Let's Talk Supplies

Okay, so you've gotten tons of wedding DIY ideas from my list of 101 DIY's and throughout the web and you're ready to start putting things together to create some wedding magic. But do you know great supply sources that will allow you to keep within budget? For me it was a mixture of using coupons and great supply websites, as well as thinking outside the box that helped me keep costs down when I was planning my DIY wedding. To help you in this, I've put together a list of my favorite five supply "stores".

1. Michaels
Did you know that Michaels craft store always has a 40 percent off coupon that you can print from home as well as an app with a coupon central section? The coupon is valid for one item each day, but if you're going to be purchasing only a few items from them, you can spread your visits out and get some great deals on everything from tape to printable invitations to hot glue guns to glass vases to yarn.

2. Clear Bags
Are you planning on having DIY invitations? Make sure to check out the envelopes that Clear Bags offers. They're great, come in a variety of colors like ivory and silver, and they almost always send you a few extra when you order. Clear Bags also has tons of other great packaging items. For the best shipping rates, make a purchase over $45 USD.

3. Paper Mart
Like Clear Bags, Paper Mart also has a great selection of packaging tools as well a good supply of fabrics.

4. Etsy
Did you know that Etsy also sells craft supplies? And there are tons of awesome supply shops that usually have great prices. Shop around, and use their search engine optimally. The only thing to note is that often times you can find great offers that have to be shipped internationally, so if you're ordering from Etsy try to make sure you're ordering from the same country you're living in or have the time to wait for your supplies.

5. Nature
Have you noticed how many things in nature are free? You can make boutonniere using flowers from your backyard or autumn leaves. You can have nautical themed centerpieces using seashells you've found at a beach close by or use stones to hold up the wire that you're using to put your seating place cards on. The best thing about nature is its overabundance of beauty. If you're on a limited budget, don't forget that you can always mold nature findings to match your wedding colors or theme using spray paint or the likes. It's just a matter of being creative!

What supply treasure chests have you found?


(photo credit: Sandra Proudman)

3 Bridesmaid Gifts You'll Love

Whether you choose to have many bridesmaid's or just a maid of honor, showing them how much you appreciate all their help and their love throughout your life is always a sweet sentiment. You don't absolutely have to get your girls a gift, but if you are planning on doing so the following are three great options from Junghwa, Mama Blue Designs, and Lulu Bug Jewelry.


(photo credits from left to right: personalized clutches, silver necklace bridesmaid set, rhinestone and leather bracelets)

Girl + Boy = Love

I found this a couple of weeks ago, and every time I see it makes me smile.

How cute is this mustache and lips cake banner from Ann Kay Designs?


(photo credit: Ann Kay Designs Etsy Shop)

Introducing a New Section!

One of the things that readers are most interested in are DIY projects that they can use for their wedding. That's why I took a few days off of blogging to work on a brand new section of The Handmade Wedding blog!



You can now find a list of 101 wedding DIY projects available for you to look through in my tabs section! I hope that you all enjoy looking through the fabulous DIY projects I've compiled from throughout the web that include pinwheel printouts from Oh Happy Day and a lace doily candle holder project from Spirello.

I'll be adding more DIY projects to this list every once in a while, and wanted to ask: What kind of DIY's are you most interested in? Let me know, and I'll do my best to find relevant ideas!

Happy planning everyone! And happy Monday!

One Kings Lane for Wedding Gift Registry

Joe and I photographed an awesome wedding this past weekend (photos to come). It reminded me why I love weddings so much. Michelle and John are an amazing couple, and throughout their big day there were stoked to tie the knot. To anyone that has gotten married recently, congratulations! Marriage is an amazing and wonderful thing.

I'm going to be working on finishing the DIY page today! And I hope you all will love it.

Meanwhile, have you hear of One Kings Lane? It's a sales event online shop that offers home decor finds at a discounted rate. Some of my kitchen photography is being featured on their site at the moment, and it made me think that they might be a great place to register to. You can't really register to general items since the sales only last three days, but using the Gift Registry 360 tool you can add their gift cards to your wedding registry. They offer tons of great items from kitchen decor to living room art professional framed.

Getting Ready Pictures by Carolyn Scott

Getting Ready Pictures: How to Make the Most of Them
By Carolyn Scott, the talented Raleigh wedding photographer.

(Like always, a huge thanks to Carolyn for writing this month's wedding photography segment for brides that are looking for wedding photographer tips!)

(photos credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Getting ready pictures can be often overlooked by wedding couples. They’re often dismissed as not needed or silly. But oftentimes, surrounded by friends and family putting on makeup and dresses— and guys doing whatever they do, which is typically sitting around watching some sort of sporting event—can be a very emotional and beautiful time with the opportunity for stunning candid photographs. Unfortunately, many couples choose the location for their ceremony and reception, but not their getting ready portraits. It becomes sort of a last-minute sort of thing, or they choose the small, windowless church basement offered to them by their ceremony vendor. To avoid this, here are some things that you can do to get fantastic getting ready pictures: 1. Choose a location for both the girls AND the guys: Don’t fall into the trap of using whatever room is suggested or provided by the venue without seeing it first. Usually these are dark rooms with no windows and overhead florescent lighting. Actually go around and scout out your possibilities, but don’t forget the guys! Sometimes the girls will get ready in a beautiful room and the guys will end up in a dark basement. Sure, the guys may not care, but the pictures will be ugly. Remember the guys! 2. Choose locations with PLENTY of natural light: Windows make the best light ever. Overhead lighting makes the worst. Choose a location where you can turn off the lights and leave it to the windows to light the space. 3. Don’t put on your makeup in the bathroom: After you choose a room with beautiful light, don’t leave it to go put on your makeup in the bathroom! Bring an extra mirror or drag over the full-length one to the window if you’re doing your makeup. Putting on makeup in florescent lighting is a very bad idea if you are planning to have your wedding outdoors; the makeup doesn’t translate well. Pull the mirror over toward the window so that you get good natural light, which will provide you with awesome pictures and great makeup that will translate well over to the ceremony. 4. Don’t trip over each other: Choose a room big enough to accommodate the people who will be in it. We’ve been in spaces with 20+ people in a 2 person hotel room. Let me tell you: It doesn’t work. Everyone gets irritated and panics, and your photographer will have a heck of a time trying to jump and trip over people sitting on the floor. Plan well so that you’re not stressed, and choose a room that’s large enough. Keep in mind, all of the ladies will have large bags and you’ll have a few extra bodies—makeup and hair artists, and your photographer—in there with you.

New Part Coming Soon

I'll be working on a new part of blog for the next week or so, so postings may be sporadic, but after I'm finished, you'll be able to check out our new DIY page that will list 100's of wedding DIY's from around the web. I'll be putting together the best of the best, so stay tuned!