Barn Wedding Inspirations

Barn weddings are all the rage! But not all barn weddings are created equally; you can create an atmosphere to suit your style. Here are some ideas for how to style your barn wedding.

The Rustic Style – Probably the most popular style wedding right now is the rustic look, and a barn is a fabulous place to host a rustic event. Mason jar centerpieces and candle holders are a common example of the rustic look. My Yellow Umbrella created a cupcake stand from downed trees that suits this style.

The Country Style – Another popular style associated with barns is the clean country look. Think hay bales, wild flower bouquets and wheat sheath centerpieces to create this theme. This wedding shown on Emmaline Bride is a lovely example of the country style done well.

The Elegant Style – Just because you are in a barn doesn’t mean you can’t have an elegant wedding. As shown on Intimate Weddings, lighting can create a more upscale look. Chandeliers add a more upscale feel to the décor, as Intimate Weddings illustrates. Adding Celebration Peonies tissuepaper flowers will add a sense of pomp as well. Using more formal linens and place settings will instantly add a more elegant feel to the event.

Barns can be decorated a variety of ways to go with your wedding style. Which style do you like the best?

Football Themed Wedding

Football season is just around the corner! Are you and your fiancé avid football fans? Then the first step is to be sure you don’t schedule your wedding on a day your favorite team plays. Then, consider some of these creative ways to incorporate the fall sport into your wedding.

 

Save the Date Jerseys – What a unique idea for a save the date announcement! Many sports stores allow you to personalize jerseys; this couple uses the last name spots to spell out “Save” and “The Date” and the player numbers to indicate the month and day of the pending nuptials.

Centerpieces – These floral arrangements give a nod to the sport while still looking classy. The flowers are a type of mum called a football mum – how appropriate! The look of the white flowers with a more subtle decoration on the vase keeps the football theme going without being over the top. Social Couture describes how to make the vases.

Football Garter Toss – A fun alternative to the traditional garter toss is to put the garter on a football and have the groom pass the ball to the bachelors. Most men will try to avoid catching the garter, but add the football and most guys won’t pass up the chance to show off their sports prowess.

This mocha garter would look fantastic around your leg and on a football.

Integrating an interest you and your fiancé share, such as football, into your wedding is a way to make the day even more special.  What sports team would you center your wedding around?

 

Creative Wedding Photo Ideas – Get Your Guests Involved

Sure, you’ll have those formal and professional photos from your hired wedding photographer. But these days, most people have a camera on their phones, so why not take advantage and recruit your guests to snap some candid shots? Here are some pointers on how to get some great extra wedding photos.

Get the Guests Involved – There are a handful of guests who would probably just take photos anyway, but in order to get the other guests involved you need to make it fun. A wedding photo scavenger hunt is a great way to get them excited to take photos. Appilywed lists some ideas for items to put on the photo scavenger hunt list.

Instagram Hashtag – If you know you have wedding guests already using the photo sharing service Instagram, assign a hashtag to the wedding so you and other guests can search to locate photos.

App for Digital Photos – Perhaps even easier than trying to collect photos using a hashtag is using a custom app guests can download. Apps like Wedding Snap allow you to collect all your guests’ wedding photos in one place.

Photo Frame Favor – Placing the scavenger hunt, hashtag or app information in a photo frame favor is the perfect way to let the guests know how to play along while sticking with the photography theme.

With abundant camera phones these days, it isn’t always necessary to place disposable cameras on the table. Try using apps to collect candid wedding photos from your guests.

Autumn Harvest Themed Wedding

Autumn is known as the season of abundance. Farmers are harvesting their crops, making pumpkins and apples a frequent sight. Leaves are changing color and the world seems vibrant. Because pumpkins and apples are plentiful, they are a relatively inexpensive, making them great to use for fall wedding decorations. Here are some ways to incorporate autumn’s beauty into your wedding décor.

Apple Bouquet – This bouquet make from apples is stunning! An arrangement such as this one shown by A Perfect Celebration showcases the colorful fruit without making it look like a Thanksgiving cornucopia.

Flower Girl Toss Leaves – As you make your entrance, why not have the flower girl toss colorful leaves rather than petals? If you live in an area where trees change color and drop their leaves, you will be able to readily get leaves – free. You could even have a special afternoon in the park with the flower girl collecting leaves together before the day of the event.

Unity Candle – If you decide to use the autumn leaves in your ceremony, this lovely Autumn Unity Candle Set will match perfectly.

Pumpkin Centerpieces – Pumpkins make a fantastic base for anautumn wedding centerpiece because they are fairly large, weighty, and can be easily carved and cut to suit your style. Some ideas include hollowing out the center of the pumpkin and using it as the base for a floral centerpiece, or creating an area at the top to nestle a pillar candle in the top.

Autumn is a time full of readily available produce. Why not incorporate to beauty of the season into your wedding ceremony and reception?

Thoughtful Touches for Your Outdoor Wedding Guests

Outdoor weddings are lovely – green grass and blue skies make a fantastic backdrop for decorations and photographs. But unfortunately, weather and other elements can make an outdoor wedding a challenge for guests. Here are some ways to ensure the comfort of your guests during your outdoor ceremony or reception.

Bug Repellant - You may have more guests than you invited at a farm or forest wedding; creepy crawlies and mosquitos may crash your party. Providing a basket full of bug repellant wipes for your guests is a thoughtful touch.

Spritz Bottles – Beach weddings and outdoor weddings held during the height of the summer can be hot. A refreshing spritz of water can cool down guests and serve as a favor. Creating your own spritz bottles can be a DIY wedding project.

Blankets – If you opted for an outdoor spring or fall wedding, weather can change from warm to cold as soon as the sun goes down. I Love Farm Weddings shows a thoughtful idea – setting out blankets for guests to wrap around their shoulders to take the chill off.

Flip flops – Outdoor weddings can cause a shoe dilemma. High heeled shoes sink into grass and are virtually impossible to walk in on the sand. Why not provide flip flops for guests?

If you are worried some guests will feel awkward wearing flip flops at a formal event, set the tone by wearing your own bridal flipflops.

Thoughtful touches will make your guests comfortable at your outdoor wedding. Now, let’s hope it doesn’t rain!

DIY Lighting Projects for a Glowing Wedding

When you think of a favorite evening, you probably think about soft music and a delicious meal enjoyed by candlelight. Nothing creates a sense of romance like the warm glow of mood lighting. These lighting projects can set the tone for your wedding.

Tulle Lights - Add soft lighting to your wedding with tulletied around strands of light. You can use a color of tulle that matches your wedding, or go for a romantic look by using white tulle.  Run the string of lights along the head table at the reception or use as an accent on the cake table.

Pom Pom Lights – Beautiful lights that recycle plastic bags? What a great idea! These pom pom lights look lovely hanging from a tree for an outdoor dusk wedding.

Bare light bulbs – When done correctly, bare light bulbs can go from utilitarian to glowing. Trendee Flowers shows inspirational ideas such as hanging light bulbs from branches to warm up a rustic wedding.

Lighting immediately sets the mood for your wedding. Try one of these romantic lighting ideas.

How to Decorate Your Wedding Favor Boxes

Small boxes are a common way to package wedding favors, but just because they are easily available doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Here are some creative ways to decorate your wedding favor boxes.

Monogram Labels – Martha Stewart provides downloadable monogram templates to create classy letters to place on your boxes. Either print the letters on regular paper and use a 3” circle punch and adhere to the box, or print on a 3” adhesive label. Adding a ribbon under the monogrammed letter adds a bit of color.

Fancy Trim – Bows made of ribbon is the classic way to decorate a favor box, but Smitten on Paper adds an extra layer. The layer looks fancy, however all you need to make it is paper and decorative cut scissors. Contrasting the colors of the ribbon and paper create a lovely look.

Doily – Half a doily atop a brown kraft box is a fantastic look for a rustic wedding. Cut a small doily in half and tie it to the top of the box using twine or ribbon.  This favor box adds an instant sense of whimsy to your reception.

Feel like trying any of these wedding favor box decoration projects? Weddings are Fun carries a wide array of favor boxes ready for your DIY project.

DIY Upscale Wedding Table Decorations

Nothing says a fancy wedding like shine, glitter or lace! But an elegant table setting doesn’t have to be expensive. These easy DIY candle holder ideas will add class and sophistication to your wedding.

Mercury Glass Look – These candle holders have a well-worn antique look, but rather than spending time scouring flea marketing, you can make your own aged mirrorcandle holders. For impact, group holders of varying height together in the center of the table.

Doily candleholder – Doilies often bring to mind images of Grandma’s outdated house, but a simple doily made into a votive holder instantly adds the illusion of timelessness. Wouldn’t the shadows cast by these candleholders add a sense of romance to an evening reception?  

Glitter Glam – Gold and glitter are a classic combination. For this DIY project, some thrift store vases, spray paint and glitter are combined to make sparkly candleholders. 

If you like the gold glitter candle holders, Wedding Are Fun’s beaded gold placeholder photo frames will perfectly compliment the look.                                                                    

Being willing to DIY some of your wedding projects will allow you to have fancy reception without upscale expense.

Modern Ideas for Unforgettable Wedding Photos

After months of planning and dreaming, your wedding day will go buy in a flash. Luckily, you can relive the excitement each time you see the photographs from your big day. Here are some ideas beyond the basic poses to capture your wedding.

Letters/Type – Wedding Chicks shows a couple with a wooden‘and’ sign. Most craft stores carry wooden and paper mache letters and type that can be incorporated into your photos. Why not also have a photo taken with the initial of your new last name?

Thank You Photo – With a little planning ahead, you can take a photo during your wedding to use later in your Thank You cards. Project Wedding shows this photo idea using a printed white poster, but other options include a burlap banner or writing on chalkboards.

Frame – Usually frames are used to house printed photos, but this unique pose incorporates the frame within the image.

Backdrop – Why not have a custom, personalized backdrop for photos? In addition to serving as a background for professional photos for the wedding party, this banner can be used to create a fun photo booth for guests.

Wedding photos serve as a reminder of the day you said your vows. Keep your memories fresh by adding some unique poses along with the traditional.

Classy Bachelorette Party Ideas

A Bachelorette Party doesn’t have to be a night out to the bar or involve a male stripper.  If you want to keep your last party as a single lady classy, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate with your gal pals. Here are a few ideas:

Beach Party – Live near the coast? A day spent on the beach can be a fabulous way to spend some time with your besties. You can make it upscale, like the party shown by 100 Layer Cake, complete with a tent and bonfire.

Or, go for a more casual affair with a picnic and classic beach games like Frisbee. Don’t forget a tank top for the bride.

Winter Wonderland Party –If you want a girls’ weekend, but flying to Vegas isn’t your style, why not rent out a cabin for the party? Being cozied up by a fire will be sure to prompt lots of fun storytelling and bonding time.

Cooking Class – A cooking class allows for a fun yet functional event. Better yet, at the end of the class you’ll have something to eat, so planning an extensive menu for the party isn’t necessary.

Even though nightclubs and crude games aren’t your thing, every bride deserves a special night out with her friends. Which idea is your favorite?

Travel Theme Wedding Ideas

Whether you are having a destination wedding or you and your partner love to go places, a travel theme will set the mood for your big day. Here are some ideas for creating a feeling of wanderlust for your wedding.

Passport Invitations – A passport style invitation sets the tone for your celebration. Martha Stewart shows an invitation for a bridal shower that could easily be adapted to your wedding.

Luggage Tags – Have luggage tags serve double duty as escortcards and favors. Just put the guest name and table number on the tag. These fun cruise ship luggage tags look elegant but are functional as well.

Table Numbers – Why not associate each table with adestination, as shown by Red Lotus Photography? As an added touch, tell a story about a time the two of you traveled there together.

A travel themed wedding is perfect for the couple who enjoys visiting new places. Bon Voyage!

Bridesmaid Thank You Gift Ideas

They’ve been by your side through thick and thin, and now your attendants are helping you orchestrate your big day. Your gift to your bridesmaids doesn’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful. Here are some DIY projects that won’t break your wedding budget.

Personalized Tote Bags –This bag looks fancy, but only you have to know the supplies for each bag can be purchased at a local craft store for about $5 each. Personalize each tote bag with the ladies’ first initials to make them feel special.

Photo Coasters – Everyone needs coasters! All Things Homie’s blog shows using wedding photos, but to create the coasters prior to the wedding, try using group photos from your shower or Bachelorette party.

Jewelry Roll and Necklace –These jade beaded necklaces look much more complicated that they are. If you like the look with their bridesmaid dresses, simply use ribbon and beads that coordinate. Present the necklaces in personalized leather jewelry rolls the ladies can use after the wedding.

Show your attendants how much they mean to you with by giving them handmade, personalized gifts they can use for years to come.

Bohemian Bride Style Guide

If you are looking for a bridal style that contains elements of whimsy yet isn’t too casual, the Bohemian style may be for you. The Bohemian style is known for having artistic flair and not always adhering to convention.  Here are some creative ways to add a touch of Boho style to your wedding.

Hair – A Bohemian bride’s hair shouldn’t look overly done – a natural look suits this style.   Elisa McLauglin Designs shows an easy DIY headband to be used for an unstructured updo.

Accessories – Arm Lace adds a bit of mystery and romance to the bridal look. Because it is not a common piece of jewelry, you are showing your individuality by wearing this accessory.

Shoes – Adding a ruffle of chiffon to boring shoes provides the artistic flair Bohemian style is known for. Best of all, Green Wedding Shoes shows you how to do this project yourself.

Dress – With decorative accessories and eye catching shoes, it is best to keep the dress relatively simple.   Bohemian Kate shows a lovely dress free of lace and beads, allowing the shape of the dress to take center stage.  

The Bohemian look is a good choice for the bride with individual style. Best off all, the fact that the Bohemian look is about being unique, there really isn’t a way to be wrong with your look.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame Wedding – How to Have a Baseball Themed Wedding

If you and your partner are baseball fans, a baseball themed wedding is a unique idea. Whether you are getting hitched in a casual stadium setting or a more formal location, there are many fun ways to incorporate baseball into your big day.

 

Guest Book Alternative – Rather than using a guest book, the bride and groom from this wedding show on Martha Stewart’s website had guests autograph baseballs. You will end up with a keepsake, and every guest will feel like an All Star.

Centerpieces – Just because your theme is sports related doesn’t mean you can’t add some feminine touches. Style Me Pretty shows a centerpiece that combines baseballs in glass vases along with flowers. 

Favors – Nothing says a day at the ballpark like Cracker Jacks! Wrap boxes for an inexpensive yet fitting favor.

Groomsmen and Ring Bearer Gifts – Carry the baseball theme into your Groomsmen and Ring Bearer gifts. Give the men in your wedding a personalized engraved Rawlings baseball bat. There’s also a smaller version available for Little Leaguers.

With a baseball theme, your wedding is sure to be a hit!

What to Do With Your Bouquet after the Wedding

Most brides have a small bouquet made for the traditional bouquet toss, meaning they now get to keep the flowers as a memento. Drying the bouquet as-is sure is an easy option, but the following ideas are creative ways to save your bouquet happily ever after.

Dried Petal Ornament – The blog Come On, Ilene shows you howto fill a glass ornament with flower petals. Empty glass ornaments are readily available at most craft stores. This keepsake is pretty enough to display all year, not just as a holiday ornament.

Framed Dried Flowers – Create a work of art using dried flowers from your bouquet. Martha Stewart shows you how to place dried petalsin a frame so you can display the flowers in your home.

Potpourri – Add some function to your dried bouquet by creating potpourri from the dried petals. Aisle Dash describes how to make the potpourri. Once you’ve made it, this special occasion vase is a great way to display the scented memento.

Keeping your bouquet can be a special way to commemorate your special day. Why not create something meaningful from the flowers to display in your home?

Unique Ways to Add Sparkle to Your Wedding Style

Sure, you have that sparkly engagement ring that started this wedding thing, but can a girl ever have enough bling? Here are some ideas for adding a bit twinkle to the big day.

Rhinestone Trim – Check out this Project Wedding idea, where a bride added rhinestone trim to her dress, which is a white version of a bridesmaid dress, to punch it up a bit. And the placement of the trim really brings a unique touch to this gown.

DIY Brooch Bouquet – Brooch bouquets have been trendy lately, and for good reason. This bouquet can be made using thrift store or heirloom jewelry. Best of all, the bouquet will not wilt and can be saved as a wedding day memento. Be sure to use some rhinestone pins to add the sparkle element.

Back Dangle – If you have a sleek gown with a plunging back, this back dangle necklace will call attention to your dress. This pearl, crystal, and rhinestone lariat necklace can be styled in multiple ways. Light bouncing off the crystals and rhinestones will bring a hint of bling.

Glittered Shoes – Adding a bit of glitter to the bottom ofyour shoes is a fun way to add a bit of sparkle to your wedding day attire. Never Naked shows how to glue glitter to the bottom of your shoes. Why not use blue glitter for “something blue?”

Every bride wants to feel lovely on her special day. Adding hints of sparkle will make any bride shine!

Planning a Formal Beach Wedding

When planning a beach wedding, you can either go casual or formal.  Here are some ideas for a formal seaside ceremony.

Invitations – Invitations are guests’ first impression about your wedding, so use the style to set the tone. For example, this invitationshown on Martha Stewart Weddings has a formal look with a fancy script font and gold writing, but the shell at the top adds the seashore theme.

Chairs for Guests – During casual beach weddings, guests typically stand during the ceremony. Having chairs at your beach wedding is not only a convenience for the guests, but adds a more formal flair by creating an aisle.

Coral Bottle Stopper Favor – This coral-looking bottlestopper favor immediately adds class to your reception. The shiny metal and white color scheme are timeless.

Your beach wedding should reflect your personal style. If you consider yourself traditional, a formal beach ceremony can blend the appeal of the ocean with time honored wedding style.

July 4th Wedding Ideas

If you are planning a summer wedding, Independence Day is a patriotic and unique theme. Whether you have your ceremony on July 4^th or just around the holiday, an American theme is an obvious choice. Here are some ways to incorporate some red, white and blue into your wedding.

Color Scheme – Red, white and blue is a fresh and bold choice for a wedding. Style Me Pretty shows bridesmaids wearing both red and navy dresses for a casual wedding.

Favors – The British love their tea, but Americans can’t resist a coffee based drink. These cappuccino wedding favors, with an American flag on the front, make a great favor for your guests.

Signature Drink – Martha Stewart’s Berry Spritzer, with its patriotic fruit garnish, is a refreshing way to serve sparkling wine.

Cake – While you can go all out with a flag or stars and striped themed cake, this cake shown by United with Love, adds simple touchesof red and white to the traditional white cake using berries. Very classy!

For a summer wedding, an Independence Day or Americana theme may be an obvious choice, but it doesn’t have to be predictable or boring if you use these ideas.

Beach Weddings: Ideas for Helping Guests Beat the Heat

When your wedding guests RSVPed to your beach wedding, they were probably thinking about enjoying a shore getaway. They may come dressed in strappy sundresses or a breezy linen suit, but are they prepared to beat the heat? Help keep your guests comfortable so they can enjoy your celebration. Here are some ideas for having happy guests.

Water – Warm salt water breezes can be surprisingly dehydrating. Add in heat, and you have an environment ripe for health problems. Provide guests with fresh, cold water to sip on to stay hydrated. Buy inexpensive water bottles in bulk at the grocery or big box store and then personalize them with these fun labels from Inspire the Bride.

Program Fans – Keep important ceremony information at your guests’ fingertips while these practical DIY program fans. In addition to the important details, attendees can create some moving air to help relieve the heat. Intimate Weddings takes the program fans a step further by providing guests with a fun activity on the back.

Flip Flop Favors – For guests that arrive in dress shoes, why not offer a complimentary pair of flip flops for them to wear on the beach, and later on the dance floor? Let the ladies get out of their heat trapping pantyhose and men out of their insulating socks to let their toes breathe. Jubilee Events shows some presentation ideas for the flip flops.

Carry the flip flop theme throughout the wedding with personalized sandals for the bride and bridal party, available here: Wedding Flip Flops.

Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness in keeping them cool during your beach wedding.

Creative Groomsmen Attire

Bridesmaids gather in a suite to do their make-up, hair, and put on fancy dresses. Groomsmen shower, shave and put on a rented tux. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?

Here’s a secret: guys like to be spoiled and feel special, too. Spice up the attire for the groomsmen with some of these creative ideas.

Golf Tee Boutonniere – If the groom is an avid golfer, these golf tee boutonnieres are whimsical and easy to make. Better yet, the supplies are inexpensive. 

Groomsmen Socks – A gift idea for the groomsmen, these special socks let the guys know their role in the wedding is appreciated. A fun photo opportunity is to have the groomsmen show their socks.

Cufflinks – Cufflinks are something every man needs, but few have. DIY Scrabble tile cufflinks can per personalized for each groomsmen. For another DIY cufflink idea, see Groomsmen Gift Ideas.

DIY Groomsmen Ties – Some may wear their hearts on their sleeves, but here’s a project where the groomsmen wear hearts on their ties. These personalized ties show extra effort, but because the heart is on the back of the tie it is subtle. 

Help take groomsmen attire from boring to unique with these ideas.