5 Ideas for the DIY Bride

Good morning, beautiful friends! Here are a few ideas for you crafty folks (or for the rest of us who like the thought but don't want to stay up until 2 AM with scissors and glue every night). 

Vintage Sheet Music. This stuff is so versatile - I used it to cover flameless candles, create hanging cones to hold flowers at the ceremony, and make letter banners for the reception. I purchased antique sheet music online and then found out my friend had several books-worth, so it's a good idea to ask around (or look in your music stash) before buying.   

Antique Textiles - Faux or No. Rather than renting tablecloths for our afternoon tea-themed reception, my grandma's friend Cathy agreed to let us use Victorian-era linens (hand embroidered napkins, tablecloths, etc.) from her private collection. If you're not afraid of a little ironing, why not ask friends and relatives if they have any vintage textiles kicking around? Our china, too, was borrowed from our friend Lynn at Crosby House. She was a fantastic host! If you can't get your hands on the antique fabric you want, you can always create your own. I purchased a few yards of blue and white toile and dyed it with coffee and black tea. I used it to make bows for the table bouquets and hanging arrangements at the ceremony.

Birdcages. If you follow indie wedding fashion, you'll have noticed birdcages (and birdcage veils) are all the rage these days. I purchased one at an antique shop, was given one at my bridal shower, and borrowed a third, filling them with flowers at the reception.
 

Make Your Own Headpiece. If you're feeling particularly brave (and patient), a homemade fascinator can be a fun way to create the exact look you want. For my headpiece, I wanted a faded look in silvery hues to match the artemisia sprigs in the flower arrangements, with an added hint of wedgewood blue. I found a tutorial in a DIY bridal magazine and purchased a base, dotted netting, velvet milliner's flowers, feathers, and other bits and bobs online. With a little sewing, lots of glue (and plenty of advice from friends), you can create a unique headpiece that could become an heirloom.

DIY Favors: Candy Station. I have a serious sweet tooth, and so does Dan, so candy seemed like a no-brainer when it came to party favors. We found candy shop-style glass jars and filled them with our families' favorites, including gummy worms, M&Ms, and licorice. Our guests loved putting together their own bag of treats!

  

 What are you favorite DIY wedding ideas? I'd love to hear!

Bridesmaids' bouquets from a dear friend's garden.

(Photos courtesy of Roger Katz, Allison Gould, and Heather Bittner Brothers.)