I’m so excited to announce this giveaway!  The winner of this contest will receive DIY program fan kit from Custom Programs and a pre-designed program fan template from me.

The DIY program fan kit from Custom Programs include pre-cut / pre-perforated fan leaves that allows you to create your own program fans with none of that tedious cutting.  The sheets are 80lb cardstock, which are a little thinner / lighter than the paper called for in my DIY program fan instructions, but they’re thick enough and easy to use.

How to enter:  Leave a comment below with your wedding date and a short description of your wedding.  The contest ends on June 19, midnight EST.  The winner will be announced June 20.

A pre-designed program fan template is now available!  The template is based on Alessandra’s program fans that I created.

The template is currently in black ($10).  To get the design color customized, purchase the custom-color template ($15).  Choose your colors from this color chart and enter the 6-character color code when you pay through Paypal.  Click here to purchase.

I’m looking for centerpieces that I won’t need fresh flowers for and I saw this DIY Magnolia centerpieces at Martha Stewart Weddings.  They’re adorable!

All you would need are crepe paper, craspedia blooms, white floral tape, scissors, and Magnolia petal template.

Click here for template and instructions at Martha Stewart Weddings.

The passport invitation template is now available (passpost save-the-date coming soon)!  The basic template is free while the pre-designed one is available for a fee.  Click here to purchase the pre-designed template.  Passport size is 3.5″x5″.

Basic template (DOC) 304kb - free
Pre-designed template (DOC & PDF) 5.36mb - $10 forever! until 3/12/09, $20 after that
     ** Click here to purchase **
Custom passport invitation/save-the-date - $50

The pre-designed template is based on the passport invitation below that I created before.

Here’s what the pre-designed template looks like:

Click here to purchase the pre-designed template.

Aren’t these luminaries gorgeous? They’re actually made using wax and balloon. Candletech.com has instructions including step-by-step photos on how to create your own beautiful wax luminaries.

1. Fill a water balloon with tepid water.
2. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature for this project is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain this temperature for your wax while working by keeping it on a double boiler.
3. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax to just below the water level in the balloon. Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.
4. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.
5. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the luminary.
6. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.
7. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.
8. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the balloon shards.
9. To level the top of the luminary, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.
10. Place a tea light or votive inside the luminary and burn on a candle holder in a dark area.

I love DIYing and I would love love to do this for my wedding.  Unfortunately, I think we’re doing a day wedding so candles are not really needed :(.

Casa Sugar

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

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.

Wedding planning can be very complicated especially if you don’t have a wedding planner. Being organized can help make the process easier. Getting your own wedding organizer where you can put all documents, receipts, and such in one place is a start.

I. MATERIALS

Binder
I suggest getting a regular 3-ring binder so you can add most documents sized 8.5×11.  You can buy them at any office or paper store.  Below are some fun binders.

Click images to shop

Dividers
To separate different planning sections (i.e. Attire, Beauty, Reception).  Tabbed pocket dividers are best.

Click images to shop
 

Pockets / Pouches
You need these to put in documents of different sizes that are hard to hole punch.

3-Hole Puncher
Helps in filing documents you receive right when you receive them. I suggest buying a portable puncher that has holes on the side so it can be inserted in the binder.

Click images to shop
 

Calculator
Very important when dealing with budget and vendors, but you don’t have to have this with your organizer.  Most cellphones have calculators anyway.

II. TEMPLATES

Russell + Hazel Templates
RealSimple Checklists
Pash Weddings Planner
MS Wedding Workbook

Click here for my Wedding Resources page which also includes printable Vendor Guides: Questions to ask vendors.

A lot of my readers ask me what tools and/or materials I recommend for creating the DIY projects I have listed here on my blog.  So I added links to my recommended products on each project page.

I always look for deals or the lowest price.  But I cannot guarantee the links I posted direct to the lowest price available.

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.