DIY Projects Archives - Page 3 of 4

Painted Wedding Shoes: How To Personalize Your Shoes

Today, we’re going to be looking at how to personalize your shoes; whether it’s painted wedding shoes or glittering up your shoes – you want to make them your own. The shoes you choose for your wedding day are probably the most important pair of your life.

However, you may not have the budget for your dream sparkly shoes. Or you may want a one-off design to make your shoes one-of-a-kind. If so, this post is for you! Let’s take a look at some DIY ideas for wedding shoes.

DIY Wedding Shoe (Painted Wedding Shoes)

So you’ve found your dream shoes, there’s just one small problem – they’re not the right color. This may seem like a problem, but it’s easier to rectify than you may think. It will take time, patience and quite a few products, but it’s definitely possible! If you’re wanting a block color, it’s relatively straightforward with the right paint (we’ll be looking at that later!). But if you’re looking to change a certain part of the shoe to another color – it can be tricky!

The items you’ll need to change one part of your wedding shoes are:

Shoes
Paint in the desired color(s)
Acetone
Finisher
Painter’s tape
Rubber Gloves
Brushes
Old rag
Knitting needle
Paint dishes
Old paper

Off Beat Bride has a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect wedding shoe upgrade with acrylic paint. You can find the full guide here. Impressive, right?

Glitter Shoes DIY

You may not want to change the color of your shoes – but you may want to glitz them up! I had completely glitter shoes for my own wedding, and it’s easy to see why it’s so appealing. Glitter shoes make you feel like a real-life Cinderella – and what more could you want for your wedding day?

If you’ve chosen some gorgeous white heels for your wedding, but want to add a little sparkle – it’s surprisingly easy to get them looking glamorous! Here’s what you’ll need:

Your shoes (preferably white so you do not need to paint them)
PVA glue
At least two paintbrushes
A whole lot of glitter!

Here’s a step-by-step guide inspired by Off the Beat:

Paint your shoes with acrylic paint if needed and leave to dry for around an hour.
With a large paintbrush put the glue glitter mix on a small section of the shoe.
Sprinkle loose glitter over the top. (Use a bowl underneath to catch any falling glitter).
Press the loose glitter into the glue firmly.
Repeat over the entire shoe. And then repeat with the next shoe.
If there’s any gaps, or some patches don’t look quite as sparkly – add some more! You can never have too much glitter. Leave to dry (overnight is best)
Paint with a very thin layer of glue to seal the glitter in place and leave to dry.

Your shoes are ready! You may want to practice on a cheap pair of shoes first, that way you can perfect your glittering skills before starting on your wedding shoes. You don’t want your wedding shoes to have any mistakes, so keep any imperfections to the trial shoes!

Must-Have Products for DIY Wedding Shoes

You may be wondering which products to use. Which paint is best? Which glitter is best? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are some of the bestselling products when it comes to customizing your own shoes. Whether you’re wearing sneakers to your wedding, or heels, here are the best products to use.

Angelus Acrylic Paint. Angelus is by far the most popular choice for acrylic paint. Not only do they have the most vibrant colors, they’re durable, long-lasting, and work on various materials…including shoes. They come in a range of styles and finishes, so choose which best works for your shoes. The best part is, it’s affordable too!
Krylon Glitter Blast. If you’re not using loose glitter, this spray is perfect! It takes glittering to the next dimension, is durable, and works on virtually any surface…including shoes!
Fine Brushes. While you may be looking for the most affordable options to keep the price down, brushes is not something you want to skimp on. If you’re adding fine detail to your shoe, you want to be precise and very careful, SUCOOL is a great place to start for fine brushes.
Embroidery Pen. If you’re not a beginner with customizing shoes, you may want an embroidery pen! If you’re wanting to add a certain design to your shoe, like the words “I Do”, or incorporate the date of your wedding into the final design – you can use an embroidery pen! It’s important to note that if you’re a newbie with customization, you may want to stay away from products like this. Or get lots of practice in beforehand before you try anything on your wedding shoes.
Patience and Time. While this may not exactly be a product, this is something you’ll need in bucketfuls! It can be time-consuming, and quite difficult, depending on how creative you are. So be sure to leave enough time to get your dream shoes finished!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you learn how to create the perfect painted wedding shoes and how to make gorgeous glittery heels. Whichever you decide to choose, make sure you have all the correct products and do not go straight to work on your wedding shoes until you’re completely comfortable with customizing. Having a one of a kind shoe for your wedding makes them even more special, and will certainly leave your guests with serious shoe envy!

Did you customize your own wedding shoes? With glitter or paint? If so, I would love to hear how they turned out! And if you have any top tips or tricks, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. You may be helping out future brides with their own shoes. Sharing is caring!

Wedding Games

Today, we’re going to be looking at the assortment of wedding games you can play on your big day. Let’s be honest, if your day is starting early (which it usually is), you need to find some way to keep the guests entertained. And some games can even be a good ice breaker between guests. Weddings can be quite daunting for friends and family members who don’t know others at the wedding, so this can be a great way to lighten the mood and atmosphere.

But what wedding reception games can you play? Whether they’re questions at the table or giant versions of popular games outside – we’ve got you covered! Fun wedding activities and games coming up!

Wedding Party Games

There are a ton of games to play at your wedding, that adults and children can enjoy. They’re actually becoming increasingly popular and are great for occupying kids for a while, so you can have a dance!

Outdoor Games

While you can play a game of rounders or cricket outside (they do make for great photos!), the most common outdoor games are giant versions of classics. These are cropping up at weddings so often now. A few places are even letting you hire them so you don’t need to fork out a load of cash! With classic games such as Jenga and Connect Four in oversized versions – these are a fantastic addition to any wedding.

Table Games

If you’d rather keep everything at the table, or you don’t have any outside space – that’s completely fine! Why not bring a few board games from home and set up a games table? Or you can use some free download games such as Mad-Libs (the wedding edition). It will leave your guests crying with laughter and will relieve any tension there may be.

Drinking Games

This may not be something you want to do if you have children at your wedding – because it will likely end with a lot of drunk adults! If you want to relive your younger days, this is a brilliant way to do so. With old favorites like beer bong and flip cup. Why not unleash your inner college kid?

Interactive Games

These are games that get everyone involved. One of my favorites is The Shoe Game. This is when the newlyweds sit back to back and each remove their shoes. They give one shoe to their partner and keep the other. The couple then answers a series of questions (which can be chosen by guests, or a “game host”) and hold up the corresponding shoe to who the answer is most suited to. For example:

Who made the first move?
Who’s funnier?
Who’s better in the mornings?
Who said I love you first?
Who’s the better cook?

It’s great for the Bride and Groom to answer, and for the guests to watch.

Wedding Reception Activities

If you’re looking for activities to keep your guests busy, there’s lots of options! Ranging from completely free, to a little more luxurious. Let’s take a look at some of the top suggestions.

Scavenger Hunt

There are plenty of options available, but the most popular scavenger hunt at a wedding is the photo scavenger hunt. Not only does it keep guests busy, but it gives you so many extra photos from your wedding. You can even set up a hashtag on social media. To keep the price down, you can make your own or sites like Etsy do ones pre-made. Some ideas to put on the checklist are:

First dance
Bride and Groom kissing
Seeing the Bride for the first time
People laughing
The first person to get drunk

It’s a fun and memorable activity.

Coloring Station

This is an activity that’s more child-friendly. If you want somewhere for the children to have some downtime, setting up a coloring station is a great idea. You can find pencils and coloring books relatively cheap on places like Amazon, and it’ll likely keep them busy for hours! If you’re having an adults-only wedding, there are some hilarious adult coloring books out there – you could even set a small prize for the best one.

Lego

This may seem like a strange one, but much like a coloring station, it’s a good way for people to enjoy some relaxation. Weddings can be stressful for a few members of the family (not just the happy couple!), so it’s a fun way to let out your inner child again.

Piñata

This is one of my favorite activities. And the best part is, everyone can get involved! You can even buy wedding-inspired piñatas, so they would fit in with the wedding perfectly. Who doesn’t love taking a good swing?! Plus, you can put anything you want inside – confetti, sweets, mini favors, anything works!

Photo Booth

One of the most popular activities at weddings is a photo booth. I had one at my own wedding and it’s something I’ll always remember – and never regret. They are definitely a pricey activity, but so worth it. Whether you get a booth, or just buy some props and get your photographer to snap some photos, it’s a fun activity. And let’s your guests have some incredible photos too, to remember your wedding day.

If you opt for a photo booth that prints photos instantly, you can customize the border with names and dates, which make good souvenirs for the couple and the wedding guests.

Read more about Catholic Wedding Prelude Songs

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you become more familiar with just a few of the many wedding games and activities you can do on your special day. This article from Hitched has a few more unconventional choices if you’re still looking for more.

Did you play any games or activities on your wedding day? If so, what did you do? Please feel free to leave any answers in the comments below. Or if you’re planning to use one of the suggestions above, do let me know!

How To Make A Wedding Playlist On Spotify

Today, we’re going to be looking at how to make a wedding playlist on Spotify. Spotify is one of the best services to use if you’re looking to DJ your own wedding. But where to even begin? How do you make a playlist? How to choose songs? Let’s take a look at what you need for your big day.

What Is Spotify?

You’ll likely already know what Spotify is, but if not – Spotify is a service that offers millions of songs, videos, and podcasts. All of which is free! The free basic service comes with ads, which obviously isn’t ideal for a wedding, so you’ll need to upgrade to the premium service for your wedding. This enables you to listen ad-free and even download the songs you need so you can listen without Wi-Fi.

How To DJ Your Own Wedding With Spotify

So you’ve decided that you’re going to be the DJ at your own wedding. It may feel a bit overwhelming at first, and you will need to put a lot of time aside, as this can take a while! Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you need to do.

Download Spotify Premium. There’s usually a 2 month free trial. If you choose all the songs before starting the trial, you may not even need to pay for it! However, if you opt to pay for it, it’s around $10 a month. You need Spotify Premium to avoid any adverts.
Choose which songs you’d like to have. Make notes on paper with your partner and then start creating your playlists. It’s important to make individual playlists for each part of your wedding day: procession, first dance, parent dances, reception, etc.). Making individual playlists makes it much easier to navigate on the day.
Make sure you’ve downloaded all of the songs, so you don’t need Wi-Fi on the big day – who knows how reliable it will be.
Buy your speakers (or use of a sound system). This will likely be the most expensive part of DJ’ing your own wedding. However, if your venue is happy for you to use their speakers, it will help the cost massively. Once you have them, be sure to test them out at the venue. Whether your using your phone or laptop or any other piece of technology – check it’s compatible and sounds good. If using a phone – ensure flight mode is on!
Plan a script of which songs need to be played when and choose a person(s) you trust to control the music for the day. Someone needs to be pressing play all day long!

If you’re wanting to know which speakers to buy, where to put them, whether to buy lights, microphones, etc., Wedding DJ Central has a great article which covers everything that you may need. It even explains how to connect everything up on the big day!

Tips And Tricks For Your Spotify Wedding Playlist

Here’s some tips to make the playlists as simple and secure as possible on your wedding day:

Individual Playlists. This makes it easy for any family member or friend to navigate each part of the day if they need to step in last minute. It also saves a lot of time, as you’re already prepared. You can even order them, to make it even easier
Save. Save the playlists to several devices. If something breaks on the day, you need to be prepared; you don’t want to be left with no music
Choose Someone You Trust. Someone needs to be controlling the music and you want it to be someone you trust wholeheartedly. However, they will be missing parts of the wedding by manning the music, so bear that in mind when making your decision
Don’t Choose Pre-made Playlists. It’s easy to search wedding playlists on Spotify and find thousands already made. However, some song choices may be inappropriate, not relevant to you, or songs you don’t like. So try to be original and make your own.
Test. Be sure to test how everything plays through the sound system/speakers before the wedding. Check which volume is the best and that everything sounds as it should
Chargers. This may seem obvious but be sure to pack any chargers you need! You don’t want a device dying on you throughout the day

Spotify Wedding Playlist

If you’re unsure how to make a playlist on Spotify, it really is super easy! All you do is open the app, find the My Library icon. Find playlists, and tap the Create Playlist button. A pop-up will appear where you’ll enter the name and you can add any songs you wish! It really is that simple.

If you’re unsure which songs to play, have a browse of other playlists before you make your own. You may draw inspiration from them! You can ask your family and friends if they have any requests beforehand – I did this before my wedding and it went down a treat!

Sit down with your partner and enjoy choosing the music. It will take time, but it’s something special to choose together. If you’re unsure how many songs you need to choose or which songs to avoid, this article from Yeah Weddings is really helpful!

Read more about Who Buys The Groom’s Wedding Ring?

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to learn how to make a wedding playlist on Spotify. It really couldn’t be easier and will hopefully be a fun experience for you and your partner. It’s important to note, that although the cost is much lower when DJ’ing your own wedding, it takes far more preparation and is a lot more time consuming. If this is something you’re happy to do – I would highly recommend being a DJ at your own wedding!

Did you make playlists for your wedding and control everything yourself? If so, please feel free to leave any tips and tricks in the comments below. It can feel overwhelming, so any help will be appreciated by future brides and grooms!

What Does M Mean On RSVP Cards For A Wedding?

Today, we’re going to be answering the question: what does M mean on RSVP cards for a wedding? If you’re from the younger generation or haven’t been to many weddings – you may not know what the M stands for, and how to respond to wedding RSVP with M, so let’s take a closer look at the correct way.

What is a Wedding RSVP Card?

An RSVP originally comes from France, and it is essentially a response card for your guests to let you know if they are able to attend your wedding or not. It is included with the invite itself and often comes with a pre-stamped envelope so your guest doesn’t have to pay for postage costs. There should be a date on which the guests need to respond by and an easy way for them to let you know.

What Does RSVP Stand For?

RSVP stands for:

Repondez
S’il
Vous
Plait

This means “please respond” in French. Oddly, it’s not often used in France anymore! But US and UK weddings still use it regularly”

What does M Mean on RSVP Cards for a Wedding?

The M on wedding invitation is seen as a prompt. As most titles begin with the letter M (i.e. Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss., etc.), it is a title starter for your guests to respond with their title and full name. This is commonly seen in more formal invitations. Often, there is a line directly after the M. This is to show where your guest’s reply will start.

However, using the M does not include all titles such as Dr. and also feels far too formal for some couples. Although it is tradition for RSVPs to have an M – lots of couples choose not to have it anymore. We’ll be looking at alternatives you may like to use later on in this article if the M seems too formal.

How to Respond to M on RSVP Cards

The wedding RSVP M line – how do you respond? In regards to the M, it really is as simple as adding your titles and names to the line provided. For example “M”r John Smith and “M”s Annie Smith. Even if you’re not attending, it’s polite to respond in this way, making use of the M line.

You may think that’s all you need to do to respond to an invitation, but be sure to add these things as well as your name:

If you’ve been given the option of a plus one, be sure to list their title and name for the headcount
If more than one person is on the invite, but not attending – be sure to let them know. For example, if you have three children, but only one of them is attending, be sure to write that in the response
Write clearly and legibly to make it easy for the happy couple as possible
If you or any other guests attending with you have any dietary requirements, it’s important to make a note of this on the RSVP – this is to ensure there’s a food option available for everyone on the day
Do not assume a plus one/additional guest is permitted just because other weddings have done so – the couple may have a strict limit on the day, so do not add guests unless it has been made clear that you can
And lastly, be sure to post it back ASAP! Weddings take a lot of time, and a lot of effort – so as soon you know whether you can make the big day, let them know!

Alternatives to M on RSVP Cards

The etiquette for RSVP cards is not as intense as it once was, and is now much more lax. If you’re looking for something more casual, here’s some suggestions you may like to try.

Name(s). Just writing names instead of M is a more common alternative nowadays. If you want it to seem more formal, try using “Full Name(s)”. Using this alternative is lot more appealing to the younger generation as many young people will not understand what M means on an RSVP! When you receive an invite nowadays, this is the replacement you’ll more than likely see.
Write the Names Yourself. Before sending the RSVP cards out, you can write the titles and names of the guests yourselves. However, this often doesn’t take into account guests you may not know the names of, such as plus ones. And “plus ones” will look quite informal on an invitation. But if you have no plus ones – this is a great option (and saves your guests time too!)
Blank. Leaving it blank is not seen as good etiquette, at all. However, if etiquette is of little importance to you – leaving a line blank for guests to fill in is absolutely an option. However, this may leave your guests confused and not sure how to respond, so try to make it as clear as possible.

Read more about How To Make Cheap Place Cards

Conclusion

Something worth mentioning, is that many couples will no longer expect RSVP cards to be sent back. Some couples are happy with a text, email, or phone call. If that is the case, you can relax and not worry about using the M on a wedding invitation at all.

However, if you do receive an RSVP invitation with an M, I hope this article has helped you become more familiar with what it means and how to respond in the correct way. For further help with RSVP and Card Etiquette, Shutterfly has a great article that explains everything in a clear and efficient way.

Did you use the M line in your RSVP cards for your wedding? Or did you opt for something entirely different? If your suggestion didn’t make it to the list, please feel free to leave your answers in the comments below – I would love to know any ideas you may have. And if this article has helped you with your wedding invitations, let me know!

How To Make Cheap Place Cards

Today, we’re going to be looking at how to make cheap place cards. Whether you’re wanting something simple, or something a little less traditional – we’ll be looking at a range of ideas to make, in the cheapest way possible. Let’s look at some cheap place cards!

What Is A Place Card?

A place card is usually a small piece of paper, which directs your guest as to where you’d like them to sit for the rest of the ceremony. Traditionally, it fits in with the style of the wedding. i.e. it may match your color scheme. As well as the guest’s name, you may like to add the couple’s names/date of the wedding.

How To Make Cheap Place Cards

The first thing you’ll want to decide is – are you going to print them or write them by hand? While writing by hand is more time-consuming, it is far more personal and something your guests will more likely treasure. However, not all of us have handwriting good enough for a wedding!

Handwritten Cheap Place Cards

If you decide to write them by hand – this is by far the cheapest option. You can pick up place cards from your local craft store for around $4 for 50. Once you’ve chosen a pen that you think matches your place cards well, the rest is up to you! You can decorate the place cards as you wish. There are a plethora of tutorials online how to draw fancy fonts – which will work perfectly for your place cards.

You can buy ready-made cards plain, or with a border, or flowery designs – whichever you’re looking for. For my wedding, I used plain white place cards with a glitter border. My mom (her handwriting is much better than mine) handwrote all of the place cards I needed. If a family or friend has beautiful handwriting, it would save you lots of time if they were happy to do them for you.

NOTE: If you or a friend/family are writing your own place cards, do several practice names to ensure you’re happy with the handwriting before you write directly onto the place cards.

Printed Cheap Place Cards

Printing your own is an option that may suit you better if you’re looking for a design that’s a bit less traditional. However, if you do not have time to write out each name by hand, there are some beautiful handwriting fonts that look as though they have been written by hand. If you’re looking for some free fonts to use for your place cards, try using:

Lovely Home
Stylish Calligraphy
Geraldine
Weather Sunday
Ants Valley
Easy November
Lucy Said Ok
Biancha

You can find a full list of free fonts that will work well for place cards here. If you’re looking for a particular pattern or design, there’s a huge range of free templates for you to work with, which make designing place cards as easy as possible.

Once your design is complete, you’ll need to print them. Of course, you could get them sent away and printed at a company such as Vistaprint, but it will likely work out cheaper for you to do this yourself.

Avery do a range of styles and sizes for you to choose from, at an extremely reasonable price. For a white background, you likely won’t be using much ink at all, so as long as you have a printer, it will be cheaper to print at home. You can get 150 cards for just $17 direct from their website!

How To Print Your Place Cards

Most computer software has Avery already installed, so it’s a great starting point for place cards. You can find a step-by-step tutorial on how to do this via Microsoft Word here. It couldn’t be easier and once you’ve done it once, it’ll be super easy! You often need a LaserJet ink printer to print card, so be sure your printer is compatible before you try printing.

Affordable Fun Designs

Depending on the theme/time of year of your wedding, you may want to try some fun ways to liven up your place cards. This is a cute idea if you choose a fairly simple place card. If you’ve chosen an extravagant design for your place card, it may be best left as it is, so it doesn’t seem as though too much is going on.

Here are some cheap wedding place card ideas:

Pine Cones. You can go on a nature walk and collect as many pine cones as you need for your big day – completely free. Once you have enough, just pop the place cards into the cones and they make super cute place cardholders.
Corks. Cut a cork in half (longways) – make a slit, and slip the place card into the slit. That way, it’s easy for guests to find where they’re sitting. Ask around for corks – you’ll be surprised how many you’ll find once you ask people!
Bulldog/Binder Clip. Decorate the clip with a color/style of your choice and add the name cards into the clip. They’ll look adorable!
Bracelet Place Cards. If you have time to spare, instead of writing, you could make bracelet place cards. Just get some elastic cord and letter beads – and it’s a super fun place card that your guests can even wear!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to see how easy it is to make cheap place cards, that still look beautiful – and leave a lasting impression on your guests. Place cards are one of the first things your guests will see on their table, so make sure they’re full of personality, and suit the style of the wedding.

No matter what your budget, you can make affordable place cards, easily. What place cards did you have at your wedding/plan to have at your wedding? If you have any other affordable ideas, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. You’ll likely be helping out other couples with their weddings!

Plastic Paper Plate Holders Dollar Tree

Today, we’re going to be looking at plastic paper plate holders dollar tree. Using plastic plates at wedding, particularly in the evening when you may have a buffet, is becoming increasingly popular. They’re cheap, easy to obtain, and save a lot of washing up! But let’s be honest, they don’t give off a wedding vibe. So how can you make your paper plates more wedding-friendly? This is where plastic paper plate holders come in!

What Is A Plastic Paper Plate Holder?

A plastic paper plate holder is exactly as it sounds! It’s a circular piece of plastic, that’s larger than your average paper plate. The plate holder usually has several grooves for you to insert the plate, and the plate locks into place. They also help to distribute the weight of any food on the plate evenly. Whether you’re using foam or paper plates, these holders work perfectly. And many of them are reusable, which saves on a whole lot of waste!

Why Use Plastic Paper Plate Holders?

There’s a range of reasons why you may want to use plastic plate holders – especially at a wedding. Here are some of the main reasons you may want to consider:

Aesthetic. If you’re wanting your wedding to be picture perfect (which I’m sure many of you are), plastic plate holders really do brighten up your wedding. They come in a range of style and colors to suit your wedding.
Formal. Yes, you’re still using a paper plate – but as the plastic is much sturdier, it feels as though you’re eating from a standard plate
Weight Distribution. Have you ever loaded a paper plate at a buffet, just for it to collapse at the sides as you’re walking back to the table? Paper plates aren’t good at holding lots of food, so plastic plates are a great way to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Avoid spillages. There aren’t many worse times to spill something and leave a stain than at a wedding. With plastic paper plate holders, this is far less likely to happen as they’re much sturdier.
Reusable. While some are disposable, many are re-usable. Not only is this better for the environment, but also means you can use them at BBQs, camping, picnics, or any other celebration you may have after your wedding.

Dollar Tree Plastic Paper Plate Holders

Plastic paper plate holders are easily accessible and will be available in most grocery stores and more affordable stores like Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree options are $1 each (obviously!) and come in a range of styles and colors. You can find their full catering tableware range here. Dollar Tree is a great place to buy your plastic paper plate holders if you’re looking for a selection of colors and styles, as it’s a great way to mix and match easily.

However, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, Walmart offers a good selection too! One of their options is a pack of 20, 10″ reusable paper plate holders for just $14.99 – that’s much cheaper than $1 each. They have 3 grooves to hold your food in place and are made from high-quality materials. However, you do not get the option of choosing colors or styles. But it’s a great idea if you’re on a tight budget!

Decorating Your Plastic Paper Plate Holders

Once you’ve bought your plastic paper plate holders, you may want to make them personal to your own wedding. Whether that’s adding certain colors or patterns – it’s a lovely way to add a special touch to your plate holders.

I found an amazing DIY tutorial of how to customize your own from the comfort of your home. And the best part is, you don’t need many supplies at all!

The items you’ll need are:

Plastic paper plate holders
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Sealer

And you’re good to go! Crafting Cheerfully have a step-by-step guide to make it as easy as possible for you. However, this can be quite time-consuming – especially if you have hundreds of guests! Although it could make for a fun activity to do before the wedding if you have any children in your life; I’m sure they would love to be involved! And would love to see their creations on the wedding day.

Points To Consider

It’s worth mentioning that if you’re looking online at Dollar Tree, there aren’t too many options available, but in-store holds a range of choices that are not available on their website. So if you’re wanting to buy from Dollar Tree, it may be best for in-store shopping only!
Ensure you know which paper plates you’re using for the wedding before you buy the holders. This is because they come in a range of sizes, so you need to be sure your paper plates will fit perfectly, or they won’t be of much use at all!
Another point worth noting is be sure to read the reviews of any plastic paper plate holders you buy. In fact, you may even want to try them with the plates you’re using on the wedding day. There’s nothing like being prepared – especially on such a monumental day!

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Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you see how useful plastic paper plate holders are, especially at weddings! And how affordable they can be if you’re shopping in the right places, such as Dollar Tree and Walmart. Customizing the plate holders is a really fun way to make them your own – and give your wedding a real personal touch…even down to the plates!

Did you use plastic paper plate holders at your wedding? If so, where did you get them from? And did you find them useful? It can be quite expensive if you’re needing to buy hundreds! So please let me know they were. Feel free to leave any answers in the comments below. You’ll likely be helping out future couples for their own wedding day!

Making A Backless Bra

Today, we’re going to be looking at making a backless bra. Whether you want to alter the bra completely, or you want no cutting involved – we’ve got you covered. It’s a fact that some dresses and tops look better without bra straps or the back of your bra showing. Even more so, with your wedding dress. You definitely don’t want the back of your bra making an appearance in your beautiful wedding photos! But there’s a few easy solutions you can do yourself.

What is a Backless Bra?

A backless bra is a bra that has an extremely deep plunge between the two cups. That way, your boobs are held firmly in place, without the straps or back on show! Backless bras may have adhesives on the side to ensure there’s no way the cups can budge. While some brides choose to go braless on their wedding, not all brides have that option! So backless bras are the way forward.

How to Make a Bra Strapless

The easiest way to make a bra strapless is to buy a bra with removable bra straps. These types of bras are extremely common and easily accessible. That way you won’t have to damage the straps themselves, and it’s easy to go strapless.

However, if your perfect wedding bra does not have removable straps – don’t worry! It’s super easy to remove them. You just need to be handy with a sewing kit. The Better Fit has a great step-by-step guide on how to cut your bra straps off easily, and effectively.

There’s actually a huge range of already strapless bras available in stores if it’s just a bra without straps that you’re needing for your wedding dress.

If you don’t want to alter the bra forever, there are other options in the article to make the bra strapless, without altering it entirely.

How to Make a Backless Bra

Making a backless bra is why you’re here! And now the straps are gone, it’s time to remove the back. Whether you want to use cutting methods or other methods – we’ll be covering it all in this section. When choosing your bra, ensure it’s padded with an underwire, this is the easiest to make alterations to.

The only things you will need for the sewing method are:

Bra
Scissors
Needle and thread
Pins

Once you have everything you need, just follow this step-by-step guide from All Day Chic.

Your backless bra will be ready in just 6 easy to follow steps. There’s also a video tutorial on their post if you learn more visually.

Alternatives to Cutting

If you’re not good at sewing, or unsure whether you want to do any cutting to your wedding bra, don’t worry! There are other ways to get a backless bra without the worry of making any alterations yourself. You may be concerned that a backless bra won’t give you enough support, so for big-busted women, these can be great alternatives.

Bra Converter

If you’re dress isn’t particularly low, and you’re opting for comfort on your big day – bra converters are a good solution. You hook the converter to the back of your bra and bring it round to your stomach. This pushes the back of the bra down so it’s much lower than usual. Once the converter is removed, your bra is returned to normal and you can go back to wearing it for everyday use!

Invisible Straps

You may already know that invisible bra straps are available, but did you know you can get invisible backs too? They are available and give you the full support of a normal back. Although the straps are clear, they can be seen from a short distance. That’s important to bear in mind if you’re adverse to anything showing on your big day.

Go Braless!

If you’re feeling bold and it’s an option – why not go braless for your big day?! This was a decision I made at my own wedding. My dress was so incredibly tight at the bust, that there was no worries of anything moving anywhere! If you’re smaller-chested and have a tight dress, bear this idea in mind.

Buy a Backless Bra

Buying a backless bra is definitely an option, but it can be a costly one. They are usually extremely expensive and may not offer the support you need. They also may not be very comfortable, which isn’t ideal for your wedding day. Using a much-loved bra and doing it yourself is a good alternative.

Bra Cups for Wedding Dress

An alternative to backless bras are bra cups in your wedding dress. Alterations can be made by your seamstress to sew the cups into your bra, or you can try to do this to yourself. Although I wouldn’t advise doing any DIY like that on your wedding dress. Depending on the cups you choose, cups can cost as low as $10 for the materials – but can become as expensive as $75. And that’s just for the materials alone!

Conclusion

To conclude, making a backless bra yourself couldn’t be easier. Whether you want something temporary or something more permanent, there are ways around it. Going braless is simply not an option for a lot of people, so I hope this article has helped you to understand how to make your own backless bra.

If you’re still uncertain, having bra cups sewn into your wedding dress is a good idea. Some wedding dresses even come with cups sewn in already! If this is the case, you may not have any worries about bras at all on your wedding day.

Did you make your own backless bra for your big day? Or are you planning to wear one? If so, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave any answers in the comments below. If you have any tips or tricks for fellow brides, please share them. You may be helping out someone with their wedding.

Printing Labels For Wedding Invitations

Today, we’re going to be looking at printing labels for wedding invitations. DIY address labels for wedding invitations are becoming increasingly popular. In the past, it has been seen as impersonal and informal to print labels for your wedding invitations – but as times are becoming more progressive, more of us are throwing tradition out the window!

So let’s take a look at why you use them, why you may want to do them yourself, and more importantly, how to do it! If you’re not great with technology, it may seem an impossible task, but here’s an easy guide on how to design, make and print them.

What are Wedding Address Labels?

Wedding address labels are exactly as they sound. You’ll need your guests’ addresses to put on the labels to send out on their wedding invitations. They should be clear and readable. You’ll also need return address labels for your guests to RSVP for the big day. Address labels may not be something you’ve even thought about, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Why Print Them Yourself?

Stationery giants have claimed it’s impersonal to send out printed address labels, but I completely disagree. Yes, it’s the first thing you see when the invite comes through your mailbox – but you can make them look gorgeous! And there’s even a range of calligraphy fonts now, to get that handwritten feel without all the work! Some couples even do the calligraphy themselves on their iPad/tablets and print them on completion.

Printing them yourself is great for a range of reasons. Here’s just a few:

Far less time-consuming. Writing your labels by hand can take hours. Your labels will be ready in a fraction of the time
No mistakes. With programs like spell check and being able to check yourself for any mistakes before you print, it can save you from a lot of second attempts at less than perfect handwritten labels
More efficient. Printing labels is easy to organize and complete quickly
Bad handwriting. Let’s be honest, not all of us have gorgeous handwriting (I certainly don’t!). So to avoid looking messy and scruffy, printed labels can look smart and professional
Fun. You can add different colors, flowers, patterns – all at the click of a button. You can’t do that when it’s handwritten!

How to Make Address Labels for Wedding Invitations

Wedding invite address labels may seem daunting, but they don’t have to be at all. Avery have a huge range of blank address labels that you may like to use. Prices start from around $10 for 100-200 labels. The more complex the label you’re looking for, the more expensive.

If you don’t have a label maker, don’t worry! You can even use inkjet printers for your labels.

Before you start your labels, you need to choose the size, color, and whether you want the background left as it is, or if you want it a block color. And do you want a pattern? Flowers? Etc. Once you have your measurements, if you decide you’d like a label that isn’t plain, programs such as Canva and Photofiltre are perfect. Both of these programs let you write in sizes and come with a range of tools, fonts and images to create your own design. The best part? Both of them are free

Once you’re set on a design, you need to input the addresses onto your labels. It’s best to use a basic program like Microsoft Word if you’re a newbie to the technology world. So Microsoft word is a good place to start. This tutorial shows you how to create and print labels using Word. The great thing about Word is that if you’re using the Avery labels, Word already has those labels built into the program!

Once they’re printed, stick them onto the front of your envelopes, and your invitations are good to go – don’t forget your stamps!

Which Color Label Should I Use?

The color address label all depends on the color of your envelope. For example, if you have a deep red envelope, it may be best to steer clear of a white address label!

For bold envelopes, it would be best to stick with clear address labels. They are the most common in wedding invitations as they look the most seamless. However, if you’re opting for white envelopes, there’s no reason your address label can’t be white.

Those colors are for more traditional wedding address labels. If your color scheme is blue and you want your address labels that color – go for it! Your wedding is the one day where everything is tailored to you and your partner’s taste, so do whatever you both think is best.

What About Return Labels?

You may want to make your return labels in the same way. However, as your return address labels are all the same address, it may be easier to get them printed directly onto the envelope.

Or if you’re looking for something really quick – why not invest in an address stamp? It may seem pricey at around $15-$25, but you can use them after the wedding too! All you need to do is put the stamp into ink and press the stamp onto your return envelopes – it really is that easy.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you learn about printing labels for wedding invitations. There will be a lot of “do’s” and “don’ts’s” when researching how to design and print your wedding labels. But just keep in mind, that as long as you and your partner are happy with your labels – that’s the most important thing.

Did you print your own address labels for your wedding? Or do you plan to for your upcoming big day? Please let me know any tips or tricks that helped you design/print them. Please leave any suggestions in the comments below. You may well be helping future couples out with their wedding stationery!

Read more about Flower Urns For Weddings

Flower Urns For Weddings

Today, we’re going to be looking at flower urns for weddings. Urn vase wedding décor and centerpieces are becoming increasingly popular – but why? There’s many reasons why flower urns are perfect for your big day, but first, let’s look at what they are. Then we’ll get onto how much they cost, and even doing them yourself!

What Is a Flower Wedding Urn?

You may not even know what a flower wedding urn is! I have to admit, before my wedding, I had no idea about items like wedding urns! To put it simply, flower urns are big wedding flower vases (that is putting it very simply!). They are often very large and a showstopper for any wedding. They also aren’t just used at weddings – they’re often used at many formal occasions.

If you’re a fan of flowers, urns are the perfect item to add to your wedding. They’re luxurious, elegant, and add a touch of class. They’re definitely bold and striking. A stunning urn overflowing with beautiful flowers – what more could you ask for?

Where To Use a Flower Urn For Your Wedding?

There’s a range of ways to use a wedding urn vase or two (or more!) on your special day. Let’s take a look at the most popular places incorporate them.

Entry Markers. When you walk into your wedding, you may want your guests to be dazzled and flower urns are a great way to do this – while also showing where you’ll make your grand entrance down the aisle. They make a bold statement here and look stunning in photos.
Aisle. Some couples like an urn to be at the end of each aisle – but this can be quite costly and should definitely only be an option if you’re opting for a more extravagant wedding.
Centerpiece. Whether you have mini flower urns on every table or choose to have a show-stopping urn at the center of your top table, urn centerpieces look beautiful.

Types of Flower Urn

If you’re ordering a flower urn from a company, it is often bespoke and there will be a wide range of options for you to choose from. Whether you want a more rustic urn, or something more modern – companies will usually be able to help. Type, color, size, and scent are all things customizable for your flower urn, so they can match the color theme and feel of your wedding.

If you do want to opt for something ready-made, it will be less expensive. So if you’re not having a color scheme, or are on a budget – this is a great idea.

How Much Do They Cost?

Without knowing what you’re looking for (size, flowers, etc.), it’s impossible to give an exact figure as to how much your flower urns will cost. However, after checking a plethora of suppliers – be prepared for wedding urns to take a hefty chunk out of your wedding budget.

If you’re looking for something simple and not entirely customizable, you’ll be looking at around $150-$200 per urn. Yes, that’s right – per urn! This supplier charges £225 per urn, whereby you can choose from a selection of pre-picked colors.

If you’re looking for something bespoke, you’ll be looking at significantly more! Although they’re incredibly expensive, they do look stunning on your wedding day, and make for great photos.

Do It Yourself

If you have time to spare or are simply wanting to do keep to a stricter budget – why not try doing it yourself? I will point out that it isn’t easy and will take lots of time and practice. However, it is certainly worth the additional effort and will feel extra special when you get married.

What’s great about making your own is that everything is chosen by you. You can go to your local garden store (or browse online if you’d prefer) and choose your preferred urn. Whether you opt for something modern like iron, or traditional like resin – you’ll be making a statement.

Once you’ve chosen your flowers from your local florist, the arrangement begins. This is the tricky part. Here’s a tutorial to learn how to make urn flower arrangements. It may sound easy, but it’s definitely not as simple as it may seem.

Tips When Making Your Own Flower Urns for Weddings

If you’re nervous about making your own, here’s a few tips to get you started.

Be sure to store in a cool environment the evening before the wedding, so it looks as fresh as possible before the wedding
Be sure to use a range of sizes and textures to give your flower displays some definition
You may not want to use fresh flowers. If so, artificial flowers can be arranged well in advance to ensure there’s less stress on the wedding day itself
Check which flowers are in season around the time of your wedding – you want your flowers to be looking as beautiful as they can be
Be sure to fill the urn with items such as sand, rocks, or glass gems, so it’s easy for the stems to be put into place
The most important piece of advice is to be patient…and have fun!

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you make a decision on whether you’d like flower urns for your weddings. Although they take a hefty amount out of your budget, it’s a worthwhile purchase. Especially if you decide to make them yourself. However, if you choose to make them yourself, make sure you have space for the urns after your wedding – you don’t want to be left with ten urns to squeeze into a one-bedroom apartment!

Did you have flower urns for your wedding? It wasn’t something I could afford for my wedding, but I wish I could have! If you did, feel free to share any tips or tricks that helped you with your big day. You may be able to help out some future couples on their wedding planning.

Succulent Wedding Bouquet Cost

Today, we’re going to be looking at succulent wedding bouquet costs and how to get the best flowers for your budget. Succulents are one of the few flowers that are readily available all year round, making them the perfect versatile choice for your bouquet. Whether your bouquet is entirely made from succulents or you add some flowers too, it makes for a truly stunning bouquet.

What is a Succulent Bouquet?

A succulent bouquet is a bouquet (unsurprisingly) made up of succulents. Succulents are plants that are drought-resistant and retain water. They’re usually thick, fleshy and despite how they may sound, look beautiful at weddings.

As they’re available year-round, they’re a popular wedding choice. Another reason that they’re popular is because they’re usually far less expensive than flowers. They’re perfect for filling out bouquets and centerpieces.

As they are grown indoors, you can even grow them yourself at home, to add something special to your wedding bouquet. Also, if you plant them after your wedding day, they can last for years! It’s a special memento to treasure from your special day.

How Much Does a Succulent Wedding Bouquet Cost?

It’s impossible to predict an estimate for your specific succulent bouquet in mind. This is because prices can vary massively depending on the size of your bouquet and whether you’d like to incorporate flowers. This will increase the price of your bouquet.

However, we can look at some succulent bouquets online and how much they cost. Urban Succulents offer a wide range of succulent bouquets. Depending on what you’re looking for, prices start at just $60 and can go up to around $200. The more complex and intricate the bouquet, the more expensive the bouquet. They offer a range of colors and styles, that would work well at any wedding.

Urban Succulents also have succulent boutonnieres, cake toppers, corsages, and wedding favors. There’s nothing like a bit of matching on your big day!

If you’re working towards a tight budget and needing to look for something cheaper, sites like Etsy are a great place to start. A simple search for “succulent” bouquet gets thousands of hits and there are some starting from just $20-$30. Prices obviously increasing the bigger the bouquet and more complex.

DIY Succulent Bouquet

If you’re looking for an even cheaper alternative, making your succulent bouquet yourself will be the cheapest option. You can buy wired succulents ready-made to make your bouquet, or grow them yourself! Some things to remember when making your own bouquet:

Make sure you have ribbon, floral tape, floral wire, and your succulents (and flowers)
Succulents like Aeonium have flower-like rosette forms and are great for giving your bouquet a flowery feel without the flowers
Succulents will often have short stems, so you will need to make the stems longer yourself with the floral tape and wire

For a step-by-step guide on how to make your bouquet yourself, Gardening Know How have a great article to show you how.

Which Succulents are Most Popular for Bouquets?

You may be unsure where to start when looking for succulents to put into your bouquet if you’re choosing to make your own. Let’s have a rundown of some of the most popular choices to include.

Aeoniums – If you’re looking for drama, and something a little bit extra for your wedding bouquet, these are the best option. They’re easy to care for and come in a deep maroon color, as well as yellow and green. If you’re having a fall wedding, these would work great.
Burro’s Tail – if you’re looking for something to work well in your bridal teardrop bouquet, I would highly recommend Burro’s Tail. The stems cascade down and even the leaves are the shapes of a teardrop! They’re pale green typically, but sometimes even sprout pink blooms, which will certainly add an extra pop to your bouquet!
Echeveria – If you’re looking for something that resembles a flower, this is a great alternative. They look very similar to flowers and add a touch of class to your bouquet. As each Echeveria looks entirely different, it’s very easy to make up a bouquet of this succulent alone! This succulent comes in a range of colors, which makes it a very popular option for succulent bouquets. Pink, purple, blue, green, black – they can fit into any color scheme.

If you have the time to grow your own, it’s a much cheaper option. A bag of seeds can be bought for around $4-$10, depending on which succulent you’re growing. If you’re on a budget, it’s definitely worth the time to cut the price down of your bouquet massively.

How Long Does it Last?

The best thing about succulent bouquets is that they can be prepared well in advance for the wedding. If kept in the right conditions, succulents can last for around a week. This means that come the big day, you won’t have to be racing around for flowers as yours will have already been sorted up to a week before!

The fake items can be removed after the wedding and re-planted. So in reality, your bouquet can last several years, if looked after correctly.

Succulent Wedding Bouquet Cost Conclusion

I hope this article has helped to understand how much succulent bouquets cost and just how easy it can be to make your own. If I had known how easy it was, I may have even made them myself for my own wedding. Whatever your price range, there’ll be something available for you. And as they can be kept afterwards, it’s a perfect keepsake from your wedding.

Did you have a succulent bouquet for your wedding day? Are you planning to grow your own? If you have any tips and tricks to make the ideal bouquet, please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below. You could be helping out future brides with their bouquets!

Read more about How To Make Wedding Chair Covers