DIY THURSDAY: DIY Cake Topper

I am all about a little DIY project that costs close to nothing and adds a personal touch to your wedding all at the same time. I mean who isn't really? So today I'm here to share with you probably one of my favorite DIYs that I did for a friend's wedding.

Sarah and Joe are two of our close friends finally got married and gave us pretty much complete freedom in regards to the design of their big day. But anyway, Sarah is a singer/guitarist who plays pretty frequently around Savannah. **Check out her gig schedule here!! And Joe is in the military and works on and flies helicopters. For their cake topper they wanted to do something fun so we came up with the idea to do a guitar for her and a helicopter for him. And what better way to find the perfect cake topper than to make it ourselves?

TOTAL COST: $5.98 + spray paint

We basically have an infinite stock of gold spray paint at our shop so I didn't have to spend a dime on that. Honestly the hardest part of this DIY was finding the guitar. An unsuccessful trip to Michael's, then Dollar Tree led me to begrudgingly head over to Toys R Us. Which if you are not a kid I feel like is an extremely overwhelming experience. Because I think they have like every single toy that has ever been made. Ever... but really I mean like ever ever ever. And the aisles are packed with toys, so many toys. I looked up and down and up and down and up and down every aisle thinking the best bet was a Barbie with a guitar. No luck. Got to the back of the store (now in toddler land) and finally gave in and asked someone. He looked at me funny but then I started asking for like you know... what about a doll that is a rockstar? Maybe a boy rockstar? A toy like that? Anything? And voile, he was able to help direct me to a Beatrix Girls rockstar doll. I laughed pretty hard when I saw it and said perfect. A fairy shaped guitar, I will take it. Yup, Toys R Us guy. It's perfect.

So... for you and your groom all you have to do is think about things you love and then find the mini version toy to make your cake topper. For me it would probably have to be a dinosaur, a cat or a snowboard. For Adrienna bets are on a cat, a bow or a beading knit type thingy. Nic, the kangaroo, would probably opt for a kangaroo, a bottle of Jim Beam or salsa dancing shoes. The possibilities really are endless because well, like I said above, Toys R Us has every toy you have ever heard of. So pick up your favorite toy, your favorite color of spray paint and you're done. DIY cake topper.

Huge congratulations to Sarah & Joe who just got back from their honeymoon on Monday! We could not be more excited for the happy couple and huge thank you for letting us have so much freedom with the designing of your wedding!! It was so absolutely fun and exciting!!!!!! We love ya'll!!

{Vendor Credits} Photo: Alexis Sweet Photography (top image taken with Nicole's iPhone) // Donuts: Baker's Pride // Cake Toppers: Dollar Tree DIY by Ivory + Beau

DIY THURSDAY: Yarn Air Plant Balls

It is no lie that sometimes I have moments of antsyness when I need to get off the computer, stop replying to e-mails and just sit back and craft. Mindless crafting for hours... and hours... and more hours. This kind of crafting keeps me sane. So when my best friend Rachel got engaged I told her that she better be giving me some craft projects for days when I just can't be bothered to reply to e-mails. {Disclaimer: these days are very few and don't happen often so if you are my wedding planning client reading this do not fret. I still will aim to reply to all e-mails within 48 hours.} That being said, there are still some days I have to just take a break. And so when I ran across these adorable yarn air plant balls seen on Octopus Garden's instagram I asked Rachel to please let me make these for her wedding and thank goodness she said yes. Level of difficulty is yet to be determined but here is a little guide for this DIY project I will be spending many hours to complete. Thank you Rachel for entrusting me with crafting madness for your big day!!!!!

{Shopping Guide} Hot Glue Gun via Blick // Styrofoam Blocks via Blick // Baby Alpaca Chunky Yarn via Craftsy //

DIY THURSDAY Beaded Headband

I love beading. Love love beads! I love how with such tiny beads you can create a work of art! For our Gems + Rocks valentines shoot, we needed something for the brides hair. And what better way to incorporate gems then into a headband! This is a super easy project, and you can use any type of beads. For this one, we used glass chip beads in purples and greens, but you could always use more rounded ones for a smoother finish. First, you take the 2mm wire, and lay out how long you want it to be. Using wire cutters, cut to the desired length (but make sure to leave extra on the ends!) Then you start adding beads! For this one, I added them completely at random, but you could always do by color for an ombre feel, or even patterned! Once all of the beads are on, you twist the wire closed on the ends, and add a loop so you can easily bobby pin it in the hair! If you want it to adjust, just tie the wired ends to a hair tie, and that will allow it to stretch to different head widths! See? Fast and easy! This is perfect not only for your wedding, but for going out! You can make them in every color to go with every outfit!

{Photo Credits} Photography by Mackensey Alexander // Makeup by Heather of Beyond Beautiful by Heather
{Shopping Guide} Gold wire, purple beads, and green beads from Panda Hall

DIY THURSDAY: Calligraphy Chargers

A charger is an easy way to glam up a place setting or signify a special setting for the bride and groom, bridal party or family members. For those of you with pretty cursive this is an inexpensive and easy DIY as well as a way to customize and put a personal touch on the little details. How about writing the lyrics out to your love song? Favorite poem? Wedding vows? Love letter? A $1 decorative plate from the Dollar Tree plus spray paint in your colors plus a calligraphy pen in a metallic color and some time and you have a pretty charger. 

{Photo Credits} Calligraphy Chargers via Horses + Calligraphy, photography by Allison Kuhn {Shopping Guide} Plate via Dollar Tree // Calligraphy Pens via Wedding Things // Spray Paint via Blick