DIY
Feature Launched: October 8, 2008
About: The best DIY projects from Bees and brides around the web.
July 1st, 2011 @ 5:58 pm by DIY
Check out these great projects hive members have uploaded to Weddingbee’s DIY section! Click on the title of each project for tutorials.
If your project is featured in DIY Friday, you’re eligible for a special Weddingbee badge for your blog or website! See instructions on how to grab the badge here!
Mason Jar Lid Signage by ijustrockout
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Miss Marmalade, Norwalk, CT/Raleigh, NC
Age and Occupation: 27, Administrative Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Army Officer
Engagement Date: December 31, 2009
Wedding Date: July 2011
Venue: Old Cadet Chapel/Highlands Country Club
About Me: I'm a Tri-State area "lady," through and through. A big chunk of my life has been split between NYC and Connecticut, and I'm finally heading down south to live with Mr. Marmalade. Our long distance relationship has been one adventure after the next, we've spent time in Texas, Louisiana, Florida,and Georgia, thanks to his military career. Next to Mr. Marmalade, my loves include live music, useless trivia, shoes, design, and my crazy half-tiger kitty, Oliver. I have a passion for food and wine, and I've been known to travel long distances to get my hands on the best meals. I come from a tight-knit big fat Greek Ecuadorian family---we're loud, we talk with our hands, and we spend hours talking loudly with our hands over large meals. I'm going to miss them so much as I pack up and begin my life, far away from home. But with Mr. Marmalade by my side, I'm ready to take on whatever may come. Next up: our wedding!
Drum roll, please…
Image via Peadoodles
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Mrs. Sparkler, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 27, Communications Aficionado
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Publisher
Engagement Date: July 21, 2010
Wedding Date: September 2011
Venue: Chicago Illuminating Company
About Me: I’m a Southern lady living in the big city of Chicago. Well, lady may be a stretch, but I’m working hard to keep some Virginia charm in our sleek, urban, wedding-palooza! I’m addicted to marathons, not-so-famous bands, Chicago restaurants, and Mark Twain. I cry during SPCA commercials, and I think LOST was the best show to ever hit television. Mr. S and I met at a classy college mixer and, 7 years later, he’s still by my side. He’s the only child, laid back, free spirit... I’m the oldest of five kids, type-A, organizer. It doesn’t work on paper, but we’ve never paid attention to that stuff anyway. Somehow it works. And like they say, sometimes when you know…you just know.
This is a most appropriate title for this post, because my bridal shower was colorful.
See?
There’s nothing I love more than bright, vibrant colors… and that’s exactly what I got when I walked through the doors of my shower last Saturday. I was in love.
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Mrs. Pony, Bloomington, IL
Age and Occupation: 25, Attorney
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Attorney
Engagement Date: March 22, 2010
Wedding Date: September 2011
Venue: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard; Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts
About Me: I found my Southern counterpart in law school and since he popped the question last March, we have been busy graduating, job searching, bar taking, and wedding planning. My loves include must see TV, magnets, quotes, anything green, my car, fun socks, the Cubs, and my Mr. Together we love wine, playing outside, and exploring the world together. Stay tuned to see our Midwest wedding full of Southern charm, vintage flair, lots of DIY details, and a whole lot o’ wine.
Yesterday I had my first dress fitting, which was super exciting (and made me feel super productive even though I just stood in front of a mirror and lifted my arms a couple of times), but it reminded me that I am utterly confused about how to complete my wedding look.
I’ve showed you my shoes, we’ve discussed earring options (which I’ve almost made a decision about thanks to all of you), and I’ve shared some other accessory inspiration that made my heart beat a little faster, but making final decisions is a lot harder than I imagined it would be.
As a reminder, this is what my dress looks like:
But first, time to go Mr. Pony. Don’t make me an angry Pony.
Via Cheezburger / Pretty sure that’s a horse, but whatever.
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Featured on Weddingbee
“Make an elegant invitation statement without the fuss. Stylish invitation sets with matching envelopes, reception and response cards included.”
Featured Product: Laura Ashley Delicate Damask Invitation
Miss Snapdragon, Chicago/Dallas
Age and Occupation: 32,Associate Producer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Lighting Designer
Blogging Since: November 14, 2008
Engagement Date: January 1, 2011
Wedding Date: March 2012
Venue: Marie Gabrielle
About Me: Voracious reader of short stories, Russian literature, National Geographic and Cosmo. I'm a GENIUS at spicing up Weight Watchers recipes and a pathological cheater at board games. I run a slow marathon, but my feet are learning to move faster. Mornings aren't my thing, but I can night owl with the best of them. Don't tempt me with your Cherry Cokes---I'm trying to quit. Tomorrow. Or never.
So we’re engaged. Now, what?
I’ve been through this whole wedding planning thing before. I am well-versed in Wedding World: where vendors play on your every emotion, drama follows you like a rabid chimp, and somehow spending 300 hours crafting pocketfold invitations that are exactly the correct shade of blue is normal. I have been to Wedding World, and it scares me.
Bossyboots and I took our time to enjoy being engaged at first; but after about a month, we realized that we actually needed to get this wedding thing on the road! We made our decision in true The Price is Right fashion:
(Source / Adjusted by me)
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Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich, Washington, DC/Cape May, NJ
Age and Occupation: 28, School Counselor
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Collegiate Athletics
Engagement Date: March 27, 2010
Wedding Date: October 2011
Venue: Congress Hall Hotel
About Me: I am a school counselor who spends my day wrangling children and my nights attempting to be creative with wedding projects. My enthusiasm for each of these activities far surpasses my skill. Thank goodness Mr. Cucumber Sandwich is there to pick up the pieces and be the voice of reason about my DIY tries. I have an obsession with terrible romantic comedies (‘From Justin to Kelly’ anyone?, anyone?!?), competitive Scrabble play, and hot dogs. I could eat astronaut ice cream for every meal and can’t seem to resist buying more shoes. Our wedding is going to be a true hodge podge of semi-destination, tradition, Yuengling, New England charm, with just a dash of ‘Jersey Shore’ thrown in. It has been six years in the making and I can’t wait to marry my best friend.
Let me just start out by saying that I love, love, love our venue. Almost as much as I love Mr. CS. It is perfect in absolutely every way. Some brides dream of their dress or their flowers; I dream about our venue.
Our wedding venue is Congress Hall Hotel. Warning: going to their website will inevitably cause venue envy. I have mentioned before that the CS family used to spend our summers down in Cape May. Prior to investing in a house, we used to stay at the Congress Hall Hotel. This was way before the renovation, and rooms could be rented for $500 a month. For about four years during my childhood, I spent my summer at my wedding venue. Congress Hall is not only gorgeous, but it seemed like it had just the right notes of sentimentality, too.
Even though having the wedding at Congress Hall was a no-brainer for me, Mr. CS needed a little convincing. He wanted to take a little spin around Cape May to see what else was out there just to be sure. After making appointments with all the possible venues in Cape May that fell in our size and budget limitis, we had five places to visit! I said, “Only five?!” Mr. CS said, “We have to go to five places?!?” Clearly I was way more excited about the venue search than he was.
We started our venture with a lovely ride on the Lewes/Cape May Ferry with the pickle puppy. Cape May is a two-hour car ride with a two-hour ride on the ferry from our hometown of DC.
Gratuitous puppy photos!
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Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
Mrs. Ladyfingers, Saint Petersburg, FL
Age and Occupation: 30, Marketing Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Sports Writer
Engagement Date: December 24, 2010
Wedding Date: November 2011
Venue: Palma Sola Botanical Park
About Me: I hail from Oklahoma, he was born and raised in Long Island. Fate brought us together, and now we live in a cute little rental house with our nutty dog, and our aloof cat. We both love to read, watch movies, explore our town, and laugh like hyenas. When I’m not obsessively wedding crafting, I enjoy stalking style and decorating blogs, making collages and painting, napping, thrifting, rearranging our bookshelves, and being a total weirdo with my friends. Hi!
I’m having ring issues.
High-class problem, right?
My engagement ring is perfect. It was my mother’s, and while for a very long time I wanted my grandmother’s ring (also handed down to me) as my engagement ring, when Mr. Ladyfingers got down on one knee with this shiny, wide, yellow band and sparkly marquise-cut diamond, I knew it was meant to be. The ring and I, that is—I already knew that Mr. Ladyfingers and I were meant to be. I’d told him all along to ask my dad for my grandmother’s ring and he did, but my dad gave him my mom’s ring. Whether he heard wrong or what I don’t know, but I love my unique ring; the fact that it makes my mother a part of the planning process even when she can only be here in spirit only makes it even more special.
Personal photo
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Mrs. Bacon, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 26, Digital Advertising Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, IT Client Services
Engagement Date: June 17, 2010
Wedding Date: September 2011
Venue: Ravenswood Billboard Factory
About Me: I'm a Midwestern girl that can't seem to commit to staying in one place for too long and is constantly daydreaming about my next adventure. I am an aspiring foodie with a weak spot for the unusual and I love semi-reality food television. My other loves easily include laughing as a form of exercise, a book that I can't put down, summer baseball games, espresso with whipped cream, couch potato days and nights with the ridiculous Mr. Bacon, and our two kitties, Lincoln and Sawyer. We're planning a faux-destination wedding for 150 of our closest friends and family in the city we've both adopted as home that has a modern, yet whimsical twist and as many personal touches as we can manage.
I admit it, there was a lot of drama surrounding the whole process of choosing my wedding dress. A Lot. We pre-shopped, we ran, we shopped shopped, we purchased, we post-shopped, we re-purchased. There was so much going on! What I haven’t mentioned is that like many bees before me (most recently Mrs French Toast and Mrs Crepe) I will be wearing both a red dress and a white dress on my big day.
Since I was in high school, I’ve loved the idea of wearing Mama Bacon’s cheongsam (aka qipao) that she wore for her wedding to Papa Bacon in the ’70s for at least one part of my wedding. But sadly, I am graced with my father’s American build and not my mom’s much more delicate Chinese build which means that when the time came last fall to try it on, I couldn’t even get the darn thing over my SHOULDERS, let alone my American thighs. I mean, I could have worn it for our wedding 11 months later… if I dropped 40 lbs, but hello, not healthy for a girl my size. Either way, this dress needs a moment in the spotlight (along with that fantastic white tux my dad’s got on and all that hair between them both).
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| I just LOVE this photo. Who can guess the year? |
I’ve been known to don some Chinese traditional garb in my time, and the circumstances vary widely like at an 8th grade dance or on a make shift stage at an outdoor festival.
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Ms. Ferris Wheel, San Francisco
Age and Occupation: 29, Psychologist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Psychologist
Engagement Date: May 23 and 28, 2010 (one for each of us!)
Wedding Date: November 2011
Venue: Parc55 Hotel (city lights ceremony, ballroom reception)
About Me: Born in the Southeast, educated in the Northeast, and over-educated on the West Coast, I finally earned my city-girl credentials and have put down roots in gorgeous San Francisco. I’m a raging perfectionist with a lightning quick wit and a terrible sense of both time and direction. Our wedding task list is endlessly growing because of my predilection to think that DIY projects I can make = DIY projects I should make (so not true!). I always go to bed wishing there were more hours in the day to enjoy all the things I adore, whether that be hobbies, friends, my career, our two dogs, or Mr. Ferris Wheel. Ours is a story of a non-traditional couple living an oddly traditional life planning a not-so-traditional wedding in this city we adore. Together we are bustin’ out all of our best skills (and some of our worst ones) to plan a laid-back-chic DIY-craftastic love-alicious affair!
Remember when you were younger and you’d say “Sike!” after you got someone to believe a lie you’d told? Kinda like saying “not!” only way cooler. Of course you do. Oh, you don’t? Whatever, I’m sure I’m showing my age here. I don’t even really remember where it came from or why it was so hip or so ubiquitous, but it was. And Mr. FW and I would like to find a way to make psych cool again at our wedding. Not in the lying kind of way, but in the Field of Psychology kind of way.
As you know, the mister and I are both clinical psychologists. Naturally this means that many of the people in our lives are also the therapist-y type, including most of the members of our wedding party. I thought it would be nice to have some kind of homage, however small, as a nod to our shared career choice. But having that thought is just about as far as I’ve gotten with the plan. I can’t for the life of me think of how to incorporate it!
Career-oriented cake toppers are cute, but what would ours depict—one of us providing therapy to the other? That’s just weird. (Not to mention unethical. So no worries, Board of Psychology. I know the rules.)
cake topper via Etsy seller TheLittleGiftBox
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Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TX
Age and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance IT
Engagement Date: August 8, 2009
Wedding Date: March 2011
Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc Events
About Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
After my hair appointment, I headed back to our bridal suite to hang out with the girls and finish getting ready. We had plenty of time, so we had a leisurely lunch and spent a lot of time just chatting. I don’t live in the same city as any of the members of our wedding party, so it was awesome to have the uninterrupted time with my girls.
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Miss Marmalade, Norwalk, CT/Raleigh, NC
Age and Occupation: 27, Administrative Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Army Officer
Engagement Date: December 31, 2009
Wedding Date: July 2011
Venue: Old Cadet Chapel/Highlands Country Club
About Me: I'm a Tri-State area "lady," through and through. A big chunk of my life has been split between NYC and Connecticut, and I'm finally heading down south to live with Mr. Marmalade. Our long distance relationship has been one adventure after the next, we've spent time in Texas, Louisiana, Florida,and Georgia, thanks to his military career. Next to Mr. Marmalade, my loves include live music, useless trivia, shoes, design, and my crazy half-tiger kitty, Oliver. I have a passion for food and wine, and I've been known to travel long distances to get my hands on the best meals. I come from a tight-knit big fat Greek Ecuadorian family---we're loud, we talk with our hands, and we spend hours talking loudly with our hands over large meals. I'm going to miss them so much as I pack up and begin my life, far away from home. But with Mr. Marmalade by my side, I'm ready to take on whatever may come. Next up: our wedding!
I do. And until I started thinking about most things in terms of “wedding,” that thought never crossed my mind. But I have a clear preference for wedding gowns with sleeves. I pushed for a dress with a sleeve, any sleeve (I only tried on strapless dresses that we could add cap sleeves to), as did my Yiayia. What does that mean? Great minds think alike?
Well, The Gloss put together a slideshow of some of their favorite gowns (and brides in gowns) with sleeves. Here are some of my favorites.
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Weddingbee Gallery
Feature Launched: April 10, 2009
About: A collection of inspirational wedding pictures from readers and bees.
als87 takes a peek at her wedding day hairdo
Tony Evans Photography
Keep on loading your inspirational wedding pics to the Weddingbee Gallery to see them featured here on the blog! Remember, your images must be under 1MB in size, or they won’t load.
If your photo is featured as the Gallery of the Day, you’re eligible for a special Weddingbee badge for your blog or website! Check out instructions on how to grab the badge here!
Mrs. Funnel Cake, Zürich, Switzerland/Columbus, Ohio
Age and Occupation: 24, Visual Communication Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Application Engineer
Engagement Date: May 30, 2010
Wedding Date: October 2011
Venue: Catholic church followed by a botanical conservatory
About Me: I'm an American designer who moved to Switzerland for love after a fairytale beginning at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I love travel, photography, museums, learning German so I can speak with my mother-in-law, cooking (eating), cuddling, and I'm not afraid to try something new even if it terrifies me. My Swiss/Brazilian man and I are both down to earth people planning a traditional Catholic wedding in my hometown with some quirky cultural exceptions to reflect our different backgrounds. We look forward to celebrating with friends and family from all over the world in a classic, sophisticated fusion of heritage and love.
In early June 2010, we wound our way around Zürich in and out of jewelry shops and I began to face the bleak reality of the one-ring tradition in Switzerland. (Warning, massive ring porn ahead…)
As Mr. Funnel Cake told me, it is Swiss German tradition for the engaged pair to buy rings and wear them on their right hand while engaged. After they are married, they switch the rings to the left hand. What he didn’t tell mention is that they are usually always matchy-matchy “his and hers” rings.
Like the “Classics” collection by Meister:
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Mrs. Starfish, Boston/Newport
Age and Occupation: 25, Operations Assistant
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Sales
Engagement Date: October 8, 2008
Wedding Date: October 2010
Venue: The Atlantic Beach Club
About Me: I'm a perfectionist who is a planner at heart. I don't do well with surprises. I love planning, crafting, Newport RI, family and friends, and most importantly, Mr. Starfish---all of which will be big components in our October wedding in our favorite little city by the sea.
The morning of the wedding, the Starfish Girls asked me what song I’d be playing for the bouquet toss. I told them I wasn’t doing one. They seemed a bit surprised, especially since our wedding was on the traditional side. They kind of expected it, but what they didn’t know is I had something else planned for the bouquet.
The night of the wedding, I was dancing away when I heard my cue.
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Mrs. Candy Apple, Princeton Junction, NJ/ Seattle, WA
Age and Occupation: 26, Project Editor
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Attorney
Engagement Date: May 9, 2010
Wedding Date: August 2011
Venue: St. Joseph's Parish, Seattle Tennis Club
About Me: I am a Pacific Northwesterner, born and bred. I have lived in many cities---Santa Clara, Durham (England); Florence; Boston; Princeton Junction---but my heart will always be nestled up near the Cascades and Olympics, which is why we are holding our wedding there. I am a bookworm and a History nerd: I love that my life consists of books, books, and more books, since I work in Publishing! Recently, all waking time not consumed by work and my daily commute has been overtaken by wedding planning. Well, that, and watching Premier-League soccer. There is nothing I love more than a good Tana French mystery, traveling to new places, Anthropologie shopping sprees, Iittala dishware, Kate Spade shoes, impeccable typefaces (think: Archer), and a nice English ale (hellooo, Old Speckled Hen!). Oh, and did I mention my obsession with wedding blogs? Yeah, there’s that too. Join Mr. Candy Apple and me as we prep for our wedding, and, more importantly, our marriage!
On our wedding day, I want to keep a reminder of the Hive with me—you all mean so much, and this has been such a wonderful outlet as I have continued my planning. So, I thought it would be fun to carry a little pint-sized bit of bee love with me!
Like Pain au Chocolat and other bees before me, I decided that I absolutely needed an itty bitty candy apple charm that replicated my adorable moniker. Mrs. Tartlet pointed me in the direction of Etsy seller Petit Plat. I checked out her work and was blown away by her teensy, amazing little creations. Her food miniatures look so life-like! (I am really infatuated with her mini “English Breakfast” plate.)
Anyway, she didn’t have a candy apple on her site, but she said that she could whip one up for me. I could not be more pleased with how it turned out!
I am a little bit in love with cool Etsy packaging. Sellers are really stepping up their game in the creativity department!
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All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
