Project Wedding Blog

We’re in love with this project concept. …and we just didn’t want you to miss it… 
…wouldn’t these little stars look so cute atop your cake?

{Vintage-Inspired Star Cake Toppers}

Concept, Styling & Photographs by Victoria Hudgins.

Tags: cake topper, vintage.

Shew! We’ve featured so many amazing DIYs from our experts this past month… and we wanted to make sure you didn’t miss a one!  Whether you’re a DIY bride on a budget, or looking for handmade touches to share with your planner, take a peek:

Rustic Paperwhite Favors {By Mary Swenson}

Modern Cocoon Wraps {By Victoria Hudgins}

Fragrant Winter Bouquet {By Chelsea Fuss; Photo by Lisa Warninger}

Disco Ball Accents {By Victoria Hudgins}

Gourmet Herbed Salt Favors {By Mary Swenson}

Mini Canelé Cakes {By Chelsea Fuss; Photo by Lisa Warninger}

Wishing you an inspired Wednesday…

♥

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By: Victoria Hudgins

These leather key chains are easy to make, affordable and fun! We recommend creating heart shapes for the ladies, while stylish leather tabs will have the guys loving this simple thank you gift.

One. To create the leather key chains you will need to find scrap leather to work with. Craft stores sell scrap leather very cheap (plan to pay about $2 for 3-4 strips of it), or perhaps you could find an out-of- date leather jacket to cut apart?!

Two. Use an exacto knife to design the leather. Give medium pressure to it to create indentions in the leather, like the heart on our tab. This is a nice way to mark the key chains with a heart, monogram or the date. Three. Use a pair of good fabric scissors to cut out your keychains. Hearts for the gals and a simple tab design for the guys is a great combo. You can use a template or just freehand it for an organic look.
Four. Attach the leather pieces to key chain rings (another craft store staple). You can bend the tabs right over and glue into place using hot glue or fabric glue. For the hearts, a small strip of velvet ribbon adds a burst of color.

Make simple tags for the key chains by printing out our merry thank you version, or handwriting your own. Punch a small hole at the top and thread a string to attach your key chain rings.

Project concept and photography by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: DIY, leather keychain favors.

By: Victoria Hudgins

This project is really very simple…but picture the wood stained to a rich dark color… the nighttime… and the candlelight, and it’s a very inexpensive way to create instant ambiance at your reception! Five or so candles of varying heights will make a romantic centerpiece at a circular table. A huge set would look amazing interspersed with gorgeous flowers centering a long banquet table. They add that perfect natural and organic feel; here’s the simple how-to!

You’ll need 4 x 4 x 8 pieces of wood, purchased at your local hardware store. While you are in the store you can ask them to cut down the pieces (many stores will do it for free). Cut your pieces in varying sizes from 4-7 inches long. You’ll also need a very large drill bit to center out the candles (purchase one for about $10 at the hardware store). As an added bonus, you will get a great bicep workout making these candles!Start by drilling four separate holes next to each other at the center of one end of the wood. Then drill down the middle to center out the wood. You only need to drill about an inch or so into the wood- just enough for the candle to twist in. Make sure all the tapers fit into the holes. If needed, trim the ends in, using a sharp kitchen knife.

The candles should fit snugly and securely into the wood to ensure they stay upright and safe.  At this point you can remove the candles and stain or paint the wood to get the desired coloring.

Tip* If you have any concern that the candles might tip- simply dab a bit of hot glue to the bottoms for added stability, before placing inside the holder.

Light and enjoy!

Photos and Project Styling by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: candle holder DIY, candlelight, DIY lighting, tapers.

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.