Project Wedding Blog

Mixing and matching wedding colors can sometimes be tricky, but when it’s done well it can be absolutely awe-inspiring. That’s why I was so excited to see the colorful mix of flowers and bridesmaids dresses from Emily and Greg’s wedding on the shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Truly inspiring!

photos by Amy Dykens of Cape Cod Photography

.

We had over 130 absolutely amazing entries for our DIY Wedding Challenge this year. Each one was so incredibly unique and beautiful… but there can only be one winner. So without further ado here are the winners chosen by YOU, the PW community!

First place (and $500) goes to Lighting Paper Lanterns written by 2dBride! The PW community loved this ultra-informative and thorough article on how to use inexpensive lanterns to add sophistication and charm to wedding reception decor.

Second place (and $300) goes to the creative whimsical DIY Save the Date Postcard by Gracie.

Third place (and $200) goes to the ultra-sophisticated Scrabble Magnet Favors by Rhuynh.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to the thousands of people who entered and voted for this year’s DIY Wedding Challenge!

.

Some charming images of a beautiful September wedding in the heart of Michigan. The choco-holic in me is just loving the decadent chocolate wedding cake…

photos by E.C. Campbell Photography

The photographer, E’Lisa, recalls some of the special details behind this charming Michigan wedding…

Nicci and Curt had a beautiful wedding with an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception.  The weather was nothing short of incredible either.  Perfect, warm, sunny fall day in Michigan.  They met in high school, and their love continued to grow over the years.  Nicci looked like a goddess on their wedding day.  Her elegant wedding gown paired perfectly with her head piece and gorgeous sandals.  She changed into slippers during the reception, so comfort was on the top of the brides list.  Their chocolate cake was fit for a king, resting on top of a gold plate.  The colors were very earthy in greens, browns, and peaches.  The view outside of the reception was peaceful, and could be enjoyed by all of the guests by the many large windows.  Nicci and Curt’s guest book matched perfectly with the decor, and was filled by the end of the wedding by the many loved ones that attended.  The bride and groom decided to see each other before the ceremony to take their pictures, and the tears and laughter were flowing during the “first look.”   at the reception, they placed pictures of Nicci and Curt as children as well as their parents and grandparents wedding images.  It was a very special touch and meant a lot to them.  The bridal party made their grand entrance in sunglasses and danced like crazy to their entrance song!  Even the flower girls and ring bearer were jamming!  Personalized wine bottles and carmel apples were there for the guests to take home at the end of the evening.  Nicci’s wedding ring is the icing on the cake in a purple stone.

.

I love browsing through the pages of Etsy, especially when I find new and sweet ideas! Here’s some of my “bookmarked” finds:

Wedding favor cozies … awww!

 Bridesmaid clutches:

The Love Braille Ring:

Silver Tweet Necklace - I need this!

.

Grow a little wheat grass for your wedding and really add a natural, colorful element to your day. We love this seating card display, but also think wheat grass centerpieces are beautiful and refreshing. Thanks Jordan! See the full instructions.

Image courtesy: Jordan Ferney

.

It has been over a month since I returned from New York, where all of the wonderful designers revealed their latest and greatest collections. I have had time to pour over tons of photos and hundreds of gowns - and here are my absolute 5 favorites!

1. Carolina Herrera - inspired by the great Frida Kahlo.

2. Melissa Sweet for Priscilla - groovy! This appealed to my hippy chic side.

3. Junko Yoshioka - love the originality here!

4. Monique Lhuillier - delightful.

5. Romona Keveza - always knows how to add that extra glam to her gowns.

.

If you are looking to cut costs (who isn’t!!??) and still have a fresh, elegant wedding, here is a perfect example of a centerpiece done for just $15. You can actually rent vases, etc for $1-2 a piece.

See the entire green and yellow table top inspiration here, friends!

Image courtesy: Chelsea Fuss

.

My sister Kathy recently made the wedding cake for her good friend this past Saturday. The wedding was incredibly intimate - 10 people and each guest had a special role in the couple’s big day. That’s what I really love about weddings… the meaning of the love between a couple and sharing it with those are close to them.

.

We had over 130 entries to our second annual DIY Wedding Challenge. It’s really difficult to choose our ten finalists because each and every entry was so unique and creative. So… we’ve enlisted the help of DIY experts who are leaders in the wedding industry because of their creativity and of course their amazing DIY skills. From left to right: Livy from A Field Journal, Cathleya from Weddingbee, Chelsea from {frolic!}, Jesi Haack, and Mary of Pretty Good

Paper Flower Bouquets - it uses simple, everyday materials with really beautiful and intricate results. - Livy

Lighting Paper Lanterns - a thorough and informative article about a favorite even accessory. - Livy

Hand Sculpted Cake Topper - the time and love she put into creating the couple’s cake topper far surpasses anything she could have purchased pre-made and the instructions are easy to follow! - Cathy

Save the Date Postcard - I love how the couple incorporated his occupation in a funny way for a creative twist on their postcard save the dates. - Cathy

Monogrammed Luminaries - because they are simple and luminaries add such beautiful romantic light to a ceremony or reception and are easily homemade. - Chelsea

Paper Cake Topper - clever and personal and seems pretty easy to make! - Chelsea

Bride Groom Handkerchief - love this homemade touch … cute, creative and made with love! - Jesi

Fabric Boutonnieres - I am always looking for new ways to make the guys stand out in a creative, funky way. This is such a great idea for the out-of-the-box bride! - Jesi

Save the Date Coasters - these made me smile as soon as I saw them! They’re funny, totally unique, and set the tone for a totally fun wedding. - Mary

Scrabble Magnet Favors - These are one of the most creative favors I’ve seen yet - and usable, to boot! I love the adorable packaging, too! - Mary

And there you have our top 10! Please vote for your favorite entry below. Voting ends on Monday night, May17th. First place gets $500, second gets $300, and third gets $200. Congratulations and best of luck to all the finalists!

.

I was looking for some Mother’s Day inspiration, and found this amazing family tree via Cardgirl Invitations, created by designer Lila Kydd. What a wonderful idea for a gift or as part of your wedding invites, etc. Everyone have a wonderful weekend with your families!

.