Envelope Liners: The Perfect Finishing Touch

Hey everyone!

Although blogging has been scarce lately, we haven't been slacking! We've been up to our eyeballs in projects for our brides. One project we've taken on a lot lately is custom lining envelopes. We love a custom liner! Your invitations are the first peek your guests will get into your day, why not make them really pop? Here are a few of our favorite liners that we've done for our clients...

For Rachel & Blake we wanted to add a gardeny touch to their gorgeous die cut foil invitations from Shindig Paperie. So we created custom envelope liners using Rifle Paper Co wrapping paper.

Lydia & Caul's Art Deco style wedding was perfectly previewed when guests opened their invitations to find a beautifully lined envelope in a glitter accented pattern that mimicked a Great Gatsby book cover that was one of our inspirations for the design of their wedding.

Caroline & Chris's invitations were a simple, but beautiful design from Wedding Paper Divas. Too simple for such a sparkly bride! So we added to the design with these beautiful glitter liners from Jupiter & Juno and the combination was perfect!

Aren't these just perfect! A little extra something goes a long way. Disclaimer: If you decide to take on this task, remember, it's very time consuming! For a full DIY tutorial, visit our blog post from June 2013 {HERE}

Lydia & Caul: Custom Envelope Liners {DIY Tutorial}

Hey everyone!

I'm back with the last feature from Lydia & Caul's wedding and it's a great DIY Tutorial for you! Custom Envelope Liners. Custom liners set an amazing tone for your guests as soon as they open that invitation. Lydia & Caul's guests absolutely loved them and made it a point to tell our sweet bride.

Let me start at the beginning. This beautiful Great Gatsby book cover was one of our main inspirations for the wedding design from the start...

Lydia found this gorgeous glitter embellished wrapping paper that mimicked the look of the book cover, so we decided to put it to work!

I personally hand lined each inner envelope for Lydia & Caul's invitations using this gorgeous paper. Now, this takes time {LOTS of time}, but it is completely worth it!

Here's what you'll need to get started:
-Liner Paper of your Choice
-Sharp Exacto Knife {with extra blades}
-LOTS of Double Sided Tape {I think I went through 10 rolls for 250 envelopes}
-Surface for Cutting {I used a plastic cutting board made for crafting from Hobby Lobby}
-Pen or Pencil
-1 envelope to sacrifice as your template.


Now here's what you'll do, step by step:

Step 1: Take your sacrificial envelope and open up the folds completely. Then cut the side flaps and the bottom few inches off to give you a perfect liner template that will fit inside your envelopes. Test it inside another envelope to be sure it fits correctly and that you haven't cut off too much before going any further.

Step 2: Trace template on liner paper.

**Note: If you are working with a geometric pattern that needs to be centered {as we were} you'll need to line it up purposefully with each tracing or it will look messy.

Step 3: Begin to carefully cut out each individual liner using your Exacto Knife.
**Note: As the blade dulls and cutting becomes more difficult, you'll need to change blades. I changed blades twice during this process.

Step 4: Turn liner over and apply a strip of double sided tape along each side of the peak. Then carefully tuck into the envelope and press down firmly to secure.

Step 5: Repeat 249 more times! {or until you finish all of your invitations} Probably stopping to buy more double sided tape & massage your sore hands along the way. But when you're done, you'll have a gorgeous finished product that your guests will adore!

And here is the full invitation suite! The gorgeous hand calligraphy invitations from Shindig Paperie are complimented perfectly by the custom envelope liner.

And remember, don't let the extra paper go to waste! For Lydia & Caul's wedding we used it to add detail to the place cards for the head table, food labels, and reserved signs...

A big thanks to Benfield Photography for capturing these paper details for us!

Best of luck in your DIYing!

DIY: Pinwheel Accents

Hey everyone!

Today I want to share a really simple DIY project with you that can be used in so many different ways! These adorable pinwheels can be made of any paper and buttons to match the style of your wedding. I love them on a place setting, chair, or napkin to add that fabulous something extra that will take your wedding design to the next level.

photo from our recent styled photo shoot with Melissa McCrotty

What you'll need
1. scissors
2. paper in your choice of color or pattern
     *regular thickness - you do not want to use thicker card stock type paper. It won't work.
3. buttons
4. double sided tape
5. hot glue gun

Instructions
Step 1: Cut paper into 2 strips of equal widths. The skinnier the strips, the smaller the pinwheel will be; the thicker the strips, the larger the pinwheel will be.

Step 2: Accordion fold the paper back and forth.

Step 3: Using double sided tape, connect the pieces end to end creating a circle of paper.

Step 4: Press circle down and outward into the general shape of a pinwheel.

Step 5: Using your hot glue gun, secure button in the center.

*You may need to hold the button in place for a few moments until the glue dries. I used a metal bangle and placed it on each pinwheel to help it keep its shape, just until I was finished with the next.

If your wedding or event has a more eclectic or southern style, use a mixture of papers and buttons....

If you are having a more modern wedding and still like the idea of using this DIY project, simply choose paper in a solid color or a bold print (think chevron or stripes) and a shiny plastic black button. It would be equally fabulous!

Just one way these can be used....

photos by Melissa McCrotty Photography

FYI: I've also clustered these in mass and they're even more fantastic. You can create a backdrop for a dessert table or an incredible hanging installation that would create a focal point to die for.

Happy crafting!

DIY Terrarium Place Card Holders

Thank you Green Wedding Shoes for this absolutely fabulous DIY project! They recently featured do-it-yourself instructions for these amazing, eco chic, & whimsical Terrarium Place Card Holders...

Pretty adorable right? And oh so perfect for a whimsical, outdoor wedding or an eco friendly, earthy affair. To see for yourself how easy {and cheap!} this project is, head over to Green Wedding Shoes now for the full instructions...Happy crafting.

Unique Guest Book

Hey Everyone!

Have you been looking for a unique guest book idea? Well I've got the perfect one for you! This ThumbPrint tree from Fancy Prints' Etsy Shop is perfect for any bride who is inspired by nature...

Available in many colors and styles, you're bound to find the one that's perfect for you! Click HERE for more.

DIY Bowties

I'm absolutely crazy over the recent DIY bowtie feature on Style Me Pretty. They are so adorable! And for a groom who loves his southern style, these would be perfect cupcake toppers.

 

The instructions are simple. Go over to Style Me Pretty now for all the details.

Are you sick of Mason Jars yet?

If you had asked me this question 5 minutes ago I would have answered with a resounding YES. But that was before I saw this fabulous tutorial for painted mason jars! How adorable are these in your bright wedding colors?!

Colorful with white blooms, or in white too! They would be fantastic for a country wedding or filled with wild flowers for a more gardeny style. I'm excited for this new, fun way to re-purpose the hundreds of mason jars I have from weddings last year! Already getting my paint ready...

Forget the Guestbook! Let's Paint.

This creative couple decided to forget the traditional guest book, and instead asked their guests to create for them a one-of-a-kind painting to remember their big day. As an art history major, and a lover of all things creative, I am absolutely crazy about this idea!

I am wishing I had thought of this fabulous idea for my own wedding! But now at least I have it in my head for future brides to be...

To see more from this wedding, head over to Paul Johnson Photography's blog.

DIY Caramel Popcorn Favors

Just featured on Ruffled, these adorable Caramel Popcorn Favors have stolen my heart! Perfect for a couple who loves sports, these are bound to take you back to the days at the ball park...

What you’ll need:
- Popcorn cups (found here in bulk)
- Cellophane wrap
- Ribbon, scissors and cardstock for tags
- Wooden tray
- Natural flavored popcorn
- Corn syrup
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Peanuts (optional)
- Wax paper

Use THIS recipe and add peanuts if desired. For more adorable pics of these fab favors, head on over Ruffled now.

Winter Wedding Favors: Adorable DIY Wool Handwarmers

Once Wed just posted a tutorial for these fantastic handwarmers. What an adorable DIY project for the winter brides out there! Especially for those of you with a cozy, hand made vibe.
The assortment of colors and unique buttons are cozy perfection. I can imagine them sitting piled in a basket with a cute sign and photos of the couple. Adorable! And completely unique.

Brooke & Rhett: Reception Details Galore

Their reception was one of my favorites! And not just because Brooke is my sister, but because it was full of amazing details and sweet sentiment.

Some of my favorite moments were the special dances. Brooke & Rhett danced one of the best first dances I've seen (they had to have been practicing!) to "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers. Brooke & her dad danced to "Daughter" to Loudon Wainwright - listen to it! It is perfection - followed by Rhett's dance with his mother to "Georgia on my Mind" by Ray Charles which couldn't have been more suited for this Georgia boy!
Friends and family ate well, drank well, toasted the bride & groom, and danced under the starts as the night went on. Overall, it was everything Brooke & Rhett hoped for and I don't think it could have been more perfect for this sweet couple!

As promised, here are my favorite photos from Brooke & Rhett's reception...

The bride & groom make their grand entrance into the reception. The light was amazing...

{photo by Ashley Teplin}

Another nod to these 2 writers, we just had to incorporate books into the centerpiece design. And I'm crazy about the results!

{photos by Ashley Teplin}
Wedding Design & All Florals by Finishing Touch Event Design.
left: unbound booked set atop vintage lace.
top, center: books with mason jars full of flowers and flowers placed on the table loosely.
bottom, center: mason jar with candle wrapped with twine.
right: mason jars tied with ribbon or twine were placed atop bundles of books and filled with flowers. All were placed on a vintage lace runner & surrounded by mason jars with votives.
Flowers used: Yellow Garden Roses, Pink/Red Garden Roses, Eggplant Calla Lilies, Orange Calla Lilies, Chocolate Cosmos, Fiddlehead Ferns, & accents of Magnolia Leaves.

And I couldn't resist a little spot light on Romeo & Juliet...

{photo by Finishing Touch}

The first dance...

{photo by Ashley Teplin}

Food & drinks were the focus of this southern wedding. A dear friend of the bride & groom, Nick, chef of Crooked Porch BBQ Catering, created a truly southern dinner for their guests, consisting of Fried Chicken, Collard Greens, Grits, & Succotash. It was absolutely delicious!

{photos by Ashley Teplin}

Guests toast Brooke & Rhett...

{photo by Ashley Teplin}

Continuing the Southern style cuisine, Brooke's friend & fellow book-club member, Diane, owner of Napa Farmhouse 1885, created a buffet of fresh pies and cobblers and home made ice cream in place of the traditional wedding cake.

{photos by Ashley Teplin}

And as a surprise, friends of the groom, ordered a special groom's cake just perfect for the die-hard Georgia Bulldog!

{photo by Ashley Teplin}

And they're married!

{left: photo by Ashley Teplin, right: photo by Robb Donough}

A big thank you everyone who rolled up their sleeves and did everything they could to help make Brooke & Rhett's wedding day absolutely perfect. Without each of their friends (Anna & Mark - who opened their new home for the wedding venue, Nick - the caterer, Paul - the DJ, Diane - the baker, Ashley, Ann, & Robb - the photographers, & all of Brooke's book club ladies & family who helped throughout the weekend) and family (Cozy - the officiant & aunt of the bride, Christopher - the musician & cousin of the bride, Steve - vocalist & uncle of the bride, and the team at Finishing Touch - sisters, step-mother, and brother in law) none of what we accomplished would have been possible! It was a perfect day for this couple who is so special to us all.
To Brooke & Rhett - We love you both! And are so excited for you and the new family you're starting!

To see more of Brooke & Rhett's wedding photos, go to their gallery on our website.

Brooke & Rhett's Sweet Ceremony

Brooke and Rhett Gadke were married in a sweet, intimate ceremony last Saturday in Napa, California. It truly was a ceremony filled with family & tradition - the bride's grandmother said a blessing over the couple, the bride's aunt officiated the ceremony, and Brooke & Rhett said the beautiful traditional vows that have been said by countless brides and grooms before them.

Here are just a few of my favorite details and photos from the beautiful ceremony...

Pre-designed programs from One Heart Weddings, printed locally in Napa.

The fabulous guest book table was one of the many nods to Brooke & Rhett's profession and passion - writing...

A vintage typewriter filled with flowers set atop unbound booked tied with twine. Guests wrote messages to Brooke & Rhett on vintage library cards and placed them in an old library card box as a keepsake for years to come.

The gorgeous bride, gorgeous bouquet, and gorgeous light...

The groom looked sharp...

Armani suit with a Darcy Peony rose & fiddle head fern boutonniere.

The bride & her mother...

The bride & her father walking down the aisle...
The vows...
The kiss...

Walking back down the aisle...{all photos by Ashley Teplin}

It was a short and sweet ceremony that I will always remember. Love you guys!

Reception details to come tomorrow!

Stunning DIY wedding in Napa Valley

In the search for ideas for my sister, Brooke's wedding in Napa this fall, I recently came across this stunning DIY wedding from Style Me Pretty...

{click on photos to enlarge}
The different style bridesmaids dresses, the gorgeous lace bridal gown, and the amazing bouquets of wooden flowers are absolute perfection!

The stamped muslin banner (top) is adorable!

And including the dogs is the perfect finishing touch.

And my favorite touch of all... the coffee mugs that spell "LOVE" used as vases. And the fact that they're sitting on books is all the more perfect since we've just decided to incorporate beautiful old books into Brooke's table decor!

For more from this gorgeous wedding, head on over to Style Me Pretty.