DIY: Confetti Cones

Look what I've done! I know this DIY idea isn't very technical, the most time consuming or even an attention drawing feature but they do say that it is the finer details that matter.  And I love the thought of seeing something I've worked on in my baskets in the entrance to our church when I make my way to greet Mr S. 

To Update You & a Bonus - A Cheap, Easy DIY Wedding Decoration Idea!

I know it's been over a month since my last post but it has been such a hectic time so please forgive my absence.  Firstly, and as my last post explains, I had to see to my poorly dog Barney (who is now in doggy heaven) as well as try and train up our new puppy Dudley.  He's such an obedient and clever dog but he has a problem with nipping our hands which I'm really trying to get him out of the habit of doing.  Secondly, it's been Christmas and with me having such a big family, it's been a busy period of parties, cooking, get-togethers and socialising.  

So I hope whoever is reading this had a lovely Christmas and I'm sending wealth, health and happiness for the New Year.

My beautiful engagement ring which
Mr S picked out all by himself!

In the midst of indulging in the seasonal festivities, Mr S and I took a trip into our local jewellers and chose our wedding rings.  I did toy with the idea of having a traditional plain white gold band but in the end I decided it didn't compliment my engagement ring so have chosen something a bit more special.   I'll not show it just yet as I'd hate to jinx anything but the most important thing is that I love it and can't wait to wear it!  Mr S really surprised me with his choice but, to be honest, it is very 'him' and it's lovely.

Sass & Belle

One of my colleagues' sisters got married last week and kindly notified me about the wonderfulness of Sass & Belle. 

Sass & Belle offer giftware, vintage gifts and home decorations not to mention a whole section dedicated to wedding decorations!  If that hasn't caught your attention enough to go check out their website, their prices are exceptionally reasonable too, even for us brides on a budget.

Rose Garland, approx 180cm in length.
Available in cream, light pink and vintage pink - £8.95



These would look gorgeous draped over doorways, bannisters, around your cake or entwined around candelabras or birdcage centrepieces.

Birds Nest Hanging Tealight Holder - £6.95

Suspended by a 45cm chain with a hook at the end, hung around your venue or in the trees, would create a romantic, county garden feel to your wedding and can be used in your back garden after the event at a post-wedding BBQ!

Large cream vintage wire heart - 51 x 56cm - £9.95
Also comes in small - £4.95

I love the idea of using these as a DIY table plan.  You can display names and tables on the large heart or group several of the small ones on a board and use each heart to represent each table.

Cream wooden 'Mr & Mrs' - £5.95
20 x 8cm

Split into 3 separate pieces, can be displayed however you like!  Also would make a fabulous gift for the newlyweds.

DIY brides take note of their crafts and sewing section.  Lace, ribbon, buttons and pompoms that will be perfect to create invites, RSVPs and menus etc.

* All pictures and prices are correct at 25/08/11 on the Sass & Belle website.

DIY Wedding Projects (No Laughing Please!)

These are a few of my DIY projects that I have thought of for my wedding or other people's weddings, obviously depending on theme etc.  I'll keep a log of my other projects as and when 'I DO' them (get it? I do? OK, jokes and speeches will probably not be on my to do list).

My first attempt at my own cake-topper.  It obviously needs work.

I found the most perfect cake topper that I must have, however, at £140, it's well out of my budget.  I thought I'd have a go at making one myself but rather than spend a chunk of money on polymer clay, I spent £3 on plasticine (hence the luminous hair, Tango style face, fluorescent pink body and questionable gown)  to have a few attempts at moulding and shaping.  I can't show you the final product as it is a surprise for the wedding day but you get the idea. 

All about the shabby-chic

Very easy to make however, I've tried 2 times since and haven't gotten on very well.  Quite theraputic to do on a good old grey English summers day.  Tut.

Plain or chocolate dipped shortbread biscuits.  Great for a dessert table or even favours.

I'm forever baking.  I love it.  Mr S is the Gordon Ramsey, I'm the Eric Lanlard.  It works well.  Perfect match!  To make 160 of these biscuits, I calculated it to cost me in the region of less than £4.  Bargain!!

If anyone else has any ideas or pictures they'd like to share, please click here to get in touch.

Website Worth Mentioning For DIY Brides

I stumbled upon the website (ok, ok, I was trawling the web for DIY ideas as I'm already going over my budget *looks down in slight shame*),  Dress It Yourself.  It gives brides on a budget some fab ideas on how to shave £££'s off their big day and they have different themes to shop by including vintage, country garden, and romance to name a few. I've had a few ideas myself.  I especially love love love this cake kit.

For this cake, you could order a plain iced cake from Marks & Spencer, for example, http://www.marksandspencer.com/Marks-and-Spencer-Romantic-Pearl/dp/B00170PCUK?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_7&nodeId=80083031&sr=1-7&qid=1310770150.  NB.  The cake comes as a plain iced cake to be decorated yourself.  From £179 for 3 tiers, plus £15 for the Dress It Yourself Cake Kit, you can have a lush wedding cake for a fraction of the price of what some cake companies charge.

I proudly printed off my design and showed the H2B.  "Look babe,I'm saving us money", I beamed at him.  Unfortunately he was more interested in organising things for his upcoming fishing trip.  "Well, gills, fins and slime won't look as pretty in a dress, and enjoying cake, as much as I will", I muttered under my breath albeit loud enough for him to hear.  I swear, he stopped for a second to think that one over....