Friday, April 24, 2015
Unique, DIY Wedding Flower Touches
Unique DIY Paper Wedding Flower Touches
This post is for you brides-to-be that may want to know where you can add those little touches of your personality into your special day via your wedding bouquet or floral decorations. While the more traditional trends are beautiful, some brides are really searching for those more uncommon ideas to incorporate that aren't so generic and run of the mill. It's a real dilemma, trying to figure out where we can add some DIY and personalized touches, save money that could be used elsewhere, (all while staying true to your unique vision) right?This week's blog is based around my 5 favorite DIY ideas and finds of the week. Every single one of them includes a DIY tutorial that you can truly DO yourself and that is a beautiful take on the traditional floral ideas of the past. These are gorgeous! So, if you have the time, patience and perhaps just a tad bit of crafty "want-to-know-how", then check them out!
1. Giant Crepe Paper Roses:
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| Smile Mercantile Craft Co. |
These are so beautiful and whimsical. Their giant, beautiful look makes them unique and almost Alice in Wonderland'ish . They could be used for amazing statement piece decor throughout your wedding reception decorations or perhaps to frame your grand entrance and be used as wedding aisle decorations. There are a million ways to use these things! (Btw, I'm making these for my foyer high-wall decor shelves and for an accent in my masterbath-I'll be sure to post the finished touches. So, these don't have to be used JUST for weddings.)
You can thank the crafty Smile Mercantile Craft Co. for this awesome step-by-step photographed tutorial to follow and make it doable' to put these gorgeous roses together.
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| Smile Mercantile Craft Co. |
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love these! Whether you choose storybooks, love poems or a favorite romance novel; the look is going to be absolutely beautiful. It's almost cottage chic meets vintage romance with a twist of true originality. The size and idea behind these is gorgeous.
If you haven't already seen from #1 on this list, Valerie Lloyd has a super awesome talent for organizing and beautifully constructing a simple step-by-step tutorial that's direct and easy to follow as well as looking anything BUT basic. These look weathered, have character and a charm that is so sweet. Original crafter and creator, Lloyd sums them up on her site; "These unique flowers can be bound into bouquets, or worked into creative centerpieces and decorations. I use antique books to create my flowers, and I love the combination of the ivory paper and old world typography. You can use a favorite poetry book, sheet music, newspaper – anything!"
They'll be sure to add just the right ingredient to invoke "awwwws" and "ooooohs" from your guests when they see them in the midst of your wedding reception decorations.
3. Origami Paper Flower Bouquet:
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| TheWeddingScoop.com |
The origami paper flower bouquet has an infinite amount of possibilities with simply using different patterned, varying colors and size choices of paper. The tutorial actually walks you through each fold in the paper as well so you're not just left guessing and trying to make something from "nothing". A very detailed and complete tutorial for the bride looking for an outside-of-the-box floral idea for your wedding.
4. Coffee Filter Flowers:
There are a lot of coffee filter flowers out there. A LOT. But, if you're looking to make quite a few of these things, I would go with this one, by the Two Shades of Pink blog. She gives you a beautiful step-by-step photo tutorial on how to dye these any color you want, but also includes a video to see it in action.
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| TwoShadesOfPink.blogspot.com |
5. Glowing Crepe Paper Waterlily Luminaries:
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| Smile Mercantile Craft Co. |
While they may be a little bit more time consuming with the cutting and stretching of each petal (not that much), the work is well worth it with the realistic look they contribute and overall stylishness of your reception tabletop decor. Who knew a mason jar and crepe paper could turn into this? (Seriously!)
The tutorial is again, full of photos taking you step-by-step, giving you reference points and markers on the pieces you're working with, so you can gauge your work to match, step for step.
Happy Crafting!
xo
Thursday, April 16, 2015
What Your Wedding Photographer Wants YOU To Know
What Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Know
I have to admit and say with a bit of regret- I skimped on
the wedding photos and was also too stubborn (and shy) to take anything but a few pictures from our lil' wedding chapel photographer in Vegas'. When we actually had our
“reception" in our hometown- we still didn’t opt for professional photos, any wedding reception decorations (aside from family putting up streamers) and to boot, I stubbornly
refused to wear the dress I got married in. (Mule!Right?) Instead, not wanting to be in the spotlight, I wore a simple black dress and I later created my wedding album from photos I snapped myself or our guests snapped. (It's not impressive, I'm sure you can imagine.) I’m an introvert, what can I say… The very thought of people having
all their attention focused on me walking down a church aisle was enough to push me into the
idea of our low-key Las Vegas wedding as was the thought of standing and posing with a 'Chandler Bing'esque portrait-smile' being all I needed in my mind, to shut it all down.
As fate would have it though, here I am in the wedding business and I recently had the fortunate opportunity to pick the brains of one of Chicagoland’s most chic and talented wedding photography
boutiques: H Photography. So, in my attempts to negate this regret-energy I still (sort of, a teensy-weensy-bit) hold onto, I in turn decided to pass this on to you, so that you may be a little better equipped than I was when I panicked and bailed on the entire idea of a traditional wedding, wedding photographer, etc.,
So, what does your engagement/wedding photographer want YOU to know? Read on my dear, read on.....
Q: What advice would you give couples for getting the best
results possible in their wedding and engagement photos? Is there anything they can do or actively plan for, to ensure good photos?
HP: Smile and be in the moment with your loved one. It’s your special day, so don’t think about whether your mother-in-law likes you, don’t think about the costs of the wedding; think about your partner in front of you and how wonderful that person is and why you’re getting married to that person. Don’t “act” in love, BE in love with one another and SMILE. Get lost in your partner’s eyes and really enjoy the time you spend with one another.
Locations are key!
Q: Are
there certain backdrops/locations that make for really interesting and good
pictures?
HP: Consider going to a location that's
meaningful to you as a couple, but be prepared for bad weather (if the first choice is outside and is a no-go.) Sometimes
if the weather is bad or we simply can't go there on that day for whatever
reason, we'll offer a location that has the best backdrop. For example, many
couples love to capture the Chicago skyline or the Chicago River, so we often
choose places like the Adler Planetarium or the Fox River.
Don't let Clothing trip up your photo shoot!
Q: Are particular colors of clothing for engagement photos better for photographing? Do you have any advice when it comes to clothing for our couples?
HP: It can be a bit tricky for couples, because the women always look
so fancy and their husbands always look like a hot mess. I often suggest to
couples that they dress up as if they're going to a REALLY nice dinner party,
like if you were to meet the President would you want to be in jeans? Think
like that.
We do sessions where the couple changes wardrobe in the middle so it
doesn't have to be so formal throughout the entire photo session. The
wardrobe change is usually when we integrate a theme into the photos (they like
to play guitar, snowboard or other hobbies). The bottom line message is to try to
compliment each other in dress code instead of being on the opposite sides of
the fashion spectrum.
Q: How do you accommodate bridal insecurity issues
or body issues that may effect how well a photo shoot goes?
HP: It depends on the person and what exactly
they’re insecure about. For most
women, it’s their stomach area, so we will change posing or lighting to help
them feel more secure. Some brides
don’t like to be photographed from a side angle, so we’ll accommodate with the
man maybe covering some of the perceived problem areas with his arms (hugging
the bride, holding the bride, etc.,) to make her feel more comfortable.
Pets in engagement/wedding photos- a rising trend!
Q: Have you encountered or have any tips for
couples wanting to incorporate their furry family members in the photo shoot?
HP: Yes, we have done a number of husband, bride
and pet photos. We often advise
couples that your pet should definitely be well fed and “dressed for a wedding.
The Pinterest effect?!
Q: What is the hottest trend you’re seeing right now?
HP: The largest trend we've seen so
far are couples bringing signs and
props along to the photo shoots. I think this has increased over the years mostly because of websites like Pinterest that help inspire people to do creative and goofy things in their wedding or engagement photos.
* It's pretty safe to say I'll never have the dreamy Pinterest inspired engagement or wedding shoot however, perhaps one day I'll be able to use alllll of those hundreds(seriously)of treasured Pinterest gems for my second wedding (HA! Just kidding my love) vow renewal or for our 20th wedding anniversary- right... ;) Perhaps all was not lost and there just may be room for do-overs there...
xo
P.S. Enjoy some more photo inspiration by H Photography below. You'll be glad you did. ;)
Friday, April 10, 2015
The 5 Most Efficient and FREE Wedding Apps
5 Efficient and FreeWedding Apps
Let's face it- we do everything while on the go. We're busy and trying to multitask our lives to death in order to save a little extra time, effort and money that could be well spent on other, way more fun things.
So, to help the wedding planning couples, here's my list of the 5 BEST and most efficient wedding planning & organizing apps. (Yes, I could have added a ton more and given you a list of 20 or so- because believe me, there are enough out there. There are oodles of apps for wedding photos, songs, dresses, etc., However, after actually trying this multitude of apps and being budget conscious myself, this was the list I came up with for being the best, free, fun and efficient wedding apps...
So, to help the wedding planning couples, here's my list of the 5 BEST and most efficient wedding planning & organizing apps. (Yes, I could have added a ton more and given you a list of 20 or so- because believe me, there are enough out there. There are oodles of apps for wedding photos, songs, dresses, etc., However, after actually trying this multitude of apps and being budget conscious myself, this was the list I came up with for being the best, free, fun and efficient wedding apps...
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| Wedding Wire |
If you already have an account with Wedding Wire, even better. You can actually link into it via the app so that all of your current info is accessible and saved.
The app offers planning inspiration with their photo galleries and forums, view your local wedding vendors along with over 2 million newlywed reviews and you still have access to other tools like guest lists, RSVP's and manage your wedding checklist as you attack each "To Do".
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| The Knot Wedding Planner |
Couples can access real wedding and vendor photos for inspiration, find and contact vendors as well as access their reviews and portfolios all within the app.
Keeping track of your personalized checklists and budget tools make planning your wedding and finding inspiration is a little less overwhelming and a lot more "doable".
3. 2life Ultimate Wedding Planner-
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| 2life Ultimate Wedding Planner |
Inspiration isn't excluded either, as this app also lets you view photos and inspiration from real vendors as well as comment, add notes and bookmark favorites.
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| iWed Planner |
Inspiration is also accessible, though maybe not center-stage, with websites and vendors to browse mixed with the app's separated features/folders for your photos, hairstyles, links and other various ideas you come across in your search. The app is more on the simple side of all of the apps listed but ranks high in efficiency and keeping your head on the task at hand with reminders and tips along the way.
5. Appy Couple- This app marries fun and functionality. This adorable app functions as your own wedding website complete with over 500 cute layout choices! Photo sharing with you and your guests also allows for so many more photo album opportunities to choose from!
Added benefits for your guests include having your own "guest concierge" for accessing maps, travel, flights, things to do, all while being able to personally message with your guests back and forth via chat.
Now remember, I'm just the girl who downloaded ridiculous amounts of wedding apps, just to try and see which worked the best, which should be thrown out and which I'd actually use. These, are the few I'd actually use- if I weren't of course already married. ;) P.S. IMO- if all you need is the inspiration part of these apps- you probably already have the best one on your device..... Pinterest is still tops for organizing boards for dress ideas, themes, cakes, boards that only you and your bridesmaids can pin to, you name it- all while having access to unimaginable amounts of other pins/ideas/shares of other brides and dreamers just like yourself.. Just a thought... xo
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