Tag Archives: DIY

Get to know… Wedding in a Teacup

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I breathe a sigh of relief when I come across something different in the world of weddings. in fact there was probably a little giggle and clap of the hands when I first spied the Wedding in a Teacup site, as it is all I love about being creative… Lots of little bits and bobs to inspire you for wedding stationery ideas, little details, and general lovliness.
And if DIY isn’t your style, or you just really don’t have the time, then Hester has some original, quirky and fun stationery designs with lovely typography and graphic elements, inspired by Victorian music hall flyers… Based in Brighton she’s surrounded by inspiration and a very creative hub!

So, lets meet the face behind the site, and creator in residence at Wedding in a Teacup, Hester Lear.

Tell us a bit about yourself…

My name is Hester, I’m 28 years old and I live in Brighton with my husband. I’m a bit of a fashion junky and I love nothing more than eating out with friends and family.

How did you start doing what you do now?

So many people say their own wedding inspired them to work in the wedding industry, and it was the same for me. My (now) husband proposed in February last year, and we were keen to tie the knot that summer, so we had to move fast. The wedding world was completely new to me – I discovered wild and wonderful blogs showcasing a dazzling variety of inspirational weddings, and I fell in love with the creativity and diversity of it all.

However, most of the retail world was miles away from these exciting blogs – still only catering for the very traditional bride with lots of sparkles, white, and silver. I found myself spending hours trawling the Internet for the simplest of things – such as a classy, unfussy Guest Book, or printed pure cotton ribbon – and I kept thinking how wonderful it would be to have unusual, non-mainstream products, creative tools and ideas all under one appealing roof!

I have a background in fashion buying – a career I chose with the dream of one day having my own boutique – and an alternative wedding boutique seemed like my dream made reality. Not only did I get to combine my passion for style, stationery, all things natural, craft, and quirky bits and bobs, but I could be involved in helping people create such a happy and special event. It’s a real honour and such a positive thing to be doing every day!

What makes you get up in the morning and do what you do?

It’s the opposite for me – I have to force myself to stop and go to bed!! It’s just the pure excitement of starting your own business and seeing everything you have had in your head out there for all to see, and the best bit – people seem to get and like what you’re doing! There really is nothing better than getting a thank you email from a happy customer.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I honestly don’t mind any part – packing orders or stuffing seed packets can be quite soothing – and every day is different. I love the creative bits best, though – designing and making new things. And it’s always a thrill when you find a new supplier whose items fit perfectly with what you’re trying to achieve.

Where do you look for inspiration?

I’m slightly addicted to wedding blogs! I just love the real weddings that they showcase – real brides and what they create are my inspiration (and I’m a sucker for a happy ending).

What makes you smile?

The sea, stormy or sunny. Unlocking the door to my own office every morning. And my brand new god daughter – and my husband.

What is a particular favourite moment from your job so far?

The day that sticks out is when my first orders really started to come in. It was my dad’s birthday, just after Christmas 2011, and I’d launched the site a couple of weeks earlier. I’d already had a few orders (mostly from friends!) but suddenly on this particular day they started to stream in – it was wonderful! I was with the three people who’d really helped me make it happen – my mum, dad and husband – and I’d squeal ‘Got another one!’ and they’d all cheer – we had double celebrations that day!

Thanks Hester. I hope you’ve inspired lots of people to get stuck into  being creative for theIR wedding… My (now) hubby & I spent any an evening hanging out, gluing & sticking before our wedding… Quality Time!

Step by Step DIY – Make a Vintage Birdcage Veil

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It is so easy-peasy to do, and pretty cheap, so if you are still trying to decide to-veil-or-not-to-veil, then I definately recommend giving this a go anyway.
The birdage veil can be just a token, not even going over the face, or can be the full face length. So choose the length of lace appropriate for what you want. This one covers about half the face.

{Step 1}
So before you get started, this is what you’ll need: Continue reading →

DIY Ideas: PhotoBooth & Guestbook in-one

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If only the photographer did have time to go round getting snaps of all your guests… but it is inevitable that someone will get missed… and they are busy capturing you and the details of your day…

So unless you are going to hire a Photobooth, DIY is the way forward.

{Step One}
Your friends will love to be an important part of the day, so just ask someone you trust, who knows how to hold a camera the right way up, to be nominated photo takerer…

Image Via Rock’n'RollBride

{Step Two}
Make (or buy) blackboards. For a DIY tutorial using blackboard paint check out Rock’n'RollBride

{Step Three}
Arm nominated person with some chalks or chalkboard pens and a damp cloth.

Photo Via Andy Clarke Images{Step Four}
Your helpful photographer can either be a roaming guest-capturer, eg during the drinks, whilst people are waiting for photos etc, or you could set up a little corner at your reception with a curtain and a box of props for some fun pictures. And you can get involved too…

Handy Tip!
Make sure you have more than one chalkboard, Three would be great. As people take ages to write messages and you can be cleaning one off and taking photos whilst other guests are writing theirs. Get a chain going…

{Step Five}
On return from honeymoon, when you get the disk of images, modern technology (I sound like my granny!) means it is uber easy to create your own guestbook from the photos using an online service such as Photobox  – your own-guestbook-come-photoalbum.

Easy Peasy! Have Fun!

Crafts Central Gets Hitched Highlights

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Last night we were partying down in Clerkenwell for the launch of the Handmade Wedding Fair, featuring designer makers from Crafts Central. Sipping bucks fizz and having the odd cake-shot for energy, there were tunes-a-plenty, and loads of ladies browsing the displays, and having their pics taken in the fun pop-up photobooth.

The fair runs all weekend, including today from 4-8. Here were some of my favourite finds for your wedding (gift list ideas coming later):

Make your own… Shoes!
Hetty Rose makes stunning shoes made from recycled kimono fabrics – so expect some gorgeous colours. Each pair is made to order, from the fabric you choose.
Even better than that – you can make your own! Hetty runs workshops where you learn how to make your own slingback heels. At £195 it won’t be a hen-party activity, but why not grab a best mate and head over to make you both a pair. They would look perfect with a tea-length wedding dress and bright flower bouquet, and will definately be worth the cost-per-wear once you have taken them on honeymoon and out on the town on your return… More photos and details of courses

Quirky wedding rings
Looking for something more interesting than a plain gold band, or something a bit playful (as to be honest, wearing a wedding ring can feel a bit grown up!) – Oxx jewellery has some fun designs that come in his&hers sets. Each of the rings in full circle has a cut-out which creates a whole when placed next to each others. The dot-to-dot design has one ring with a raised circle, which fits the relief dip in the other – Cute! Or the kiss kiss rings each have a pinched pont which can be made to look like the rings are kissing…
They can be made to order in yellow or white gold, silver or platinum – so choose the one to best suit your budget. See website for more designs & prices

Ceramic for everything!
What a versatile material – well, maybe it depends how creative you are…but Abby Munroe definately has amazing vision for ceramics. She creates delicate jewellery, acessories, homeware and more all made from ceramics. The shaped pieces are amazingly fitting as the base of fascinators or birdcage veils, and with the lace embossed pattern they really blend in with the rest of the piece.
When she isn’t making ceramics, she is styling them – after collecting over 100 sets of crockery for her own vintage style wedding, Abby now hires them out for others (saving you hours trawling charity shops) and will come and style your venue too:
See more photos & info

Here are the details for the Crafts Central Gets Hitched so you can pop along this weekend:
Late Night Shopping on Fri 23 March 4-8pm
Avoid the High Street crowds on Sat 24 March 11am – 5pm
and Sun 25 March 12-4pm
FREE ADMISSION

 

Create your own family heirloom

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I love the idea of starting new traditions. I’d love an idea I had to pass down through time. And above all I love vintage jewellery – so these bridal brooch bouquets are a combination of all thesew things – not only timeless, stunning and original, but will pass down the generations.

Anna Hardy recently photographed the wedding of Dawn & John (above), where Dawn had made her own bouquet, and fabric versions for her bridesmaids.

A few weeks ago we told you about MadeNew jewellery who use old brooches, pendants and charms to make gorgeous necklaces, bracelets and accessories. Well, Fancy Pants Weddings have written an amazing tutorial to take you step by step through creating your own bouquet.

There are loads of places to get these old brooches from if you don’t have 50-85 hanging around. Car boot sales are an amazing resource – though it does involve getting up early on a Sunday morning. A couple of visits should get you enough for one bouquet.

I really can’t imagime how brides planned wedding before the internet – just have a look and there are some amazing ideas out there to inspire – In particular, Rock’n'RollBride. Just remember to mix and match to make your wedding day how you want it, to represent your characters, not just a carbon copy of magazines.

Top tips for a top notch DIY wedding video

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Shoot it yourself – well, maybe not you, but an usher or reliable friend could do it.

A little point-and-shoot camera may not be the best quality, but the people at Shoot it Yourself (as seen on Dragons Den last week) have thought of that. They rent you the quality stuff you’ll need,give you the know-how and top tips for how to shoot the wedding, and they’ll even edit it for you afterward. Hows that for a plan!

There will be no difficulty in getting your groom’s mates to volunteer once they hear about the top of the range Sony Handicams – Just don’t let them drint too much or your Nan may need to take over… It will be great having a video shot in your style, with personal touches and get away from a stuffy montage. You will be much more chilled out with your mates behing the camera that it will be a more natural feel, and makes the day, and the lasting memories better for you!

So what are the Shoot it Yourself top tips for your DIY wedding video? Well here are just 5 for starters:

  1. Don’t waste time on filming details like table decorations or flowers – the photographer will have these covered. Focus on getting fun interviews and personal messages from friends and family, these are what the bride and groom will want to remember 20 years from now.
  2. Make the most of your up close and personal access to the bride and groom; for example you can film them getting ready with their parties in the morning, complete with pre-wedding jitters! They are sure to be more relaxed with you behind the camera, so don’t worry about asking them how they’re feeling or if they have any messages for their other halves before they walk down the aisle.
  3. Have a look for examples of good videos online; there are plenty of good ideas you could organise, like group sing-a-longs, which people always love to get involved in! Weddings do involve a lot of standing around and drinking so take the opportunity to film some comedy action shots!
  4. Why not set up a video diary room at the reception for after the speeches? There are usually a few hours to kill before the First Dance and people are already feeling a bit tipsy. Put the camera on a tripod in a spare room and direct people to leave their tops tips for a successful marriage to the bride and groom.
  5. Filming is the easy part; it’s often editing the video that is people’s downfall! Look to the pros for the finishing touches that will make your video stand out. Shoot It Yourself use the latest editing software to incorporate personalised graphics, contemporary music and special effects to turn your precious day of filming into a YouTube masterpiece.

And if you want to ask guests to contribute towards the cost, add it onto your wedding gift list…

Cheap & Easy Favour Ideas #1

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Plants in glass jars

We love this creative and cheap favour idea from Daisy & Ben via Emma Case Photography.

Loads of plants self seed, creating more little plants than you can handle and spreading halfway across your garden, or your parents, or neighbours… Get them to plant up herbs, flowers or any spare seedlings into clean jars of various shapes and sizes and coordinate them by tying a ribbon round the neck. Et Voila!

Image via Emma Case Photography

Handmade Wedding Fayre

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We are now in the throws of wedding fayre season. There are so many it is hard to know which will be the best for you…

Many hotels host wedding fayes in low season so you can go and look at local venues and meet local vendors (great to know the vendors are close by and so cutting down on those wedding-miles!)

The great thing about these fayres is that you meet lots of vendors all in one fell swoop, saving you time searching the web or the yellow pages – and the services they provide can also save you time, but at a cost.

What about if you want to make the invites, sew the bridemaids dresses, bake the cupcake tower and arrange the flowers? If you have the time (and are well organised) there is nothing stopping you – but you may want some expert advice on how to go about it and get some inspiration.

Well, there is now a wedding fayre dedicated to all things handmade and will be held in Truro this Sunday 6th Feb. Styled as an afternoon tea event, including bubbly, there will be hourly how-to workshops to give you ideas and expert crafting advice, as well as being able to meet lots of local designer-makers with fresh ideas for making your wedding unique. For more details check out the Handmade Wedding Fayre Facebook page.

And if you can’t get to Cornwall then lets hope we can pursuade some creative types to start expanding the idea to other areas of the country. In the meantime check out some DIY wedding ideas and save time by being super organised with an online wedding to-do-list.

Raise your glasses…to homemade

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Here are some ideas for fresh and delicious summer drinks to serve to your wedding guests. These cooling beverages are just as easy to make in small quantities as large – so if you are just having a summer garden party or a large wedding reception, you can get stuck into making scrummy welcome drinks for your guests:

Homemade Ginger Beer – serves 8
1/2 tsp yeast
1 lemon – juice and rind
2tbsp grated root ginger
1 cup sugar
2l bottle

Add all the ingredients to a 2l bottle (an empty lemonade bottle works perfectly – but make sure it has a sturdy lid. many water bottles have short lids which have a tendancy to pop off when the pressure gets too high) and add a couple of cups of water. Shake well until the sugar is dissolved. Fill the bottle to about 2″ below the top, put the lid on really tight and leave the bottle somewhere warm for a couple of days or until the bottle goes rock solid. To stop the fermenting, pop the bottle into the fridge to chill. You will need to be really careful when you open the bottle that it doesn’t fiz everywhere… When you are ready to serve, strain the liquid into glasses with ice and garnish with slices of lime, or sprigs of mint.

If you want to make lashings and lashings of ginger beer for summer adventures, then buy those large waterbottles from the supermarket and multiply the ingredients in proportion to their size. You may need to leave more than 2″ space at the top to allow for more expansion.

Raspberry lemonade
The easiest way to do this is just to crush handfulls of raspberries and add to bought-lemonade. Add a few whole raspberries per glass for garnish.

As usual, my mum is the absolute authority on all things homemade and recipes. Here are two scruptious drinks I remember from my early days…

Basic lemonade
This recipe isn’t fizzy but delicious non-the-less. It makes a cordial that is much easier to transport to the reception venue and then add chilled water & ice.
1.5 lb sugar
1/2 oz citric acid & 1 tsp /tartaric acid  (get them from your local chemist)
Put into a large basin and add 3 pts boiling water. Stir well until sugar has melted
Add juice of 3 lemons + strips of rind from 2. Leave overnight, strain & bottle

You can sterilise bottles & lids and keep the cordial in cool cupboard, but it also stores in fridge for a couple of weeks or in washed-out milk cartons in freezer if you want to make it in advance.

Elderflower Cordial
The smell of the elderflowers in hedgerows at this time of year is overpowering. Pick a few flower heads to make a delicious alternative (a lot cheaper than) ‘Green Bottle’
3lb sugar
2pts boiling water
2oz citric acid
2 medium lemons sliced
stir well until sugar has melted, then stir in 20 large young elderflower heads (shake to release any insects!). Leave overnight, strain & bottle. Storage as per the lemonade above.

To sterilise bottles to keep the cordials in if you are making in advance: Simply wash glass bottles and their lids really well and put in boiling water. After a few minutes place them on a baking tray in the oven to get rid of any germs. Take them out and leave to cool before pouring the cordial in.

Fab favours for £1 or less

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When prioritising what you want to spend your money on for your wedding, little extras such as favours make a nice touch, but can often be just done for the sake of it, spending money on something with little thought. So here are some ideas for thoughful and personal gifts that cost less than £1 per guest:


Sew little fabric bags for each person for them to fill up at a candy bar during the reception (use left over fabric that has been sitting at your mum’s house since you were 5). Sew the persons name onto the bag, or add a luggage tag, and it can double up as a place card. Borrow storage jars of different sizes from friends, or search for them on freecycle, then visit the local cash & carry to fill them with different types of sweets – it makes a really colourful display. (Image above via Amy Atlas Events, NYC)
Time per favour: 15mins
Cost per favour: 5p for fabric, 2p for luggage label, 50p for sweets

Is your mother-in-law-to-be green fingered? Ask her to plant bulbs in little pots for each guest. A couple of narcissus bulbs would be perfect. The plant-tag with care instructions sticking in the soil can double as a name card. You will probably need a roll of sandwich bags available for guests to carry it home without spilling soil everywhere…
When the plant flowers later in the year (and every year after that) they will remember you both and your fabulous day.
Time per favour: 15mins
Cost per favour: 50p for mini plant-pot, 30p for bulbs, 5p for label

Home-made with love: For domestic goddesses, consider a homemade favour. If the thought of a weekend in the kitchen sounds like bliss, then why not make a batch of fruit jam for your wedding guests? Buy mini jam jars from www.freemanharding.co.uk, and add a handwritten label. (Or if you are uber organised, ask friends to collect up all their glass jars for the months before the wedding)
Time per favour: 15mins
Cost per favour: 5op for fruit, 2op for jar tops, 5p for labels

Give a charity donation of  £1 on behalf of every person – print them each a little card telling them which charity. If you have time you could make it one that is specific to them, or theme it around each table. Again, the little card can double up as a name placecard (see a theme developing here?)
Cost per favour: £1

Seed cards – a little book of 10 plantable forget me not seeds – 10 books for £9.99 – from Confetti.co.uk. Or you can get personalised ones – 50 for £39.99 – so if you know you have 100 guests it actually saves you money. If you have 90 guests, or 130, then the extras you could send to relatives or friends who couldn’t make it on the day along with their thank you card. They will feel so loved and appreciate the thought…much easier than sending cake to put under their pillow!
Cost per favour: Max 99p

Mini paper bags and cones are so easy to make – save £’s by making them rather than paying £1 each for fancy boxes and then having to pay on top for the contents… fill them with sweets, confetti, rose petals, chocolate, love hearts… you are only limited by your imagination.
To make a mini paper bag, get a book about the same size as the bag you want, wrap the paper (colourful, or in your theme colours) around the book as if wrapping a present, but leave one end open. Ta Da! Tape a little string/ribbon handle on the inside if required.
Time per bag: 5 mins (max!)
Cost per favour: 2p for paper, 5-10p for handle, 50 for contents…

Try to make the favour personal to you as a couple, or to fit with the theme of the day to make guests remember it, and to show them your appreciation for their presence (and presents!)

What other ideas have you come up with? Or which will you be doing? Leave us a comment below…