Merry Brides

Use a bit of foundation on your lips before applying your lipstick. It will help the color stay all day.

Photo credit: Digital Vison/Getty Images

Here is a really cute gift for someone getting married. It’s a Bride Kit that has little odds and ends you may need during the wedding day when it isn’t convenient to get to the grocery store. For the presentation we used a wood box and made a transfer using Temporary Tattoo Paper

Materials Needed:

• Wood box 8.75″ x 6.75″ from Joann’s Fabrics,
• Paint and Paintbrush, 
• Free downloaded image  
• Temporary Tattoo Paper

  

• A spoon and scissors
• Items to fill the box - not pictured but you may also consider adding aspirin  and stomach medicine for nerves.

Step 1: Lightly sand the box. Paint the box with craft paint. You could remove the hardware or just carefully paint around it.

Step 2: Download the image here and follow the instructions on the package of the tattoo paper.  The kind we used came in two parts, a white sheet, and a green sheet. Print the design on the glossy side of the white sheet on your inkjet printer with the photo setting. The image should be reversed.

Step 3: Carefully peel the green sheet apart and place the adhesive face down on the design on the white sheet. You burnish it all over with something like a spoon to get it stuck down really well and get out any bubbles.

Step 4: Cut the design out right along the edge of the outer box of the design. Peel the other side of the (formerly) green sheet off,  leaving just the thin, waxy layer over the design on the white sheet. It’s very sticky at this point.

Step 5: Carefully position and stick the design down centered on the lid of the box. Stick down well everywhere.

Step 6: Lay a very damp (but not drippy) paper towel over the design and allow it to saturate the back of the white sheet for about 15 seconds. The paper should become translucent and you’ll be able to see the design. Rub any dry looking areas with the wet paper towel.

Step 7: Starting from one corner, slowly and carefully lift away the white paper backing from the design. If any bits of the design start to lift with the backing, lay it back down and rub those areas with the wet paper towel again. It should come away easily, so if it’s sticking, add more water.

Step 8: Once the paper backing has been removed, if there are any air bubbles where the film with the design is not stuck to the surface, you can use a little bit of the white backing paper to rub them onto the surface. (It’s very slippery and won’t damage the thin film the design is on. Don’t use your fingers because they will tear it and mess it up.) Once it’s dry, it’s much more durable, but you could put a clear coat of wipe on poly over the design if you wanted to make it more durable.

Photos and styling by Alexis Birkmeyer. Concept: Oh Happy Day

Wedding favors don’t have to be dull and uninspired…

Wedding favors often evoke a “been there, done that” response from wedding guests. Looking for something a little more memorable than a bag of Jordan almonds? Here are our top choices for a few inspiring guest thank-yous.

After dancing for hours, rolling out individual snacks like mini-hamburgers with a fixings bar is a big hit.

Rent a photo booth and let your guests take turns posing for the camera. Add props like costumes, hats, sunglasses, and even chalkboards where the guests can write messages to photograph themselves with. Then set up a DIY station with mini-frames so they can take home their favorite shots.

If you really want to impress, give your guests something sublimely stylish yet useful to keep them smiling through the elements: stylish sunglasses (to deflect glare), sleek umbrellas (in case of rain), or scarves (should a breeze pick up).

Place small journals at each place setting, and write every guest a personal thank-you note on the front page.

Liven up the party by handing out maracas, small horns, or even kazoos – a great idea for a relaxed affair or a particularly festive bunch. 

Gather a collection of favorite family recipes from both sides into a small recipe book or box printed with your names and wedding date. 

Enlist the parking attendants to place a flower with an attached thank-you note on the dashboard of each car. If you’ll be providing guest transportation, be sure to place a basket of these favors at the front of the bus for guests to take prior to departure.

Yes, this idea has been done, but altruism is at an all-time high, and we’re jumping on the bandwagon. Donating in the name of your guests to a charity, one that holds special meaning for the two of you, adds another sentimental personal touch to your wedding.

One day my cousin Michelle called to say that she was getting married and asked me help her plan the wedding?  I told her “of course” without realizing she wanted to get married within 8 weeks…eeek!

To make matters worse Michelle wanted to get married in her fiance’s hometown where I didn’t know any local vendors. To be honest at first I felt overwhelmed, but after doing some research online I quickly realized it wouldn’t be as hard as I had imagined and all turned out well.

If your planning a destination wedding or just need some help finding reliable vendors the internet is a good place to start. I recently found a great online site called Last Minute Wedding Deals which is a wealth of information. This site allows wedding vendors and planners from across the country to post offers for spur of the moment weddings at discounts prices. You can find offers for basically everything you need for your big day - caterers, musicians, limos, venues, florists, etc.

These are not “bargain” vendors but quality vendors who list their services when they have unfilled wedding dates. These vendors would rather work for a discount than not at all. Their loss is your gain and you can find great deals from top wedding vendors at huge savings! You can even shop for gently used and new wedding items.

This site is not only for brides but also for vendors as you can list your unbooked wedding days at a discount without “advertising” yourself as a bargain or discount service!

Photo Credit: Last Minute Wedding Deals

I love to browse the Etsy shops for inspiration. I recently found this shop called Indelible Ink Workshop which professionally prints motivational sayings and cute whimsical designs. I think these prints would be a fun gift to give to your bridesmaids or as gifts for any special occasion.

I love the soft romantic feel of these Monique Lhuillier gowns from the Spring 2013 Bridal Collection.

I see it asked time and time again, how do you use a wine bottle for a vase with the neck being so thin?  Here’s how: with one single big beautiful bloom!

With a statement flower like that you won’t even notice that it’s just one!  All of this gorgeousness found at Events by Mary & Gabrielle

Choose an extra-special perfume after you get engaged and save it for your wedding day. Then when you wear that perfume post-wedding, it will take you back to when you said “I do.” (Like smelling Estee Lauder Beautiful always takes me back to my grandma’s house as she always loved flowers.)

This Lemon Mousse is light, airy, fresh and creamy.  Great by itself served in a parfait glass topped with whipped cream, but it would be equally great in a graham cracker crust or mini tart shell. 

If you are short on time, you can buy a pre-made lemon curd, and just add gelatin and fold in whipped cream.  However, store-bought lemon curd can be expensive, so the homemade version is a more cost effective option if you have the time.    

Lemon Mousse 

• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon plain gelatin
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• Pinch of salt
• 6 large egg yolks

• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons of sugar

In a small bowl add the water and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Allow it to ‘gel’  for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium heat. Remove from heat and add the sugar, salt, lemon juice and zest. Whisk together and then add the egg yolks. Place over medium low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Cook until the mixture has thickened and coats the back of a spoon (this should take roughly 8-10 minutes). Do not allow the mixture to boil or it will curdle, if it begins to steam remove it from the heat for 20 seconds to allow it to cool then return it to the heat.

Once it has thickened, whisk in the gelatin.  Allow this mixture to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.  Once the lemon curd has cooled, beat the whip cream to stiff peaks. Adding half of the whipped cream into the lemon curd, gently fold it in.

Pour the lemon mousse between 4-6 parfait glasses.  Top with a large dollop of the whipped cream.

Recipe & Photo credit: Jenny Steffens Hobick

When it comes to wedding flowers and bouquets, the prettiness factor is in the presentation. Today we are showing you two unique ways to present flowers so they will look their very best.

Carnations have typically been given a bad name as a cheap filler flower. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though; in fact, it’s an advantage for crafty brides embarking on this charming DIY, especially in large quantities. 

These paper-wrapped carnations are as sweet as ice cream. Print carnation cone template onto heavyweight paper, and cut out. Shape into a cone, and fasten at tabs using double-sided tape. Bind stems with floral tape, and set inside cone.

And, secondly, have you ever seen burlap + tulips look so beautiful together? These would make beautiful bridesmaid bouquets! 

You’ll Need :

• Tulips
• 1 square foot piece of burlap
• 1 yard of satin ribbon 

TIP : When you pick up your flowers at the grocery store florist, ask them for some water tubes.  It will help to keep the bouquet fresh.  It is not absolutely necessary, but it will help if they will be out of water for more than an hour.

Photo credits: EverydayOccassions & Marthastewart.com

Planning a fall wedding? You’ll love this caramel apple wedding cake to top it off! It is always fun to incorporate favorite fall-isms into autumnal events (like caramel apples, apple pie, cider + donuts) and this caramel apple wedding cake is perfect! This cake seamlessly blends in all the spices of the season: caramel, apple, moist cake, chopped nuts, buttercream… YUM!

This cake is perfect as a wedding “sweetheart cake”, the term we like to use for a small cake made just for the bride & groom. This is a perfect alternative to still have the cake cutting ceremony if you’re having cupcakes, or another dessert in lieu of a traditional wedding cake. And, if you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen you can learn how to bake this cake yourself!

images via The Great Cake Company

There are no etiquette rules that state your bridal bouquet has to be made of flowers. If florals are too feminine and not your thing, or if you just want something different why not carry a bouquet made of buttons and brooches. 

These beautiful brooch bouquets were designed by the talented Nicole over at Nic’s Button Buds. You can also see more of Nicole’s Creations on her Facebook page.

A fun idea and to save money have wine bottles do double-duty as table numbers. Cover-weight paper printed with large graphic numerals can be adhered over existing labels with double-sided tape for a clean, contemporary look. It’s a clever touch that will have guests drinking to your good fortune — and your good taste.

Lifestyle Changes vs. Restrictive Dieting

The key here is simple changes you can incorporate into your daily routine that will gradually improve your health and the look of the body. In other words: no crash dieting. Extreme caloric deprivation is not only dangerous, but it sets you up for failure since it’s impossible to maintain.

If you’re looking to lose a lot of weight, you’ll need to get cracking at least six months before your wedding day (or as soon as you read this!). Even if you’re just looking to tone up and drop a few pounds, start today. Why wait?

When it comes to losing or maintaining your weight, forget fad diets and forget the off-limit foods. There is only one simple rule you need to know: To lose weight, you must burn more calories (energy/exercise) than you take in (eat). It’s all about calories in versus calories out.

Get a general estimate of how many calories a day you’re burning, then build your meal plans around an equal amount of calories (to maintain) or slightly less calories (to lose). A handy free tool can be found at Dailyplate.com. Here you can enter personal stats like height, weight, and weight-loss goals, along with the various types of physical activity you do each day (not only at the gym, but also activities like cooking, cleaning, walking up stairs – they all count). The tool will then calculate the number of calories you should eat based on your goals.

Here are some simple guidelines to help you maintain your caloric goals, keep your energy level up, and get all the nutrients you need:

Give up the notion that you must starve yourself to lose weight. Your body is designed for survival, and part of its survival mechanism involves holding onto body fat to be used in times of food shortage. Skipping meals or eating a very low amount of calories causes your body to go into starvation mode, which slows your metabolism. Three large meals do not provide your body with the constant flow of nutrients and energy it needs to increase your metabolism and burn fat. Strive to eat five or six small meals evenly spaced throughout the day.

Understand that the size of your stomach is about as big as your two fists. So at one meal, you should never eat more than two fists full of food. Here’s a general idea of the correct sized portions:

• Protein: a deck of cards or the meaty part of your hand with the fingers cut off.
• Carbohydrates: make a fist and cut your hand in half (or about one cup).

Food without protein or fiber has little to no nutritional value (that’s what they mean by “empty calories”). With every meal you eat, you should aim to get about 10 grams of protein and about 5 grams of fiber, for a total of at least 60 grams of protein and 25 grams of fiber per day. This doesn’t mean you have to bring out the calculator every time you eat. Getting your daily amount of protein and fiber is easy if you’re eating five to six small meals a day consisting of foods that have at least a few grams of fiber and protein. Check the nutrition labels on the foods you buy.

Forget the notion that all carbohydrates are evil. Complex carbohydrates rich in fiber are “good carbohydrates,” absorbed slowly into your system, giving you a steady energy supply. They can be found in whole grain breads, pasta, and rice, as well as beans, fruits, and veggies. The fiber in these foods also helps promote satiety, making you less likely to overeat.

When it comes to carbs, aim to have at least three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit per day. Avoid any grain products with the word “enriched” on the label and pasta products with “semolina” in the ingredients; instead, opt for those with whole grain, stone ground, and whole wheat. Same goes for items containing high fructose corn syrup (sugar) in the first three ingredients – skip ‘em!

Protein is necessary for muscular growth and aids in weight loss by:

• Requiring more energy to digest than other foods (i.e. burning more calories and helping with the calories-in versus calories-out equation).
• Helping to preserve lean muscle tissue while you lose fat.
• Slowing down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, reducing hunger and making it easier for the body to burn fat.
• Promoting satiety – helping you feel full so you can stop eating sooner.

Having difficulty sticking to this eating plan? Here are some small steps you can take to achieve your caloric goals:

• Stay hydrated: Drinking lots of water helps you stay hydrated and may also make you feel full (sometimes hunger pangs are actually a sign that you’re thirsty). How much should you drink? Multiply your total body weight by 75%; this is the total number of fluid ounces you should take in each day.
• Substitute sugar-free/low-fat versions of your favorite snacks.
• Substitute low-fat or fat-free dairy for whole-fat versions.
• Switch to diet sodas.
• Replace sugar with Splenda in recipes or other items you usually add sugar to.
• Limit alcohol intake – not only is alcohol empty calories (all sugar, no fiber or protein), but it usually leads to poor eating decisions or skipping workouts. Try your best to avoid it.

Establish an exercise routine you can live with. If you’re currently sedentary, don’t attempt to dive into an hour-a-day/seven-days-a-week routine, because chances are, you won’t stick to it. Instead, increase your energy level with achievable goals; 30 minutes for three to four days a week is a good start for those who haven’t hit the gym in years. If you’re already pretty active, commit to taking it to the next level either by adding a few extra minutes to your workouts or increasing the intensity of your routines.

Regardless of your current fitness level, you should strive for an exercise routine that combines cardio, strength, and flexibility.

Here are some things you’ll want to incorporate into your fitness schedule. Depending on your current fitness level, working up to this routine may take more or less time:

• 3–4 cardiovascular workouts a week for 25–40 minutes.
• Pick activities that you enjoy and try to change it up.
• Remember: Exercise should be fun so try to find something you enjoy. Take a fast walk, jog with your dog, go swimming, ride your bike, or play tennis.

• 3–4 strength workouts a week for 30 minutes.
• When strength training, you should work until fatigue – meaning the last repetition of each exercise should be extremely difficult.
• Don’t forget to include core and stabilization training; try incorporating physioballs, BOSU, and discs into your workouts, or take a pilates class once a week.

• Stretching will help you increase flexibility.
• Flexibility training can help avoid muscle imbalances, postural distortion, and injuries.
• Stand tall, shoulders back, walk graceful, and don’t forget to smile – this is your day!

With the warm weather lately, I can’t help but daydream of a blanket spread on the grass, and the sun shining down on a perfect picnic. I think a picnic in the backyard or maybe a park would be a fun idea for a laid back bridal shower. I found this cute tutorial on how to make your own picnic baskets…enjoy!

Materials Needed:

• Free Printable Template
• Posterboard or extra thick butcher paper 18″ x 24″ for each bucket
• Exacto knife (or scissors if you aren’t worried about straight lines.)

Step 1: Print out free printable (click here to download) and cut it out.

Step 2: You trace the template four times onto the 18″ x 24″ heavy paper. Starting in one corner trace the template with the handle at the top and facing inward. Flip it like a mirror image and trace again. Flip it from the bottom and trace again. Trace it to the side one last time. (See photos below for reference.)

Step 3: Once it is traced cut it out.

Step 4: Take the two sides with the slits and slip them over the corresponding handle to create a sweet little picnic basket.

Step 5: Fill with goodies and serve to your guests.

Concept + Photos + Styling by Alexis Birkmeyer for Oh Happy Day

Q. I’m in my early 30s and getting married for the second time. Having my father walk me down the aisle at my first wedding was one of the biggest joys of my life, but is it still appropriate for him to do the honor now that I’m remarrying?

A. By all means. As long as your father is willing and able, there are no rules against his escorting you to the altar once more. And you certainly wouldn’t want to offend him by not asking him to do so.

It’s wonderful to see so many DIY projects that take advantage of the humble paper globe light. Just when I think I’ve seen them all, I come across a new one that I love, like this version created by Heather Jennings of Poppy Haus. While browsing her local Anthropologie store, Heather was inspired by two things: the ingenuity of the displays, all made with simple, everyday materials, and the Rhododendron Chandelier. Adorned with handmade, sculptural paper flowers, the chandelier is amazing, but at $898, Heather thought it would it be the perfect candidate for a DIY variation.

Luckily, Heather stumbled upon decorative cupcake liners with an optical, graphic print that provided the perfect amount of depth and texture. By layering them over plain liners, she was able to create a beautiful effect on these orb lights; the organic, anemone-like shapes look lovely up close, far away, unlit during the day and glowing from within at night. This project is a great example of the magic that can happen when you experiment with new materials and configurations. Thanks so much for sharing, Heather! 

• 100–125  white standard-sized paper cupcake liners
• 100–125  vertically striped petit fours papers
• (1) 18–20″ white paper lantern
• hot glue gun
• 1 Hemma Cord from IKEA (for lighting) ($3.99)

Instructions

1. Assemble the lantern and place it top up in a wide, shallow bowl to act as a base.

2. Put a small dot of hot glue on the backside of a white cupcake liner. Starting about 1/2″ in from the wire ring at the top of the lantern, place the cupcake liner on the lantern and press until it is attached.

3. Continue around the ring, spacing the papers so that the circular bases are approximately 1″ apart, allowing the outer edges to merge and shape.

4. Apply the cupcake papers around the lantern in rings until you are 3/4 of the way down, and then flip the lantern over and gently place it back in the bowl, top side down.

5. Complete the underside, and fill in the bottom so that the papers cover the base opening.

6. Begin applying the petit fours papers, centering them inside each white paper. Three-quarters of the way up the lantern, flip it top side up. Complete the top side.

7. Go back through, gently manipulating the outer papers to the desired shape. I kept mine fairly organic.

8. Drop a light in, and voila!

Photo Credits: Design Sponge

Unfortunately for most newly engaged women, the excitement of finally finding “the one” is dampened by a hard dose of stress and anxiety. Sure, you’ll find about a gazillion wedding planning checklists out there, but they all tend to overwhelm more than they help, and all essentially fail to address the fundamental question: “Where do I begin?”

After you’ve announced the exciting news and taken some time to bask in your newly engaged glow, it’s time to get cracking. Here are the first three wedding planning tasks you absolutely must accomplish before anything else. Cross these items off your wedding checklist - and you’re on your way.

Step 1: Decide on a Budget -

Every decision stems from the wedding budget. Before you can plan anything, you must know how much you can spend and who plans to contribute. Your budget will determine the type of wedding you can have - from how many guests you invite, to where and when you host your wedding, right down to the specific blooms in your bouquet. And with the ever increasing cost of weddings, financing the event is often a group effort; the bride’s parents no longer need to take out a second mortgage just to fund the upcoming nuptials. You’ll need to talk to your families about who will pay for what, and arrive at a total wedding budget.

Step 2: Tackle the Guest List -

Some “checklists” suggest setting a date and commencing other wedding plans before this step, but the guest count is the most vital decision after the budget. Here’s why: Capacity is one of the most important criteria in finding a suitable wedding venue - more so even than style and vision - and you must secure your location before you can successfully plan anything else. Cramming 300 people into a venue that seats 150 will not go over well. You don’t need to have the list finalized just yet, but you’ll need an estimate from both sides of the family (and yourselves) right away to avert countless planning headaches down the road.

Step 3: Set a Site and Date -

Only once you have an estimated budget and guest count can you begin searching for a place to hold your event with any accuracy. Remember - many reception sites book over a year in advance, so you really can’t decide on a wedding date until you have officially booked your venue with a signed contract. Find as many reception sites that meet your budget, capacity and overall style quotient as you can. Then schedule appointments to tour each wedding venue and meet with the manager. After that-it’s decision making time.

As you may have heard it said, once you find your reception site, everything else falls into place. Once you have accomplished these steps, you will find the rest of your planning task list a piece of, ahem, wedding cake.

Country charm! Lovely lush spring tablescape