The Budget Bella Bride

DIY Layered Paper Garlands

(via: craftyscientist- (via pressed down, shaken together: Fin de Friday - Layered Paper Flower Garland))

Ity Bity Bows

Because it is really hard to make those little tiny ones look good!

(via: thehappyhomemaker- Because sometimes you just need teeny tiny bows)

(via thehappyhomemaker-deactivated20)

DIY Personal Photo Collage 

Could easily be done in you and your spouse’s initials instead of a number!

(via: bestdayofmylife- inspired by martha stewart, the main decoration at my mom’s 50th birthday party was this giant “50” made of photos of her over the years. i chose to turn them all black and white before printing them out so it wouldn’t be too busy. the result was pretty awesome, my mom loved it. and after the party i took down all of the photos so i can put them into an album for her to keep. here’s some details on how i did it:

• i’m a mac person, so i used iphoto to organize and edit all of the pictures (which i secretly collected from my grandfather and from my mom’s basement and scanned)
• i printed my photos at the drug store for 19 cents/print… at 90 photos i think the total was $17.01 - pretty cheap in the world of hand made party decorations
• i laid out the photos on a table to get the shapes right and when i started putting them on the wall it really helped to have my sister’s input on how it looked from a distance. 

YAY <3)

DIY Paper Heart Garland

(via: thedessygroup- Snowflake DIY Heart Garland: Not your average garland! Full post here: www.bridesmaid.com)

DIY Tulle Pom Poms

[via: truebluemeandyou- DIY Tulle Pom Poms. I saw these pom poms (not pictured) on pinterest that led me to Etsy where they are sold out (so much nicer in large photo here). And then tulle pom pom fever seemed to overtake me to such a degree as I wanted to find the easiest to understand tutorial out there (and I will stop sounding like a romance novel now). So I found one that had photos and written instructions (my favorite kind) at Once Wed here. 

Of course you can still use the cardboard method -which may be easier if you want to make giant tulle pom poms, but I’ve only used cardboard for the tiny ones.]

Silk Poppies- Another Beautiful Flower Alternative, Just Add Wire and Floral Tape! 

Silk Poppies How-To

1. Cut a rectangle of silk 8 to 12 inches long and 2 to 5 inches wide. Note that the grain of the fabric should run vertically along the width so the fabric’s surface looks similar to that of real petals.

2. Using a needle and thread, sew a running stitch along 1 long side of the rectangle (1/4 inch from edge), and then pull thread to tighten the fabric into a bunch. Hand-stitch center, and knot it off.

3. Cut a smaller rectangle of silk 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. This time, cut so the grain runs horizontally. Create a fringed edge by removing a few horizontal threads at the top of the rectangle.

4. Sew a running stitch along 1 long side of the rectangle (1/8 inch from edge). Pull thread to tighten fabric into a bunch. Hand-stitch center, and knot it off. You will have a small rosette.

5. Snip small curved triangular shapes from poppy to create defined petal shapes. (Alternatively, cut fringed petals.)

6. Place a button in the center of the rosette, and then place rosette in center of poppy. Sew button and rosette onto poppy, and knot it off.

7. Hand-stitch flower to brooch backing or barrette.

(Martha Stewart Living, May 2011)

Bunting That’s as Easy as Punch! Festive, high-impact and so simple! If you can’t find your wedding colors, white doilies are also easily painted to your desired color.

“For a display that’s as festive as the drinks, hang a banner of doily “flags” in coordinating colors, fold doilies in half, and glue them onto a string to hang… Pink and yellow paper doilies, Wilton, $2.29 for multi-pack of 12, sugarcraft.com. Yellow paper doilies, Lovely Lovely, $8 for package of 12, 2jane.” -Marthastewartweddings.com: Perfect Palettes: Orange, Pink, and Yellow ”