DIY Dip-Dyed Pillar Candles

I've been finding so many amazing DIY projects on Pinterest lately, that I thought it would be fun to do a whole week dedicated to fantastic DIY Projects easily incorporated into your wedding.

Remember - the key to DIY projects and a stress-free wedding is picking projects that you can complete WAY before your big day. Stick to just a few projects that will really personalize your event, without keeping you up the night before you walk down the aisle trying to put all the finishing touches on them.

First up this week: Dip-Dyed Pillar Candles from Martha Stewart!

How-to Dip-Dye Pillar Candles via Martha Stewart

To custom create the perfect pillar candles for your wedding, you'll just need standard plain pillar candles (assorted sizes), crayons, bleached beeswax beads (for melting), and a crock pot with liner or makeshift double-boiler for the melting.

Color possibilities are as endless as your crayon box and can be darkened or lightened, depending on the amount of crayon shavings you use. If you want bigger bands of color, use more beeswax to be able to dip more of the pillar. They used a taper candle to test the color strength before beginning dipping.

For the full instructions - click here.

Can't you picture a group of these making such a gorgeous statement as centerpieces? You could mix the colors, pillar candle and band sizes and create the exact color pallate of your wedding. So inexpensively too!

What do you think of this DIY project? Would you use it at your wedding?

Back to the Future Inspiration

Ok, I'll admit it - I'm a BIG Back to the Future Fan! My boys and I were listening to Huey Lewis and the News the other day in the car, and it completely put me in the mood to dig out my copy of the DVD!

While watching the movie, my mind started racing with all the possibilities for a Back to the Future themed wedding! There's so many fun details throughout the movie that I couldn't resist tying them all together into this Inspiration Board:


Clock CD Favor, Vintage Bridesmaids, Delorian Couple, Vintage Car,
Just Married Sign, Guitar Cookie, Skateboarding Couple, Soda Bar

You could carry the theme out even more with "Great Scot!" drink stirrers, table names like "Hill Valley, 88 mph, or Flux Capacitor" and a "Power of Love" sign for your ring bearer to carry down the aisle.

And how perfect would an "Enchantment Under the Sea" photo booth be?!

What themes are you considering for your wedding? Have you been to any really creatively themed weddings in the past?

Competely G-nys Entertainment

When it comes to wedding necessities, entertainment is right up there with having an officiant. Disc Jockeys experienced with weddings are able to navigate the reception waters by incorporating seamlessly traditions like your first dance, toasts, and cake cutting while not letting the party and dancing skip a beat.

And if you're one of the many couples that lives in fear of embarrassing themselves on the dance floor during their debut – G-nys Entertainment has just the thing for you.

G-nys Entertainment provides top-of-the-line DJ services for you and your guests, and they can choreograph your first dance! Click here and see an example :)

G-nys Entertainment, photo by Footstone Photography

Choreographed first dances are becoming so popular! How fun would it be to blow off a little wedding steam by taking dance classes with your betrothed? You can even choreograph other special dances like a father/daughter or bridal party dance!

Definitely something you're guests will never forget!

We LOVE this idea! What do you think?

DIY Chalkboard Aisle Runner

A wedding ceremony is the most meaningful part of any wedding day and the start of the commitment you'll make to each other. It's what the rest of the day's all about!

Your ceremony, as much as the details of your reception, should have amazing elements that show your guests how special your love story is.

This DIY Chalkboard Aisle Runner, found on Bridal Musings, is such a neat way to incorporate a personal and meaningful element that's so unique into your ceremony.

Chalkboard Aisle Runner via Bridal Musings

A great way to do-it-yourself is to get an adhesive chalkboard roll and chalkboard pens. Be sure to write on a flat surface!

If your ceremony site won't allow you to stick the adhesive to the floor, that's no problem! Simply adhere the roll to cardboard (or similar) backing instead. Make sure the backing you pick won't slip when walked on though.

The possibilities are endless! Special messages to each other from the bride and groom, meaningful song lyrics, religious passages or favorite quotes make for great suggestions.

What would you write?

Recipe for Love Guest Book

If you've read my blog, you've probably realized how much I love new ideas for old traditions. I especially love unique guest book ideas! How's this for a great guest book alternative?

Recipe Guest Book via A Practical Wedding

Your guests can write out "recipe cards" with their own advice on love, marriage, and happiness with even a few real recipes thrown in too, perfect for anniversary dinners!

By creating a great personalized box, you'd be able to leave it on display in your home as a constant reminder of ways to keep the romance alive from your wedding day.

What's the best love recipe/advice you've received?

Glowing Cocktail Tables

I found this gorgeous decor idea on Pinterest the other day and had to share it! Aren't these glowing cocktail tables the definition of magical?!

Glowing Tables via Brides of Oklahoma

I love how they enhance the dreamy and romantic feel of the wedding. They make such a statement on their own that only the simplest of centerpieces is needed.

Your guests will feel like they're in a fairyland! You could even color the lighting to coordinate with any color scheme. How pretty would a pale pink or blue be?! Using this effect under your cake table would add the perfect touch sure to make your cake stand out as well.

Are you using special lighting effects to enhance the romantic feel of your wedding?

Glam Squad Inspiration

Sometimes the thought of picking a color palette for your wedding can be overwhelming. So we started throwing around the idea of not having a color theme at all! We've got nothin' but sparkles and traditional white in this inspiration board...

Veil, Bridesmaids, Dress, Shoes, Cake, Decor, Garter, Bouquet,

Candy Bar, Invitation, Strapless Dress

What do you think about going colorless and glamorous? 

In love with ReLoved

We love Solutions Bridal Designer House here in Gainesville and now there's just one more great reason to - their new Re-Loved Program!

You’ve spent lots of $$$ and a good portion of your wedding budget on a beautiful, perfect, fairytale designer gown.… Now what?

Turn that dress back into cash with Solutions Bridal’s ReLoved program. The company will take your once worn designer dress, clean it, and make any necessary mendings – then re-sell it for you! Hello honeymoon spending money!

This also works for the bride with the champagne taste on a beer budget. The ReLoved program sells once-worn gowns from many of the top designers and they can be discounted anywhere from 20 - 50% off!!

ReLoved Gowns

For more information on selling a gown, email tali@solutionsbridal.com. To purchase a ReLoved gown, call 352-367-0070.

We just love this! What do you think?




 

Jenga Guest Book

Check out this super-fun guest book idea I found on the Offbeat Bride!

Jenga Guest Book via Offbeat Bride

Have your guests write messages to you on Jenga block pieces with Sharpie Markers! Every time you take the game out to play, you'll get to re-live and remember how much fun your wedding was! You could even use a clear wood sealer to insure the writing will last for years and years to come.

Can you think of a better way to create a more fun and personal guest book? Just imagine how creative you're guests can be with all the "falling in love" puns they can think of!

What's your favorite game-night activity that could be incorporated into your wedding?

Wedding Lawn Games

Everyone wants guests to have a great time and be entertained throughout their wedding day. Lawn games are a fun and popular way to do this if you have a grassy area at your cocktail hour or reception.

I loved this fantastic wedding version of corn toss found on Emmaline Bride via Style My Corntoss on Etsy!

Wedding Corn Toss via Emmaline Bride

Everyone loves a great game of Corn Toss. Completely color customizable, these are SO adorable and a super fun ice-breaker for guests. How cute are the corn toss bags?!

Corn Toss Bags

Style My Corntoss has other versions as well, including Mr. & Mrs. with lips and mustache!

How much fun would these be at your wedding?

Generations of Inspiration

It's funny how often trends change, and what's considered 'trendy' today may be totally NOT cool next month. It got me thinking about things that will always be in style. Here are a few things we came across!

Comb, Hairstyle, Vintage Car, Engagement Ring, Invitation,

Bouquet, Wedding Dress, Wedding Cake 

What timeless details were in your mother's or grandmother's wedding that you might consider putting in your own?

Double Duty Table Numbers

Are you looking for a fun guest book alternative that you'll be able to enjoy year after year? Check out this great idea I found on CasaSugar.

Table Number Guest Book

Instead of little signs for your table numbers, number small books for your guests to sign and write advice in for your upcoming anniversaries. You can theme each book with different suggestions like "Where should we celebrate our anniversary?" or "Tell us about your favorite memory of us as a couple."

Imagine how meaningful it'll be to open each book and be reminded of the things that are really important in your relationship.

Your numbers wouldn't have to be sequential either - you could easily skip to milestone anniversary years to stretch them to last even longer.

What's the best advice you've received about helping your marriage last a lifetime?

Polaroid Escort Cards

Here's a great and fun new take on escort cards that I found on Every Last Detail - Polaroids!!

Polaroid Escort Cards

Guest look for their name and table number on the cards and then replace them with a Polaroid of themselves.

Polaroid Escort Card Sign

You could even have Sharpies handy if they want to add a special message at the bottom. Guest will have a great time and you'll be able to make an awesome memory scrapbook of all your friends and family.

Be sure that you have more than one camera, so there's not a huge back-up while guest wait to take their pictures. A pretty jar or container for film wrapping trash isn't a bad idea either.

I just love this idea! Would you use it at your wedding?