DIY adventures

So inevitably, after reading so many lovely blog posts of amazing DIY projects and amassing a long list of to-dos, I hit the 3-month mark, gulped, looked at my list and decided that I need to start DOING!

I calculated that if I average one project a week until the wedding, I would manage to complete 12 entire projects – and probably more, considering that I will certainly do lots of little projects that last week before the festivities.

So I decided to choose projects that I could do now, without the benefit of an exact guest count or seating arrangements, etc.

My first project was DIY Cocktail Stirrers. Yes, this is a totally weird thing to start with, but as I said, I wanted to do SOMETHING and this seemed very doable. I went out and purchased what I needed (which, in Germany, is not always an easy task – but I managed) and got started.

These were VERY easy and I think they look delightful. All I did was cut bits of ribbon, hot glue them to the stirrers and cut the ends into a flag shape with scissors or pinking shears. Finished. I made 80, thinking approximately one for each guests. Looky looky!

My second project was the table numbers – I figured I will probably have approximately 8 tables, and I found these wonderful plastic frames at Ikea for 99cents that stand up on a little round foot and are two-sided. The man at the cash register thought I was CRAZY for buying 24. Yes, 24. The first eight are the numbers themselves – I love how simple these were and how great (I think) they look.

All I did was cut rectangles of pretty napkins/wrapping paper/cloth and then printed a big number (font size 300) in the lovely (free!) font “A Yummy Apology” and slipped them between the two plastic sheets into the frames. Tada! The great part about these is that they are light, easy to read, simple, and the little feet can be unscrewed for easy compact transport. SCORE.

I know, you’re wondering “what is she doing with the other 16?” Well, I saw this amazing idea on a blog a while back – I can’t remember anymore which one – to use photographs with the table numbers of us at that age. For example, table 3 would have photos of each of us at age 3. COOL! So the other two frames at each table will contain photos of us at those various ages. I still have to do this part, but it will get done this week for sure.

Here is what the numbers look like so far:

My third DIY project was my wishing tree. I followed these instructions from Wedding Chicks, only I couldn’t find a Manzanita Branch here. Actually, I didn’t look that hard, I just want to (ever lovely) Viktualeanmarkt  and bought some curly branches – these ones were called “Korkenzieheräste” – corkscrew branches!!! (which I now know after wikipediaeing it are called "Chinese Willow Branches")

I followed the instructions to the letter, including sticking the branches in foam (MESSY!)

stuffing paper around the foam

Then, I mixed the plaster

and poured it in. Actually, it wasn’t really enough, but I let it harden anyways and decided that it was ok.

I then added some easter grass (hehe) and some straw like stuff.

TADA! Wishing tree.

Now all I need to do are the little wish cards. We are thinking of setting this out during our prosecco toast after the ceremony when people are feeling (hopefully) inspired.

What do you think of my projects?!

little guys...

I want to collect these guys and set them up all around the venue. Thoughts?

Shabbying it up

I really like the shabby chic look - mixed up vintage pieces, pretty wildflowers, antiquey-looking signs... Since my venue will be providing all linens and plates, silverware, etc, I am looking for easy and inexpensive ways to "shabby" the place up. Last weekend at the Kempten Flea Market, I had inspiration!

the Kempten Flea Market in full swing

I decided to collect blue and green glass bottles and bowls of different sizes and shapes. Later they can be filled with flowers and placed on the bar or the dessert table. We'll see how many I can collect!

So far, this is what I found (in one day of searching)

I vowed not to spend more than 2 Euro apiece: MAYBE 3 if I really like it.

Pretty, right?

We were thinking about other ways to incorporate vintage items into the wedding and I came up with these:

Vintage Edelweiss postcards! A symbol of our wedding. (and possibly a song to be played at the ceremony). Not sure how we will use these yet - any ideas?

How did you add your own personal touch to your reception venue?

Flowers - Inspiration Board

As you know, we have been back and forth on our colors, but we finally had an epiphany with this color scheme. So it's set! Blue for the sky, green for the meadows. All different shades, but mostly bright and happy and modern. Using this set, I surfed the wedding net combing for flowers I like (and turning around to Mr. Schnitzel every now and then to yell: baby, what do you think of this one?)  Here's a compilation of what we came up with. Mostly: modern, fun, pretty, not too formal. And blue and green, possibly with bits of purple and yellow, we'll see. My mom was happy that the Hydrangeas are back in the picture...

sources (clockwise from top left) large_image.jpg, San Diego Wedding by Erin Hearts Court, III, Style Circle Standout Inspiration Boards, Kristine’s, blooms-by-martha-andrews+17265, blooms-by-martha-andrews+17257

How did you get inspiration for your flowers? Did you change your mind every five minutes about your color scheme?

Planning a Halloween Party - Wedding-Style!

So this post is a little off topic, but since I am waiting to post about my preparations for writing my bridal party letters (I am starting to get concerned about them - two of the girls have received them, but two haven't responded yet! I hope they made it safe and sound!!) until they arrive, I thought I would digress slightly and tell you about how I am putting some of my newly acquired wedding planning skills to use:

Planning my Halloween Party!

Here are the elements that I have decided on:

DRINKS

Slime Punch

Bloody Black Current Punch

creepy shots:
jäger (label: black death)
erdbeer limes (label: bloodthirsty)
jello shots (black? Orange? Green? Not sure what color of german jello I can come up with)

Beer (Mr. Schnitzel suggested calling it "Virgin Juice" but that is incredibly vulgar sounding and I'm not even sure what he means by that?)

FOOD

black candy corner

ladies fingers and men's toes
except that I will be using store bought pastry instead of making the dough.

"devilish eggs" wait, a great idea from shoestring jetsetter: these: Spooky Spider Eggs

mummy dogs

Jack-o-Lantern Cheeseball (something like this recipe, but perhaps without the poppyseeds?and something to make it orange (paprika?)

DECO

Gauze-wrapped candy bowls
Black shapes on the windows and crepe paper curtains
table cloths (plastic)
floating candles in the bathroom tub (the only place I trust candles at this party)
lotsa jackolanterns
furniture wrapped in white sheets
appropriate lighting

GAMES

Costume contest
Flip cup (the germans really loved this last year)
Other game ideas? Something easy that doesn't require too much "organization"

We will also have a photobooth in our cleaning closet - we aren't sure how to best document the photos. Should we just let people take them with their own digicams? Should we provide ours? Should we rig something up? Or should we spring for a Polaroid? Decisions Decisions!!

Other deco thoughts:

scary movie running the background (suggestions?)
music, of course! But dancy music, instead of scary music. Maybe scary music in the bathroom?

So, those are my thoughts! We have the car on Friday so we're off to buy the heavy stuff ? beer and other drinks and pumpkins!! Hooray for Halloween.

Oh, and my costume: the winning idea at the moment is for he and I to dress up as Bacteria. Like wear green and have purple dangly things coming off of us. change of plans. We are now planning on dressing up as zombie bride and groom. FUNNY and good practice. What do you think?