DIY Boutonnieres!

While trying to get up the energy to tackle some homework today, I recalled that I had some wool fabric that had no purpose. I had picked up the fabric at a yard sale a few weeks ago, for a couple bucks. I didn't have a plan for it, I just liked it. I realized today the purpose of this fabric - boutonnieres!

I saw a super cute boutonniere on etsy (by pixelandhank) a couple months ago. Dave agreed he liked it and I committed it to memory to purchase said boutonnieres in the future for the boys. I never really thought about making them myself, as I had envisioned a lot of DIYing was going to be done back east and I would have limited time. Why not shell out the 40 or so dollars to spare me the headache of another DIY project?, is what I thought. However, today my brain was struck by bout lightning and I began to pull it all together.

After a quick run to Dollar Tree and Jo-Ann's Fabrics to buy some fake flowers and ribbon, I began the creation process. For only a couple dollars, I will have created virtually the same thing I was willing to spend $40 on! Yay!



Inspiration Boutonniere from Etsy




The DIY Boutonniere I made tonight!

A bouquet just for me.

I saw this bouquet online today... It looks like it was made just for me. Right down to the Mary medallion. I'm going to try to make mine very similar to this one. ♥

A girl's got a right to change her mind...

...many, many times about her centerpieces, right? Well, my goodness! I think I have finally decided on what I want, for sure - for sure, this time. As much as I think the paper flowers on the branch is a totally cute centerpiece, I think the paper flowers sort of make me cringe, too. But, I am very certain (for the last time, let's hope) that what I'd like to do now is wildflowers. Nothing fancy, just a small bunch of wildflowers (hopefully from my Mom's garden, if not from nearby pastures), tied with twine, and placed in the quart and pint canning jars, that we already have at my folk's home (thanks again ladies for getting those for us!). And around this wildflower display would be a couple/few jelly jars with lavender votives and some stones haphazardly placed along the table. Keep in mind the tables are rectangular, so I'm think 2 or 3 of these displays on each table. Simple and budget friendly! Here are some photos that totally inspire me on this wavelength:

To Veil Or Not To Veil...

I honestly never really thought I'd be that girl who wears a veil. Since I can remember day dreaming about my wedding, I was barefoot and had flowers in my hair. (Yeah, I know, no surprise I live in Berkeley now.) I still love the idea of flowers being pinned in my hair (as I plan on wearing it down, flowing) but I have seen a lot of women wearing birdcage veils and thought they were adorable! So, what I've considered so far, is a birdcage veil with a pheasant feather "flower" attached to it. (I could make all of this, as I plan on having some pheasant feathers for the men's bouts anyway.)

My concerns with the veil are these: I've only seen photos of women with short hair, or their long hair pinned up, and I'm not convinced it will look "right" with my long hair down (and I definitely don't want to wear my hair up!). And... my glasses. Would a veil, specifically a short one, look silly with glasses on? I could wear contacts for the ceremony, and put my glasses on after, but I almost always wear glasses and tend to feel naked without them!

Here are some inspiration photos for the "flower" and the veil:







PS - A third option is the "flower" on a headband, just like the photo. I think it would look nice with my hair down, and avoid the veil/glasses "all up in my face" concern.

Favors and such....

Trying to think of some ideas for favors. Roger had mentioned using dried lavender for our arrangements/bouquets (as I don't want the expense of real flowers, and I think it may be difficult to get cotton bolls/branches. Plus, I have been having a hard time trying to think of ways to incorporate lavender color into the whole celebration.) and we thought it would be cool to have something screenprinted as a favor. So I am considering screenprinted sachets, that are "fill your own" with lavender.




I also like the idea of having OOT (out of town) guest favors (perhaps to be given out at my folks' home on Friday evening). I had considered these local soaps from Cardigan Mountain Soapworks. She will custom a scent, wrap and message for us for $2 a bar, and I love that they're a local item.



I am thinking we could also get inexpensive small tote bags, screenprint something on them, and include the soap, a local info notecard, and a couple other local/OOT interest items. (Perhaps a photo I have taken of Alexandria, made into a card.)

I wouldn't want it to get ridiculous with the expense, but I do think it's a really nice token for those who are traveling so darn far for this whole shebang.

Let me know what ideas you have.
Especially if you can think of any other possible screen print favor ideas or inexpensive items that would be practical in the OOT tote.

Entrance & Table Center Pieces.

I like the monogram entrance idea... I think if we made a big "S" from some salvaged wood and made it look weathered and hung it with a big ribbon on the door into the grange that would be really awesome.








On the tables I'd like a narrow burlap runner (if the tables are wood, which I think they are) (or maybe a brown paper runner, as seen in the last photo) with candles in mason jars and the same punched tin cans from the wedding aisle. Also some jars or plain glass vases with cotton branches and other twigs. (Maybe flowers if that is in the budget, but I don't think they will be.) We would screen print an image of our names on the burlap that is made from blocks and we would make it look worn, old and/or shabby chic!

Flowers!

I love, love, LOVE this dried cotton branch bouquet! Not only will it go along fabulously with the theme but it can be prepared in advance and will last forever! I think it will be much more practical than live flowers, and I would imagine it would be more economical. I hope to get enough branches to also add flowers to table centerpieces or as other decorations about the grange.