#DIY :: Cute Confetti Poppers

Today we have a guest post from Katie at Personal Creations! These confetti poppers are so cute, and they can be personalized for any type of party or event! Not to mention, they're so completely simple to make!


Bring a little sparkle to your event with these fun DIY confetti poppers! Whether you’re asking a bridesmaid to join you on your special day or exiting your wedding with your new groom in hand, these confetti poppers are sure to add excitement and smiles. This tutorial from Personal Creations includes printable covers to dress up your poppers and the step by step guide uses simple household items.

Choose patterns and colored confetti (or flower petals) to match your theme and assemble the poppers. Hand the poppers out in a welcome box or party favor and then pull the balloon for a swirl of confetti.

Supplies Needed

For the popper:
  *   Scissors
  *   9” balloons
  *   Empty paper tubes (toilet paper rolls)
  *   Packing tape
  *   Printable labels

For the confetti:
  *   Metallic tissue paper
  *   Glitter, stickers, pretty paper, etc.
  *   Fringe scissors

For the step-by-step tutorial and printable covers, see the full post from Personal Creations.

These poppers are also great for bachelorette or engagement parties - just add confetti and POP for a surprise! Make sure to have the camera ready for magical memories.

Happy New Year!

Katie


Thanks for the fabulous guest post Katie! I absolutely LOVE these DIY confetti poppers and can't wait to make them soon!

Happy Anniversary :: Loretta & Jacob

Loretta + Jacob

April 29

I had so much fun taking this couple to the candy store and shopping for everything in pink , white and black to create a candy station to match their wedding theme! Such sweethearts they were, and such a fun event! Happy anniversary Loretta + Jacob!

DIY :: Papier-Mâché Style Twine Lanterns

Love this project! These are totally perfect for an evening event, whether indoor or outdoor! You can make them in any size or any shape that you want. This particular project uses balloons of different sizes to make round lanterns, spray paint them white and add white string lights to add the glow effect. You can personalize it even further depending on your event style and theme!

See the full article at Splash of Something.

Fair warning, this is a super duper messy project — like you’re-hands-will-be-covered-in-sticky-goo-and-your-work-space-will-be-speckled-with-gluey-drops-of-glueness kind of messy — but the mess and cleanup are well worth the effort. Just invest in a cheapo plastic drop cloth and a pair of plastic gloves, and it’s not too big of deal.

Here’s what you need for the lanterns:

• 5 to 6 balloons, blown up to whatever size ball or lantern you want to make
• large plastic drop cloth
• scissors
• twine, hemp or cotton yarn (I used hemp because it seemed a little tougher for outdoor use, but next time I might go the white yarn route for a lighter, brighter look.)
• 4 ounces basic white glue
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup warm water
• petroleum jelly
• clear, fast-drying spray paint
• lantern lights or white twinkle lights (I like the twinkle lights because they have that twinkly, magical look, but lantern lights would be nifty, too.)

Blow up balloons to desired size. Keep in mind that the size of your balloon dictates the size of your lantern balls (it’s also helpful not to blow up the balloons all the way; a bit less air makes for rounder balloons).

If you plan to place a lantern light in your finished lanterns, draw a circle on the top of each balloon large enough to accommodate the lighting fixture. If you’re not planning to light the lanterns or you’d prefer to stuff them with a simple strand of twinkle lights, you can skip this step (just make sure you leave enough space while wrapping to stuff the twinkle lights inside).

Lay a plastic drop cloth over your work surface, and set up a place where balloons can be suspended from the air to dry. I draped the plastic drop cloth across the bathroom floor and into the bathtub so I could hang the balls on the shower bar.

Mix glue, cornstarch and warm water in a large container until all lumps are gone, then cover each balloon in petroleum jelly (using rubber gloves for this cuts down on the mess).

Feed the twine through the glue mixture until it is coated, then start draping it around the balloon. Wrap the ball vertically to a comfortable tightness, then horizontally. Once ball is wrapped to your liking, use a piece of twine to suspend it from the shower bar (or drying space of your choosing).

Allow balls to dry for 24 hours. Then, pop the balloons. It’s like magic! Spray the balls with clear, fast-drying spray paint. Once they’re dry, insert the lights, and you’re ready to party like it’s 1999! Woot!

6 Alternatives to the Traditional Rice Toss

The tradition of tossing rice at the couple upon their exit is ancient. Rice is considered a “life giving” seed.  It is thought that by throwing it on the couple they will be bestowed with fertility and have many children. However,  these days rice isn't used as commonly as it was....some venues don't allow it, some think it harms birds, some want something grander than rice....so here are a few suggestions to keep the tossing tradition but use something more spectacular!

Photo by Z Media

Sparklers
Always one of my favorites! This makes for an amazing photo, there is little cleanup, and you can display them beautifully so the guests will look forward to it all night!


Freeze Dried Flower Petals
Freeze dried flower petals are non-staining, eco-friendly, and a great replacement for the traditional rice toss! You can choose any color you'd like and they look great in photos, in the air and on the ground!


Autumn Leaves
Red, yellow and orange fall leaves also make a great thing to toss upon the bride and groom as they exit! This is another eco-friendly option that probably won't require clean up, and will match perfectly with a fall colored wedding.

Ribbon Wands
Some venues don't allow the tossing of anything during an exit (clean up issues or regulations). If you have chosen a venue where this is the case, having ribbon wands for all the guests for your exit is a great way to celebrate...and it makes for great pictures!

Lavender

Lavender is another eco-friendly option to replace the rice toss. While this option probably won't show in photos as well as you hope....the small is amazing!!!

Balloon Release

A balloon release is always a symbol of the kick off to something great....so why not your marriage? Each guest can be handed a balloon on the way out of the church/venue, and as they're lined up and you make your way through....they release them into the air. So sweet!

5 Ways to Save on your Wedding Budget

Everyone's on a tight budget these days, but skimping in the wrong places could lead to bigger problems in the long run! Take our advice and use these tips to save on 5 areas of your wedding:

1. Choose and use flowers wisely - Peonies may be your absolute favorite, but they're not available all year and very expensive to get at certain times. Consult with your florist on making less costly replacements for flowers that may not be in season. Another great idea to stretch your flower budget that we often suggest to our floral clients is re-using ceremony flowers at the reception. Your pew bows can decorate the buffet table, your alter arrangements can decorate the entrance to the reception or highlight your head table, and your bouquets can double as head table centerpieces or cake table decor. Your florist should even be able to move these for you (there may be a small added expense for the move, but it will still be less than ordering all those extra flowers!)

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 Peacock feather ceremony arrangements used again at the entry way to the reception.

Arrangements, Archway and Photos by Michéll Events

Peacock feather ceremony arrangements used again at the entry way to the reception.

Arrangements, Archway and Photos by Michéll Events

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2. Choose a venue where you can have your ceremony and reception - By having all of your festivities for the day in one location, you can cut down drastically on the cost of transportation for you and your wedding party. No shuttles, no round trips, no waiting in the parking lot....this will add quite a handful back into your budget!

3. Choose a favor that doubles as entertainment or decor - I'm a big fan of killing two birds with one stone, and this is the perfect opportunity. A photo booth with a take home photo for the guests, or a caricature artist to draw the guests are both great options. A candy station (or cookie station, or mini dessert station) with take-home bags for your guests acts as an interactive entertainment feature, plus it gives them a sweet treat they can take home!

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Candy station to "wow" guests at the entrance to the reception.

Candy Station, Linen and Photo by Michéll Events

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4. Choose DIY projects wisely - If you're a crafty type of bride, there are a few things you may be able to DIY to save yourself some money. If you're not, don't try! It can end up costing more and causing more headaches than it's worth! Hand made invitations always add a sweet touch of your own personality, and when done correctly they can cost much less that professionally printed invites with all the required inclusions. Favors are another thing you can DIY. Your guests will love a personal gift from you, like home baked cookies wrapped in pretty fabric and tied with a bow.

5. Cut down on the guest list - This may be the hardest to do, but it will save you the most money in the long run. For every name you cross of the list you're saving a meal, a seat, a favor, a place card. Remove 8-10 names and you cut out an entire table of meals and beverages, a centerpiece, a linen, 8-10 favors, 8-10 escort and/or place cards, plus other items associated with each guest. In short, trimming some names from the guest list will save you in ALL areas of your wedding at once. It may be the most painful cut to make, but it will be the biggest budget saver of all!