Printable Collection: 11 Jaw-Dropping DIY Wedding Centerpieces

June 3, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings Leave a Comment

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?

Light Up the Night: 25 DIY Lighting Ideas for Your Wedding

April 23, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings 2 Comments

You glow, girl, and on your wedding day, you’re going to glow even more brightly than ever before. Filled with love, magic, and a whole lot of smiles, the only thing missing from your glow is uber-romantic lighting. Don’t rely on the setting sun or the awful fluorescents your venue offers to make your wedding shine like it should. There are amazing DIY lighting ideas that will give your big day the radiance it deserves, so do yourself justice by making one come to life. No matter your wedding theme, a soft, dreamy glimmer belongs. What’s creating that gorgeous glimmer is up to you. From mason jar crafts to rustic wedding candles, this list boasts DIY lighting ideas for every type of wedding. Indoors or out, small or big, we’ve got your wedding glistening like it should.

Explore the DIY lighting ideas below to find an option that truly suits you. Advanced and beginner crafters alike will find skill-appropriate projects that are undeniably perfect. These crafts are also easy on your wallet, giving you a magazine-worthy look without the price tag. Glow crazy, and light up the night!

Mason Jar Ideas

Mason jars are ideal for wedding decorating because of their low cost and incredibly versatility. Their adaptability is abundantly clear in these five projects, all using the containers in drastically different ways. From gorgeous chandeliers to an adorable centerpiece, this list of mason jar ideas is sure to drop jaws.

DIY Candles and DIY Candle Holders

Personalize your space with DIY candles and DIY candle holders that truly speak to you. Craft your wedding with love, and it will only give back even more. Rustic brides, vintage brides, classic brides, and glam ones will all find DIY candles and candle holders that fit perfectly into their wedding themes.

Unexpected DIY Lighting

Make sure your wedding stands out with unexpected DIY lighting. Guests will immediately realize that this isn’t just another day of “I do”s when they see your incredible lighting ideas shining brightly. As an extra exciting bonus for those brides who often feel left out, there are DIY lighting crafts for wedding of all seasons in this fun list!

Would you rather attend a candlelit reception or a bulb-lit affair?

11 Sinfully Easy Late Night Snack Ideas for Your DIY Wedding

April 3, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings 2 Comments

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 1 Comment

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 3 Comments

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?

How to Arrange Flowers: Buy, Arrange, and Care for Flowers Like a Pro

March 17, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings 4 Comments

The Flower School New York prepares florists and floral designers with classes in introductory, intermediate, advanced and intensive floral design, as well as advanced wedding floral design, master classes and workshops. Students learn principals and techniques of floral design, flower procurement, and flower conditioning to prepare for careers in floral design. But you don’t have to study floral design for years to use be able to arrange flowers like a pro.

Use the Right Tools

To handle and prepare flowers for beautiful and creative arrangements, you need to use the right tools. Make sure you get a hold of the right tools before attaining the flowers and greens. Floral clay, foam, wire, and tape help to keep stems and leaves in place within the arrangement and keep flowers and greenery from moving or sticking out at odd angles. Use a water spray bottle to keep flowers and foliage fresh, plastic liter soda bottles with the tops cut off to hold plant materials as you work on arranging them, and chicken wire to hold stems and other materials in place. Sharp scissors and clippers are necessary for snipping leaves and cutting through tough stems and twigs, as Country Living explains. Rubber bands hold stems together and keep flower bunches upright. Cooking spray seals the pores of flowers like tulips and orchids to conserve moisture and make flowers last longer, and a tablespoon of bleach in the water prevents mold, mildew, and bacteria that attack flowers and greens and shorten their shelf life.

Incorporate Greenery

In “Fresh Flower Arranging” by DL Publishing, the authors recommend using seasonal foliage whenever possible, especially when working with expensive flowers like specialty roses or exotics like bird of paradise. Greenery provides a contrasting backdrop to highlight flowers, as shown in the Flawless Flower Arrangement right, and even add fragrance. Evergreens like pines and arborvitae lend a fresh, clean scent to florals, and herbs like mint and rosemary add pleasant green fragrances. Branches clipped from shrubs with interesting foliage traits such as red bark or variegated leaves add color and texture to arrangements.

Flower Arranging Tips

Cut flowers and leaves can transpire or lose moisture into the air, quickly. If you’re ordering flowers from a delivery service, ensure your flowers will last longer by misting them with a water spray bottle and adding floral preservative to the water once they arrive. If you’re arranging flowers yourself for bouquets, like the gorgeous Exotically Vibrant Bouquet below, or centerpieces, there are various things you can do to make flowers look nicer and last longer.

Place arrangements out of direct sunlight and away from heating and air conditioning vents to slow moisture loss.
If using flowers of one color, use different shades of the same color or interesting textures with leaves, twigs, and other materials for contrast.
Remove all leaves from stems that will be below the water line in the container to prevent rotting and bacteria.
If you have tightly closed flower buds, put their stems in warm water to get them to open.
Whether using store-bought flowers or freshly cut flowers and foliage from the yard or garden, clip the ends of stems off and put them in water as soon as you get them inside to arrange. This helps them take up more water to stay fresh longer and prevent wilting.

What is your favorite type of flower?

Link Love: Beautiful Wedding Crafts

February 26, 2014 by FaveCrafts 2 Comments

This loud and proud single lady has something to admit … I love wedding crafts. I have zero plans to get married, but I often find myself on AllFreeDIYWeddings, checking out the latest and greatest flower arrangement designs, table displays and invitations. Weddings are an occasion when you can be yourself and show off your own personal aesthetic. Love pink? Add pink to your color scheme. Crazy for leopard print? Throw some special fabric on your dinner tables. If you can dream it, you can make it happen. Since wedding season is just around the corner, I can’t help fawning over creative DIY wedding ideas. Who knew there were so many ways to personalize your special day?

Wedding crafts are all about personalization, whether it’s through color schemes, embellishments or monograms. Instead of buying a generic guest book, use scrapbook paper and other creative materials to design your own Wedding Guest Book. The messages and special touches will make you smile every time you take it out. You might not believe it, but pinwheels are making a huge comeback. Polka Dot Paradise Pinwheels are super simple to make and can line an aisle or dance floor. You can also give them as favors at the end of the night – be sure to incorporate your wedding colors into the design! If you’re a bride-to-be consider giving your bridesmaids a Bridesmaid Tote Bag filled with personalized goodies. They’ll save the bag and remember your special day for years to come.

So what if you aren’t getting married in the near future? You can still daydream about your ultimate DIY wedding and make plans for your hypothetical big day. And don’t forget – you can always use the craft ideas for a party or special celebration!

Vintage Wedding Dress Necklace from Little Red Window
Mini Rose Pomander from Blitsy Crafts
Wedding Guest Book from Living Your Creative
Plantable Paper Heart Favors from My Own Labels
Filter Poms from Muslin and Merlot
Doily String Lights from Cogs and Cupcakes
Kusudama Paper Flower from Eclations, Papercraft, Etc.
Glitter Dipped Feather Garland from Green Wedding Shoes
Wedding Table Number Display from Happiness is Creating

What’s your wedding style – an over-the-top occasion or an understated event? Why?

Wedding Planning Tips: Kid-Friendly Wedding Ideas

February 7, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings Leave a Comment

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?

Have You Seen This Stunning Wedding?

January 28, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings Leave a Comment

Weddings are gorgeous; there’s no doubt about that. Some, though, just stand out from the crowd as sensationally special, and Autumn and Pete’s earns that title. Photographed beautifully by Frenzel Studios, this romantic vintage celebration calls for ogling. So go ahead and ogle, girls!

Here are some photos to tease you. Click here for full coverage of this vintage-chic soiree.

Printable Tutorial

Love these rustic wedding centerpieces as much as I do? You are in luck, lady. We show you how to get the look here. With just a few materials and a couple of hours, you can complete all of your wedding centerpieces. There is no denying that this combination of items looks stunning, and to think you can have centerpieces called “stunning” for mere dollars is amazing. Thank goodness for DIY wedding ideas; am I right?

There’s more where that came from! We love helping you get your favorite looks for less. Here is another full tutorial for one of the most creative ways to display your escort cards. Escort card tables are so last year, and unique ideas are in. Wow your guests with this fabulous method of guiding them to their seats. Unique wedding ideas may seem far and few between, but on AllFreeDIYWeddings.com, they’re all over the place. From dessert tables you’ve never even imagined, to ceremony surprises that guests will love you for, we’re here to make your day the most original yet.

If it’s not clear already, I adore vintage wedding themes, and I want your vintage wedding dreams to come true. Here is a collection of vintage wedding crafts from the invitations to the dessert table.

What’s your dream wedding theme?

Marquee Madness: 2014 Wedding Trends + DIY

January 13, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings Leave a Comment

I’m loving this new marquee trend making its way from movie theatres to weddings. The options are endless and the result is magical. Here are some of the pretty possibilities circling around the Web. Below that, you’ll find a tutorial to make your own marquee, whether it’s for a wedding or to warm up your home. Some of these light-up letters can run you upwards of $300, but when you make it yourself, you’ll be spending less than $50.

Top Row: Etsy, Iron Accents, Rock ‘n Roll Bride Middle: Borrowed and Bleu, Cassandra Lee for Boho Weddings Bottom Row: 100 Layer Cake, Vowed and Amazed

Click here to learn how to make your own marquee!

Light up the night with words that shine. Whether you choose you and your fiance’s initials, a romantic quote, or a word that means something special to you, a marquee will add another dimension to your celebration. If you’re throwing an outdoor wedding, use the marquee as lighting. Throwing a ski lodge soiree? Place this stunner over the fireplace as shown. To point people to the dessert table (the real star of the night), hang a “Love is Sweet” marquee above, directing the way. Guests are sure to love the effect and commend your efforts. The best part about this glistening guy is that you can display it in your new home after the wedding is over. GLOW CRAZY, brides!

Tell Us: What would your marquee say?

Mason Jar Ideas

DIY Candles and DIY Candle Holders

Unexpected DIY Lighting

Would you rather attend a candlelit reception or a bulb-lit affair?

Fabulous Wedding Late Night Snack Ideas

What do you love to munch on late at night?

Love Birds Wedding Cake Topper

by Ashley Lucas

Materials:

Instructions:

Would you make your wedding cake topper?

How to Make a Bouquet

What to Wear to a Wedding

Wedding Ceremony Songs

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

Use the Right Tools

Incorporate Greenery

Flower Arranging Tips

What is your favorite type of flower?

What’s your wedding style – an over-the-top occasion or an understated event? Why?

Tip One: Keep Kids Busy and Occupied

Tip Two: Involve Them in the Process

Tip Three: Think Like A Parent

BONUS!

Did you love or loathe weddings as a kid?

Printable Tutorial

What’s your dream wedding theme?

Tell Us: What would your marquee say?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty