Project Wedding Blog

Yippee!  Less than twelve days ’til Christmas.  Whether you’re needing some crafty holiday inspiration or you’re planning a wintry wedding, our experts have come up with some festive ideas for the season.  Here’s a round-up of our favorites from the years!

Berry & Frost Wreath Escort Cards by Olivia Kanaley

Modern, Cool Blue Tabletop by Mary Swenson

$10 Winter Centerpiece

Hot Cocoa Ornaments by Victoria Hudgins (Photo by Carly Taylor)

Pretty Mini Wreaths by Chelsea Fuss

Pinecone Accents by Mary Swenson

Warm & Wintry Table Décor by Mary Swenson

…and a few more holiday ideas & projects from friends:

Metallic Christmas Morning Inspiration

DIY Mini Present Garland

Caramel & Sea Salt Ornament Treats

The Cutest Holiday Cards

xoxo

Tags: holiday DIY, winter projects.

By: Victoria Hudgins

When painted pretty, a humble wooden ball craft supply becomes a show stopper ready to brighten up any reception! Here’s how to make this simple, crafty cake stand.

Materials needed: Wooden balls available at any local craft store (we used 2 inch balls), acrylic paint colors, foam brushes (one per color), wood glue, glass plates.

Step One: Paint each of balls with wood craft paint. Be sure to wear gloves- it’ll get messy!

Step Two: Allow balls to dry overnight and give yourself an extra day to touch up the side that each ball rested on.

Step Three: Combine the balls in formations of your choosing to showcase your desserts. Once you have your formations, use wood glue to adhere. Let dry according to glue directions. We combined five as a base for each cake stand, the second layer had four and the top layer had three. Vary your heights and colors for an appealing display.

Step Four: Top each stand with a glass plate and your dessert! Since our cakes were monochromatic the brightly colored balls looked splendid. If your desserts will be of varied in color, you could easily substitute for a more neutral paint palette.

Step Five: As your desserts are enjoyed, more of the color will show through the plates and the sweet table will look even more whimsical and fun as the night wears on.

Photos and Project Styling by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: cake stand, colorful, DIY.

By: Chelsea Fuss

Orangeries were small greenhouses filled with fruit trees and plants in the 17th century. Can you imagine having a lush table filled with fruit and greens for a winter wedding? Think beyond red and green for Christmas and display these festive centerpieces at your December wedding. The idea would look beautiful for a January wedding too. You could even add some paperwhites and tiny votive candles!

You’ll Need:

Bunches of greens (each table will take about 1/4 of a bunch). The best greens for this are: boxwood, oregonia, myrtle, pittosporum and bay.

A few pounds of oranges or tangerines (preferably with the leaves still on them)

White pitchers, bowls and vases

1 Myrtle topiary in a terra cotta pot

To Re-create this centerpiece:

1. Collect 4-5 white bowls, pitchers and vases per table.

2. Fill with water and casually arrange stems of greens in them.

3. Display in the center of your table with a small myrtle topiary planted in a terra cotta pot.

4. Place a few of the oranges or tangerines directly on the table.

5. Add candles or white flowers for a more formal wedding!

Afterwards, send your guests home with the fruit, greens and plants.

Photos and Project Styling by Chelsea Fuss.

Tags: centerpiece, chelsea fuss, citrus, DIY, orange, orangerie, tabletop.

By: Chelsea Fuss

Here’s a blast of color to brighten your fall day! Consider making your own bridesmaid bouquets with the help of friends and family! Here’s our floral recipe and DIY instructions, including those to make a clever waterproof travel pack so the bouquets can stay fresh.

Materials:                                                                   Flower Recipe:
scissors                                                                      10 Stems of Variegated Greens like Boxwood or Myrtle
clippers                                                                       5 Stems of lilac or other filler (butterfly bush or privet)
ribbon                                                                         5 Stems of sweet pea
twine                                                                           5 Stems of anemone (roses, daisies or mums work too)
vase                                                                            5 Stems of ranunculus
water
buckets
freezer paper or heavy duty celophane

How to Make a Travel Pack:
1. Cut a square of freezer paper or heavy duty cellophone, about twice as big as your bouquet.
2. We scalloped the edges with a scalloped edge ruler and an X-acto knife but this is optional.
3. Place your bouquet pointed toward a corner of the wrapping.
4. Gather the edges around the center of the bouquet and tie with string. (It may be helpful to have another person here).
5. Hold the wrapped bouquet upright underneath a faucet and let the water run into the bottom of the package.
6. It is helpful to have a bag or box to transport the wrapped bouquet in.

If you’ve found your inner florist, and you’re itching for more, check out these other bouquet tutorials!

Farmer’s Market Bouquet

Fall Wildflower & Herb

Garden Rose

Pretty Lilacs

Tulips

Photos and Project Styling by Chelsea Fuss

Tags: bridesmaid bouquet, bright, chelsea fuss, DIY, lilac, ranunculus, waterproof bouquet travel pack.

By: Victoria Hudgins

Custom favors can be pricey, but just a few pieces of candy are suddenly a little treasure in these handmade favor bags. Made from hardened fabric, they keep their pretty form no matter what the shape of the gift inside. Materials needed: fabric in an 8 inch square for each bag, 2 inch balloons, liquid fabric stiffener, coordinating thread and something special to fill the bags with.Step One: Cut the fabric to size, blow up the balloons (one per bag) and tie a string around the end of each balloon.Step Two: Dredge the fabric length completely in the fabric stiffener, be sure the entire piece is covered.Step Three: Cover the balloon and hang to dry overnight.Step Four: Once the fabric is completely dry, between 24-48 hours, gently pop the balloon underneath and remove it from the hardened mold. Trim any fabric edges that go beyond the top of the bag shape.Step Five: Stuff each bag with candy or small favors and include a note of thanks. Tie the bags with a coordinating thread!

Photos and Styling by Victoria Hudgins

xoxo

Tags: DIY, Striped favor bags.

By: Victoria Hudgins

Looking for a way to finish off your favors? Make these easy paper favor ties, which give a custom touch to the package. They can be designed in any color and any length you need. Add them to a clear cookie bag or a sturdy paper bag to carry your wedding style right on through to your favors. Since you are working with paper you have the added benefit of being able to stamp or write a ‘thank you’ directly on to the ties.

Materials: Scrapbook paper in the colors of your choice (each piece will make about 6 completed ties), skinny floral wire, and hot glue.

Step One: Using a paper cutter (or a very steady hand), cut the paper into strips. You will need two matching strips for every tie.
Step Two: Cut the floral wire to appx. 1 inch shorter then the size of your paper strips.
Step Three: Run a thin line of hot glue down the inside of a strip and quickly place the floral wire straight onto it. Cover with the matching piece.
Step Four: Trim the ends of the paper as needed and tie around each bag to close off.

Project styling and photography by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: DIY, favor packaging.

By: Chelsea Fuss

Wildflowers aren’t just for spring!  Consider making this gorgeous wildflower and herbal bouquet for your wedding day! Or, bring the photo to your florist for inspiration. This charming bouquet is fragrant, effortless and romantic. Here’s how to get the look. Flower Recipe:

Tips: When arranging, make sure all the stems reach the bottom of the bouquet so they’ll be able to drink the water in the vase.

Tags: chelsea fuss, fall wildflower bouquet DIY, herbal bouquet.

By Victoria Hudgins

Bunting is a go-to pretty for DIY wedding décor. Make yours more glam than country by forgoing the triangles and instead layering strips of gorgeous fabric.  It’ll be a celebratory statement piece!

Materials: Strips of fabric, fishing wire, a needle and scissors.

Step One: Cut your fabric into 2 inch wide by 10-12 inch long strips. The best thing about this project is that it doesn’t have to be perfect!

*A note on fabric: For best results, pick out 2-3 really pretty, glitzy or shiny materials. You want them to reflect the light and be light enough to look like they are dancing in the air. You will also need one fabric in a more solid, matte shade to give substance to the piece and to help the other fabrics to shine.
* It looks best to use double-sided fabric or wide ribbon, you DO NOT want one side of the fold to look white or otherwise unmatched.

Step Two:  Once all the fabric is cut, you will need to fold each length into an accordion fold (see photo) back and forth. Once you have a nice fold, cut off any fabric that remains at the end.

Step Three: Begin threading a needle strung with fishing wire through the center of each fold. Switch out the fabrics and thread different combinations along the bunting strip.

Step Four: Make the strips as long or short as you like. We hung a couple of short ones over a sweet table. You could do a HUGE one to back a ceremony or to cover a reception room ceiling. They come together very easily and look pretty dancing in the sun (or disco) light.

* A note on storage. The fishing wire will tangle if left in a bunch. To ensure easy decorating on your wedding day, wrap any extra wire around a cardboard rectangle and tape into place. When you are ready to hang, simply untape and unwind.

Happy Crafting!

Photographs and Project Styling by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: décor, DIY bunting, fabric, glamorous.

We have so many new projects to share, and we just didn’t want you to miss a one.  The best part is that they’re all simple enough to accomplish even if you’re not a master crafter, and they’re easy on the budget!

Here goes!

Crocheted Heart Table Runner

Project by Victoria Hudgins, Photo by Carly Taylor {see more…}

Cute Chocolate Monogram Favors

Project Styling & Photo by Oh Happy Day {see more…}

Hop Vine Centerpieces + Mini Pumpkin Favors

Project Styling and Photo by Chelsea Fuss {see more…}

Mini Loaf and Butter Drizzle Favors

Project Styling and Photo by Victoria Hudgins {see more…}

Giant Confetti

Project Styling and Photo by Oh Happy Day {see more…}

Pretty Personalized Vases

Project Styling and Photo by Oh Happy Day {see more…}

Sailor Knot Accents

Project Styling and Photo by Mary Swenson {see more…}

….Hope that leaves you inspired and busy for just a lil while… xo

Tags: confetti, DIY favors, Escort Cards, fall.

By: Victoria Hudgins

The simplest way to warm up a chilly fall wedding is with candles. Their warmth and glow instantly make a room more inviting. You can purchase plain candles at many big box stores, and easily transform them into statement pieces with paint and glitter. A grouping of five to ten candles makes a lovely centerpiece for a table.

For a custom look, use a few coordinating colors and designs. Thrift silver plated and glass candlestands (you can easily find them for under $1 a piece) and create a gorgeous display by layering paint texture and candle height. Here are tips for three different techniques that look perfect together!
Preparation: Prior to using any of these painting techniques, be sure to rub a thick coat of rubbing alcohol all over your candle tapers. This will take the top layer of wax off and allow for the paint to stick to the candle well. Style no. 1: Glitter Band Candles. To make these pretty candle bands, paint a line (or a pair of lines) around the candle 1/3 length from one end. Before the paint dries tap out a line of glitter covering the paint line. Let dry. They look a bit like wedding rings around the candles and are super pretty under the flickering candle light.
Style no. 2:  Polka-dot Tapers. Using a small circular felt brush (available at most craft stores), dab a circle of paint first onto paper and then onto the candle in a random configuration. These are sure to give off a bright and festive feeling.Style no. 3: Water Painted Candles. The finished product has a subtle texture and color through the use of paint and water. Apply paint strips liberally along your candle and wet with water. Using your fingertips (plastic gloves will keep them paint-free), blend the paints together until the texture and color is to your liking. These candles will add a bit of neutrality to the display while also adding texture and interest.
Use one of these techniques or all three. I love how they look all mixed in together, but a large display with just one paint design would be beautiful as well!

Photos and Project Styling by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: DIY candles, glitter, tapers.