The 52 Colors of Weddings Project : Apple Green

Have you heard of the 365 project?  It seems to be the buzz around the web lately. Many photographers have started a motivational project for themselves to take a photo each day of the year. This is a great way to document your year. And although I am a photographer & love what I do,  I tend to take a lot of photographs in one day but not every day.  But I have been inspired by a fellow blogger, Brandi Girl to create a less ambitious version of this and apply it to the Artful Bride Blog. Let's call it the 52 Colors of Weddings.  Every week I will choose a new color to share with you. 

 52 Colors of Weddings : Week 1 - Apple Green!!

So I am going to start the week off by sharing some great Apple Green etsy.com finds:

Dyed Green Peacock Feather Clip ($25) by LovMely / Fabric Flower & Wheat Boutonniere ($12) by Pixel and Hank / Flora Verde silk-lined clutch bag ($85) by Red Ruby Rose / Spring in Bloom Poms ($9 set) by My Silly Bear / Tulle Pom Party Picks ($10/10) by Shortcake Party Picks / Satin Flowers ($6.50/12) by Milky Supplies.

Green & Polka Dot Flask ($18.50) by Kryan2Designs / Modern Initials Wedding Invitation ($4.50) by Paper and Pinafore / Apple Tart Green Orchid Hair Clip ($7) by Ms Formaldehyde / Hand Dyed Shawl Scarf ($15) at Nits Creations / Apple Ribbon & pearl Necklace ($25) by Carlena Designs / Custom Groomsman Ties ($108/4) by Toy Breaker / Begonia Candle Holder ($16) by LaBella Candela /

Reception Table Cards ($3.25) by A La Mode Bride.

DIY Banners via My DIY Wedding Day

 I found this easy DIY project today on My DIY Wedding Day:

"  Tie a 12-inch piece of ribbon to the top of each letter so that it hangs secure and straight. Attach each of those ribbons to a super long rope between two trees or posts outdoors. Twist a string of large Christmas lights to the rope so that sparkles of light are in between some of your hanging letters.

   This serves as a great backdrop to both celebrate your day and to eliminate confusion when everyone's looking through their summer wedding photos -- they'll know exactly which ones were from your gorgeous outdoor reception! (Another way to use these without making them the focus of your decor: hang them at the entrance, where your welcome sign would be!"

  Sounds easy enough right?

   But with all the things you need to get done for your wedding day, you may feel overwhelmed and that you are running out of time to get it all done.  But you want your wedding day to feel more personal and filled with handmade items. Hmm ... Don't be afraid to depend on other artisans out there to get the job done.  Here are some etsy artists that may be the key to helping you get it all done right

Personalized Banner $15 at Earmark / Pom Poms set of 15 ($52.50) at My Silly Bear / Burlap Banner $10 at Funky Shique / Just Engaged Banner $25 at H Lea 100 / Chair Banners ($20) at Funky Shique / Be Mine ($17) at Bekah Jennings.

DIY Aisle Flowers

   Nothing but a simple DIY flower aisle vase to get the ideas flowing about how to save on your wedding day decorations.  This fabric cover flower vase by Ashley Meaders  is so simple to put together.

Supplies Needed:

Bygel IKEA container

Spray Mount

Fabric 

Twine and/or ribbon

Scissors

Flowers 

   1. Cut fabric 14"x19"

   2. Spray outside the container & rim

   3. Tightly wrap fabric against the container and smooth out air bubbles. Tuck the fabric 

       around the top of the container. Cut any excess fabric in the back making a smooth line.

   4. Add twine/ribbon around the back of the container.

   5. Add your flower arrangement.

For detailed instructions, visit the  original post from OnceWed.com 

DIY Bridal Bouquet

  One great way to save some money with your wedding day plans, is to make your own bouquets. Buying wholesale flowers, and of course flowers in season help. And if you have never made a floral arrangement in your life - I found a great blog post on etsy.com. Brookelynn Morris staff writer for Craftzine offers tips to help design your own arrangement with ease.

Materials Needed:

Flowers

Large clippers

Floral Scissors

28 gauge floral wire

Wire cutters

Floral tape

Rubber bands

3-4 yards of lace and ribbon

Decorative straight pins

   For those new to the art of floral arrangements, I recommend practicing these steps & playing around with your color palette ahead of time. You can usually find little deals at your local farmers market on in-season flowers. And just think, practicing only equals lovely little arrangements around your home.
   For the detailed step-by step process, please visit etsy's original post. 

  For more money saving wedding tips:
Cost of A Wedding

Budget Saving Tip: Bridal Gown
Budget Worksheet
Wedding Budget
Money Saving Tip: Alcohol

Three Great Pom-Pom DIY Ideas

   Lately it seems that DIY pom pom decorations are popping up all over the web. I remember making tissue paper flowers and pom poms when I was about 6 years old.  I never would have thought they would make such a great and less expensive way to decorate an event. But they add a very cheerful and festive vibe to the room. And the best thing is, they can be made into whatever color suites your theme.   That being said I thought I should share with you a couple of my favorite links to Do-It-Yourself Pompom projects.

   First up might be my favorite: Fabric Pom-Poms via the Once Wed Blog. This may run you a little more expensive then the tissue paper poms. To cut cost, think resusable items. If you have left over fabric you can use from previous projects - go for it. You can also shop the sale section at your local fabric store for deals.

This project is simple enough that anyone who knows how to use a glue gun can do it. To view the full instruction sheet, click here!

  Second is of course, the queenof do-it-yourself, Martha Stewart's Dahlia Pom-Poms.  This project is very easy that I think even the 6 year-old-me could handle this.

   Cutting the tips of the paper, gives it the feeling of dahlia petals.  So if this is your style or you are just looking to try an easy rainy afternoon project - click here for detailed directions!

   And lastly, the impending fall-winter wardrobe change over that will occur too soon - has inspired me to post this pom-pom creation via Ruffled Blog- the Pom Pom Bouquet!  This is a great alternative to using real flowers. And it may be just the thing to add to your fall or winter wedding.

  But as you can see, this project is not for the lazy Do-it-yourselfer. There are some supplies you will need to purchase in order to pull this off.   But the results would be so unique.  For instructions on this project, visit Ruffled's original posting.
  I'm even thinking that you could add a few vintage broach pieces to this bouquet for a little bling.

Etsy Shop, Lorelie Kay Design Vintage Broach mixed media, ($12)  

Love Letters via Eat Drink Chic

I was exploring the wedding/art blog world and found these sweet little DIY Love Notes from Once Wed Blog via Eat Drink Chic Blog ... 

"This DIY includes styling and presentation ideas for ‘Message in a Bottle’ guest favors with a twist. Enclosed is a little scroll that not only contains a message to your guests but also some extra blank notepaper so that they can write a little message back to the bride and groom and drop it in a jar labeled “Love Letters” incorporated in the centerpiece design of each table..."

- Amy of Eat Drink Chic

I thought I would share this DIY project with my crafty wedding enthusiasts out there. For instructions: Click here! (This will redirect you to the original post on Once Wed)

For More Do-It-Yourself wedding & party projects: 

DIY Wedding Shoes

Center Piece Kits

Martha Stewart Big Bloom

Paper Umbrellas via Paper Mash

Good afternoon everyone! I am taking a few minutes to send you another little DIY project brought to you via A Field Journal by Paper Mash.  This is just a very personal touch to your event that you can make yourself. I thought these were cute and very classy so I thought I would pass the link along to you!

Click for a downloadable step-by-step direction sheet.

DIY Wedding Shoes

   While doing my usual hop from one inspirational wedding site to the next, I came across a fantasticly (if that's a word) easy DIY post from Green Wedding Shoes. All it takes is a fabric of your choice, fishing line & of course the shoes!  Check it out.

For more DIY ideas, check out a some previous posts by Artful Bride :

DIY Center Piece Website
Big Bloom Small Budget on Martha Stewart