{guest post} outdoor library wedding from luna & chloe weddings

I am beyond delighted and honored to be guest posting today on Postcards & Pretties.  I can't tell you how much I adore Chris' blog.  And I have to tell you that she is just the absolute sweetest!  For these reasons I wanted to create something special for her and you (her lovely readers), which is why I put together a little wedding photo shoot for today's post. 

Inspired by my vintage books, a library check out card that I found in one of them and the magnolia's that are in bloom right now, this is what I created under the magnolia trees..

For the escort cards I created a library check out card that has each person's name on it as well as the title and author of a book.  The book name corresponds with the table that they are seated at.  So in the picture below you can see that Wes Barkley is seated at the Cluny Brown table.

For the table I kept the decor simple...

And I had to create a little lounge area...

A perfect little spot for books and bride bingo!  I hope you enjoyed my photo shoot as much as I did creating it!  And I hope you are inspired to create some of your own details for your event...because with a couple paper elements - escort, sign in and menu cards, a handful of decorations and some amazing blooms...you can easily DIY!

~ Ciao

{p.s}
 love those library cards...how about the font used? 
kristi was kind enough to included a {free printable} and {font} link too. yay!!

{blog} | {twitter}

{diy} butterfly terrarium

let go back...waaaaay back in april where i created my first {diy}. do you remember it? if not here's the link. 

so, the other day i ransacked my craft closet {yes i have one...doesn't everyone?} and decided to create a simple and inexpensive centerpiece. 

what do you think? i know the photography isn't the greatest but i'm working on that.

you want to know the best part - each little butterfly terrarium cost less than $5 each. sweeeeet!!!

{materials}

hydrangeas {artificial or real} *i used real ones from my garden

clear vase

10" paper doily

mini wired butterflies

ribbon 

{directions}

{1.} cut the stem off just below the hydrangea head

{2.} carefully insert hydrangea inside the vase {depending on the size of your hydrangea, you might need to use two}

{3.} insert mini wired butterfly

{4.} place paper doily on top of the vase opening and tie ribbon around it. 

{5.} place it on your table and let your guests oh & ah about it

{diy} pebbles

who knew with a little white acrylic paint or vintage doilies could transform a basic beach pebble into a work of art.  

{indie fixx} {geninne's art blog via simplesmente branco}

how pretty would those pebbles look scattered on a table ... think of all the possibilities

{martha stewart weddings}

eclipse

 last night i was among all the twi-hards and watched the twilight saga: eclipse at midnight {like i did for the previous two films}.

today's post is my ode to this enchanting love story. i spotted this gorgeous twilight inspired wedding a while back via {hostess blog}.  i love how you get the feel of the story with such subtle details. i especially love the gorgeous cake from {sweet and saucy}.

{diy}

download twilight inspired fonts via {here}

*p.s. - i'm lovin a skinny tie for grooms

{tunes}

can you picture walking down the aisle to this song {my love by sia } from the twilight's saga eclipse soundtrack

:: swoooooon ::

did anyone see the midnight show...what did you think?

{diy} destination printables

if your having a destination wedding in the..

{country}

{city}

or

{beach}

 you'll love these useful templates from {martha stewart weddings}. these lovely printables keep your guests informed and make a destination wedding run smoothly and organized.

newsletter printable {here}

concierge & friend button printable {here}

door hanger printable {here}

reserved sign printable {here}

luggage tag printable {here}

postcard printable {here}

guest directory {here}

bag pattern printable {here}

click {here} for more destination inspiration boards

{friday faves}

for today's friday faves it's all about paper and lace. i spotted these pretties on {wedding style guide} issue #15....as with every issue they have the most amazing free stationary templates.

paper rosette template {here}

tag templates {here}

rubber stamp template {here}

i hope everyone has a great weekend... xo

{guest post} jenny haas

i'm so happy to have jenny haas of {jenny haas photography} on the blog today.

she created these adorable embroidery hoops that can be used for your bridesmaids to carry down the aisle to add a unique twist to a country wedding.

{materials}

scissors

vintage fabric

pencil/pen
embroidery hoop
glue {optional}
string/ribbon/twine

{directions}
{1.} cut your fabric into a square, and make it a little larger than the size of your embroidery hoop. {make sure there are two sides to it, so the back side of the final product looks nice}.
{2.} take the largest outer rim of the quilt hoop and put it on top of the fabric. trace around the edge with a pencil and cut out the circle. 
{3.} once you cut out the circle, flip the fabric so each bad side is back to back {the good side of the fabric should be on the outside}, then put a dab of glue on the inside of the edges {not the middle} to hold the fabric together.
{4.} once the glue has dried, place the fabric into the quilting hoop and secure. {glue is optional}
{5.} the final step includes cutting the string, or ribbon of your choice and tying it to the top of the hoop.

jenny also suggests cutting out letters {with your initials, or "mr. & mrs."} and adding them to create a banner to hang above your cake or gift table.

{diy} aqua mason jars

i'm a big fan of mason jars and especially the aqua one as seen in my {#88} mississippi & magnolia inspiration board.  unfortunately these pretties are hard to find and cost alot more than their clear counterparts. 

so i did a little digging and i found a solution { bridal buzz via idiy} has a great tutorial to transform basic clear jars to aqua using some transparent glass paint.  genius!!

crafty brides

today's crafty brides are looking for inexpensive alternatives for wedding dresses.  have you ever considered make your own wedding dress or using alternative fabric to create "the dress" for your big day?

i spotted this beautiful wedding on { style me pretty } yesterday and i was surprised shocked amazed that the wedding dress was made out of anthropologie shower curtain!! yes i know a curtain? this bride took diy to the next level.

how about a $10 wedding dress made out of xxl basic t-shirts. it's possible see the tutorial video below.

pretty impressive huh?

which one do you think is craftier? or do you think it's ridiculous?

{diy} pearl necklace

  i love this pretty necklace at {nonpareil magazine}. who knew a little thread, ribbon, vintage brooch and faux pearls would create such a dramatic and sophisticated accessory.

it's perfect to wear even after the wedding with jeans and a t-shirt.

p.s. it can be your "something blue" too

visit {nonpareil magazine} for instructions {here}

happy cinco de mayo!

here are a few of my cinco de mayo faves!!

{engagement} tiffany + paul via {grey likes weddings}

{decor} fiesta via {design sponge}

{good eats} margarita popsicles via {food network}

hilary from {lovely & gracious} sent me this free printable for postcards and pretties readers. 

download the save the date {here}

{inspiration boards}

{#50} fiesta romantico                             {#85} fiery fiesta

{diy} trophy boutonniere

yes people i created my own diy project... this boutonniere was actually inspired by my board {#84} kentucky derby . i wasnt really sure how it was going to come out and my pictures aren't the greatest but i actually love it.  since the board is not traditional "derby" i used mini succulents from my garden instead of red roses.  what do you think? yea or nay?

{materials}
mini award trophies
1in. pin backs
moss
mini succulents
white spray paint
hot glue gun
handsome groom {just kidding ;)}

{directions}
{1} spray paint the mini award trophies white and allow them to dry
{2}glue the pin back onto the mini trophy

{3} inside the mini trophy add a dab of glue and stuff with moss.
{4} cut the stem of the succulent and insert in the painted mini award trophies.
{5} trim any loose moss.

{4} pin the boutonniere on your handsome groom

{diy} will you be my .........

thanks to {the wedding chicks} there is a simple and special way to ask your closest friends or family members to be part of your special day with these adorable printables.

will you be my bridesmaid template {here}

they even created one for the guys!!!

i love these cards.

dude, will you be my best man template {here}

{diy} almond bundles

i found this bundle of sweetness at {project wedding} . since dragees or sugar coated almonds are traditional in greek weddings.. i thought this diy would be make the perfect match for {#65} santorini inspiration board.

{diy} artichoke candle holder

love this artichoke chandle holder i found at {dog n' bird} and it works prefectly with my {#66}casual garden inspiration board.

{diy} vintage book pages

this weekend i'm going to search my local flea markets, garage sales or dollar stores to buy some inexpensive books to create these amazing diy crafts. i love them all....which one is your favorite?

book vase via {here}

wreath via {here}

wall decor via {here}

chandelier via {here}

{diy} spring bird place cards

a few weeks ago i found this {prettie} and it was the perfect match for my {san francisco inspiration board} ..so i'm thinking this might be a new feature for {postcards and pretties} because i found a lovely tutorial from janise at {papier valiese} .  i love these spring place cards with my {bird and twig inspiration board}. whatcha think?

{if you have a product or diy project that compliments my inspiration boards...email me at postcardsandpretties@gmail.com .. i would love to feature it}

{favors} mini farmer's market flowers

{from me to you} {msw}

there is something about farmer's market flowers wrapped in paper that make me want to run home and arrange them in my favorite vase.  i love this idea for a casual outdoor wedding - offer your guest mini farmer market bouquet to take home as favors.  display them in baskets or tin pails with a sign to remind guest's to take a bouquet home.

here's my little tutorial to create these cone-shaped bouquets.

{material}
kraft, butcher, newspaper, waxed tissue paper
water picks
fresh cut flowers
ribbon

{directions}
spread the paper out flat in front of you and position it so it is a straight square.

gather the flowers into a small bouquet with your hands. Cut the ends to the same length and insert into a water pick.

place the bundle of flowers onto the tissue paper in a diagonal position across the middle of the paper.

roll the paper with the flowers in it, starting at the flower’s corner. Roll the paper from the lower left corner to the upper right corner. This will create a cone-like wrap for the flowers.

tie a pretty ribbon around the cone bouquet to hold it together.

voila!

{tip}
instead of ribbon use a custom sticker or label with your monogram and wedding date to seal the cone closed.

{trends} handkerchiefs

handkerchiefs ….what can i say i heart you.

last summer while visiting a region in portugal called minho i came across {lenços dos namorados} or lover’s handkerchief. i was told that this poetic and lovely tradition consist of white cotton or linen handkerchief are hand embroidered in different colors with names, poems and secret messages by girls of marrying age as a declaration of their love for the man they would like to marry. when the handkerchief was complete, it was secretly passed to the lucky guy by a friend.
how romantic is that!!!

{photo from  here }

another reason why i’m loving handkerchiefs is because they are popping up everywhere in weddings. here are a few ideas on how you can incorporate them in your wedding.

wrapped up wedding bouquets

{martha stewart weddings}

create a handerkerchief ring pillow

{martha stewart weddings} {the knot}

use handkerchiefs in your wedding decor

string some up as garland {jill thomas via amorology}

sew on beads and you have yourself a drink cover {martha stewart}

use as table number {design sponge}

diy hanging handkerchief vases {once wed}

 use these pretties as a fun and unique save the dates and invitations

save the date {fiona e}

diy handkerchief save the date {benign objects via wedding chicks}

handkerchief wedding invitation {bird and banner via martha stewart weddings}

{update}

omg...i found this diy handkerchief invite at {tulle and feathers}. love it!!

{diy} bay area printables

i was so excited when i found these bay area printables from {kirei nest}.

 it's works perfectly with my {san francisco inspiration board}.


{if you have a product or diy project that you believe will work well with my inspiration boards...email me at postcardsandpretties@gmail.com .. i would love to feature it}