Updated Shoe Clip

The final shoe clip with the bridesmaid shoe :)  So cute!

Card Box

I wanted something a little different than the standard cardboard box wrapped up with a big bow on it for our wedding card box.  I research a bit online and found some really cool ideas.  My favorite was using a vintage suitcase and having a little banner running across the top.

I didnt have enough time to find a really cool old-school suitcase so I found this cool box at TJMaxx.  I madethe little "cards" baner and voila!

*better picture to come after the wedding!

Flower Girl Basket

Of course I wanted to make Ellie's flower girl basket myself, so it could have that little extra touch :)  I found the basket on sale at Michaels, hot-glued spanish moss around the brim, and then added little yellow petals.  Can't wait to see her walk down the aisle with it!

Family Tree/Guest Book

I've seen this modern-day guest book done alot recently and I really like the idea.  I had my artistic brother, Christian, draw the tree for me.  The idea is to have all of the wedding guests leave their fingerprints on a branch, which creates the leaves of the tree.  Christian did an awesome job on the tree.. can't wait till its all full :)

 

Parents

 I really wanted to have pictures of both our parents on their wedding day displayed in the reception hall.  I framed them in white, wood and am happy with how them came out.  Guess whose parents are whose :)

Another necklace

This is non-wedding related, but with the positive reactions I got from the necklace I did for my bridesmaids, I decided to do another one, just for fun, and start up my own Etsy shop.  I'm still deciding on how much I want to charge, but I went ahead and started them a little higher just for kicks... Voila:

 

Put your dancing shoes on!

So in efforts to save money, I thought instead of renting a dance floor (the brick in the tent where the dancing will be held is slightly uneven), I can just supply flip flops to all the ladies in heels.  I found this cute way of displaying them and am going to try something similar:

Flower Girl

I've found Ellie's flower girl dress.  It'll be ivory (to match mine) with a turquoise sash(shown in picture).  We're going to get it altered to fall below the knee so it'll be a little more casual.  So cute :)

Trial Run Necklace

I'm pretty happy with the outcome of my knock-off "Riverwalk Landing" necklace.  So excited to see my girls in it :)

Original idea:

My Knock-off :)

Fabric Envelope

Since I made the bridesmaids stationary myself, I needed some sort of packaging for it.  I decided on a fun, fabric envelope.  I found a tutorial here.  I didn't use the exact one, but followed the basic idea.  Here are my step by step pictures:

First, started with the template:

 Then, traced it onto the fabric

 

Then, sew on buttons for the closure

 

Sew a basic running stitch along the seams then tie a long string to the bottom button 

 Tie and secure :)

Personalized Stationary

I designed personalized stationary for each of my bridesmaids.  There are 4 different designs in 3 colors.  I coordinated lined envelopes and think my girls will love it :)

 

DIY Lined Envelopes

I designed personalized stationary for all my bridesmaids and wanted to glam up the envelopes so I lined them myself with scrapbook paper.  Its very easy and adds alot to the stationary I think :)

First, start with a template slightly smaller than your envelope.  Then, trace onto your scrapbook paper and cut. This is roughly what it should look like.

Next, you just fit it into your envelope and use double sided tape to secure.  Here's the finished product:

Place Cards

I thought another fun way to add color to the tables would be to incorporate the lemons into the place cards.   Look how cute this is!

Table Squares

I want to add color to the reception tables because with the white flowers I don't want it to look too "blah".  So I picked up these fabric squares from Hancock Fabrics and hemmed them to be about 18" x 18".  I think they will add just the right amount of color :)

 Here are the fabric squares with the centerpieces :)

Flowers

To cut down on wedding costs, I've decided to go with silk flowers for my bouquets.  Not only is it another DIY project, but its also a good keepsake for me after the wedding :)  It's very easy to make the bouquets.. all you need is floral wire to hold it together.  The bridesmaid bouquets are yellow lilies and my bouquet is white hydragenas.  Later I will add the ribbon and corsage pins to make it look "finished".

 For centerpieces, I will order bulk fresh white hydragenas.  I've mocked up a faux centerpiece to give me an idea of how it will look (and used my bouquet for the flowers). I'm using lemons in the vase and also as place cards :)

 

My Girl(s)

With all the little projects I've been working on for my bridesmaids, I wanted to kind of compile them all together so we can see what the final picture will look like.  So I photoshopped the necklace, flower shoe clips and handmade bouquet into the picture of the bridesmaid dress. Voila!

Riverwalk Landing

I came across this necklace on Etsy the other day; its inspired from a tourist who visited Williamsburg and Yorktown, and took a stroll through Riverwalk landing-- where we're getting married!  I may scratch the ruffle necklace idea for my bridesmaids and attempt this as a DIY project.. it would be PERFECT for the wedding :)  Heres the description of the necklace:
After a day of exploring Colonial Williamsburg, attending a tasting at the nearby winery, and going to dinner with live music at Merchant's Square, you're ready for a stroll by the scenic York River. You are wearing this perfect necklace with an A-line skirt flutters and sways with your stroll.

Wedding Band

I picked out my wedding band this week.. I absolutely love it and it fits very well with my ring, even though its not a "custom" piece.  With my ring being an antique, its not a typical cathedral setting so bands don't sit flush with it.  I found this band that is contoured and I think it works great :)

Flower Clips

With the help of this tutorial,  I've successfully made my first shoe clip for the bridesmaids shoes :)  I tested it on some of my random shoes, but I love it!