In the beginning, I was planning to DIY my centerpieces.  Recently, our plans changed and decided to hire a florist instead.  But I totally forgot to show you the mock-up I did when I was still planning to DIY the centerpieces.  So here they are…

Click here for instructions @ Project Wedding

Cost Breakdown:
Tissue paper = free (I have in stock – yes I do have that many)
2 3″ styrofoam balls ($2.88/6) = $0.96
2 4″ styrofoam balls ($3.52/4) = $1.76
1 7″ candelabra = $9.99 – 20% discount
1 9″ candelabra = $12.99 – 20% discount
table letter = $1.99

TOTAL (per table) = $12.70-$22.69 + tax

I loved making the tissue pomanders.  And now that I have tissue pomanders lying around, I decided to use them during the cocktail hour.

How I Did It

Materials (per set)
1 80lb (or heavier) coverstock 8.5×11
belly wrap or 1 36lb (or close) vellum 8.5×11 – creates 5 belly wraps
1 envelope A2 (4 3/8″ x 5 3/4″)

For stores, click here

Tools
cutter, X-acto knife (to cut inner rectangles), adhesive, computer, printer

Recommended
Rotary Paper Trimmer (cutter), X-Acto Knife, Classic Crest Solar White 80lb (paper), Classic Crest Recycled Bright White 80lb (recycled paper)

Fonts Used
Sloop Script Two, AvantGarde Gothic

Template
The card measures 4″ x 5.5″ and contains 4 pieces wrapped together with the belly wrap.

Click image below to download template

Directions
Print and cut on solid lines.  Assemble with top-left card at the top, then the top-right card right below, then the bottom-left card, then the bottom-right card at the very bottom.  Wrap them together with the belly wrap.

If you want a crisper image (bridesmaid), print this file first on paper that you plan to use for your card.  Personalize this 2nd file, then print it using the paper you’ve printed the first file on.  Make sure you print on the side  where the image is printed.

Insert assembled card into envelope and you’re all set!

I have tried Hydrangeas, now it’s time to try Carnations.  They’re very affordable and I love the fullness of the blooms.  Please pardon the visible rubber bands.  I ran out of floral tape and I didn’t get to wrap the bouquet handle with ribbon before I did the corset-type wrapping.

Unfortunately, to get the bouquet size I wanted, I had to use a lot of carnations which ended up being more expensive than the Hydrangeas I used earlier.  I spent $15 for 50 carnations.

The biggest advantage of using Carnations is that they last long. They lasted more than a week just being in a vase with water (no flower food).

To save money, we’re planning to DIY bouquets… kinda like “create your own bouquet” thing .  I think my bridesmaids are willing to do their own . I don’t know exactly what flowers I like to use, but I’m definitely using white ones.

First up is hydrangea.  I got the hydrangeas from the NYC flower district for $10/6 bunches.  I only used 5 which was about a foot in diameter altogether, 6 bunches were too big for me.  Of course I had to use the knot on the handle too!

I love the fullness of the hydrangeas.  But since a bunch is too big, the stem is too thin.  I like my bouquet to have a thicker handle.  Maybe I could just wrap it more with the knot to thicken it.  However, I’m still not sure what style I like to use for the ribbons/knots for the handle.

It cost me just a little less than $11 including tax to create this bouquet:

Hydrangeas (5 bunches) = $10 / 6 bunches
1 1/2″ Satin ribbon (1 yard) = $15.99 / 50 yards – you can get this cheaper at PaperMart.com
Knot (2 yards) = $5.50 / 10 yards

Next up, I’ll be trying on carnations.  They’re inexpensive and when bunched together, they somehow create the same effect and fullness.

How I Did It

Materials (per set)
1 80lb (or heavier) coverstock 8.5×11 – creates 4
1 36lb (or close) vellum 8.5×11 – creates 2
knot
1 envelope A2 (4 3/8″ x 5 3/4″)

For stores, click here

Tools
cutter, scorer, 1/4″ hole-puncher, lighter or gas stove top, computer, printer

Recommended
Rotary Paper Trimmer (cutter), Fiskars Scoring Blade (scoring blade to be used with Fiskars rotary trimmer), Fiskars hand punch (hole puncher), Classic Crest Solar White 80lb (paper), Classic Crest Recycled Bright White 80lb (recycled paper)

Fonts Used
Sloop Script Two, AvantGarde Gothic

Template
The save-the-date measures 4″ x 5.5″.  Page 2 and 3 contains the main save-the-date template that creates 4 save-the-dates.  Page contains the vellum wrap template that creates 2 vellum wraps.  Blue sailboat image is included in the template.

Click image below to download template

Directions
Print page 3 on the back of page 2.  Cut on gray solid lines.  Print page 4 on vellum.  Cut on gray solid lines.  Score vellum in the middle.  Wrap vellum on save-the-date.  Hole punch on gray circles.

Cut 11″ of knot.  Using a lighter or stove top, melt the ends of the knot to avoid fraying.  Insert knot into the holes and make a square knot.  Click here for instructions on how to make a square knot.

Insert completed save-the-date into envelope and you’re all set!

Spending some time doing your own favors can save you money.  Below is a popular monogram candy jar favor.  The cheapest I found was $1.25 each jar (contents not included) with purchase of at least 96.

If you do it yourself, you only spend about $0.83 each jar or maybe less, plus cost of candy.  In addition, you get full control over the design of the label.  You can customize it anyway you want.

Materials:
Jar $2.99/4
2″ round labels $0.46/20 + $5.10 shipping  (you can try your local office or paper store to save on shipping)
Label template – for 2″ round labels from www.labelsbythesheet.com

Where you can buy bulk candy:
www.bulkfoods.com
www.ilovesweettreats.com
www.bulkcandystore.com
www.economycandy.com
www.candywarehouse.com
www.metrocandy.com

Click here for the complete list of Wedding Resources.

Here is a Passport Save the Date I created for a client a while back. I don’t have a template in Word, but I promise I’ll create one soon. So stay tuned…

Passport Invitation template is now available here.  Passport Save-The-Date template coming soon.

Click on images to enlarge

Click Read on… for remaining pages in the passport

Read on…

How I Did It

Materials (per set)
80lb (or heavier) cover stock 8.5×11
fan handle or tongue depressor (popsicle stick may be too small)
adhesive

Tools
cutter, scissors, computer, printer, round-corner puncher (optional)

Recommended
Rotary Paper Trimmer (cutter), Round Corner Punch-Small (round corner puncher), Herma Dotto (adhesive), Classic Crest Solar White 80lb (paper), Classic Crest Recycled Bright White 80lb (recycled paper), fan handle

Template
One piece of paddle fan can be printed on one 8.5″ x 11″ paper. One side (left or right) of the template is the front of the fan while the other is the back. The fans measure approximately 5 1/4″ x 6 1/2″. My template includes 4 different shapes you can choose from.

Click here to download template

Adding an image background
Add your image by clicking INSERT from the top menu then PICTURE. You can either insert a clipart or an image file. Select your image by clicking on it. Right click on the image then click FORMAT PICTURE. Click the LAYOUT tab and select BEHIND TEXT under Wrapping Style. Click OK. Now you can drag your image to anywhere you want it. Notice that your image appears behind your texts.

Directions
Cut on solid lines. You may use cutter or X-acto knife for the straight lines. Use scissors for the curved lines. You can use a round-corner cutter for the corners of the basic shape. Do not cut the dashed lines in the middle connecting the left and the right parts. Score and fold on the dashed lines in the middle.

Apply adhesive to one tip of your fan handle or tongue depressor. Insert your paddle or tongue depressor in between the folded fan and press to adhere.

For the Petal Fan Program template and instructions, click here.

It’s been a while since I’ve added new monogram designs to the monogram design collection.  I still have more, but I still have to find the time to set them up and upload them.  I tried to upload the more basic ones first:

 

   

Recently, I created a boarding pass for a child’s birthday party.  It was actually my first time to create a kiddy theme.  I’m so used to creating wedding boarding passes, that I had to browse through all my fonts to find more kiddy types.  Here’s a sample of the birthday party invitation:

I recently finished Jorie’s and Stephanie’s fans.