DIY Weddings: The Purple Picnic

Next to the actual ceremony, nothing puts us over the moon like all the little details of a wedding. Making details and "branding" the wedding can actually be done on-the-cheap. If you are having your event catered, most caterers will be happy to package the food how you ask. For this Purple Picnic, our supplies were simple. Label paper, paper bags, gable boxes, a little ribbon, and a plastic canister (if your menu requires it). Here are some basics on how we created this picnic lunch.

 Supplies:

1. Labels shapes and full sheets of label paper, purchased for $5 at Office Supply Store

2. Colored Tissue Paper, purchased for $2

3. White Food Bags from Paper Mart, the cost is only $.10 each!

4. Gable Boxes from Paper Mart at $.45 Each

5. Ribbon from Paper Mart for $3

6. Labels for lunch box from Office Depot

Step 1: Design 

Most of the work is done in this step. These designs were made on Adobe Illustrator using different royalty-free images. You can go to websites like istockphoto.com or your local library or bookstore for designs to reference. If you have a designer or a friend that is a designer it is great to have someone with expertise help but Adobe also offers 30-day free trials of their software so if you really wanted to do it yourself and learn the software program, that is an option too. Although they aren't as detailed there are other programs like Microsoft Paint that can get the job done.

Step 2: Print

The labels were printed on label shapes but for the larger label on the gable box we printed the design on full sheet label paper and then cut them out with exacto knifes. The paper bags can be fed directly through your laser or inkjet printer just like you would print an envelope.

Step 4: Sit back and relax!

Watch the guests as they enjoy all the extra special touches. Also, tell your photographer to get closeups of all your handiwork!