DIY

I'm trying to save money by doing a lot of things myself. Here's a list of some and I'll add more as I think of them and post photos as they're completed. At the bottom I also have include some cool tutorials that I discovered after my wedding that could def be useful for other brides. Happy DIY-in!

Centerpieces - Done!
Invitations - Done! (in Paper section)
Programs - Done!
Table Numbers - Done!
Escort Cards - supplies purchases (in Paper section)
Unity Candles - Done!
Hangers for Bridal Party - Done!
Kids 'Busy Bags" - Done!
"I Do" on bottom of shoes - Done!
Photo sharing cards - Done! (in Paper section)
Card Box - 99% Done!
"Guest Book" Box - Done!
Cake Topper - Done!
Bridesmaid's Necklaces - Done!
Bridesmaid's gifts - Done!

Table Numbers

I bought these picture frames and spray painted them all a satin-y champagne goldy color. Easy but effective.

Bridesmaid's Necklaces

I loved a design I saw on etsy by SilverLotusDesigns. I really wanted the Calla Lily bead shes used so I ordered three of this necklace and made it into six by making my own chains and disassembling her necklaces. She did have some for sale that looked like the ones I made but it was cheaper this way.

This is what hers looked like when I bought them

This is what they look like now.

Card Box

I bought a three paper mache box set from Joann Etc for $9.99. The top and bottom boxes are painted dark blue while the middle box is covered in the same paper as my invitations. The sun is making the right side look white, but its really the same as the left. I still need a small sign for the top that says "Cards." I"ll be doing that the same time I do my table numbers with will be soon.

Guest Book Paper Box

Instead of a guest book, we're having a large bottle with little pieces of paper people can write us messages. I needed a box to put the little scraps of paper in so this is my design, it matches the bottom of the card box. I'm also looking for a small bowl to put tiny elastic rubber bands (they're actually hair ties) so the messages can be rolled up the slid into the bottle easily.

Kids "Busy Bags"

When I was a kid my church had "busy bags" to entertain us during the longer services. I'll have my ushers give these to the kids as they come in to the ceremony and they can bring them to the reception too.There's not to much "DIY" here, more just collecting items. I bought the activity book and container tub at Michael's for $1 each and the sticker book is from Joann's. I'm going to be adding some things like disposable cameras so the kids can take photos, and glow-stick glasses since all the adults will be getting glow-sticks after cake cutting. After I get the RSVPs I'm going to decorate the containers with the kids names. Also the week before I'll put in some food items, like fruit snacks.

These are the links to the disposable cameras (airplanes because FI is a pilot) and glow-stick glasses.
http://www.customcameracollection.com/airplanesdisposablecameraitemf58019.aspx
http://www.windycitynovelties.com/214537p/blue-glow-eyeglasses.html

Bridal Party Hangers

I used wire I purchased from Michael's (12 gauge) for about $2.99 a pack, each pack made about 3 names and bent it with needle nose pliers. It actually wasn't very difficult to create the letters! I typed the names on Word and changed it to a cursive font to see how the letter connect to each other. I bought the hangers from Target at $4.99 for a 4-pack. I used a small drill bit to make the holes near the ends to attach the wire. To make sure the wire stayed in I dipped the ends in epoxy then held them for a few min. I think they turned out pretty well! I did forget to take a photo of my own hanger though... I'll have to add that later.

"I Do" on Shoes

This was super easy. I used the epoxy I had left over from making the hangers as glue and tweezers to put the rhinestones on with tweezers. I don't plan on using it for any picture taking purposes but I'll know its there. :)

Cake Topper

I ordered from craftyeddy, and he was so easy to work with! I just finished painting it and I love it!

Centerpieces

I'm not a huge flower person so I'll be having lots of candles instead. I like it simple. This is the idea of what they'll look like except with blue ribbon instead of green and the vases will be two shorter and one tall vase instead of three tall. I'll probably have blue table clothes underneath them too.

Bridesmaid's Gifts

So this is really more of collection than a DIY but I wasn't sure where else to put it. In addition to these elements I got a bunch of Bath and Body Works stuff to put in the bag, like a little rubber duck, and loofah. I just didn't take any pictures of these.