Sometimes being a wedding planner is like being a child...

...in that you get to do so many fun crafty projects. I've been seeing these D.I.Y paper fans or paper flowers or whatever they're called, for a while now and figured they look pretty easy and I'd give it a whirl.

Pleased to say they most definitely are easy to make. And since we're all getting slightly sick of bunting, they're a good cheap replacement.

All you need is good quality paper in whatever colours you like, some monofilament (transparent, plastic wire type stuff), and whatever you want to stick them to the wall with (I actually just used white tak) but you can hang them too.

Not going to bother with the whole how-to because you're all pretty clever and it's not exactly hard...

Once you've artfully folded two pieces of A4 you staple it together, tie some monofilament through the middle to keep it together, make a hole with a hole punch and voila...

Good for filling blank/dull spaces this is one D.I.Y project that really is super easy and depending on your chosen colours can fit any 'theme'.*

What do you think lovelies? Would you use these paper fans for your wedding decor, or do they remind you too much of school (sure I made these when I was about seven).

* I use the word 'theme' ironically of course. I don't know about you but 'wedding theme' is definitely one of those phrases that gives me the heebie jeebies.

You can do it put your back into it...go on, make your own cake stand

I found this over at Betty Bee and thought it might be worth posting and linking to because good quality, affordable cake stands can be a challenge to source sometimes.

Although I haven't tried this myself yet it looks reasonably straightforward and if you can find plates cheaply at a car boot sale or charity/vintage shop you should be able to do for under £10.

Head over to Betty Bee for the full how-to guide and if you do make one let me know how it goes. As in, is it as easy as it looks?!

Ridiculously easy floral photo-booth backdrop

I really dislike blogs that post D.I.Y ideas and claim they're so easy. Then when you try, and find it not so easy, you feel like a big fat failure.

This floral backdrop/wall decor really is so easy, I promise.

I saw this idea somewhere ages ago and thought it would work just as well jazzing up some dull wall space in your wedding venue or better still, as a photo booth backdrop.

This cost me around £8 to do and took about 10 minutes. Ideally you need flowers that won't wilt, especially if you're going to keep them up the duration of the wedding.

 

But as they're so easy to set up (literally a bit of tape, I used waterproof cloth tape), you could assign one of your 'maids, (or wedding planner) the role of holding and taping when you're ready to get your photo booth going.

I used a white wall but they'd work just as well against a variety of backgrounds (I'd like to try against brickwork one day).

And you don't need to worry about 'styling' them properly. Just bung them up in whatever haphazard way you like.

What do you think? Simple but effective, no?

For another photo booth backdrop idea see Fanning around.

Taking the inside outside - DIY cushion covers

If you're having an outdoor wedding or want to create relaxed little pockets for people to chill out in you need some seating.

And hiring/buying furniture can cost a bomb. Which if your budget is already stretched isn't ideal.

One way to avoid this is to make your own large floor cushions. Or the cushion covers at least. I used this idea in the 70s shoot I did recently.

You can buy cheap cushion fillers easily and then you just get to choose your fabric. I bought this star fabric super cheap in Brixton (works out at £2 per cushion incidentally). But you could be a little fancier with some more luxurious fabric, whatever suits your wedding and budget.

You don't even have to be crafty, I didn't have a lot of time (and no sewing machine) so these won't impress the beady eyed stitching queen.

Imagine lots of them piled up under a tree, and your guests reclining on rugs or blankets, with lots of lanterns and candles as dusk falls and you've got yourself some cheap and easy outdoor wedding seating.

Super easy D.I.Y postcard garland

D.I.Y wedding styling doesn't have to be exclusively for the mini Martha Stewarts. You don't have to be particularly crafty to create some simple but effective wedding styling ideas.

This vintage style postcard garland is a good example of how you can jazz up any dead space in your wedding venue without a lot of money of effort.

All you need is a selection of postcards and...

 Then you very simply hang up string where you want the garland to go and use the clothes peg to attach the postcards. Easy as pie.

I like these vintage imitation postcards but you could use any cards you like, or even photos. And you don't have to use plain clothes pegs, you could paint them or stamp them or buy some more exciting ones from somewhere like Etsy.

This garland wedding decoration idea would work well in a urban venue. Like a warehouse or space with lots of exposed brick work.

What do you think? A wedding DIY project for even the most craft shy bride.

A slightly sickly Monday Medley

What a week last week was! Working with new clients, photo shoot planning and attending the wedding Oscars aka Rock n Roll Bride's party. Unfortunately it has all taken it's toll and I am now laid up with a chest infection. Which is not all bad because it gives me time to put together a little selection of what's been catching my eye this week.

the photo shoot


from Ashton Jean-Pierre Photography

Charley from London Bride and I have been working on a new project. All I can say now is it involves weddings (but of course) and music. Fingers crossed it will be launching very soon but in the meantime here's a sneak peek of the shoot shot by the marvelous Ashton Jean-Pierre.


the engagement shoot

Which leads nicely onto this super cute and fun engagement sesh. Well worth a look through the other images.


from Polka Dot Bride


the bride

I have a bit of a thing about walls in photos and this image kind of takes my breath away.


from our labour of love via forget me knot weddings


the bunting how to guide

Daily Candy's guide to making bunting. As much a wedding staple as cake, this guide will have you crafting your little heart out.


note: this bunting is actually from John Lewis, but you could make it if you wanted to ;)


the favour

These wall garden favours are handmade which makes me love them all the more. What's more they don't look too tricky to make. Anyone fancy making some and sending me pics of the results?!



from Ruffled

Hope you had a lovely weekend and are all geared up for the week ahead. I cannot believe we're over halfway through April, where is this year going?!

For more Monday Medley's see here

You bring peace to my heart...

Not everybody's cup of tea but certainly a day for some gratuitous heart action. Whatever you get up to this evening, have a good one.

from top left...
DIY heart luminaries via Creature Comforts
Bridesmaid hearts via Green Wedding Shoes
I Heart You origami bouquet via My Bohemian Summer
Red velvet heart cake, source unknown
Origami heart garland via Oh My!

See other Monday Medley's here.