Plan Ahead: 14 DIY Fall and Winter Wedding Centerpieces

July 30, 2015 by FaveCrafts

Spring and summer are the two biggest seasons for weddings. My sister just got married about three weeks ago, so I know how much planning she had to do in an abnormal amount of time in advance, just to make sure she got everything done before the rush for all the other summer weddings went through. Her maid of honor had the bachelorette party planned and booked about three months ahead, all without a wedding guide or planner. Summer in Missouri is relatively safe weather wise, except for this year when the entire Midwest is practically drowning. Luckily, it was a humid, sunny day, so the worst that happened was that our heels would sink into the mud. We had no problem finding colors and wedding crafts for the summer, but that got me thinking. If most wedding dates are in the spring and summer, what about those fall and winter weddings?

DIY Fall and Winter Wedding Centerpieces

It kind of breaks my heart because I would love to have a fall wedding and they seem so under-appreciated. It’s a little cooler outside, so the guys aren’t dying in their tux’s. If you choose to wear satin, then you won’t be suffocating either. If you choose real flowers for pretty bouquets, then they won’t wilt as fast from the heat, and color schemes are a lot more versatile. A huge theme is doing a palette of colors. For instance, I would like to have gray bridesmaid dresses, but have slate blue, lavender, plum, and white throughout all of my DIY decorations. It really is much cheaper to make the little items all by yourself. If you get ahead (like the moment you get engaged), and plan out the items that you are going to craft, it saves a heap. Not to mention the swap and shops that are all over Facebook. That’s how my sister got all of her table decorations! Glass vases from swap and shop, fake flowers from a bulk website (these were the first craft done), and silver ribbon on clearance at my local craft store.

Anyway, I feel like the fall and winter weddings need a little love. They’re just such beautiful seasons of the year. These are some inspiring DIY wedding ideas for the guest tables and the head table. Obviously you can tailor them to your theme and your colors, but I think these wedding centerpieces are just to die for.

Fall

Lace and Burlap Mason Jar

Cheerful Citrus and Burlap Mason Jars

Sublime Autumn Tealights Centerpiece

Vibrant Fall Harvest Succulent Centerpiece

Romantic Floating Cherry Blossom Centerpieces

Woodland Nymph DIY Candle Holders

Beautiful Birch DIY Candle Holders

Winter

Frosted Pinecone Mason Jar Lights

Elegant Winter Wedding Candles

Faux Bark Winter Wedding Centerpiece

Rustic Winter Wonderland

Dazzling Winter Wedding Foliage Table Garland

Rich Marsala Winter Wedding

DIY Gorgeous in Gold Striped Vases

What was your favorite part of your own wedding? Or for my unmarried “homies,” when do you want to have your wedding?

The Ultimate Wedding Guide Free eBook

July 15, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

If you are in any way associated with a wedding in the next few years, you have found your new favorite book. From brides to guests, everyone will find the answers to their burning questions within the pages of The Ultimate Wedding Guide: Wedding Planning Timeline, Wedding Etiquette and Advice, Maid of Honor Duties, and More. The lengthy title only semi-contains the immense value that this book holds: all of your wedding etiquette problems are solved, all of your checklists are available, and all of your worries are eliminated. That sounds like a pretty good deal, if you ask me – especially because of its price tag: it’s free. I know I would pay nothing to reduce stress and ensure an easy breezy wedding planning process, but I’m a bit willy nilly with my finances…

Sarcasm aside, it’s clear that this book is a must have for brides, Maids of Honor, and wedding guests alike. With articles from your favorite wedding experts, including Jen Carreiro from Something Turquoise, this eBook has invaluable advice that cannot be found anywhere else. Learn how to use social media to your advantage (I never even knew you could do these things on Facebook!), print out the ultimate checklist for your MOH so that you know everything is under control, and get all the answers to your budget questions with a comprehensive and easy-to-follow wedding budget breakdown. On top of that, learn how to address wedding invitations, how to stay sane as the Maid of Honor, and what to wear to a wedding of any sort inside the golden pages of this free eBook.

We know that times are tight, which is why we want to fill the position of the otherwise-budget-breaking wedding planner. If you still have questions after browsing the over 40 pages in this book, feel free to contact the editors of AllFreeDIYWeddings.com.

What You’ll Find Inside:

Wedding Planning Advice

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Wedding Planning Timeline

Maid of Honor Duties

Do you have any weddings coming up?

Fresh Solutions for an Old Rhyme: Something Blue Ideas

June 30, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Originating in the much-looked-to Victorian era, the century-old rhyme, “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” is a method for bringing a bride good luck. Superstitious or not, it’s fun to incorporate these four elements into your wedding-day ensemble. If you’re stumped as to how to make something blue work, we’re teeming with ideas. Ditch the obvious and go for the unexpected with these something-special something blue ideas.

Something Blue Flowers

Even if your wedding color scheme doesn’t incorporate blue, you can add a little touch of the hue to your bouquet. If you really can’t work it into the flowers, wrap the bouquet with a blue ribbon or attach a blue charm.

Something Blue Shoes

There are numerous methods of incorporating that lovely hue into your shoes. Go bold with a completely blue pair, or take the more subtle route with blue soles, blue clips, or a delicate blue fabric. Find out how to make three of the above pairs here.

Something Blue Accessories

Wear blue jewelry or blue DIY hair accessories to kill two birds with one stone. The jewelry will cover something new and the DIY, if repurposed, can cover something old. Make things really easy by picking a wedding band that features blue.

Something Blue Subtle Touches

Keep the hue close with a darling (and perhaps hidden) blue touch. You can DIY both, which makes these projects even more personal.

Something Blue Attire

Really go all out with a blue wedding dress or a shawl. These blue wedding dresses are to die for, so if you’re willing, take the plunge.

Something Blue Undergarments

Make your wedding day extra fun by having your own little secret. These something blue ideas double as a part of the rhyme and a post-wedding good time.

Something Blue Beauty

These might be my favorite something blue ideas. They’re subtle, clever, and unique.

How did you incorporate your something blue/ how are you planning to?

Printable Collection: 11 Jaw-Dropping DIY Wedding Centerpieces

June 3, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

WARNING:

Your jaw will be on the floor after browsing this collection of 11 DIY Wedding Centerpieces That’ll Drop Jaws. If your jaw stays on the floor for more than three hours, please consult a doctor. The suggested prescription is the craft supplies required to make your favorite centerpiece. Not recommended for women under the age of 18 (these projects will cause an urge to get married).

Centerpieces are named as such due to their principal position in the reception hall. Translation: all eyes are on them, so it’s important to feature centerpieces that wow. Whether you’re getting married or simply throwing a just-because party, centerpieces can make or break a tablescape. Guaranteed make? These DIY wedding centerpieces. They’re inexpensive, easy, and totally fabulous. They can easily be tweaked to fit your wedding theme and color scheme as well as your relationship personality. Love will be in the air with these simple wedding centerpieces that make a big impression.

We’re all about bringing the stress level of wedding planning down to a minimum, which is why we gladly offer this fantastic collection for free. You have enough on your plate (and bill), so we’re easing the process. This amazing, free eBook features some of the coolest DIY wedding centerpieces I’ve ever seen, including the Exquisitely Romantic Floating Rose Centerpiece and the Faux Sea Glass Mason Jar Crafts.

Beach, vintage, and rustic weddings are just a few of the wedding themes covered in this diverse book of ideas. Every bride is guaranteed to find the perfect DIY centerpiece for her celebration.

Which do you prefer: tall or short centerpieces?

11 Sinfully Easy Late Night Snack Ideas for Your DIY Wedding

April 3, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Weddings can be exhausting for guests. With all that dancing and drinking, wedding party-goers often end up hungry before they are ready to exit the festivities. These 11 Sinfully Easy Late Night Snack Ideas for Your DIY Wedding will send your guests home with a happy stomach. Many wedding themes are ripe with easy midnight snack ideas. Having a Hollywood wedding? Serve up some popcorn. Throwing a down-home shindig? Pass out some crock pot applesauce. The possibilities go on and on. These unique wedding ideas will add an extra memorable moment to your wedding that guests will be talking about for years to come.

I absolutely love the idea of midnight snacks at a wedding. Too many times, I have left a wedding in search of some late night cheap snack ideas to quiet a rumbling stomach. All that dancing, partying, and drinking can really make you work up an appetite. These late night smorgasbords are a dream come true for out-of-town guests who are not familiar enough with their surroundings to hunt down some late night snack ideas on their own. They are perfect to pass around a party, too. Just like appetizers, they can be enjoyed while the festivities are still happening. There is no need to stop the celebration for a rumbling stomach.

Fabulous Wedding Late Night Snack Ideas

Yummy donuts and a caffeinated pick-me-up for the drive home? Could this idea be any more perfect?

Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food. I would be knocking down other guests to grab a handful of these little treats. Bonus points if you pair these with a tasty little cup of tomato soup!

I love applesauce, especially when it is chock-full of cinnamon. This would be an amazing healthy snack to munch on post-wedding. It’d be great paired with some cinnamon donuts and cider, too!

You cannot have enough sweets at a wedding. It is a fact. This tasty Down Home Dessert Table would be an amazing late night snack to roll out, especially if you pair it with coffee and some ice cream a la mode.

Cookies and milk? A classic. Plus, how cute is the milk in a martini glass? This is one of my favorite late night snack ideas.

Whenever I go to a diner late at night, you can be sure I will be ordering the waffles. So, these little late night waffles? A total dream come true.

A late night snack does not have to happen at your wedding. Consider sending your guests home with a doggy-bag of take-out. A little bag of popcorn or some fries would be great in the car or back at a hotel room.

These Sweet Mini Blueberry Tarts taste as sweet as they look

How yummy do these Mini Banana Pudding Cups look?

These little sliders and tiny beer mugs will definitely keep the party going.

These dainty doughnuts and hot cocoa would be delicious at a winter wedding.

What do you love to munch on late at night?

Love Birds Wedding Cake Topper

March 27, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Love Birds Wedding Cake Topper

by Ashley Lucas

I made this wedding cake topper for my own upcoming spring wedding that has the theme of ‘alpine love birds’ and wanted to share it with other crafty brides-to-be! I must say, amidst all the craziness of wedding planning, this little cake topper gave me lots of joy while creating it. Here’s how to make your own:

Materials:

White felt roving {flat condensed roving and/or loose roving}
Needle felting tool kit
White wire
Black beads
Lace and silk flower scraps
Artificial moss
Wooden or cardboard disk
Miniature hat & mushrooms or flowers
Hot glue
Scissors
Wire cutters
Toothpicks
Orange paint
*Optional – blush for cheeks

Instructions:

1. Determine the size that you want your cake topper to be. I wanted my birds to be medium in size, so I cut two strips of flat white felt roving about 8 inches in length and rolled them up, inserting my felting needle a few times after each roll of the felt. Loose white felt roving works just as well, it just takes a little longer to achieve a tightened shape.

2. After you have both bodies made {the male just a little larger in size}, cut out tails and wings from flat white roving. Connect the tails onto the bodies securely using a two-pronged felting needle.

3. Cut two lengths of white wire for each bird’s legs. My wire was pliable enough to move with my hands, so I created three loops at the bottom of each wire piece for the bird feet. Insert the wire legs into each birds and hot glue in place. You may want to place more roving around each leg to cover the hardened glue afterwards.

4. Next, attach all wings with a felting needle and adjust the shape of the body as needed. The great thing about felting is that once you practice a bit, it’s a lot like working with clay. Adjustments can be made quite easily with your hands and the felting needle.

5. Hot glue two black bead eyes onto each bird. For the beaks, you can simply glue the tip of a plain toothpick on your bird, or color it with orange paint beforehand. Next, glue a little lace veil on the bride and a small plastic hat on the groom. Add silk flowers with the hot glue as you see fit.

6. If you’d like your birds to have rosy cheeks, apply some makeup blush directly to them with a dry paintbrush.

7. Hot glue both birds onto a disk of white wood or sturdy chipboard. Add small bits of artificial moss around the bird feet and additional miniatures if you desire {such as small mushrooms or flowers}. Tip – Place a round or square acrylic disk under your cake topper the day of the wedding to protect it from the icing.

Ashley Lucas {aka Lady Lucas, the queen of cute characters} is an avid illustrator and crafter with her own arts business that caters to those who love all things creative! Her work has been featured within various design teams, children’s books, animations and many different products. Visit her online at www.ladylucas.com or visit her blog Cupcakes + Owls.

Would you make your wedding cake topper?

Seriously Stand Out: 27 Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas

March 20, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Be honest: how much would you kill to have the wedding ceremony that never gets forgotten: the one that is talked about at every family gathering, gushed over at every girls’ night, and envied by guests and onlookers alike? Every (honest) bride would admit this to be pretty dang cool. The best way to make it in the hall of fame is to stand out, and that requires some originality coupled with serious fun. It may seem like all the most unique wedding ideas have been taken, but we’re here to prove that wrong. In the amazing free eBook, Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas: 27 DIYs + Wedding Ceremony Songs and Outline, you are not only delivered over 25 ridiculously clever crafts but also invaluable advice.

Say, “I do” surrounded by handcrafted love that looks anything but. The projects in this free eBook look more professional than the work of professionals. (Solve that riddle.) For a truly unique ceremony, find all of the ideas you need in Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas: 27 DIYs + Wedding Ceremony Songs and Outline.

Inside this fabulous free eBook, you’ll find everything you need to make a ceremony seriously stand out. Start with jaw-dropping attire and move your way to breathtaking flowers. Besides the decor this wealth of knowledge also offers wedding ceremony song ideas and a wedding ceremony outline to ease the planning process.

How to Make a Bouquet

No matter your wedding color scheme, this free eBook will offer the tips and tricks you need to make your own bouquet. The flower arranging tips are easy to understand, allowing even the least botanical brides to whip up a beautiful bouquet in no time. Once you’ve mastered the art of bouquet-making, you can craft your own arrangement or take inspiration for some of the other bouquets shown in this free eBook. If you’d rather a bouquet that will stick around for more than a few days, there are also numerous non-floral options that will last a lifetime. Glamorous or rustic, classic or trendy, this free eBook boasts the perfect bouquet for every wedding theme.

What to Wear to a Wedding

Whether you’re a key player in the day or a guest sharing in the love, this free eBook has plenty of fun ideas to spice up your attire. From classy tie clips to gorgeous bridal belts, this collection offers the perfect way to stand out. Give your groom a special gift to let him know that you’re with him always by making his tie for him. Another way to keep things personal is by personalizing your shoes to turn them into something blue, making them a special token of the biggest day of your life.

Wedding Ceremony Songs

Music evokes feelings in listeners, and therefore song choice is a great decider in the mood of your ceremony. As important as the attire, flowers, and decor are, nothing will tell the story as much as the music played. Pick meaningful songs that deliver the message you want to. With the millions of song choices out there, it can be overwhelming to try to pare it down to a few that work for you. To assist in the task, this free eBook has a collection of amazing wedding ceremony song ideas. From modern wedding ceremony songs to old favorites, the list covers music choices for every type of wedding.

Download Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas: 27 DIYs + Wedding Ceremony Songs and Outline today to make your ceremony seriously stand out.

Have you ever been to a ceremony that dropped your jaw? What about it did so?

Wedding Planning Tips: Prevent Outdoor Wedding Disasters

February 24, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Celebrating a new couple’s love out in the fresh air can be absolutely stunning and so much fun. Some of the most memorable weddings I have attended have been outdoor weddings. Though there are, arguably, more potential problems when your wedding doesn’t take place between four walls, this is no reason to keep your wedding inside. Just follow these Wedding Planning Tips to Prevent Outdoor Wedding Disasters, and you will be good to go!

The Weather

The following tips will help you have a successful outdoor wedding, come rain or shine.
1. Prepare for the heat and make sure there will be plenty of water provided for your guests.
2. Remind your guests that they should be prepared for the weather by bringing a light coat or shawl.
3. Craft a comfy accessory like the Mad Men Faux Fur Wrap for your bridal party.
4. Provide weather-appropriate party favors. If you know your wedding might be super sunny, sunglasses would be an adorable gift to place on your tables.
PLUS: Don’t forget about the wind. If you know your wedding venue might be breezy, it would best to avoid a lot of paper crafts at your wedding. Use fabric napkins, which are heavier, and secure them with a ring like the Stylish Starfish Napkin Rings. Be sure placeholders are held down, as well. These Animal Escort Card Holders would be perfect for that.

Buzzing Bugs

Bugs can be especially bad during the spring and summer. The following tips will help you chase off these pests.
1. Keep the food somewhere that’s relatively bug-free. If there’s a slight breeze in a certain spot or somewhere to keep your food inside, place your food there.
2. Add citronella candles to your DIY outdoor lighting. These candles naturally ward off insects. These Chalkboard Mason Jar Candle Centerpiece and Evening Glow Hanging Votives would be great places to utilize one of these bug-zapping candles.

Grass and Mud

Unlike indoor venues with solid floors, planning an outdoor wedding reception means you have uneven ground to contend with at your location. Use the following tips to make your environment a little more walkable.
1. Make sure your guests know about the venue. If it is mostly grass and gravel, advise your female guests to go for flats instead of heels.
2. Limit mass travel to walkways and sidewalks, if you can. This means strategically placing things like the guestbook, the food, and the dance floor. These Rustic Wedding DIY Wood Signs would be a great way to direct traffic.
3. Craft a bridesmaids’ gift to keep your bridal party comfortable. These Classy Kicks or Smashing Knockoff Black and Gold Embellished Flats would be the perfect presents.

If you love these outdoor wedding tips, check out this Wedding Themes: Rustic Wedding!

What’s your favorite thing about an outdoor wedding?

Wedding Planning Tips: Kid-Friendly Wedding Ideas

February 7, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Some brides make the decision to make their wedding a kid-free affair. This can eliminate some hassle. It can also mean some of your most beloved friends and family members will not be able to attend. If you don’t want to force your friends into getting a sitter, try these unique wedding ideas for keeping kids busy at your wedding. These Wedding Planning Tips: Kid-Friendly Wedding Ideas are sure to make it a stress-free experience for both parent and child. As long as you plan ahead and think about the kiddos along the way, you will have no problem having kids (no matter how rambunctious) attend your festivities.

Tip One: Keep Kids Busy and Occupied

Kids act out and start to misbehave when they are bored. If they cannot keep their little brains happy, they start to get rambunctious. The best way to plan for this is to install kid-friendly wedding ideas into your wedding from the start. Surprisingly enough, plenty unique wedding ideas double as boredom-busters for kids.
1. Use free wedding printables like this I Do Printable Activities for Kids during the ceremony and dinner downtime.
2. Install fun little activities like this DIY Wooden Swing, so they have a place to play.
3. For older kids, you can get their brains working with a fun scavenger hunt and photo activity. Free wedding printables are perfect for this.

Tip Two: Involve Them in the Process

Kids will also act out when they feel like they are not getting enough attention. Since weddings are such an adult-centered event, you really need to plan for the little ones. If they feel like they’re involved, they won’t act out quite as much. Use these unique wedding ideas to keep adults and kids involved.
1. Give them their very own table at your DIY wedding. If they have their very own space and it is exciting enough, they won’t be running to mom and dad constantly.
2. Let them do some of the big kid stuff like hopping into your DIY photo booth and playing with props like these Goofball Photo Booth Props. Kids absolutely love taking silly photos.
3. Since kids will probably refuse to step out of that DIY photo booth, create a separate play area that is similar for them. This dress-up box is a brilliant kid-friendly wedding idea.

Tip Three: Think Like A Parent

One reason parents are so great at keeping kids busy is that they are fantastic at anticipating what a child will do. When you are planning your wedding, seek out unique wedding ideas that will make your wedding tables and reception kid-friendly and safe.
1. Use unique wedding ideas like these General Store Candy Jars or this Hot Air Balloon Sweets Table to provide sweet treats for the little ones as well as limiting access to it. If you have a candy table, parents can control how much the kids grab instead of your over-worked waitstaff who might have a hard time saying no.
2. Keep wedding tables clear of danger. If you have a beautiful DIY centerpieces at every table, skip it at the kids’ table. This is especially true for DIY centerpieces with glass or lit candles in them. Better yet, find a centerpiece that will be out of reach like these Sensational Sky DIY Centerpieces.
3. Serve kid-friendly food. This is probably one of the most important tips to take with you. Kids will probably refuse to eat your yummy salmon dish or fancy chicken. Be prepared to offer something like these Dinosaur Shaped Sandwiches to keep their bellies happy. Hungry kids are naughty kids.

BONUS!

Enter to win a darling Bridal Bundle for yourself or your favorite bride! The giveaway ends at midnight on February 10, and you can enter once a day.

Did you love or loathe weddings as a kid?

National Wedding Month: Craft Your Wedding in 28 Days

February 1, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

So, you’re getting married. (Or you’re not, and you just love looking at DIY wedding ideas. No shame.) Well, the most loving month is here, and in honor, we want to give you 28 ways to make your wedding personal. Put a little (or a lot) of handmade love into your day, and everyone will feel the connection. Martha Stewart says weddings have become a lot more personal over the years, and couples are achieving that through carefully picked themes and DIY aspects.

While stores won’t sell the centerpieces that perfectly speak to your relationship, you can easily create your own DIY wedding centerpieces to encompass everything that is you and your fiance. If you have a quirky relationship, then a whimsical vintage wedding with brilliantly creative touches will make your guests walk away with a real sense of you two. This fabulous collection of DIY wedding decorations and more will take you from the first step to the last, making wedding planning a cinch. In just a month, your entire wedding will be crafted and ready to go.