I know that you are going to go nuts over these DIY Bridesmaid Survival Kits…

I am working on getting complete instructions for these, but in the meantime, I found the miniature suitcases at Land of Nod (random, I know). Fill each one with all of the necessities that a bridesmaid would need…a small sewing kit, safety pins, mints, gum, things like that.

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Next, this oh-so-perfect “Kissing Tree.” As an alternative to the clinking of glasses, the guests approach the tree and pluck off a matchbook. The MC then reads aloud what they have to do to have the bride and groom kiss. Things like answering bride and groom trivia, singing a love song with your table and preforming a charade of a “wedding” movie…

From the bride…

“The kissing tree was an alternative to the clinking of glasses. The guest would approach the tree and pluck off a matchbook (if you look closely it has an embossed smooch on it), then hand it to the MC. He would then read aloud what they had to do to have us kiss. The tasks included…answering Bride and Groom trivia, singing a love song with your table, performing a charade of a “wedding” movie, or demonstrating how we were to kiss by kissing someone else!”

To Make the Kissing Tree…

Insert tall, sturdy branches into the base of a vase (using the green styrofoam). Hang matchbooks that have been adorned with fun tasks, to each of the branches. Make sure to only have about 25 matchbooks on the tree so that the game doesn’t get boring or redundant. And, make sure to prep your dj ahead of time so that he understands his job!

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This DIY wreath is so incredibly elegant…

To Make the Wreath…

The round white wreath is made from a Styrofoam round, square edge, wreath and white iridescent tissue paper. Simply cut the tissue into approximate 4″ by 4″ squares, take the sharp end of a pencil, put it in the centre of the tissue, dip it in all purpose glue and stab it into the wreath. Repeat a couple hundred times. Bend some wire to make a hook and glue it into the back of the wreath. All materials from Michaels.

To Make the Wedding/Just Married Banner…

The wooden ‘wedding’/'just married’ banner was cut from 1/4″ wood we found at our local home and garden store. My dad and my (now) husband cut the shape from a template I provided. It was then sanded and stained. The letters I printed on the computer (print the letters as a mirror image on the back side of scrapbooking paper - this way, no lines), cut out by hand and secured with glue. Drill two holes, thread ribbon and attached to the hook in the back.

I have to say, these birch inspired candle holders are one of my personal favorites…I honestly can’t believe that this bride made them by hand, but we have the pictures to prove it. Just goes to show, with a little imagination and a little muscle, you really can create store-worthy details…

I am working on getting the how-to details for these amazing birch candle holders!