Cachic Design, Custom Wedding/Event Invitations » DIY

Candy Land

Matt — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:50:13 +0000

I can’t believe it has taken me this LONG to blog on the candy craze, especially since my husband and I used this same trend at our wedding and it was a HUGE success! I L-O-V-E the Candy Bar idea, and it makes a very bold statement when assembled correctly. Your guests will delight when they see the collection of confectionery treats that await them at your reception.

I really fell in love with this trend after seeing it in all the magazines and on almost every bridal show on television. What I learned is that this ensemble of treats played a major role in our reception. As my husband and I ventured around the room greeting our guests, I was amazed to hear everyone raving about the Candy Bar….like it was some unheard of phenomenon. Other than serving as snacks in between appetizers, dinner, and the cake cutting, it allowed guests to mingle and encouraged conversations with other party-goers other than the guests at their table. My husband I came to find out it was the best favor we could have given our guests!

Try out different shapes of containers and placing them on different leveled tiers. The best containers we find tend to be just plain clear glass. Try a variety out. Go to a craft store and start pulling different ones from the shelves. Try mixing and matching them there to get your ideas flowing (just remember, you break you buy!). Choose candies that match your color palate for the wedding. My husband and I used personalized M&M’s in addition to a number of other candies. The options are endless and you don’t have to spend a boat-load of money either. There are a number of discount candy stores online where you can order in bulk! We used little paper baskets from a craft store and personalized them with our monogram and ribbons that matched our color scheme. Check with your reception site, there is a good chance they may have equipment you can rent instead of buying a lot of vases you may never use again. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Images from chutes and ladders, and halfninja

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A Fan of a Fan

Lauren Boardman — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:12:24 +0000

Most brides tend to gravitate towards the Spring and Summer months when planning their weddings. A lot of reasons exist; better weather, vacations, no school, etc. Depending on what climate you are in, some months are better than others. We have all, at some point, attended and outdoor affair in the summer months. An event where you could only concentrate on how hot you were and spent most of the time by the refreshments instead of mixing and mingle with fellow guests. This type of situation does not harbor the feedback you want to hear from your guests about YOUR wedding!

Luckily there are many creative minds behind Martha Stewart and many brilliant visionaries hard at work collaborating each issue of her wedding magazine. All designers, pouring their energy into making one of the best D.I.Y. sections of the entire wedding industry. Their “Good Things” section has some great D.I.Y. projects. This season for Summer 2009 they have these wonderful fans that can be crafted for your guests so they won’t feel the full effects of the sweltering summer heat!

“Easy Breezy” is the tag line for these little wonders! You can go online and download all the templates…templates and clip art you need for free. Really….I said FREE!! They also give some other great tips for assembly and other alternatives if you would like to add some extra flourishes. Some suggestions involve hiring a calligrapher to draw a monogram or there is even a link to an artist Julia Swaney in Portland, Oregon who will decorate these fans (at cost). You just assemble.

These fans seem like a great alternative to beat the heat. Put your vows on one side and they become your program. You can also use them as a favor and will be a silent alternative to the flapping of paper fold-over programs, so everyone can hear you and your husband exchange vows! You want the best for both you and your guests. Keep them cool so they have stories to tell of the wonderful food and decor, instead of tales of the heat!

Images from marthastewartweddings.com

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Petals and Pinafores

Lauren Boardman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:58:45 +0000

Most of us brides are always looking for budget-friendly options as we vendor search while planning our dream wedding. No statement holds more truth at present time. Budgets are very important to stick to as we seeing inflation skyrocket and interests rates on our credit cards following suit. How many of us ask ourselves the questions, “can we afford to get married right now?” or “should we just wait a year?” Ladies, as far as the wedding industry goes, there is no good or bad time. For us living on the “average” American salary though, some substitutions must be made.

I love anything DIY. Not all projects are for everyone, but I know there are plenty of women (and men) out there who are crafty like me! That is why when I go to shop around wedding sites and magazines for the latest ideas I ALWAYS go check out Martha Stewart Weddings. Every issue the editors manage to have some type of really neat project in their DIY section.

While I was checking out their “Good Things” section in the Summer 2009 issue, I happened upon these great pinafores that can be used to pass out petals as your flower girl(s) make their way down the isle. Realistically it probably involves the same amount of time (if not slightly more) than buying the supplies to make your own basket to house petals…but they are absolutely adorable! If you already have a sewing machine or know someone who does, why not give it a try. You can go and get step-by-step instructions, templates, and pictures.

Even though I found this project in the Summer issue, it can be very versatile. Pick the colors and textures that go best with your season. Ideally this probably will look best in the Spring and Summer months at an outdoor event, but who cares! I think these pieces can look very chic for any wedding, plus girls will love to style these in your photos. Let me know if it works out. Good luck ladies!

Images from marthastewartweddings.com

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Thanks for Noticing!

Lauren Boardman — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:58:36 +0000

After the big day ends and the excitement begins to calm, the newlyweds have the daunting task of performing the ever dreaded “thank-you” notes. Even though you have made sure your MOH has been diligently recording every minute detail at you past months of showers, you still release a deep defeated sigh wondering why you didn’t contract someone else to complete this task. Even your matching stationary complimenting your wedding invitations you purchased still doesn’t give you the desire to get started. Well ladies and gentleman, you are in luck.

I happened to stumble on a great article from Modern Bride. In their How-to Guide section in the Oct/Nov 2009 issue the editors have put together a sample of what they feel a great thank you letter should include. After looking at it, I do agree it is a good example. The article uses some great bullet pointers allowing you and your husband to incorporate personal touches/memories from you wedding day that you experienced with your guests. It gives you a nice format which can still be used as a template so your notes won’t sound like a cookie-cutter card you would send out around the Holidays! Adding personal touches like what you plan on doing with the item or mentioning the special effort your guest(s) went through to get to your wedding are just a few of the suggestions mentioned in this article that will make your thank-you’s get noticed!

The timeline alone for when thank-you notes should go out can get confusing. When my husband and I were completing our post wedding notes, the acceptable length between receiving a gift and note sent was around 3-4 months. After reading this editorial the new standard is 6-8 weeks which is a little shorter than the previously adopted credo. Whichever timeline you and your husband choose to adhere to will be fine, but in the event you notes do go out later than said timeline, make sure they are thoughtfully put together.

To keep from wanting to pull your hair out after signing your hundredth note out of 300, split up the thank-you writing task. My husband and I only had to worry about 120 notes, but still we decided to share the task. My husband was accountable for his family/friends and I was responsible for mine. It worked out great and we got most completed in one sitting. Looking back, it would have been a god-send to have an article like this at our disposal. After the honeymoon, the thank-you notes are the ties drawing together your bridal experience. Even though we dread doing them, they are a special part of the process. Try to enjoy the remainder of the ride, even if it isn’t as exciting as finding your dream dress or the perfect color of pink roses to match your table linens. If you follow these simple directions Modern Bride has put together for you, you can’t go wrong!

Images from MODERNBRIDE OCT/NOV 2009

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Better than Steel….Magnolias

Lauren Boardman — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:36:20 +0000

No, this blog entry is not my homage to one of the best movies of the 20th century, but really is about flowers. Magnolia blossoms are a great example of some of the more fragrant blooms you could choose to incorporate in to your wedding florals.

Magnolias are beautiful and smell amazing, but are extremely fragile and may not be able to keep up with all of your activities on your big day.

Martha Stewart and crew have created a great alternative and one that may be more budget friendly than out finicky southern blooms. Make your own flowers after downloading instructions off the Martha Stewart Weddings website! Replicate their fragrance by dousing your paper petals with a magnolia fragrance spray which you should be able to pick up at any home or beauty boutique. Good luck and have fun with this one, the pay off is a beautiful floral display you and your husband can be proud of!

marthastewartweddings.com

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Maid to Order

Lauren Boardman — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:43:36 +0000

I know while planning your wedding there are many tough decisions you as brides are forced to make on a daily basis, sometimes on the spot!

Probably one of the most important elements of your big day is choosing your bridal attendants; but how do you make a decision which makes some happy and may create drama with others?

Before you make your third cousin twice-removed number 12 in your line-up, take a look at this algorithm I came across while leafing through the latest issue of Modern Bride. It gives you a flow-chart of questions to ask yourself before you “pop the question” to a potential attendant. I know this chart is specifically targeted on Bridesmaids, but you can use it for anyone who will be involved in your big day.

Remember, be 100% sure that the people you select will enhance your wedding party, because once the offer has been extended ( and especially after they have accepted) you can’t take it back!

modernbride.com

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Lovely Lace

Lauren Boardman — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:15:50 +0000

Keeping with a more traditional style, adding lace details to your wedding theme always sets an elegant and romantic tone for your special day. I love the look of these lace accents I found while leafing through the Summer 2009 Martha Stewart Weddings issue.

The designs are simple and classy. I am always a fan of “understated elegance”, and these designs fit that category perfectly! Use the lace theme starting with your Save the Date announcements all the way down to the elements you select for your bouquets and centerpieces.

You can go to their website and download these templates to help create this look yourself. Very practical if you have the time for a D.I.Y. project and are working with a budget.

marthastewartweddings.com

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Wedding with a Tuxedo Twist

Lauren Boardman — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:20:08 +0000

What a delightful take on a staple of wedding attire…the Tuxedo! Give your wedding day a “007” twist that is sure to impress even the most discriminating of guests.

Martha Stewart has once again managed to create an elegant and charming accessory that will look amazing placed on your tables as guests file in to take their places at your wedding reception.

These wine bottle covers are fantastic! They can serve both as a compliment to your centerpieces, and as your table numbers. See the delight in your guests eyes as they are greeted by such clever use of materials! My favorite part about this design is the cufflinks. You could us a variety of buttons to fit you color scheme. Check out this style idea in the Spring 2009 issue available online!

marthastewartweddings.com

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Green Gourmet

Lauren Boardman — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:33:00 +0000

I absolutely love, love , LOVE, these tea sandwiches! Keeping with the high standards Martha Stewart sets, I wouldn’t have expected anything less than this beautiful spread.

The Spring 2009 issue used these sandwiches as appetizers for an outdoor affair, but I think they are also a fantastic idea for your Bridal Shower. They are so fresh looking and only have 3 ingredients; cucumber, cream cheese, and bread. Just cut, spread, layer, and viola!

As usual the article can be found on their site and the even gives a suggestion for a signature drink to compliment the spread. A good idea to think about if you are working with a budget and don’t mind making the refreshments yourself. Invite some of your best gal-pals over the night before and have them help you. It’s the simple moments leading up to your big day that make some of the best memories!

marthastewartweddings.com

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Good Little Girls

Lauren Boardman — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:55:42 +0000

How adorable would your flower girls look walking down the isle with these parasols. Perfect and functional for an outdoor wedding. Keep your little dears pacified with these treats, keeping them cool as your guests witness your nuptials. They can also serve as a favor that your girls will be able to reuse and cherish as a fond memory.

Instead of throwing away money on rose petals, why not have your girls twirl these creations as they lead the way to your grand entrance? If you are a D.I.Y. type of gal, this is great for you! I found this article in the Spring 2009 edition of Martha Stewart Weddings. The article gives step by step instructions with photos for assembly. Just go to their website and download the template….for free!! The website is vast but you can search under “Posy Parasol”. Believe it or not the parasols are only $5.50 (before tax/shipping), and can be ordered off of lunabazaar.com. At these prices, if you have the time, how can you say “NO”!!

marthastewartweddings.com

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