5 DIY Wedding Ideas that are actually worth your time

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Stephanie in DIY, Parties & Events | Leave a comment

When planning your wedding, DIY is a great and cheap alternative to purchasing more expensive wedding decor or souvenirs that you’ll only use once. However, with so many DIY options out there, it’s hard to tell which DIY ideas are actually worth doing. Seeing as you’re about to invest a fair amount of time, money, and energy on these projects, it’s helpful to get an idea of whether or not the DIY projects you’re choosing are worth your time. After all, if you’re a DIY rookie it’s quite hard to estimate which DIY projects will be easy, or which DIY projects you’ll be able to use again and again. Luckily for you, we’ve picked our 5 favorite DIY projects (they’re time efficient and reusable!) to incorporate into your wedding day.

1. A photo journey of your story as wedding decor. This is a great way to show your guests your relationship’s best memories in fun photos, and is the perfect way to decorate the space between your ceremony and reception. This DIY only really requires some cute photos and picture frames – afterwards, keep the pics for your new place!

walk our story

Stone Crandall Photography

2. Photo bunting. Like the photo journey idea before, creating bunting out of photos of your favorite spaces and places is a great way to incorporate memories into a trendy decor item. Bunting always adds a sweet touch to special occasions, and can be used as decor for your next special occasion. Photo bunting idea via Design Love Fest.

Design Love Fest

3. Washi tape anything. Ah, washi tape. Folks, this is the most underrated DIY item ever. Washi tape is basically decorated and patterned sticky tape that is great for decorating anything. Have bland glasses that you’re using for your rehearsal dinner? Jazz them up with washi tape. Want to add a special touch to your invitation envelopes, souvenir boxes, or tea light candles? Washi tape is there to help. It’s seriously the quickest and most efficient way to decorate anything. Find awesome washi tape ideas here via Burnett’s Boards.

Burnett’s Boards … Keep Reading

A gorgeous engagement by land and sea by AlliChelle Photography

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Stephanie in Weddings | 2 Comments

Oh MY do we have a treat for you today on the blog! We’re thrilled to feature this gorgeous engagement session by AlliChelle Photography. And isn’t this newly engaged couple adorable? The photographer, Allison Taylor, said “Hannah [the bride] really wanted meadow, tall grass, and flowers for their engagement session. Dale [the groom] really wanted the beach. Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, California was the perfect location for their engagement session.”

We have to say it was a great compromise! These photos are dreamy, unique, and so romantic. From the bright flowers and sunlight of the meadow to the majestic beach of the Pacific Ocean, this engagement session is perfect for celebrating young love in the springtime.

Morris_Ellsworth_AlliChelle_Photography_DSC22662_low

… Keep Reading

Wedding Advice: Get the bachelorette party you want without being a bridezilla

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Stephanie in Advice | Leave a comment

QUESTION: If I’m not pumped about the bachelorette party that my MOH and maids are planning, should I say something? And how do I suggest what I’d like to do without sounding like a bridezilla?

Kaella’s Answer: I recommend having a conversation with the host of your bachelorette party. Not everyone wants to go to Las Vegas or see men dancing half naked on-stage. Since this is a bachelorette party for you, it’s perfectly reasonable to have a few boundaries. Though avoid micromanaging them, so they can have fun with the planning and maybe even incorporate a couple surprises for you.

Another suggestion to avoid sounding like a “bridezilla”: don’t let the planning get to far underway before you speak up. I highly suggest setting your boundaries and providing a few ideas that interest you right at the get go to give them the foundation for what type of bachelorette celebration you would like. Consider the budget when making recommendations. Not everyone can afford a flight to Bali for a week long bachelorette vacation. At the same time, they are expected to spend some money on your bachelorette party, so the reasonable part goes both ways. Either way, try to go with the flow on your bachelorette party night, and just enjoy spending time with your close friends.

Rachel’s Answer: YES! They want you to have a good time and would be disappointed to find out later that you weren’t happy with the plans. Best-case scenario, they’d ask you what you want before they start planning, but if they don’t, there’s nothing wrong with telling them what you want (or don’t want) when the topic comes up. For example, when my friends brought up bachelorette party ideas, I said things like, “A penis hat is not something I’d like to ever wear” and “I’d rather take a cool workout class with you girls and then get manicures and pedicures than have a guy putting his banana hammock getting all up in my face.” As long as you aren’t demanding they plan something super elaborate or expensive (once they’ve already planned something else), it won’t be a problem.

About our Kaella & Rachel: Kaella Wilson is the founder of Kaella Lynn Events, a wedding planning and design boutique based in San Francisco. She believes the difference is in the details. Whether you’re planning a grand event or an intimate celebration, Kaella combines artistic design with meticulous planning and management to produce a memorable event that represents your style. Follow her on twitter @Kaellalynn Rachel Wilkerson is a writer and community manager living in sin in Houston, TX. She also happens to be planning her wedding! You can see more of her writing on her brand-new blog The House Always Wins. Follow her on twitter @RachelGettingIt.

Need more wedding advice? Read Kaella and Rachel’s previous posts:

Image: Lane Dittoe via Bridal Musings

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14 Awesome and unique photo booth backdrops

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Stephanie in Weddings | 1 Comment

Do you know you want a photo booth at your wedding, but you aren’t sure exactly what it should look like? Luckily for you, there’s tons of inspiration out there about different and unique photo booth ideas for your wedding day. And, the majority of them are fairly simple to put together – use a fun fabric as your backdrop and incorporate fun props like vintage frames, or let your guests go wild with a chalkboard! Streamers and fun paper cut-outs are memorable and easy to make, too. Are you having a photo booth at your wedding? What kind of backdrop do you think would work best for the big day? Here are our top 14 picks of our favorite photo booth back drops ever…

Wow guests with a natural, gorgeous background like flowers.