Spotted: DIY Centerpiece

I just spied these DIY paper flower centerpieces and felt obligated to share. The bride, Sarah, also handmade burlap sachets filled with chocolate covered espresso beans as favors. You need to check out her entire wedding over on Belle Bride, but I thought I’d give you a little DIY inspiration! These images are by Andrea Dozier and I know you’re going to LOVE them!

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DIY Friday!

First, let me say how incredibly excited I am that so many of you participated in the survey. It really means so much to me that you took a moment to answer  questions about your experience here. You are helping me better gear Grey Likes content toward what you want most. I’m planning on sharing much of the findings with you, however, we are busy tabulating and compiling data. I’ve also got a really great little addition that I’m throwing into our survey giveaway to sweeten the pot, but I’m waiting until Monday to share it with you. I promise, it’ll be good. So if you haven’t yet taken the survey, get into it, would you?

Speaking of survey, what I can say with certainty is that an overwhelming majority of you want are more DIY projects! So, ask and you shall receive. I’ve gathered a few ideas here that at first glance, may not seem like DIY projects, but I’m going to go ahead break it down for you, DIY style.

First up: Vintage stamps above from Blue Bell Bazaar. If you are making handmade save the dates, I think these little suckers could be a really cute way to print out the date. Check out this postcard and a full DIY how-to by Lauren Elise Craft as an example:

Next, bunting above via Mary Ruffle. Yes, bunting is everywhere. All the cool kids are doing it. And you wanna be cool, but you don’t want to be the same as everyone else. Well, I think this nautical style bunting is a nice little twist. The shape in particular is a little different from the triangles that I’ve been seeing.  It’s all about mixing it up and adding your own spin. Here’s a bunting DIY how-to, along with another example of some unique shaped bunting from Purl Bee:

Third: Chalkboard menu above by Karen Mordechai of  Sunday Suppers. For a fabulous chalkboard DIY how-to check out Joy de Vivre, who also put together this gorgeous board, with credits here.

Even more goods coming. For reals. I’m killing you with DIY today. Your fingers will be all sore and bloody by the time you report back in on Monday morning.

The doily garland above via Mary Ruffle (I’m obsessed with her tumblr blog, if you can’t tell!)  is a little twist too. I’ve never seen it done like this and I absolutely ADORE it mixed in with lights. Don’t you? Looks like it involves white twinkle lights, heart shaped doilies, and tape. Need I say more?

Next up are the tin can centerpiece containers. What I like about the ones above is the twist in color. DIY projects are all over the internets about these guys…but take note of the really great copper color that isn’t painted on perfectly. I really love it. But, if you’re not into the copper paint, there’s always tea tins, like these ones shot by Jose Villa:

And last up is the cinder block centerpiece by Kelly Harris of Yes, Please Design. She’s gone and taken an ugly cinder block and turned it into a really modern, affordable little DIY centerpiece AND table number. And of course, it’s insanely cute. I love it! Check out her DIY how-to here!

So are you stoked or what? I just dropped 6 (ish) DIY projects in one post. Boom.

Tiffany Blue Bridal Shower

This Tiffany blue bridal shower is absolutely gorgeous. Bet you’d never guess it was done on a budget! With the combined talents of Nanci at So Happi Together, Jane at Olive Hue Paper, Melody at Sweet and Saucy, and a few other vendors (see below), the result is absolutely lovely. Thoughtful, well-executed details (and some Trader Joe’s peonies) are all it really takes! Connie M. Chung Photography took these photos! Thanks gals for sharing!

Special thanks for the provision of: Chiavari Chairs – Chiavari Chair Rentals | Linens –  Elegant Design Specialty Linens

Mother’s Day Picnic

For Mother’s Day this year, we celebrated my mom as well as my sister, who is a mom for the first time this year. I thought I’d share our picnic with you, because I think if you are hosting a small wedding, an outdoor picnic might be a fun alternative to brunch the morning after the wedding. You can even use leftover flowers and decor from your wedding! A picnic might also be a great idea for the afternoon of your rehearsal dinner. Lunch in the park and lawn games with out-of-town guests and family could be the perfect antidote to wedding stress and jitters.

The photos are by T&H Photography and myself. Flowers and styling by Grey Likes Weddings.

For the recipe and photos of these lemon tartlettes we made for the picnic, check out Grey Likes Nesting!

Real Wedding: Jenny and Jeff

Love all the quirky details from Jenny and Jeff’s wedding, which was sent to me by Choco Studio. I particularly adore the succulent centerpieces, which are SOOO DIY friendly. They last forever and look so great stuffed in all sorts of unique little containers. I hope you enjoy! Happy Tuesday!

Utterly Engaged

I am thrilled to announce that the fabulous gals over at D*LSH Design and Red Velvet Occasions have just released the first issue of their new E-zine, Utterly Engaged. Henny, Lucia and Eva asked me if I would design the flowers for one of their first spreads and I was more than thrilled to oblige.

Because the magazine aims to cater to a variety of brides on a variety of budgets, we had fun exploring floral options with several different price ranges. Click here to check out the entire article and to see more photos shot by the always fabulous Stephanie Williams. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

Everyone’s Doing It…

Talking about peonies, that is. Yesterday I was at my local friendly Trader Joe’s (oh how I love me some Trader’s) and I couldn’t resist purchasing a bunch of peonies.

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Wouldn’t you know, they’ve bloomed overnight and now I CANNOT take my eyes off them. I keep them in my line of vision and look over with googly eyes every few seconds like an adoring pre-teen fan. I’d get their autograph if I could.

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Anyhow, these beauties are in season right now, which means they’re way more affordable AND better looking. If you’re getting married during this time of year, please, do me a favor and use peonies.

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Or, just pick some up for yourself, put them in the vase, and tell them (as often as you can when no one is listening) how much you adore them.

{Home Shopping Spy}

She looks lovely alone, or surround with a bunch of other pretty friends. (Though I think the peony makes all the other gals jealous).

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Look what $6 can do? (Yes, $6…that’s how much I paid for 5 stems!)

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And she’s mighty versatile! She can do casual and she can do fancy.

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Happy Tuesday!

DIY Flowers from Design Sponge and Saipua

Check out this fantastic video (below) featured on Design Sponge for a how-to on arranging flowers. Sarah, from Saipua has some really great tips for those of you interested in learning how to put together simple arrangements.

Flowers & Dirt

It seems most brides really have their hearts set on floral centerpieces. And I don’t blame you…they are JUST SO PRETTY. However, if you’re looking for a way to incorporate stems on the table but are concerned about cost, I’ve got an option worth considering. Why not keep ’em potted?

The pros as are follows: 1) You can buy the centerpieces ahead of time…so if you’re a DIY bride, it’s like doing your own flowers a week in advance…and with little to no work!  2) They can double as favors if you do a small grouping per table.  3) You can plant them and have a nice little memento from your wedding day that will outlast that frozen wedding cake you’re going to choke down in a year.  4) They are rather affordable!

Here are a few delightful examples:

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{2000 Dollar Wedding}

{Nancy Liu Chin via Here Comes the Guide}   &    {Martha Stewart}

{Jessica Claire via The Classic Invitation}

{Country Living}

{arranged} photos!

I can’t begin to tell you how lucky I am that not one, but TWO unbelievably fabulous photographers attended our workshop. Jessica Claire (who is already my new friend) and Jasmine Star (who I might force to be my friend because she’s just so cool) were kind enough to bring along their camera and take some lovely photos while they weren’t slaving over their arrangement. Special thanks to both of them for attending AND for taking these beautiful shots! 

To purchase tickets for our next event on Sunday, May 31 from 3-5pm (don’t worry…that’s NOT Memorial Day weekend…I checked!) click here.