DIY Eco Friendly Moss Ring Pillow

Being green is easier these days (sorry, Kermit), with so many helpful ideas and tips being shared on wedding blogs.  I came across a wonderful project for a “natural” ring bearer pillow today on the blog of one of my favorite wedding planners Simply Natural Events and knew you’d love this idea.  I can see this same idea being used for centerpieces down a long table  in a garden wedding without the bow and inserting  votive candles in the four center squares and sprinkling some flower petals for color on the table.  The perfect wedding favors would be Eco friendly ones as well.

What You’ll Need: A 5″ x 5″ X 2″ piece of Styrofoam, 2 feet of ribbon (2″ wide),  3 yards of ribbon (1/4″ wide),  a 6″ x 6″ scrap of fabric, a handful of sphagnum moss, straight pins Round-headed corsage pins and a pair of scissors.

Instructions

1. Center your fabric face up on the Styrofoam square Fold the fabric
edges over sides of the Styrofoam and secure with straight pins. Wrap
the corners neatly and pin. (see figure 1)

2. Turn your Styrofoam over so the fabric side is down. Take your
sphagnum moss and stretch it out across the top of the Styrofoam. Be sure
that the moss completely covers the surface. (see figure 2)

3. Cut a length of the skinnier ribbon and run it diagonally across the
mossed surface. Attach both ends of the ribbons on the sides of the
Styrofoam using straight pins. Repeat this process to create a diagonal
grid of ribbon on the top of the pillow.

4. Take your corsage pins and stick them into the points where the
ribbons intersect on the pillow top. (see figure 4)

5. Turn the pillow on it’s side and pin the end of the wider ribbon in
the center of the side, using your straight pins. (see figure 5)

6. Wrap the ribbon around all four sides, concealing the fabric edges and
skinny ribbon tails. Pull it tightly as you go and keep the ribbon edges
lined up with the edges of the pillow. (see figure 5)

7. When you pass your starting point, fold under the ribbon tail and pin
it down using your corsage pins. (see figure 6)

8. Trim off any loose moss bits.

9. Cut a 12″ length of the skinnier ribbon and tie it to the corsage pin
in the center of the pillow. Attach your rings by tying a bow. (see
figure 7)

What it costs:
Styrofoam square $.90
Ribbon $3.00
Corsage Pins $2.00
Small bag of moss $1.80
Total = $7.70

Project created by Laurie Cinotto,

DIY Wedding Invitations & Clipart Help

These days so many brides love to have a hand in creating their own custom designed invitations and programs as well as all kinds of fun things to make their wedding stand out from the rest.  Today I found a wonderful site, WeddingDNA,  which I had to share with you because it has all the tools to help you accomplish creating an elegant professional look, made with your own hands.

If you’re artistic like I am, you love finding beautiful clip art to enhance whatever project you’re working on.  This site will become your source over and over again.  They even have some gorgeous free clip art you can play with…what’s better than that?

Sample Inviation: Wedding DNA

Save The Date Magnets – A Must For Your Wedding

Personalize your wedding from the start with Save The Dates.  For just .95 each you can find a style to suit your theme.   Whether your wedding is local or in a tropical paradise, you will want to send Save The Dates because they  allow your  guests to have enough time to make plans for your wedding and get them excited for your big day (especially knowing how busy everyone is these days).

Using a Save The Date Magnet makes it a convenient reminder, and can easily be placed on the refrigerator or a filing cabinet.

1- Choose a design that will set the tone for your wedding and express your personalities.

2- Make sure you send one to everyone on your guest list as soon as you set the date.

3- Your Save The Date can reflect the style of the invitation to come, but don’t be afraid to mix and match styles of the Save The Date and your invitation.  For example, you can send a fun, trendy Save The Date and follow it up with a formal invitation.

Your Save The Date can be sent out a year or so before your wedding.  Your invitation should be sent out 8 weeks before. If you have a personal wedding website, include your URL on the Save The Date so your guests can be informed about getting accommodations, etc. especially  if you get a block of rooms.

Now for your inspiration:

Aisle Style – Decorating Ideas For Your Wedding

The first thing your guests will see as they arrive is where they will sit, the decorations on the arbor, and your aisle.  Whether it’s traditional or exceptional, this is the first time your guests will witness your wedding day style.

View your aisle as your runway and when you walk down it all eyes will be focused on you so it should look fabulous.  Here are some ideas:

1- Decorate the chairs down the aisle.

2- Typically rose petals are used and sprinkled down the aisle.  Why not be creative and instead of sprinkling them straight down the aisle, how about doing something more creative?  Could a diamond shape of petals be created every few feet?  A wavy “S” design of petals?   For something unique, if you’re having your wedding at a home or where there’s a lawn, consider mowing a design into the grass.

3- If you’re wedding is on a beach, sprinkle flowers to give the sand some color.

4- If you’re wedding is in a garden, you can use potted flowering plants creating a colorful visual landscape down the aisle alongside the chairs.

5- Monogrammed  aisle runners are also a growing trend.

Make sure you check with your venue to make sure it doesn’t have restrictions regarding an aisle runner or decorations on the chairs.  Safety is always a concern and they want to make sure you, your bridal party or your guests don’t slip on something.  Taping or weighing  the aisle runner down will avoid a lot of problems.

Image: Wedding Jeanie

Aisle Planters: Frank Events

Chairs With Orchids & Starfish Wedding Jeannie

Image: Enchanted Florist

Martha Stewart Fall Wreaths for Chairs

Favors By Serendipity Best of San Clemente Award

We’re proud to announce that Favors By Serendipity has won an award in recognition of our excellent customer service and fine product selections. The selection was made as follows:

“Each year, the US Commerce Association (USCA) identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.”

Best Of San Clemente 2009 Award

We appreciate being recognized for achieving  what we feel is one of the most important aspects of our business, namely, excellent customer service.

We look forward to continue being of service to our customers, helping them to achieve a wow factor with our beautiful favors at all their special occasions.

Five Things You Should Know When Planning Your Wedding

When planning your wedding most brides think first about what their guests will see, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on flowers and decor to create a big look.   Remember your guests will look at what draws their eye, so you don’t have to have something everywhere – just where you want them to look.

1- Having light near the floral arrangements brings the eyes there and is helpful if you want to distract from things in the space you’re not crazy about.  You can accomplish this with candlelight or  spot lights.  Using crystals in the flower arrangements can also bring more light as it reflects the candle light.

2- Be careful about using too much scent at the tables because it interferes with the taste of the food and makes your guests uncomfortable.  Don’t use scented candles at the reception – save that for home.

3- Even though they’re gorgeous, gardenias have a very strong scent so you’d want to use them sparingly, if at all, in your flower arrangements.

4- Choose food that reflects both of your personalities and culture and incorporate your ethnic food and upbringing.  If your wedding is being catered, often the caterer will make your mom’s or grandmother’s best recipe for you, even if it’s in a hotel.

5- As for the music, there are so many choices to reflect your taste and style.  Chamber music, a harpist or soft background music is lovely as guests arrive at the wedding site.  For your reception you need to choose not only the type of music you enjoy, but be watchful of the volume.  There’s nothing worse than trying to have a conversation and enjoying your dinner with music blasting so loud you can’t hear yourself think, much less what someone is saying to you.  As the evening progresses and the dancing begins, the volume can be raised to accentuate that it’s time to party.  However, be aware that there will be guests who still want to visit with each other, so the volume has to be monitored.

Now for some beautiful pictures to inspire you:

Colin Cowie Design

Image: Xquisite Events

Asiel Design

Favors By Serendipity Free Shipping Offer

Fall Special!  Purchase your save the date magnets, bridal shower favors, wedding favors, bridesmaids gifts, groomsmen gifts, bridal accessories, anything on our site  Favors By Serendipity spend just $100.00,  and your shipping is free.

Wedding Day Emergencies – Be Prepared

Sometimes things just happen, so you need to think ahead and be prepared.  You can start with a wedding day emergency kit.

There are many wedding emergency kits available on the market, which, while being very convenient, can cost as much as $165.00.  This is one area you don’t have to be creative, just practical.  I’m sure you have something you can use to contain all the supplies you should put together.  An overnight bag?  A very large purse?  A gift box?  How about one of those clear hanging shoe bags you can probably buy for a couple of dollars?   Use the individual pouches to organize your kit, and it can be hung on a door knob or over a door, so you, or anyone else in the room, can see what you need and it’s  easily accessible.

Here are some ideas of what you might need. Of course, this list is what I can think of off the top of my head. If you have more suggestions, I’d  be happy to share them.  In many cases, sample sizes are all you need.  Check out the travel section of your local drug store or WalMart.   Or, if you will be traveling before your wedding, often Hotels leave these in your room, set them aside for your kit.  Also you can purchase travel size items

Hairspray

Deodorant

Clear nail polish (for stocking runs)

Mouthwash

Band aids

Safety Pins

Sewing Kit

Hand Lotion

Duct Tape

Advil/Tylenol/Tums

Gum

Earring Backs

Sanitary supplies

extra hair pins

Scissors

Tweezers

Handkerchief or Tissues

Extra Shoe Laces

Corsage pins

Extra panty hose

Straws (so the bride can stay hydrated without messing up her lipstick)

White Out/White chalk – good for covering specks or smudges on your dress.

Krazy Glue (for nail fixes, shoe heels, decorations, even jewels)

The most common problem is with the wedding dress.  The hem starts to fall or the bustle doesn’t work like it should or comes down when dancing.  There are always wardrobe malfunctions, so having a sewing kit is a must!!

Strapless dresses are gorgeous, but all night long you find yourself constantly pulling up your dress (a moment you definitely don’t want captured on someone’s camera).  Find a high quality surgical grade tape and fold it so it’s double sided and stick inside the top of your dress and to you.  I’ve tried those little tapes that are supposed to hold your blouse closed between the buttons, etc…personally it hasn’t worked yet.  So make sure whatever you find, it will work.   Pure Style Girlfriends has products they claim work.  I’ve never tried them, but it’s a good resource if you want to check them out.

Did you know that if wine spills on your dress a good tip is to put a towel under the stain and spray it with an aerosol hairspray, blotting it until the stain comes out.  This helpful tip was by Brian Rafanelli (Rafanelli Events), when he actually had to do this for a bride while in her dress.

Don’t stress (easy for me to say), just try to anticipate what might happen and be prepared.

Dessert Buffet – A Yummy Wedding Trend

The new trend in reception treats,  that keep your guests coming back for more,  is the Dessert Buffet. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up on having a gorgeous wedding cake if you really want one, but it can save you money to have your cake made smaller for your pictures and cake cutting tradition.

There is no end to what you can serve on a  Dessert Bar.  Cupcakes, pie, bite size brownies, rice krispy treats, cheesecake, etc.  Big taste can come in small packages.

1- Keep the servings small and presented beautifully.

2- Give a nice variety of tastes to satisfy your guests preferences.  Even some sugar free selections would be nice if possible.

3- Chocolate covered strawberries or a chocolate fountain with fruit, marshmallows, cut up pound cake is another wonderful presentation.

4- How about cookies with milk in cute glasses?

5- Make sure you have boxes to send home with your guests for their goodies from the dessert bar.

For the DIY bride, or a reception on a tight budget,  this is a wonderful idea.  You can have a dessert reception mid afternoon or after the dinner hour so guests will know they will not be fed a meal.  Make sure you note that in the wording of  your invitation “Dessert Buffet Reception” following.

I love this idea for your bridal shower or engagement party too if you still want to do a traditional wedding cake for your reception.

Now for the inspiration:

This is a brilliant idea (I can’t take credit for this one, but I love it).  Use your favorite pie recipe to make these miniature “pies” on a lollipop stick.  Wrap the top with cello tied with a bow and put them standing up in an attractive container or make an “arrangement” with them by inserting the stick into a piece of styrofoam which can be disguised with crumbled oreo cookies (that is my idea).  Use a round cookie cutter to cut the pie dough out, use your favorite pie filling, crimp the edges, and make these little pies as would any pie, except make sure you insert the lolli stick before baking.

"Lolli Pie"

Rice Krispy Treats in a Vase

Chocolate Fountain Buffet

Rice Krispy Cake

Dessert Bar

Brownies, Mini Eclairs, Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Cupcake Boxes

Boxes for all your guests to take home their desserts are available in 10 of your  favorite colors and a variety of sizes.

Gourmet Rice Krispie Treats come in different choices including Rice Krispie Pops and Decadent Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Pops.

Individual Cupcake boxes are also available.

Clear Boxes & Cupcake wrappers

For an elegant way to present your cupcakes, there are many styles and colors of cupcake wrappers to make them look elegant.

Now, this is fun!!

Falling in Love With A Fall Themed Wedding

There was a time when all brides thought the summer was the perfect time for their wedding.  However, Fall has become a very popular time of year and for many good reasons.

If you’re guests will be traveling to your wedding, the Fall season will be less expensive since, as we all know, the airlines and gas prices always go up in the summer.  Also, hotels and reception sites will be more readily available.  Since most tourists head home after the summer, hotels will welcome your business and this can be reflected in their banquet facilities as well as the rooms for your guests.

I love the Fall because of the beautiful colors of that season.  Think of your wedding pictures with the beautiful, rich fall colors as a backdrop.  If you’re doing the wedding yourself, decorating can be so much fun using gourds, fall leaves, pumpkins, apples, etc. and the warm glow of candles inserted into these items as candle holders are wonderful for your banquet table or centerpieces.

To make candle holders from apples, tiny pumpkins or gourds, simply make an indentation in the fruit deep enough to hold your votive, taper or battery operated candle.  Also, you can cut out pumpkins and gourds and use them for serving dips, soup, dessert, etc.

I hope you’ll enjoy these inspirations:

Fall Bouquet

Image La Partie Events

Image Jennifer Wahlquist

Image: Tapestry Flowers

Image: Skye-Blu-Photography

There are Fall Theme Save The Dates and lots of wonderful Fall Theme Favors that will tie in beautifully with your wedding.