Hand Fans

Favor idea, especially good for a summer wedding or outdoor reception.

Available from http://www.weddingfavorstolove.com/pc/IP1000/Unique_Wedding_Favors/Sandalwood-Fan-Favors.html for 99 cents each.

http://weddingshop.theknot.com/weddingwarehouse/ProductPage.aspx?pId=P1063 $1.95 each

Herbs

"Many brides are opting to adorn their tables with herbs rather than flowers. Here, rough-hewn wooden boxes (made by the groom and the bride's father) are filled with eight small pots of herbs. Each table featured its own herb and was named accordingly."

The herbs could also be given as favors, or at least the centerpieces will still serve some function after the wedding is over :-)

Twilight

Inspiration:

Night Sky

Lots of sheer and shimmering materials would be used for decorationing. Glitter dust, tulle/netting with scattered rhinestones, etc. Gold or silver would both work with this combination.

Turquoise and Yellow

Inspired by:

(no, I'm not pusing for a Disney wedding. Think tropics/tropical fish, or sunflower fields :-) )

Wedding Stuff:

This schema would work equally well with bold solids or more casual patterns like polka dots, gingham, and swirls.

Cakes

http://www.toogoodtoeat.co.uk/Gallery/scottish.htm

They are located in scotland, so it might be a better idea to ask a local baker to mimic one of these, if one strikes your fancy.

Jewelry

A wide thin ribbon would make an excellent necklace/choker and would look excellent with a single celtic styled bead. Also, crystal charms are quite cheap and look nice. They could be used for bridalparty jewelry or even small favors for guests. (To either wear or to hang on the car mirror) Cost: around 55 cents + ribbon

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/artbeads_1950_93444325

Amethyst and Onyx

Inspiration:












Wedding Items:

























In table settings, black would mostly just be used in small accents -- ribbons on vases, napkins, etc.

Blue and Copper

Just throwing together additonal color schemes, because I like to play with color :-)

Main Inspiration:

Dress Colors (taken from David's Bridal and Jasmine's Bridal):

Invites:

Materials: Ribbon, Stencil, Acrylic Paint, paper, cardstock

Other Wedding Stuff:

This particular schema lends itself well to simple white flowers, like daisies, tulips, or lilies, and the color can be used in the vases of centerpieces, or ribbon tied on the bouquet, etc. Since they are bright colors, a little will go a long way.

DJ

DJs offer a larger selection of music than a band will.

I recommend Mark Evans, http://www.djmarke.com/

I admit that I am rather biased due to the fact that he is a close friend of my family's. He is, however and despite, very good at what he does. He tends to help run the event the day of by making announcements and trying to make sure everything runs smoothy. He is easy to work with, great at pleasing crowds, and willing to play music that YOU want to hear. He also has lots of lights to make everything a little more fun.

When interviewing around for DJ's, ask lots of questions. If you run a search for "Questions to ask a DJ" you'll get several sites that gives great suggestions.

RSVP Cards

www.vistaprints.com offers free postcards. I'm not certain if it will put their logo on the backside: it is possible. They do if you order the free business cards. Either way, a postcard might be a fun way to get RSVPs back. The postage is cheaper and you don't have to worry about including another envelope inside your card.

And if, by chance, they stop offering free postcards by the time you're ready to order, or if you decide you want to go with a design that isn't free, its only around $25 for 200 cards. Shipping is only about $5 or $6 if you choose the 21 day option.

I like this company and have had nothing but great experiences with them. Often they print and ship out much sooner than they say they will too.

Simple Card Stock Ideas

Design taken from: http://www.scottishweddinginvitations.co.uk/

A simple invitation that could easily be made at a very cost effective level. Mostly black ink, so there will be little cost in terms of printing. A customized logo can be used, such as the ones shown in previous posts, to show the joining of the two families (here they used the two crests of the families I believe). Extra glitz could be added by using spray on glitter and/or painting a metallic band on the rim under the ribbon and/or along the top and bottom borders on the inside. Krylon has a really nice line of products. Take a look at http://www.krylon.com/main/paper_finishes_template.cfm?levelid=5&sub_levelid=8&productid=1856&content=product_list for all the possibilities. They have some videos on there on how to use them as well. You can get really creative with these!

A different colored insert can be used to print the information on and glued to the card stock, rather than printing directly on the card, if more decoration is desired.

A variety of corner punches can be found to achieve this look at craft stores like Joanns or Michaels, and at many scrapbooking supply store.

Keep in mind if there is any color in the graphic of the header, it is best to use a white/ivory paper to print it on. However, if there is only black graphics/text, any color could be used. Because of this, it might be best to use a white/ivory card stock only. Or use a colored card stock, with a white/ivory vellum insert. This applies for inkjet printers. I am unsure how well a color laser printer prints color images on colored paper.

Supplies & costs:

• (110 lb) Card Stock: ~ $12.00 / 250 sheets from Office Max (http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&prodBlockOID=57675&expansionOID=-536879516) or (67 lb) Vellum textured card stock: ~$11.00 / 250 sheets from Office Max (http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&prodBlockOID=57677&expansionOID=-536879516)
• Bows/Ribbon: ~$0.05/ea. Will vary a bit depending on what type, design vs. plain, and where you get it.
• Corner punch: ~$15.00. Again this will vary on where and what design you get. I have seen them from $8 - $18.
• Metallic Paper Spray Paint: $4/can at Joanns (http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2798&PRODID=prd29057&source=search)
• Glitter Paper Spray Paint: $4/can at Joanns

Estimated costs for 200 "glitz'd up" invites: ~$65 + envelopes and postage. There would be 50 pieces of card stock left, which can be used to print up RSVP cards, favor tags, etc. Assuming the ribbon cost is close, they would be closer to $35/200 + envelopes and postage to make them as shown in the picture.