiffon ribbon rolls, pearls, colored rhinestones and stick-on bows.

 

white satin adhesive stick on bows clear adhesive rhinestones

Request a free sample of your favorite wedding invitation, then decide how you’ll put your own masterpiece together. Consider the size of the embellishments you’ll be stuffing into the envelope, and be sure you have room! If not, you’ll need to find larger outer envelopes — or just give us a call before you order. We’ll give you a larger envelope than what the invite comes with. We can also print your return address and guests’ addresses! I can hear the rejoicing now…

Check back Thursday for DIY wedding invitation ideas from Carynn!

 

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03Dec2011

Brides wanted more holiday centerpiece ideas! Here they are…

You can create easy holiday centerpieces perfect for winter weddings, holiday parties or home décor. See the post from Monday for my first set of ideas. Then grab your handy 6″ glass cylinder to get started with some new creations!

Holiday and Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

  1. Looking for a rustic country look? Layer plates with different patterns but similar tones on top of a placemat. Fill the cylinder with fresh or artificial fruits. We used artificial pears. Tuck in a few berries and you have a beautiful centerpiece. The larger pear would be a great place to add a table number — either painted on or printed on scrapbook paper and attached with a decorative pushpin.
  2. This gilded musical centerpiece exudes sophistication. We placed a brass horn with glittering gold netting on a gold, oval plate. Centered on the plate is a glass cylinder filled with small gold ornaments, gold beaded berry sprays, more gold netting and a gold music note ornament. For all you music lovers out there, ask guests to sing a song with the word “love” in it if they want to see you kiss!
  3. Candy, mints and chocolate…YUM. This delectable centerpiece was created using a red charger under a white plate. Fill the glass cylinder with candies, peppermint sticks or other goodies and wrap a 1″ ribbon around the base. Sprinkle other candies or chocolates around the plate. This centerpiece can be used in lieu of favors. Online candy wholesalers offer a large selection of candies in many beautiful colors to match your wedding look. Order in bulk to save money.
  4. A star-quality centerpiece in pretty shades of blue. Place a glass cylinder on a clear cake plate with raised feet for elegant height. Fill the cylinder with small ornaments in all shapes, textures and sizes. We’ve also tucked beaded garland into the cylinder and draped it around the cake plate and placed a few more ornaments on the plate.

Tip: Many of the decorations and embellishments used in these centerpieces can be found at your local hobby store. Take advantage of after-holiday sales to purchase ornaments, ribbon and holiday accents at reduced prices.

Do you have a favorite DIY centerpiece idea to share?

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01Dec2011

Tis the season to decorate! Try these easy-to-make holiday centerpieces

With an inexpensive glass cylinder and some beautiful decorations, you can create a holiday centerpiece that’s perfect for winter weddings, holiday parties or home décor. You may already have a few of these glass cylinders at home. They come in several sizes but I recommend the 6″ cylinder for centerpieces, so guests can talk over it when sitting down.

Holiday and Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

Tip: Many of the decorations and embellishments used in these centerpieces can be found at your local hobby store. Take advantage of after-holiday sales to purchase ornaments, ribbon and holiday accents at reduced prices.

 

  1. Want to glam it up? Grab a square silver charger — the plate/tray that goes under a dinner plate — and place a glass cylinder with white candle in the center. Then place smaller votives around it. We added color with a variety of pink ornaments and some faceted baubles. You can also use beaded garland swirled around the charger.
  2. For a dramatic look, we lined the glass cylinder with a black linen napkin and we wrapped the rim with fancy beaded trim (attached with double-sided tape). Then we added a few black feathers and one large ornament with a dangling black ribbon. The Initials and Heart Favor Label in ebony creates the finishing touch.
  3. A winter wonderland in silver and white. The base is a felt snowflake and the cylinder is filled with silver ornaments and snowflakes of all shapes and sizes. Prop a few snowflakes up around the cylinder and sprinkle on the table. Top the cylinder off with a larger snowflake on the edge. The larger snowflake is perfect for holding table numbers.
  4. Classic, natural, beautiful. Not to mention inexpensive! Cut a 3 in. wide strip of burlap and pull a few cords away at the edges to get a nice frayed look. Wrap it around the cylinder and tie with ribbon and cord. Fill the cylinder with pinecones and add a small pinecone and evergreen piece as an outer accent. We used real pinecones but artificial greens since real evergreens can be sappy and messy. For an extra woodsy feel, consider setting the centerpiece on a round piece of log cut about 1 in. thick.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to make a unique holiday centerpiece of your own, maybe even several for your next holiday event!

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07Oct2011

Fall Frenzy Week: Clearly the easiest Halloween decorations you’ll ever make!

You may have a couple glass cylinders at home and if you don’t, you should consider getting some. They’re super versatile, cheap decorations! I use cylinders for flower arrangements, candles, treats and decorations for all kinds of events.

Here we’ve created some cool DIY Halloween decorations. Simply use your home computer to create some “spooky” sayings or add some black and white clip art. Print your creations on white or colored paper and insert into the cylinder. Add a battery tea light and viola! A spooky decoration in minutes.

Shop our wedding reception decorations to find more bargain-priced items.

If you liked our Fall Frenzy ideas this week, be sure to check back for more wedding decorating ideas, inspiration and planning advice every Monday and Thursday.  We’re happy to have you!

 

Enjoy this beautiful season and have a happy Halloween!

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