How to Make a Floral Monogram

Without the flowers? Yes! Tissue paper or crepe paper can work magic affordable solutions to costly buds. All you need is the desired styrofoam shape, beautiful tissue or crepe paper, craft glue and a few golf tees! The look is fantastic, and more important, integrating a monogram into your wedding is a simple and cost-effective way to personalize your wedding!

Preparations:

1. Prep your styrofoam. Trim it to your desired shape and size. We chose circles since it was easy! Outline your desired letter.
2. Cut your paper into 2 inch squares. This is where crepe paper is fantastic - it is quick and easy to cut!
3. Pour your glue. Paper plate or bowls make accessing the glue a breeze!

Now you are ready to get started!

1. Use a golf tee to punch a hole in the styrofoam
2. Remove and wrap the tee with paper
3. Dip the wrapped tee in glue (so the glue only gets on the paper)
4. Insert into previously punched hole
5. Remove tee (paper stays in place)
6. Repeat - 1,000s of times!

Here is an example of Christine and Brendan's monogram half-way through:

Tips:

• Be sure to punch holes close together to create a full look - you don't want to see any styrofoam.
• Don't forget the edge! Either wrap with ribbon to keep on punching holes.
• Work the boarder of the letter to ensure straight lines and a clean look.
• Have fun!

To see the finished product and our inspirations, see our previous post: DIY Floral Monograms

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Wedding Stamps

I am impressed with the postal service. They took the wedding season into consideration and released the new wedding stamps almost immediately after the rate increase! Here are the new stamps!

Check out more at: www.USPS.com

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Stamps Increase 2¢ on May 11th

Once again, the price of stamps is going up. On May 11th, the price for basic mail will increase from 42¢ to 44¢. What does this mean to the bride? You need to think ahead.

- Are you wedding invitations going out in the next month?
- Do you have reply cards that will be returned around May 11th or later?
- Have you already purchased stamps?
- Will you need extra postage?

There are a few styles of new stamps out there – but cutes ones aren't available yet.

So for now, here are your options: Use the Forever Stamp, the one with the liberty bell – they only cost you 42¢ right now, but will be valid long after your wedding date. (Psst...this is the most affordable option, but make sure that it is sufficient postage for your entire invitation suite)

Make your own custom stamps: There are many options availaible, but I would recommend you try USPS or Zazzle.com

Add a 2¢ stamp to the postage you have already purchased.

Go above and beyond! I have shown a few "extra postage" options in the image above because they are pretty and would get the job done with little extra effort. I particularly like the dragonfly 62¢ stamp. There is also the 59¢ heart and the 72¢ purple landscape.

But even after you have considered all of this don’t forget, weight and size are important. Make sure to bring one full invitation suite (translation: the invite and all the extras you plan to stuff in that envelope) to the post office to be weighed and measured. These days there are loads of invitations that are an odd size or extra weight requiring extra postage. Be sure you cover the charge or else you will be faced with the nightmare of 100+ invitation stamped: Return to Sender!

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Brides Give Back: Arizona

Reminder: This Thursday!

Check out this must attend event:

(click on image for details)

For more information, and to view a full list of event sponsors visit: www.bridesgiveback.com. All proceeds from the event will go directly to Arizona's Faith House which provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence.

Please consider attending this event or donating to The Faith House.

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Brides Give Back

Check out this must attend event:

(click on image for details)

For more information, and to view a full list of event sponsors visit: www.bridesgiveback.com.

Here is a sneak peek:

There are many more sponsors for this fabulous event. All proceeds from the event will go directly to Arizona's Faith House which provides a safe haven for victims of domestic violence.

Even if you don't live near Phoenix, Arizona, visit www.bridesgiveback.com and consider donating or contact Sarah from The Wedding Hub for more information!

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Escort Cards vs. Place Cards

What are escort cards anyway? Typically we refer to escort cards as place cards, which is where the confusion begins. Well, these two terms are commonly interchanged. Sometimes they are even refered to as seating cards. With all these terms floating around out there it is sometimes difficult to know what you are really taking about! So here is the scoop:

Place Cards: Indicates the guests table and seat.

Escort Cards: Indicate the guest's table only.

Seating Cards: Another term for place cards. As the name implied this card provides table number and seat.

Escort cards tend to be more commonly used as they allow your wedding guests to chose who they will sit next to at their table. Escort cards are also less time consuming for the couple to be wed. As this is one of the last things you do in preparation for your big day, simplifying this process by using escort cards makes the task of the seating chart much easier which is always a bonus! One quick tip to remember: when wording these cards be sure to include of people you invited as "and Guest" For example, make sure you find out the name of Cousin Joe's girlfriend to use on the place/escort/seating card, even if you sent the invitation as Cousin Joe and Guest. This is a simple act of courtesy that can mean the world you including all of your wedding guests, even those you do not know!

Phew, now that we have that clarified, here are some wonderful fall ideas for these nifty cards, whichever you form choose to use. I love how these ideas incorporate leaves, pumpkins, pinecones, and other fall foliage.

Other ideas: write the names and table numbers on pumpkins and gourds or on ribbons you tie to pinecones. Don't limit yorself to paper!

Reminder: Tulle and Toile Tuesdays - for the month of October all giveaways will be pink!

Dress Alterations

They do not have to be outrageous! But they do have to be good. Here are a few tips to consider before getting your dress altered:

1. You do not have to get your dress altered at the bridal salon - they will most likely be expensive.

2. Ensure time is allowed for alterations - not all alterations are easy.

3. Get referrals from friends and family! Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find the right place. Also, be sure that where you take your dress specializes in formal wear. Here are two of my favorite places to get formal wear altered:

Near Philadelphia:
D&B Clothier in Newtown Square, PA

Near Washington, DC:
Kim's Tailoring in Arlington, VA
(in the Pentagon City Mall)

Quick Tips: Flowers

I am really hooked on orange right now. I am not quite sure why, it is rarely a color I naturally gravitate towards, but here is my "orange" inspiration for you. I really don't have much more to add to this...

However, InStyle Magazine online is offering some great tips regarding flowers that I thought I would share with you:

Flowers 101: Check this out for names, descriptions and images of many of the most common wedding flowers. Understanding what you like and don't like is vital before your first meeting with your florist.

Flower Glossary: If meaning matters, InStyle also offers a comprehensive list of wedding flowers and what they symbolize as well as key facts including their blooming season.

If you haven't seen these two features on InStyle, I would recommend you head over there!

Quick Tips for a Green Wedding

Invitations
Use Recycled Paper: check out some of the following planet saving paperies
Botanical Paperworks: You will find paper printed with seeds. Your guests will be able to plant your invitation{hopefully after your nuptials} in their garden and enjoy the beautiful blossoms.
Invitesite: Known for their environmentally invitations since 1995.
Earthly Affair: Check out the blog for many more green ideas!
Oblation Papers + Press: Provides a unique take on organic design.

Use Less Paper: Skip the vellum, 2nd envelope, and make the RSVP a post card!

Flowers
Berries and Foliage: Skip the elaborate bouquets of cut flowers grown overseas and opt for foliage that is local and in season. Fall provides a variety of beautiful foliage and berries. Some of my favorites for fall include: Oak Leaf Hydrangeas, Yellow Ripple English Ivy, Black Eyed Susan Vines, Grapevines, and Hypercium Berries. Visit The Flower Shop, where you can find a comprehensive list of fall foliage in their September 2006 Newsletter.

Dress
Buy 2nd Hand: Visit E-bay and Consignment stores for a dress. This is a great way to save money and the planet.
Buy sustainable: Check out a wide array of gorgeous frocks from Olivia Luca and while you are at it, check out her blog.

Reception
Serve Organic: Choose from a wide array of organic wines to serve your guests. {I need to do more research before I recommend any organic wineries to you. If you know of some great ones, please share!}

Note: Fellow blogger Jennifer from Earth Friendly Weddings covers this topic in her Eco Wine post today! {Thanks Jennifer, your post was perfect timing!}