BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

I love centerpieces that are unique, elegant yet amazingly beautiful and these Birdcage Centerpieces are that and much more. I've added a few of my favorites for you below...



















Find birdcages for your DIY centerpieces here on Save On Crafts.

Have you been looking for instructions on how to make your own Brooch Bouquet because although you love them, you already know you can't afford to buy one? Well, thanks to Fancy Pants Weddings the answer to your prayers is right here...just one click away!

For all the DIY brides this is another project that you can save at least $50 if you choose to do it yourself and I am talking about your wedding map. If you are having your ceremony and reception at two different locations, especially if the second locale is more than 15 minutes away, then a Wedding map would come in very handy for your guests.



Another great reason to include a Wedding Map with the invitation would be for your out-of-town guests that may have a hard time getting around town and you don't want them to show up late on wedding day because they got lost getting to the ceremony or reception.

The video above is one of the best I've found on YouTube for making wedding maps but I also love the "How to create a 'My Map' in Google Maps" video as well. I really hope they will both be helpful to you as you plan your wedding and the wedding projects you want to tackle.

I've always loved the look of chapel length veils ever since I was a little girl and perhaps that is why I was a bit disappointed when I didn't see Kate wearing one on the day she married Prince William.
Chapel Veils run around a hundred dollars but those that are scattered with crystals or are trimmed with lace can cost you much more. However, I've found an awesome tutorial here at Rock My Wedding that you can use to make a chapel length veil for yourself! You will need a clear plastic comb, white tulle, white thread, a needle, a sharp scissors and some pins. If there is a Hancock Fabrics or Joanne Fabrics in your area it's easy to find all the items at any one of those two stores. However, some Walmart Supercenters still carry sewing supplies which are usually cheaper, so call around before buying the supplies anywhere else.

Here's a tip: If you would like to line the edge of your veil, you can also pick up some beautiful lace trim and apply it with a glue gun!

Many of us small budget brides have to resort to being DIY brides because it really does cut the cost of the wedding. There are many things that brides have to ebb because their budget but with time, patience and a little creativity there is so much you can tackle on your own.

Getting an aisle runner with your wedding initials and date may be something you've always wanted but they can cost as much as $200! For a Platinum Bride that wouldn't be a problem but a Bronze Budget Bride have to learn to get that same look for much less or skip it.

Have you thought about personalizing your aisle runner? You can do it and this is what you'll need:

*Aisle Runner
*Monogram Letters
*Acrylic paint
*Paint Brushes
*Wax Paper
*Tape



Heather Drive at Road To The Aisle did hers and as you can see from the photo above it came out great! If you want to learn how she did it, go here, to Road To The Aisle for instructions and please upload photos of yours if you decide to do the personalizing yourself because I'd really love to see it! Thanks!

To make these adorable Pinwheels for next event you'll need:

*Sheets of 12 " x 12" decorative paper

*Round headed pins

*12"  Wooden Sticks

*Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

*Push Pin

*Flower Craft Punch

*Scissors

*Ruler

You can find the detailed instructions for making them here at Wedding To Be!

                                         

These fun and fresh candles would be perfect reception table decorations! I'm making mine out of lemons to match my colour scheme, but you could do this project with any citrus fruit. Here's the tutorial.

Materials:

1 dozen lemons
A sharp knife
1 pound of beeswax 
A package of candle wicks with wick holders
A melon baller
Citronella oil (optional)

1. Cut the lemons in half lengthwise. Sqeeze out as much of the juice as you can, being careful not to tear or puncture the skin. Use the melon baller or a large spoon to scrape out all the pulp. You want them to be as clean inside as possible.

2. Melt the wax in double boiler or a small metal bowl over a pot of boiling water. Remove from heat once it is completely liquid. At this point you can add a few drops of citronella oil if you like. It has a nice lemony scent and repels bug as an extra bonus.

3. Cut three inches of wick and tie a knot at one end. Thread the free end through the wick holder and pull until secure.

4. Dip the wick and wick holder in the melted wax. This will stiffen it and make it stand up straight.  Press the wick holder into the bottom of the lemon and let the wick harden.

5. Pour the melted wax into each fruit half. Voila, you have a candle! Let the wax set overnight, and that's it!

This tutorial makes 24 candles. Being made from fresh fruit, they look their best within a day or two of making them.

By the way, save all that lemon pulp and juice for homemade lemonade or cooking. I'm going to use it to make lemon risotto for the reception. Killing two birds with one stone, groceries and decor!





 

I love the look that colored vases give but they can be expensive especially when a Bronze Budget Bride can find vases for just $1.00 at a local Dollar Tree or even here online at their website! Another option to using a colored vase would be to dye the water in the vase instead. It's an affordable way to make a cheap centerpiece look more Platinum!













You can find Water Dye here on Save-on-Crafts for $5.99!


Project: Wedding Bee, Indiamart, Wedding By Color, Project Wedding

I just finished painting my DIY "Thank You" Parasol.  I have seen them all around the web, while searching for wedding ideas.  I also came across a couple great tutorials on how to create one: 

Bride On A Budget: diy-thank-you-parasol-tutorial.html

Project Wedding.com: diy-thank-you-parasols

Project Wedding.com: diy-wedding-challenge-2010-thank-you-parasol

After seeing and reading these tutorials, I just had to try it! 

I purchased a fabric parasol off Ebay for a good price then I bought Fabric paint in both brown and black.  I thought I would use the black; however, it was pretty light.  I decided to go with the black fabric paint thinking it would show up nicer. 

I experimented with a couple different graphic programs, fonts, font sizes, etc. I ended up using the Print Shop Deluxe version 15.  I wanted to use a larger font but the program wouldn't allow me.  I used the Edwardian Script font.  I forgot the size I used but it was the largest I could "type in" and have it fit within the "text box".  I printed out the letters on card stock.  I cut each letter out, I didn't cut it perfectly though, I just cut around the letter. 

I opened the parasol, placed the letters on the inside and they were held in place with Scotch tape.  I looked through the "right side" until I was happy with the placement.  I traced the letters using a Sharpie fine point marker.  The Sharpie ink bled on the parasol material; however, it is really NOT noticeable after adding paint to the parasol.  I then left the parasol open to dry.

They are all around the web, the rustic, aged Bride and Groom signs.  I have seen them on Etsy and several wedding blogs. I often search the web for DIY ideas that I might be able to complete.  I am NOT crafty.  I am NOT artistic but I do like to think that I am at times. I am on a budget so DIY works for me.

I came across another DIY bride blog: Happily After All.  She had the perfect DIY project for me, DIY chair signs.  Mrs. Happily got her inspiration from a crafter on Etsy, The Back Porch Shoppe.

I decided to go to the craft store, Michael's, and purchase some supplies.

    * 2 wooden plaques (about $3 each)
    * dark brown acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
    * off-white/cream acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
    * Crackel paint kit (about $20) - enough to do multiple signs
    * medium grain sand paper
    * fine grain sand paper
    * tack cloth
    * sponge brushes
    *  brushes
    * stencil material
    * exacto knife
    * flat clear spray paint

I first sanded the two wooden plaques with the medium grit sand paper.  I used the tack cloth to remove the dust.  I then painted the plaques with the dark brown acrylic paint and allowed it to dry for 30 minutes.  I then applied a second coat and allowed to dry for about an hour.

I then sanded the painted plaques with the fine grain sand paper and again used the tack cloth.  I then applied the crackle medium and allowed to dry for 45 min to an hour and applied a second coat and allowed to dry about an hour.  I then applied a coat of the off-white paint.

The off-white paint started to crackle quickly.  I had read not to go over the crackled area more than once.  I applied a coat, and I wasn't happy with how thin the coat looked (be sure to apply a thick coat), so I applied another coat of the cream paint.  This, in turn, created very little of the crackled effect.  I then allowed this to dry for a couple hours, then sanded and used the tack cloth.

I then went through the steps again with the brown paint.  This time, when it came to the off-white paint, I only apply one thicker coat.  I allowed this to dry until the next day.

I then found a font on Microsoft Word that I liked and wanted to use for "Bride" and "Groom".  I used the Blackadder ITC font.  I thought it would work well for our Renaissance Festival Wedding.  I printed out "Bride" and "Groom" a few times experimenting with font sizes.  I then found a size that would work well for the signs.  I printed them out.  I placed a clear, stencil type material over the words and used an exacto knife to cut them out.

I centered the stencils I made on the signs and used a pencil to trace the words on the plaques.  I then used the brown acrylic paint to paint the words.

 I allowed the signs to dry over-night.  After they dried, I applied an antiquing wash over the signs that came with the crackle paint kit.  This gave a brown wash over the plaques which seemed to age it a bit.  I allowed the wash to dry for awhile and then applied several coats of the flat clear spray paint as a top coat.

My reception will be under a tent, with picnic tables; therefore, I won't use them as chair signs.  I will probably affix them to the side of the table.  Since I may not be hanging them, I won't put on the ribbon you would need to hang them.  For the ribbons, you could drill large holes at the top or use a light to heavy duty stapler to staple ribbon on.

Here is my finished project: