Here’s Rachel, with her final DIY project on 100LC.

We decided to rent the plainest, cheapest white tablecloths possible for our long dining tables. And since we weren’t having lots of fresh flowers or pretty place settings, we knew we’d want to use the napkins to add some color. The side benefit was that we got to have cotton napkins, which I love – they are actually absorbent, unlike the standard polyester ones you can rent from most places.

Napkins are easy enough to sew, but all that hemming is time consuming so I decided to start with pre-made napkins. If you’re having a smaller wedding, you could definitely save some money by making your own. Just start super early.

We wanted a striped look, but as we started playing with the process we found that we really loved the striped tie-dye effect we came up with. Have several extra napkins on hand so that you can experiment. Folding the napkins in different positions will give you stripes in different places and you’ll want to test your dye intensity and rinsing and drying procedures – all of these factors impact your final product.

Supplies:

Napkins (plain, sturdy cotton ones from here) – $250 for 180 napkins
Fabric dye (we used Rit powder) – $15 for several boxes with coupons
Salt – $2
Tubs for dying – used some storage containers we had
Gloves – had them

1. Prewash and dry all your napkins

2. Mix up your dye according to the instructions on your package, but with less water. We used Rit dye and we added the dye powder + 1/2 cup salt to 2 cups of hot water and then mixed that with an additional 4 cups of water. Depending on your desired intensity, you can vary this amount.

3. Fold the napkins. This is where you want to experiment. The placement of your stripes will vary based on how you fold the napkins.

4. Dip the folded edges of your napkins in the dye, holding for anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on how saturated you want them. The dye will gradually creep up a little.

5. Rinse your napkins in warm water, gradually decreasing the temperature to cool, until the water runs almost completely clear. If you want well defined stripes, rinse very well at this point. If you want stripes + solid color background, rinse them gently but don’t worry about getting to the clear water point.

6. Hang dry if you want better defined stripes. If you prefer your napkins to have softer stripes + solid color background, you can skip this step and put them directly in the washer.

7. Run the napkins through the washing machine on warm (if you’re doing multiple colors, only run a single color in each cycle!). The colors will bleed a bit, which I liked because it gave them a nice overall color with the contrasting stripes.

8. Tumble dry and fold. The color will be totally set at this point – no worries about it smearing on your guests if the napkins get wet.

Large batch operation

We folded napkins individually, then stacked them together, used a large binder clip to keep them in place and then filled an entire rectangular storage container (which had the dye in it) with rows and just left them to soak up the dye. We could do about 30 napkins at a time this way.

Total costs

We spent about $270 on this project. The cotton napkins are $1.53 each to purchase vs. 70 cents to rent. So yes, this definitely increased our expenditure, especially because we ordered enough napkins to accommodate our entire guest list, since we knew we wouldn’t have the final guest count in until much later. But I really loved the napkins, they were useful, and they did add a lot to our tables. We tucked the programs and menus right inside and they functioned as our seating labels as well.

Sources: DIY

What you will need:

Patterned paper

Pencil

Envelope template or an old envelope

Tape or glue

Eraser

Scissors

Glittered cardstock (craft shop)

Craft punch

Hole punch

Old stamps

A4 label sheet

Step 1
Use the envelope template (I found mine on Etsy) and trace the shape onto the patterned paper with your pencil. You can also open up an old envelope carefully and use as your template, it works just as well.

Cut out your shape and rub out any pencil lines. Fold the two sides of your envelope in and tape or glue in together. Then fold the bottom of your envelope up and tape or glue. I like to put my envelopes under a big book for a night the give them a nice crease.

Step 2
Print the bride and groom’s names and wedding date onto the label sheet in a nice font. I use an A4 sheet and print multiples.  Leave a good margin to the left so that you can wrap the label to the back of the envelope. Measure and cut a ‘<’ shape in the right side. Stick your label down.

Step 3
Punch time! Punch glittered shapes using the heart punch. Don’t be afraid to try other shapes – you can find punches at major craft shops like Spotlight or Lincraft or scrap-booking shops. Use the hole punch to punch small circles from the left over envelope paper, magazine pages or scrap papers that you may have around. I try to stick to the 60/30/10 rule when choosing colours – 60% of the main colour, 30% of a complimentary colour and 10% of a contrasting colour.

Step 4
Add in some old stamps to the mix. If the bride and groom are from different countries – try to find stamps from their respective countries for a personal touch. I have used Danish stamps (borrowed from my husband’s childhood collection) though you can find old stamps on Ebay or Etsy. Fill your envelope with the glittered shapes, small circles and stamps. Seal your envelopes and leave on the table for your guests to decorate for you.

I hope that you find this tutorial easy and inspiring!

Photography by Paperklip

Ms Gingham says: I always thought making envelopes would be WAY too hard but having read this I may even give it a whirl myself. No more hunting around stationery shops for the perfect envelope. Thanks to Melinda for sharing this great project with us.

About Melinda: Hello! My name is Melinda Andersen and I am thrilled to create a wedding craft project for Polkadot Bride.  I can usually be found over here at Paperklip – where I create garlands and place cards and paper things.

Here she is:

We knew we were having plain white linens for the dining tables, but we were hoping to make the other tables (escort, bar, gift, water, dessert, DJ, photobooth, chips) a little more exciting, so that they would function both as tablecloths and as decoration.

(Rachel’s master plan.)

I was looking at that Martha Stewart wedding idea where they have the gold metallic circles on the wall, made out of stick on decals. And I started thinking that it would be fun to do something like that for tablecloths. We kicked around a lot of ideas. We thought about making paper confetti overlays (the test run of this was AWESOME, but time consuming and we weren’t sure how easy they would be to transport) or using decals and then I realized that buying tablecloths is just a smidge (we are talking cents) higher than renting them. Sometimes it’s even cheaper, if there’s a sale.

I promptly bought table drapes (from here, because I found an online discount code) for all our tables that weren’t guest seating and an armload of fabric paint. I also ordered a dozen napkins, so that I would have the same fabric available for testing. Highly recommend this.

Supplies

Tablecloths in whatever length you need (we ordered from here) – $107 for 8 cloths in varying sizes
Blue painters tape – $5
Freezer paper (if you’re doing anything other than straight lines) – $3
Iron (if using freezer paper) – hopefully you have one already!
Fabric paint, in whatever colors you need (I use Jacquard Textile Colors) ~ $30
Paint brushes ~$6

1. Pre-wash and dry your tablecloths and test napkins, if using.

2. Test all your colors on the napkins, mixing custom colors as need be. Our coral was a mix of yellow, red and white and I mixed a big batch in a large jar.

3. Spread the tablecloth out on a covered surface (we used layers of newspaper). Really covered. The paint will seep through the fabric.

4. Tape off the areas you want to paint. We sketched out our design ideas ahead of time for all the striped tablecloths. I played the polka dot ones by ear. If you’re using freezer paper, you need to iron it into position (there are tons of tutorials for freezer paper stencils floating around – this one is nice and clear).

5. Paint! We only needed one coat.

6. Allow the tablecloths to set up for half an hour or so and then gently lift them off the covered table for a second and then put them back down in the same position. This seems silly, but if you let them dry completely without moving them a bit they’ll stick to the newspaper on the table.

7. Now allow them to dry fully (I’d give them an entire day, just to be safe) and then gently peel off the tape or freezer paper.

8. Toss them in the dryer on high for at least 20 minutes to heat set the paint. This could vary based on what fabric paint you use, which is why I recommend ordering napkins to use as your tests.

Notes

Keeping them from wrinkling is the tricky part, in my opinion. I ended up ironing all my tablecloths the morning of the wedding. Not so good. I would recommend delegating this task to someone with a good steamer, or shelling out for professional cleaning. A good cleaner will be able to hang the tablecloths in such a way that they won’t wrinkle.

Total costs

We spent about $150 on this project. To rent the tablecloths, it would have been $125, so in a practical sense, the additional cost of having custom tablecloths was $25 + several hours of our time.

Sources: DIY

DIY is always interesting topic for everyone, wedding cake is also one of popular one style. We will update it that in next time.

How To:

1. Open your book to the second page. Take your large square craft punch, turn it upside down (so you can see to guide and center it) and feed several of the right hand pages into the punch. Slide it towards the middle of the book as far as you can go, keeping it vertically centered. Squeeze the punch, and punch out the squares. Important: Do not punch a hole in the first page of the book.

Remove the punch, feed the next few pages in, center again and punch out the squares. Continue to punch out squares until you’ve created a hole that is at least 3/4 of an inch deep. (see #1)

2. On the page after the last punched page, glue down a scrap of decorative paper to line the bottom of the “well” you just created. (see #2 and #3)

3. Center the wider ribbon on the spine of the book. Glue the tail of the wider ribbon inside the back cover of the book. Wrap the ribbon around the outside of the book cover, and glue the other tail down inside the front cover.

Glue the first page of the book (the one without the hole punched in it) to the inside cover to secure and conceal the ribbon tail. Glue the last page of the book to the inside of the back cover to secure the ribbon. Allow to glue to dry. (see #4)

4. Open the front cover of the book. Use your brush to apply a generous coat of glue along the page edges on all three sides. Allow the glue to dry, then give it a second coat. Don’t close the book until it’s had a thorough chance to dry, otherwise, the “lid” could get stuck closed (see #5)

5. Center your smaller ribbon on the spine of the book, in the middle of the wider ribbon, and tack it down using a couple of stitches with your needle and thread. (see #6)

6. Take your flower, and stitch it down to both layers of ribbon on the front cover of the book. (see #7)

7. Place your rings in the well and tie the ribbon tails into a bow to securely close box. (see #8 and #9)

Sources: Do it yourself

I found this DIY project browsing around the web and just had to share it with all of you! It would be a beautiful diy project for autumn wedding decor like centerpieces or decorations or even in wedding bouquets! Plus, it is extremely affordable as you can get the leaves just walking around your neighborhood..for free!

Some tips before the photo tutorial…

• Choose bright, freshly fallen leaves – the more colorful the more vibrant your flowers will be! Avoid the crispy dry leaves..they will not fold and form into flowers without breaking.
• It is best to use leaves of a similar color for each flower..a group of yellow leaves make a beautiful yellow flower..etc.
• The original tutorial is not written in english but the translation mentions soaking the finished bouquets in vegetable oil for a few days to maintain color and freshness. I have not tried this though – so don’t take my word for it! Other preservation methods would be dipping the finished flowers in glycerin(1 part glycerin to 2 parts water, left in solution 2-6 days) or spraying with acrylic spray from your local craft store.
• The thread can be covered with a matching floral tape to give the flowers a more finished look.

Vessels in multiple create a luxe look (Photo Credit: Altura Studio)

The flower of the year? No surprise here—it’s the peony. “I don’t know if anything will ever upstage the peony,” says Beth. Kim Foren, a Portland, OR, event designer agrees, and also gives a nod to other fluttery blooms such garden roses, ranunculus and even frilly massed carnations. Kim predicts that white mini calla lilies will have a moment, and Beth expects resurgence for a wedding classic—the elegant orchid.

The age of the single centerpiece is over. 2012 will be all about collections, says Kim—lots of vessels, flowers and candles on the table to create a full landscape. Instead of one vase of calla lilies, she might do a scattering of different mercury-glass vases filled with mini bouquets of flowers. “The look is tons and tons of flowers, abundance— super sexy,” says Kim.

The color-blocked flowers stand out even more against a contrasting table runner (Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina/Created by: Dolce Designs Studio)

Beyond the bloom. Flowers won’t be the only botanicals peeping out from centerpieces this year. Succulents and herbs will both take a turn in the spotlight. Kim especially likes grouping clutches of fresh or dried herbs like rosemary and purple basil on a table.

Photo courtesy of Project Wedding

Natural still looks new. A wild-card centerpiece look from last year is still going strong. Terrariums—glass-domed arrangements of pebbles, flowers, succulents and found objects such as shells or bird’s nests—keep popping up on the wish lists of Kim’s chicest brides.

Photo Credit: Nina Barry; Courtesy of From the Hip Photo

Sources: Wedding Trends

The number-one trend for 2012? Top event designers across the country say that this is the year when formal black tie is making a comeback, a phenomenon they attribute to the enormous influence of the royal wedding. “The glamorous look is here to stay,” says Tara Guérard, a celebrity planner based in Charleston, SC.

Tall arrangements add a grand, formal flourish (Photo Credit: John Seakwood)

Whether the celebration is full-on formal or takes a more homespun, rustic route (still going strong, say the pros), color schemes have gone back to the classics. “Pink will be making a comeback,” says Tara. “You’ll see pale pinks in combination with neutrals such as champagnes and creams.” Chicago’s Debi Lilly, the go-to event designer for Oprah herself, agrees. “The color schemes for weddings always follow fashion. Right now it’s the nudes—oyster gray, pale gold. Just what we’ve been seeing on the runways and in all the fashion magazines.”

Think pink! It’s the wedding decor color of the year (Photo Credit: Liz Banfield)

But even as color gets softer, patterns get bolder. “Floral will always be big, because it is such a wedding classic,” says Tara. “But I love doing custom prints for our brides. And bold prints such as chevrons and stripes will be back in a major way.” In San Francisco, event designer Alison Hotchkiss reports that pattern is a big look for table linens. “We’re going back to the basics with our linens, using heavier textures and weights. We’re custom-making them with really graphic patterns on everything.”

As for illumination, luxe candelabras are taking center stage this year. While classic crystal chandeliers—especially used outside—are an important look, Los Angeles designer Beth Helmstetter (who planned Jenna Fischer’s I-do’s) predicts that 2012 will see towering candelabras with elegant taper candles. “It used to be all about pillars, the chunkier, the better,” she reports. But my brides are really interested in the look of tapers right now.”

Outdoor chandeliers impart a wildly romantic appeal (Photo Credit: Victor Sizemore Photography)

Sources: Wedding trends

“Set Sail” Frosted Glass Sailboat Tealight Holders available at Simply Elegant Favors.

Above deck! Dead ahead is the wedding ceremony of the decade. Are you a sailor? Absolutely love the water? This may be the wedding theme you’ve been searching for. Read on for how one bride created the nautical wedding of her dreams.

Start off by sending save the date and invitations that have a nautical look and feel. Sailboats, shells, lighthouse – whatever evokes the feeling of being at the ocean.

You can hold your nautical wedding in a country club, dockside, or around a crystal blue lake. A beautiful red, white, and blue color scheme makes it easy for you to start off the planning of your wedding. No frilly white dress for you – you’re a practical sort of woman. One who wants to be able to move and enjoy her wedding day. A classic empire waist wedding gown sets the tone for your elegant nautical wedding. Your beautiful A-Line cut dress with pearls and Swarovski crystals spread across the bustline accents your athletic curves. After all, you’re in fantastic shape from sailing and spending long days on the water. Your light summer tan provides you with a beautiful base and you glow throughout the day naturally.

Accent your wedding dress with an elegant, yet simple classic pearl and Swarovski Crystal bridal jewelryset. Your bridesmaids look positively radiant in the shimmering dresses you’ve selected – the exact blue of the sea that you love so well. To finish off your bridal party’s gorgeous look, select jewelry for bridesmaids in blue crystal These bridesmaid necklace sets make a great thank you gift for the support and help they’ve provided you in getting your day pulled together.

Your guests are having the time of their life drinking Blue Hawaiian Cocktails and nibbling on crab cakes with fruit and cheese appetizers while waiting to enter the ballroom. Your carefully selected music sets the mood for relaxing and having a good time. Think Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, and throw in some Bob Marley for a reggae beat your guests are sure to move to.

Lovely Nautical Theme Wedding Ideas from Tying the Knot

Your red, white and blue theme looks absolutely stunning to your guests as they enter the room designated for dinner. Each table has red, white, and blue tablecloths with alternating red, white, and blue napkins on top. Your guests are treated to a great nautical candle wedding favor at each place setting.

Your gift table also carries the red, white, and blue nautical look with your white wedding card holder sitting majestically in the center. Your stunning wedding cake has red roses cascading from the top down to the bottom layer.

The food you serve should remind guests of a trip to the beach. A great shrimp pasta dish is the perfect main course but be sure to offer a chicken pasta dish for your guests that don’t eat seafood. If you prefer a buffet, the meal will be even easier. Think carving roasts and turkey breasts with various cold salads. Sprinkle seashells throughout the buffet table.

After dinner, kick off your heels and head to the dance floor. Your guests are sure to quickly follow since the music you selected makes you want to get up and dance. If you’re holding your reception outdoors, this is the perfect time to launch red, white, and blue balloons to get the party rolling.

Now head off to that tropical beach for your honeymoon in delicious lingerie sure to bring a smile to your husband’s face. Enjoy your honeymoon because you’ve certainly earned it!

Denise Sanger is the owner of BuyWeddingFavorsOnline.com which has a diverse catalog of Wedding Favors and Baby Shower Favors along with a library of party planning resources. We are located in Sunny North Florida.    

Sources: Theme Wedding

Tissue paper pom poms (originally designed by who else but Martha Stewart) have to be the easiest, cheapest and most effective decoration for a party, wedding or bridal shower and I thought, after seeing them used so often that I would try my hand at making them myself and devise a tutorial for you, based on the Polka Dot Principle of keeping it easy but fun!

What you’ll need:

Tissue Paper – I used one pack per pom pom (each pack contained five sheets at 500x750mm)

18 inch lengths of floral wire (or if you’re cheating and time poor, a stapler will do!)

String to hang

Step One:

Martha’s tutorial recommends eight sheets of tissue paper for this, but I could only find tissue paper in packs of five sheets (maybe it’s an Australian thing?) so instead, I opened out the sheets and cut them in half and then stacked them. I love the extra fluff of a ten sheet pom pom, and I found this size really good to work with. They ended up making pom poms about the size of a dinner plate.

Step Two:

Accordian fold the tissue paper (I did this on the shorter side of my paper knowing that I didn’t want huge pom poms). Each fold should be around one and a half inches and it helps if you get your folds really tight and nicely creased.

Keep folding until it looks like this. One fold width.

Step Three:

Bring your floral wire around the centre of your paper and twist off. If you’re lazy or run out of wire, I found stapling the centre worked really well. If you’re using long lengths of string you can still easily tie around the middle. (Plus I managed to avoid poking my eye out this way too!)

Step Four:

Cut the ends of your strip into a rounded or triangle shape. It’s recommended to do sharp points for a dahlia ball, but I loved the softness of rounded edges. Accuracy doesn’t matter a great deal here (because cutting that many pieces of tissue perfectly is really hard!)

Step Five:

Start to separate out your folds by pulling gently so it opens out like a butterfly. Do one side at a time and be as careful as possible.

Step Six:

Here’s where it gets tricky! Start separating each piece of tissue. Pull the pieces towards you (as shown in the photo). When you’re feeling comfortable, it’s easier to hold the pompom with two fingers in the middle (pinching it) while you pull half the sheets out towards the top and half the sheets out towards the bottom. To get lots of fluff, make sure the centre of your sheets towards the wire is completely separated too.

Don’t worry too much about your shape, just keep carefully separating the layers.

Step Seven:

Voila! Behold your beautiful tissue paper pom pom! Now is the time to tie on your string and do the final fluffing to get your pom pom shape. The tissue paper is so easy to manipulate to get the shape and fluffiness that you desire. The more sheets you separate and arrange, the better, fluffier result you will have!

Photography by Polka Dot Bride