David's Bridal

DIY Wedding Favors

by Nicole Brewer

Traditionally, wedding favors are given out to guests as mementos from your wedding. But the truth is—most guests dread receiving another knick knack that will collect dust, and inevitably be tossed out. Since the intention is really to thank every guest who came to support and witness your marriage, it’s no surprise that many couples are taking the DIY approach to wedding favors.

Sweet Treats
Simple snacks make delicious edible favors that won’t go to waste. Buy your favorite sweet or salty treat in bulk and find innovative ways to package them. Then, shop craft stores or online shops for discount boxes or bags and wrap with a ribbon or personalized sticker. It’s all about the packaging, so finding the right presentation can transform inexpensive treats into sophisticated gifts worthy of the celebration—like these great favor boxes.

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Green Day
Today, it’s all about going green. A green offering can also represent growth and new beginnings. Available at bulk prices, consider individually potted flowers or seeds that mean something to you as a couple. Personalize with your names, wedding date or a special message and give them something to nurture and care for, like any new relationship.

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Digital Age
Creating a CD of your favorite songs or reception tunes is a great keepsake your guests will enjoy and share with others. After all, music is the universal language. But for something totally different, consider creating a DVD. Before your big day, film a short video of you and your fiancé thanking everyone who was there to support you. Burn copies of the DVD and tie a pretty ribbon around it with a hangtag for a personalized touch.

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When it comes to wedding favors, why not give ‘em something to talk about? With a little creativity, you can easily create a favor for under a buck each, that your guests will appreciate, long after the cake and the last dance!

Planning a Celeb-Worthy Wedding for Less
by Katrina Mitzeliotis

While so many celebs are known for throwing over-the-top affairs, lately we’re seeing a shift when it comes to saying ‘I Do.’ Rather than go all out, the celeb set is really into weddings that are both intimate and personal. Brides like Camila Alves to Drew Barrymore prove that you don’t need an extravagant affair—it really all comes down to the details. From the invitations to the place cards, read on for ways you can throw an affair just like a celeb, without having to break the bank.

Invitations:

We’re seeing a huge DIY trend lately, and it’s a great way to save a little money on your special day especially when you’re having a smaller wedding like Camilla and Matt did. Come up with a creative and personal way to share the news of the big day in your own words with a DIY invitation kit like this one.

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Place cards:

I recently attended a wedding for a bride who loves vintage-inspired details, so she incorporated that into her special day. Rather than have place cards on a table, guests took old fashion keys hanging on the wall with their table number. If you are looking for a creative way to display your place cards, try putting them on decorated clothes pins—it adds such a nice natural touch.

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Well wishes:

Having guests sign a large photo or frame at a wedding is a great keepsake for the bride and groom to remember who attended. I once went to a wedding with a photo booth, where guests snapped a shot and then glued the image into a book next to their well wishes—it was such a fun way to share in the special day! A great alternative to the book is this card box—I love how compact it is.

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Decorations:

A lovely alternative to small candle votives are lanterns, especially if you’re planning a rustic wedding like Drew did. They add a nice touch to the table and really tie the whole affair together.

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Karen Bussen, Celebrity Wedding Planner & Author
It’s Elemental: Coordinating the Details of Your Winter Wedding

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for a wedding! The crisp air, the festive mood and perhaps, even a romantic snowy backdrop. Here are some of my top tips for putting together your mid-winter celebration in simple stunning style.

It’s all about layers! Just like your winter wardrobe, the best way to think about your winter wedding theme is to add layers of elegant seasonal details throughout all the aspects of the celebration.

Let the season inspire your look. Once you’ve selected your venue for the ceremony and reception, choose a gown and accessories that will make you feel like a snowy princess. To me, winter weddings have a timeless feeling, so why not create a vintage theme for your whole wintry celebration? I adore this glamorous faux fur capelet.

Lace up your bouquets. I love lace both as a vintage detail and as a winter element—it reminds me of the intricate patterns of snowflakes. Why not have all your ladies carry delicate white bouquets trimmed in lace? These pretty posies are from my book, Simple Stunning Weddings.

Inviting ideas. Your invitations are the first style element your guests will see, so get the winter mood started with a little extra sparkle. This elegant Treasured Gems invitation is a layered piece, with a bright white card on a silvery quartz background, perfect for the season. Add an accent bow in white, or bring in a deeper winter hue like this deep burgundy for an extra “pop.”

Let there be light. Luminaries aren’t just for summer weddings and not everything at a winter wedding needs to scream “snowflakes.” There is nothing more beautiful than candles on a cold afternoon or evening. Imagine the snowy path to your ceremony or reception lined with these angelic white luminaries.

For your tables, choose accents with a little sparkle. I want these pearlized pillar candles for all my holiday parties, and they’d make a stunning tablescape. Arrange them atop mirrored squares or circles for a gorgeous centerpiece then give the candles to guests (or take them home yourself) to make your mantle or table beautiful all season long.