{Awesome Idea} DIY Bridal Shower Wishing Well Centerpiece

Hello de Lovelies! I've been on the road for the last week and thus have sorely neglected you. I tried to send an update via my smart (ass) phone, but alas, it, and the connectivity of rural United States, has failed me. I am at a real computer now and just HAD to share with you this super creative and easy centerpiece project I found at Real Simple...in fact it is in their May edition. Called with Wishing Well, this is an easy, unique and personal way for friends and family to celebrate, advise, encourage a bride-to-be at her wedding shower. On top of that, DIY wedding projects are inexpensive and fun to put together!

Super simple instructions:

• Cut strips of colored paper about six inches long and pass them out as guests come in.
• Ask guests to write out their best wish, wedding advice, favorite memory, or personal note for the bride.
• Twist the papers around a pen and toss them into a large bowl.
• Have the bride read the messages over dessert and enjoy the show!
• At the end of the shower, gather up all slips and create a sweet memory book or small wish box as a keepsake for the bride.
• Bridal shower game twist: Interview the lucky groom, write groom related questions on the strips and see if the bride knows as much about her sweetie as she thinks she does!

Hope you enjoyed this little project from the road. You know, I love all things DIY, practical and fun and this is just perfect for a bridal tea, (check here for DIY tea favor ideas) shower or wedding party get together!

Have other great DIY Bridal Shower centerpiece ideas? Leave us a comment below! You can also share your thoughts with us on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

Happy Planning,

Exquisite Tea Favors in Gorgeous Paper Packages

I found this super fun DIY favor project over at The Paper Place...it is a steal worthy idea and so I'm sharing it here with you. This is a perfect project for couples looking to add a little elegance, spunk, and beautiful paper, which I always say is ALSO a great way to infuse a hint of culture, to their wedding favors.

So have at it! A big thank you to the folks over at The Paper Place. This is their project, I simply added a few extra pieces.

How-To: Exquisite Tea Favors in Gorgeous Paper Packages!!

What you will need:
~* Waterproof Watermark tissue or any stiffish frabric-y tissue paper, see through is best
~* Decorative Papers, I personally like the papers over at Paper Source. They have a great
selection to match any wedding theme
~* Printer compatible paper for labels
~* Cutting mat and knife
~* Sewing machine or needle & thread
~* Tea, for this project the author used Sakura Cherry Rose to match the Chiyogami paper


1. Cut your tissue to the desired size; remember it has to fold over on itself to create the bag. This one is 3.5 x 8.5”

2. The next direction in the original project called for ironing the sides of this specialty paper Watermark Uzumaki, to create a sealed edge. Product description for this paper says: The backing can be folded against itself and ironed to create a sealed edge, making possible an endless variety of sealed packages, envelopes and bags. It would be similar to No Sew Hem Tape, which could be used instead. However, it you can't find the appropriate paper or the No Sew tape, run it quickly under your sewing machine. It might actually take you less time. Below is the end result.

3. Fill the bag with tea. Use 2 teaspoons per bag, which is enough for 2 cups of tea.
4. Create your label and cut them out.
5. Cut your decorative paper strips. Make it 1.5×3.5” to fold over the top.

6. Line up your label and decorative paper and run through the sewing machine, or hand sew if you do not have access to a machine.

7. Voila! Perfect little favors for a wedding, shower or give as a lovely hostess gift. The possibilities are endless…..

A spin on this idea! Perfect for a summer wedding, choose three different fruit teas (Lemon Meringue Rooibos, Wild Blueberry Rooibos and Tulsi Orange Herbal Tea) and pair them with vibrant Katazome papers. Instead of folding the paper over the top, use just a strip, modify the label layout a bit, sew across and leave the strings hanging loose! 

I love the baker's string, it adds such whimsy and total cuteness! Enjoy this unique and totally creative DIY favor project. Make sure you check out the deLovely Affair DIY Projects and Freebies page for this and other great ideas.

Fine Paper + DIY Invitations = splash of culture and color

Fine paper, such as that found at Paper Source, is a great source for wedding design inspiration. It is also one of the easiest ways to add a quick burst of culture and set the stage for your entire wedding. It is a visual cue that says formal, playful, ethnic, romantic or modern and immediate brands your celebration.

{source: paper source}

We love the idea of DIY Wedding paper products - invitations, place cards, programs/favors - that incorporate finely crafted, colorful paper. And being that this is the end of South Asian wedding week, here are some DIY projects and examples to help show off that beautiful culture and add your personal touch.

DIY Wedding Invitation
I have expanded this DIY Wedding Invitation project I found over at Marigold Events and thank them for letting us share the basics with you. Most of these product pieces are from Paper Source but you can find them at any local craft store.  For this project, we will be using the Half Moon Enclosure but the same techniques apply to other types of enclosures.

You will need: 

• Decorative Paper - The Paper Source has a gorgeous collection of culturally inspired designs that would be a perfect addition to any wedding paper suite - Indian, European, Italian, Japanese, Thai. As they say on their site, “Lovingly crafted in different parts of the globe, each design is unique and inspiring.”  Here is a selection from the Indian Papers collection that I am personally grooving on these days.  The sheets vary in size so do the calculations before you buy.

                                       

Paper Source - Indian Collection

• Half Moon Enclosure  - 5″ x 7″,  The half circle cut out allows a portion of your invitation to peek through the top – a great place to include a small graphic element.
• Flat Paper (white, ivory, cream) 8.5″ x 11″- Choose between COVER or TEXT weight, depending on how much dimension you want.
• Flat Card in color of your choice  A7 (5″ x 7″) Go for a less light shade so the colorful paper and light invitation will pop in contrast.
• Outer Envelope A7 (5 1/4″ x 7 1/4″)
• Satin ribbon in color of your choice - One to two inch is a good width.
• Paper Cutter, Scissors, Double Stick Tape or glue stick, Pencil, Ruler

Steps to create the invitation:

1. Open a Word Document in Microsoft Word and change the orientation to landscape.
2. Make two text boxes, each 4 3/4″ x 6 7/8″ in dimension.
3. Type out your invitation text into the text boxes, using your favorite font. Da Font has some great choices not regularly available in Word.
4. Print out the document on Flat Paper (8.5″ x 11″) and using the paper cutter, cut along the edges of each invitation. You should get two per page.
5. Mount the Flat Paper on the A7 Flat Card using double stick tape or glue stick. This creates a contrast and a layering effect.
6. For a triple layer effect, attach a rectangle of decorative paper at 4 3/4″ x 6 7/8″ to the Flat Card. Make your invitations 1/4” smaller and mount onto of the decorative paper as in Step 5. You leave a hint of culture and color peeking around the invite.  
7. Cut out a strip of the decorative paper about 3-4 inches wide and long enough to wrap around the half moon enclosure completely.
8. Adhere the decorative strip around the enclosure with double sided tape or a glue stick. This adds a beautiful accent to your envelope.
9. Now take the wide satin ribbon at 2.5 times the length of the half moon enclosure (approx. 12.5″). Cut the ends of the ribbon into a “V” shape, so the edges don’t fray. It also add a professional feel.
10. Wrap the ribbon length wise along the invitation card, right in the middle, and insert it in the half moon envelope. The invitation can be pulled out using this ribbon and adds a nice touch to the invitation.
11. Now put the invitation in the outer A7 envelope and send off to your guests.

Here are some inspiration pictures for other ways to use decorative paper to brand you wedding- meaning carrying the theme or color scheme throughout the entire celebration.

This is a super cute DIY Tea Favor using decorative paper as the closure. For instructions on how to create this, head over to de Lovely Affair's DIY Projects and Freebies page.

Paper wrapped sweet treat as a place card. Simply add a tag with the guest's name and table. We {heart} this...a lot.

{Source: Once Wed}

Decorative paper can serve as the background for the reception menu.
Follow the same instructions as the invitation to created a dimensional layered look.
{Source: Jean M}

Now create to your heart's desire! And remember to join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

See you next week for more deLovliness!