061416-southern-wedding-party-confetti.jpg

wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

Posts in Photo Shoot
How to Set Up a Quick + Easy Popcorn Bar

If you’re looking to surprise your wedding guests with something fun and unexpected at the end of your party, a DIY popcorn bar can be fun and easy. Today, I have a creative popcorn bar set up with handmade artisan popcorn balls from The Curious Confectionery.

This post was created in collaboration with several handmade shops. Brenda's Wedding Blog has received payment, trade and/or products for this party styling. All opinions are my own.

Since you’ll want your guests to be able to take home their popcorn ball and enjoy later - I've even found personalized goodie bags and the sweetest bunting ribbon {can be used as decor and to tie off the bags with if desired}.

Popcorn Bar Shopping Supply List:

• popcorn balls from The Curious Confectionery {opening on August 15th}
mini bunting ribbon from Edee Nut
personalized goodie bags from Rooted Manor
• custom Festive Fetti confetti to match your party colors
• printable popcorn bar sign {see link below to download your printable sign}
• cake stands for displaying the popcorn balls
• clear bags or plastic wrap for popcorn balls before placing in bags
 

Oh, and Guess What? I have a FREE Printable Popcorn Bar Sign for you to download. Let your guests know to “snatch + savor the goodness”. Grab your 5x7 Printable Sign Below.

Now that you have all of your supplies to create this quick and easy popcorn bar - let's get it set up.

You will first want to display your popcorn balls on the cake stands. The flavors sent to me included hummingbird, smoked salted caramel, toasted coconut and happy hipster. These handcrafted artisan popcorn balls are made with all natural ingredients and taste amazing. There is no gluten ingredients in the popcorn balls {but they are made in a facility where gluten is prepared}. However, my oldest daughter who is super gluten sensitive, had no reactions at all. We had truly couldn't even pick a favorite popcorn ball - they were each very tasty and I'm looking forward to their fall collection launching too. Wait until you hear the flavors for the fall season :)

You can can display the printable popcorn bar sign in a 5x7 frame and drape the mini bunting ribbon across it for a fun decor accent.

I scattered some of my color matching Festive Fetti around the table linen and cake stands for a little extra festive fun.

Display your personalized goodie bags on the table so guests can choose their popcorn ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and place in the goodie bag. The bags can be folded over, tied with twine, a twist tie or even some of the bunting ribbon.

Now, it's time to Snatch and Savor the Goodness with this DIY Popcorn Bar. Enjoy the sweetness :)

Garden Wedding Inspiration from Rome, Italy - with a Lemon Yellow Theme

I'm so excited to share this Styled Shoot with you today. This garden wedding inspiration is filled with lemon yellow goodness and takes place outdoors in a lovely garden setting in Rome, Italy. Come join Jess Palatucci Photography as she inspires us to plan a wedding abroad in the gardens of Italy.

Are you ready to plan your Italian Garden Wedding?

Wedding Vendor Credits:
Event Planner / Design: Alessia Marrone Event & Wedding
Photographer:  Jess Palatucci Photography
Videographer: Stefanie Murphy Media
Invitations: Pretty Ink Press
Cake / Desserts: Valentina Ricci - Sweet & Things Aranova
Florist: Paola Rossi & Elisa Constantini
Dress: Stefania Nacci
Venue: Villa dei desideri
Hair / Makeup: Ilaria - Pop Academy of Rome Pop Makeup Academy
Jewelry: Antonella Giuli-an

Moody + Dramatic Wedding Ideas : How to Go Beyond Wedding White

Today's featured styled shoot is filled to the brim with amazing, moody and dramatic inspiration. The wedding ideas are so striking with the use of dramatic color - which was inspired by bridal black. This shoot is gorgeously photographed by Chantal Routhier Photography and takes place on a llama farm. 

The goal of this wedding inspiration was to go with something darker and a tad more edgier than typical. Bridal black was the inspiration behind this stylized wedding shoot and the wedding dress was even black and white and is truly a work of art. Even the flatware was custom painted black and a silk table runner was dyed to match the wedding dress.

Many different elements were incorporated into this inspiration to make the dark, yet dreamy shoot come true . . . including rich hues, raw crystal and geometric shapes. Wait until you see the black wedding cake . . . the texture and shape are outstanding - as are the sugar flowers.

Don't miss the HUGE wedding photo gallery filled with Moody + Dramatic Wedding Ideas below the vendor credits.

Wedding Vendors:
several of the featured vendor links are affiiate links to their handmade shops
Photographer: Chantal Routhier Photography // Jewelry: Earth Goddess Designs // Makeup Artist: Elle Munster // Cake Designer: Just Iced Custom Cakes // Fashion Designer: Katrina Tuttle Bridal // Veils and headpieces: Oh Dina! // Calligrapher: Scribble and Script // Design and Decor: Sky's The Limit Design // Hair Stylist: Tara Flemming // Floral Designer: The Humble Burdock

Submitted via Two Bright Lights
Click Here to Shop Oh Dina for Wedding Flower Crowns and DIY Bachelorette Kits

Click Here to Shop Oh Dina for Wedding Flower Crowns and DIY Bachelorette Kits

37 Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring

Today is all about Creative Wedding Ideas for Spring and how you can easily DIY the fun from any type of party {even if they aren't wedding related}. I'll be showing how you can easily take the inspiration and apply the DIY ideas to your own bridal shower or wedding.

this post contains affiliate links

I want to first give a huge welcome to those coming over from Giggle Living that are following along as part of the fantastic Spring Party Blog Hop.

I’m honored to be a part of a wonderful group of ladies leading the way in Party Styling that have gathered to share our spring party ideas. You can hop from one blog to another to see all the festive inspiration in full or start here with snippets from each styled party.

Let's get started with the round-up of Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring from each of the styled spring parties . . .

Spring Party Inspiration
welcome to the 2017 Spring Blog Hop + Giveaway

from Deanna of Mirabelle Creations

PS: There's a HUGE Giveaway with $550 in prizes being given out
12 shops = 12 winners


Spring Party Inspiration
Blooming Shower

from Lynnette of Craft My Occasion
was inspired by the colors + flowers that Spring brings

While her party was styled with "A baby girl is blooming" baby shower theme in mind, that doesn't mean you can't bring the ideas into a bridal shower or a wedding reception, right? Look at that paper flowers + butterflies that make a beautiful backdrop for the dessert table. It's absolutely gorgeous and what a statement it makes.

Paper Flowers and Butterflies make the perfect backdrop for the dessert table at a spring bridal shower — Click to see 37 Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring — as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com

5 More DIY Wedding Ideas from the Blooming Shower

1. Bright + colorful cupcakes
2. Pretty decorated cookies
3. Glittery gold butterfly garland
4. Festive Fetti spring confetti mix
5. Gold cake toppers from Two Chihuahuas that were re-purposed as centerpiece sticks

Gold Glittered Cake Toppers that are re-purposed as floral centerpiece sticks — Click to see 37 Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring — as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com

Spring Party Inspiration
Kids Easter Party

from Nicole of The Party Porch

If you're planning a wedding around Easter time, how cute would this tablesetting be for the kids area at the reception? And, of course, the tassel garland is just perfect for the dessert table at the bridal shower. It's the perfect spring colors. The Festive Fetti Easter DIY Kits are the perfect little favor for your guests.

Festive Fetti Easter DIY Kits are the perfect little favor for the kids at your spring wedding reception — Click to see 37 Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring — as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com
Tassel Garland in the perfect spring colors for bridal shower decor — Click to see 37 Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring — as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com

Spring Party Inspiration
Bridal Shower Springtime Brunch

from Carolina of Mint Event Design where it's all about cupcakes and mimosas.

The colors for this bridal shower were gold, teal and blush pink and Carolina wanted to give a soft and girly look to the shower. Don't you just love this amazing greenery and floral garland lining the tablescape?

Gorgeous Greenery and Floral Garland table runner — Click to see 8 DIY Wedding Ideas for a Springtime Bridal Shower Brunch — Part of the 37 Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com

8 DIY Wedding Ideas from the Springtime Bridal Shower Brunch

1. Fresh flowers were added to make the table even prettier
2. A variety of bite size desserts were served including a strawberry mousse, mini meringues, and chocolate truffles
3. Gold lettered cake topper from Two Chihuahuas
4. Mana {a one of a kind Peruan dessert} was added to the cake side as a decoration
5. Cupcakes were presented in baking cups from The Bakers Party Shop
6. A Mimosa Station on a darling vintage serving cart
7. The "Pop the Bubbly, she is getting a hubby!" printable sign from Linda at Sprinkled Designs looks perfect inside a gold frame as decor for the drink station

A framed "pop the bubbly she's getting a hubby" printable is perfect as added party decor — Click to see 8 DIY Wedding Ideas for a Springtime Bridal Shower Brunch — Part of the 37 Creative DIY Wedding Ideas for Spring as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBl…

Spring Party Inspiration
Spring Cookies and Cocktails Display

from Esther of Bakers Party Shop shows you the ultimate presentation for the yummiest treat display.

6 DIY Wedding Ideas from the Cookies + Cocktails Display

1. Present cookies of varying heights on a beautiful cake stand {even adding a mini one on top}
2. Rim your drink glasses with gold sugar and fancy drink stirrers
3. Send guests home with fancy cookies in pretty floral bags
4. Frame a pretty Spring quote print like this one from Dianne of Mirabelle Creations
5. Present shimmery Lindt Chocolates in fancy gold edged favor boxes
6. My Festive Fetti scattered around makes a super fun and elegant addition to the decor


Spring Party Inspiration
DIY Mother’s Day celebration

from Andressa of Twinkle Twinkle Little Party is all about simple yet pretty entertaining ideas that can easily be implemented for a bridal shower brunch or the morning after the wedding celebration with guests.

6 DIY Wedding Ideas from the DIY Brunch Celebration

1. Set up a simple table with a few yummy brunch items like bagels, cinnamon donuts and thin whole grain cocktail bread for delicious Greek yogurt and fruit mini toast
2. Serve a grapefruit pompelini - the perfect light wine for brunches, picnics and cocktail parties. Have guests enjoy a chilled wine glass with added fresh berries
3. For sweets, serve yummy desserts from your local bakery -  a delicious cake, French macarons and cake pops.
4. Top your decadently buttercream frosted cake with a single fresh bloom of your choice
5. For a pop of color, arrange several flavors of macarons on a mini dessert stand
6. Incorporate a DIY floral arrangement into your decor in colors that match the party


Spring Party Inspiration
Springtime Berries and Shortcake Station

from Lori of Giggle Living is a fantastic choice for a bridal shower or a morning after the wedding day brunch.

Lori was inspired to create a fun twist on a springtime dessert buffet so the shortcakes and springtime dessert buffet was created. Lori loves to stick to a simple theme when planning a celebration and that often revolves around color. For this party styling, Lori chose the fresh shades of green for the party decorations, and with the Pantone Color of the year being Greenery, this is a super easy choice. Butterflies were also introduced to add springtime joy.

10 DIY Wedding Ideas from the Springtime Berries and Shortcake Station

1. Add decorative frames around a pretty print {like this one from Sprinkled Designs} and it becomes the gorgeous backdrop for the dessert table.
2. Large scale butterflies were added around the print to a fun design element.
3. Label your food with fancy printable food tents
4. Bring the butterfly element into the food with butterfly shaped cookies topped with Sprinklefetti confetti
5. Create a fun garland with mini honeycomb balls
6. Present desserts {like cookies} on edible Easter grass
7. Add a few more sweets to the beverage table
8. A fabric garland is the perfect backdrop for the beverage station
9. Create lemon ice cubes by freezing lemon slices in a muffin tin with water
10. Dress up your bar cart with a springtime sips banner from Two Chihuahuas

Even my Festive Fetti makes an appearance on the table top scattered around as added decor. Now, head on back to Lori’s post for more inspiration and to grab her recipe for Shortcake Biscuits and Creme Fraiche.


Thank you so much for joining us today and I hope you loved seeing the amazing talent of this great group of ladies - bloggers, party stylists and handmade shop owners. I'm so honored to have been able to be a part of this fantastic blog hop event. PS: Don't forget to keep you're eye out for the giveaway launching tonight on Instagram.

How to Plan a Luxurious and Romantic Vintage Wedding in an Urban Venue

Today I have some spectacular creative wedding inspiration from Wedding Business Club member Marianne Blackham Photography. She recently photographed the intimate vow renewal of Hayley from Fairytale Pursuits.

Marianne and Hayley combined the vow renewal with a styled shoot so Marianne could show how to plan a luxurious and romantic vintage winter wedding in an urban venue. She’s often asked how to make this happen so Marianne is here to share the details so you can successfully re-create this theme yourself.

To add a luxurious touch make sure the place settings reflect that goal.

Include a champagne flute, wine glasses, as well as a glass for water. Make sure there are the appropriate number of plates and utensils, as demonstrated below. 

Luxurious and romantic vintage wedding tablescape inspiration in an urban venue — photo by Marianne Blackham Photography — as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com
Luxurious and romantic vintage wedding tablescape inspiration in an urban venue — photo by Marianne Blackham Photography — as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com

If the venue is urban but a vintage or romantic feeling is desired then make sure to use decor to reflect that.

For example the DJ brought vintage equipment to add a vintage touch to a very urban venue.  Also look for vintage landmarks around the venue to get pictures at to add a vintage touch . . . as demonstrated below.

Use Vintage Music Equipment to bring a vintage vibe to your wedding reception — Luxurious and romantic vintage wedding inspiration in an urban venue — photo by Marianne Blackham Photography — as seen on www.BrendasWeddingBlog.com
Vendor Credits: {several of these link to affiliates}
Photographer: Marianne Blackham Photography — Event Venue: American Institute of Architects — Floral Designer: Bee Inspired Events — Bridesmaid Dresses:Bella Bridesmaids — Cinema and Video: Capital Films DC — Event Planner: Fairytale Pursuits — Officiant: Hitched 360 — Other: J and L Designs -- Wedding Cape — Makeup Artist: Liz Miller Beauty & Design — Linens and Coverings: Party Rental Ltd. — Second Shooter: Pedro Alicea — Caterer: Simon Cuisine — Cake Designer: Sorby Sweets LLC — DJ: The Dapper DJs — Heirlooms and extras: The Garter Girl by Julianne Smith — Invitation Designer: The Stationery Barn — Signage: Weddings By Joedi

Submitted via Two Bright Lights