DIY labels:

These labels are the perfect DIY project. This simple “DAD” centerpiece can be replaced with the word “LOVE” and will make the perfect centerpiece at your wedding or bridal shower.

Where to find: Check out Ruffled or 100 Layer Cake for easy DIY label templates!

Water Bottles:

There are several creative ways you can do your water bottles, so it won’t be hard to “brand” your wedding from beginning to end. Make sure the water is cold especially on the hot summer days… your guests will thank you!

Where to find: The Knot Wedding Shop, Beau-coup, AmericanBridal.com

Wine Bottles:

Wine bottles are perfect for the engagement party, bridal shower, or wedding. Make sure if you are a wine lover you can also find winery’s that can make your own personal blend along with labels. With wine the possibles are endless.

Where to find: The Knot Wedding Shop, Beau-coup, AmericanBridal.com

Soda Bottles:

The go-to soda company Jones Soda… what more do I need to say? Its perfect for everything and its Pure Cane Soda.

Where to find: Jones Soda

**Don’t forget to recycle your bottles.

Happy Planning!

Photos courtesy of: Pineapple Hill Designs, Manolo for the Brides, Home Shopping- 2ols.com, Precious Nuptials & Destinations, Carolina Sweet Couture, Duct Taped Design, The Sweet Life, Jones Soda.

When you go to the garden center make sure you find plants that can be easily taken care of and grow anywhere.

Also look for fresh herbs, there’s nothing better than the smell of lavender or rosemary at an outdoor wedding.

What you’ll need:

Spray paint to match your wedding colors

Plants

Pots (you can also do several different sizes if you want a layered look on the tables)

Stencils & Paint (if you want to decorate the outside of the pots)

You don’t have to use the potted plants just as centerpieces. You can also use them as wedding favors, and escort cards for you guests. The possibles are endless with this DIY project.

Beau-coup also has great garden party favors that will compliment your potted centerpieces, so make sure you check them out for more options.

Above photo courtesy of weddingdish.thinklikeabride.com.

TGIF!

Have you entered the Wedding Giveaway with Katy Gray Photography! No?? Make sure you do!

First up: Wood

Balsa wood bridal bouquets. They are handmade from tapioca wood peel, also called sola wood, a naturally derived paper product. Since  they aren’t technically a live flower, they never die making them the perfect eco-friendly alternative to a floral bouquet.

Bliss encourages you to contact your local florist and see where you can get them. If for some reason your florist can’t find them check out Save on Crafts, they offer art and craft supplies at discounted prices!

Second up: Buttons

I personally love this trend. This trend started a few years ago and is only getting bigger. You can either find felt and button bouquets or buttons (like the one above). The one above came via Really Bad Kitty. You can also check out more Etsy finds and Princess Lasertron.

Bliss has 3 more great alternatives, so make sure you CLICK HERE to check them out!

Photos courtesy of Bliss Event Planning.

Pinwheels aren’t just for kids anymore. I love how we’re seeing pinwheels incorporated into every aspect of weddings and engagements now. When I came across the above photo by Cheyenne Schultz I knew I had to do a post on pinwheels. Instead of balloons this couple used pinwheels to make their engagement session fun.

The Cupcake Chronicles showed how pinwheels can also be used as escort cards for your wedding. Isn’t this the cutest idea!

This esty find gave pinwheels an updated makeover. Their fancy and all grown up with lace, elegant paper, and vintage buttons.

Pinwheels can also be a great alternative to flower bouquets, boutonnieres, or cupcake toppers

Photo courtesy of Cupcake Social on Etsy.

These pinwheels by rule42 on etsy can be custom made just for you!

If you want a little project you can visit Once Wed for an easy to follow DIY Wedding Pinwheel tutorial!

The Classic Bun. This simple style can be stunning by adding a little bling. Finding a jeweled hair clip or stick will give it that extra little touch.

The Twist. Not only will large drop earrings dress up this look, but you can never go wrong with the ballerina look.

The Casual Look. I love this. Its casual, simple and perfect for the outdoor summer wedding.

The Side-Sweep. Loose curls, swept to the side. Yes, please! Its the classic beach girl look and I love it.

The Loose Curls. You women who have naturally curly hair… this is a great style for your wedding. But it isn’t just for women with curly hair. This look will look great on everyone, so why not flaunt those curls!

Make sure you check out Wedding Channel’s 15 Amazing DIY Hairstyles for more ideas and tips.

All photos courtesy of Wedding Channel.

Help your wedding guests find their way by having a sign pointing to the ceremony or reception.

Photo courtesy of STYLEINSPIRED.

They are also great for your portraits.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Messina.

Don’t forget to incorporate them into the reception. You can also do a big wedding chalkboard for the seating chart or menu.

Photos courtesy of Southern Living and Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Signs don’t always have to be just for weddings. They would be perfect to incorporate into an engagement session.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Messina via Inspired By This.

Don’t forget to check out Etsy.com, you can always find great signs on there.

Happy Planning!

In case you missed it yesterday make sure you check out Carrie & Gergely’s Real Engagement!

She wanted something fast and easy. She was able to find similar typeface and added a wedding couple and here’s what she came up with:

Isn’t this SO cute! I can’t wait to see what this New York couple comes up with for their wedding in September.

Our Dylan List member cloud 9 Weddings & Papers also has stunning stationary. I’ve been swooning for almost a week with the letterpress invitations that they just got in. As all of you know paper has become a bit of an obsession for me. I can’t help but love it. Back in February I did a post on My Love of Paper and I posted some of my favorite eco-friendly stationary lines.

Well, now you can add Spark Letterpress to that list. This eco-friendly line has me thinking about throwing a party just so I can order some invitations!

Isn’t it divine? I just love how elegant their stationary is. Make sure you check out Spark’s website and well as cloud 9 Weddings & Paper’s website for more information.

Photos courtesy of Taylor Glenn Photography & cloud 9 Weddings & Paper.

Couples find colors that are important to them and match their wedding colors. It will take hours and even weeks to finish, but in the end you will have a beautiful DIY project.

What you’ll need:

If you haven’t made cranes before there are kits out there with easy directions. The kits can get you started and you can buy additional origami paper and string for the cranes.

The first few might not come out the way you want as you can see with the yellow and pink one above. Don’t get discouraged the cranes will get better the more you make. The end result a beautiful garland for your wedding day.

Photo courtesy of San Diego Wedding Insider via Once Wed.

1. The Reception Venue. Reducing your carbon footprint and saving money at the same time can be very easy. First, look into getting married outside this will cut down on water and electricity. Also, look into having your ceremony and reception at one place. This way there is no travel and you are cutting down on fuel emissions. Make sure you check out GreenHotels.com, there are a ton of eco-friendly hotels in the Rocky Mountains, you just have to look for them.

2. Stationary. Yes, you can send beautiful invitations in the mail without using trees. Use one envelop instead of two or recycled products. They have seed paper where you print right on it. The coolest part about the seed paper is your guests can plant the paper in their garden and have beautiful flowers. Also look into recycled paper or cotton. Several Stationary people do offer these products. Don’t know where to start in the Rocky Mountains? Check out Cloud 9, one of our Dylan List members. They carry a entire line of eco-friendly stationary.

3. Flowers. If you are allergic to flowers this is a simple solution.  But, if you are not here’s a few things to keep in mind. Princess Lasertron is a company you have to check out. They make bouquets out of buttons and felt. If you choose to have real flowers ask your florist about what flowers are in-season and if they can find them locally. This way they don’t have to be shipped and your cutting down again on fuel emissions. Also check out VeriFlora-certified. This means that the blooms aren’t drenched in chemicals or grown under harsh working conditions.

4. Catering. We all know that food is the highlight to any celebration. Choose wisely with your food choices because it can get spendy if your are looking into organic and locally grown food. Look for caterers that already use organic and  locally grown food. If they buy directly from the grower the food will need less time in the fridge and packaging. You will also create less trash and use less electricity. Another great idea is serving food that is in-season. For example, you wouldn’t want to serve winter squash in the summer because it will have to be grown in a greenhouse.

5. The Favors. Have favors that you or your guest can re-use in your house. This is great for the DIY projects. Have planted pots with flowers as the centerpieces so guests can take them home. Or give them something that is edible, that way they will not be throwing away or leaving your thank you gift on the tables. Another option to look into is donating to a charity. Let your guests know about your contribution via word of mouth rather than printing out cards or a sign.

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings.

Why not tell the world what you are doing? I’m looking for bridal contributors for Lucy Dylan Weddings. I am looking for brides who are getting married in the Rocky Mountain Region, or, are from the Rocky Mountains and planning a destination wedding. We want to see your ideas, photos, and everything in between from start to finish.

Email me at info{at}lucydylanweddings.com if you are a bride interested in becoming a bridal contributor for Lucy Dylan Weddings.

Photo courtesy of Jenna Walker Photographers.