do it yourself - Zenadia Design

Mar19

2 Comments

Fantastic Favors

Posted in: BLOG CATEGORIES, do it yourself, favors

There are so many options when it comes to favors for weddings these days. Below are some of my favorites, all from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Left: Not only do these boxes make adorable centerpieces, you can continue the theme with little favor boxes filled with candy and topped with flowers. Right: Doubling as a centerpiece, guests can take these quaint little bouquets home with them after the festivities.

Left: A cute way to give guests their candy and a nice alternative to the candy bar. Right: Giving to a charity in your guests name, or simply want to write them a little note to thank them for coming, these little notes are a perfect and personal favor.

Left: A cube box of cookies makes a nice alternative to regular round cookies. Right: Make ordinary cookies more pleasing to the eye with rubber stamps. Simple press the rubber stamp into the dough and bake as you normally would. (love this!)

So many fun ways to box your favors!

Left: Little bags of fresh cherries. Perfect for a summer or spring celebration! Right: Pin up small bags of candy on a board and let your guests choose a bag for themselves.

Hope you enjoyed some wedding favor inspiration, and got some wonderful ideas for wedding favors!
Mar17

No Comments

Nonpariel Magazine

Posted in: BLOG CATEGORIES, announcements, blogs, do it yourself, planning resource

Most of you have probably heard of the fabulous new online magazine, Nonpariel. It’s full of amazing DIY projects and beautiful pictures. I’m always inspired when I browse through it’s pages. Definitely check it out!
Mar1

1 Comment

Simply Succulents

Posted in: BLOG CATEGORIES, do it yourself, eco friendly weddings, floral design

A while back we did a post on succulents, and I think they have definitely grown in their popularity since then. Still a favorite of mine, succulents can add that unique pop to a bouquet or floral arrangement. Below are some of my favorite succulent arrangements as of late.

Image Credits:

1-2 Jasmine Star for JL Designs, 3 My Sweet and Saucy Blog, 4 Lollipop Events and Design via Once Wed, 5-6 Brandon Kidd via Once Wed, 7 Once Wed, 8-9 Shyla Photography, 10 Erin Hearts Court via Once Wed, 11 Lollipop Events and Design via Once Wed, 12 Succulent Love, 13-14 JL Designs, 15 Jasmine Star
Jan27

1 Comment

Decorating with Fabric

Posted in: BLOG CATEGORIES, do it yourself, inspiration, wedding decor

Have an ugly wall you need to cover at your reception? Or just looking for a way to spruce up a ceremony or reception? Fabric may be the answer. Incredibly versatile, fabric can be used in a variety of situations for your wedding celebrations. I love the look of it draped across a ceiling, or stretched out to create an “outdoor” ceiling. Just a few weeks ago, I was the stylist of my best friend’s wedding and I suggested using black fabric to cover the not so pretty pictures in her reception hall, then to hang their e-session pics on the black fabric, creating something much more pleasing to the eye and fun to look at.

Below are some of my favorite inspirations at the moment for decorating with fabric.

Image Credits:

1 Brides.com, 2 Brides.com, 3 Brides.com, 4 Joy Thigpen via Inspired By This, 5-6 Michelle Rago, 7-8 Stephanie Hogue for La Fete, 9-11 Elizabeth Messina for Oh, How Charming, 12-15 La Fete
Nov18

2 Comments

Beautiful Balsa Wood

Posted in: BLOG CATEGORIES, Fun finds, do it yourself, eco friendly weddings, floral design, inspiration, trends

Talk about an heirloom from your wedding day, balsa wood floral bouquets are the next big thing in floral design for weddings I do believe. These beautiful, forever lasting arrangements are a perfect choice for any celebration and are eco-friendly to boot.

There are different options when it comes to wood flowers. If you are do-it-yourself kind of gal, Save On Crafts stocks some great options at fairly good prices as well.

Image Credits:

1-2 Gia Canali, 3-6 JL Designs, 7 Save on Crafts
Nov11

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Get With the Program

Posted in: BLOG CATEGORIES, do it yourself, invitations, other work, planning resource

For a lot of brides, what to include in your ceremony program is some what of a mystery. I get a lot of clients asking what they should or should not include in their wedding day programs. I always tell them they can basically include whatever they wish, with as little or as much information as they deem necessary. Below is a basic guideline of what to include in your program.

Your name
The date of the wedding
Location of the ceremony
Wedding Participants
Parents of the Bride
Parents of the Groom
Grandparents of the Bride
Grandparents of the Groom
Maid of Honor
Best Man
Bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Flower Girls
Officiant

Order of the Ceremony

Prelude (list music if you wish)
Seating of Mothers
Processional (list music if you wish)
Opening words
Readings
Wedding Vows
Exchange of Rings
Pronouncement
Blessing
Recessional (list music if you wish)

You may also want to include the following:

Note of thanks from the Bride and Groom
Explanation of any religious ceremonies
Dedications
How long you have known each person in your bridal party.

All program designs by Zenadia Design
Oct14

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Decorated, naturally

Posted in: BLOG CATEGORIES, Fall inspirations, do it yourself, eco friendly weddings, floral design, wedding decor, weddings on a budget

I love the idea of using natural elements to decorate for a wedding or party. Tree branches to string crystals from, moss to add a little special something to a flower arrangement or pieces of cut wood to elevate a vase or cake stand. These are unexpected and very budget friendly ways to decorate. Not to mention, very eco-friendly! You don’t necessarily have to have an outdoor theme wedding to use these elements. See some inspiration below.

Image Credits:
1-4 Matthew Robins for Artfool, 5-6 Aaron Delesie for Lisa Vorce, 7-9 Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, 10-13 Once Wed
Feb13

1 Comment

Valentines Craft Time

Posted in: Fun finds, do it yourself

At a loss for what to get your sweetheart? With the economy being as it is, why not make something special? Martha Stewart has some great ideas to get you started! Below are a few of my favorites. Click the links below each image to get instructions. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Paper Flowers

Vintage Valentines

Paper Heart Wrappings

Personalized Chocolates

Knitted Catnip Delight
Dec17

3 Comments

Planning A… Christmas Celebration

Posted in: do it yourself, food, inspiration, planning a...

Whether you are planning a holiday party, or a Christmas Day celebration, these tips and pictures will help inspire you as you plan your affair.

Set the Tone. The invitation will definitely set the tone, but you also want to set the tone for the party before your guests enter the house. Decorating outside for Christmas is pretty easy, considering all the available options. Hang lights, trim the door with some garland and a wreath, line your walkways with luminaries. Here are some images to help fuel your creativity.

Photo credits Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart

The Decor. If you are like me, you’ll have your house decked out for Christmas already. Some of my favorite ways to decorate are of course, your Christmas tree. I also love the idea of hanging a wreath inside in front of a window or a mirror. Another favorite holiday decor tip of mine is candles. I love candles and think they create such a wonderful mood!

Photo Credits Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart

Photo Credits by author, Martha Stewart

The Food and Table Decorations. If you are throwing a holiday party, simple food will be just fine for your guests, as opposed to a full on meal. I just helped my parents throw a Christmas Party this last weekend, and they served all the fixings for yummy sandwiches, plus a sumptuous dessert bar. Below are some ideas for table decorations and food presentation.

Images by author

Image by author

Images by author

Food. A dessert bar is always a popular and well loved addition to any party. See the images below for more simple and tasty snacks.

Hot Spinach Dip, White-Bean Dip with Toasted Pita Chips

Creamy Deviled Eggs, Parmesan Spirals

Good luck planning your holiday party and Christmas celebrations!!
Dec15

1 Comment

Dessert Bars

Posted in: do it yourself, favors, we, wedding decor, wedding food

Sweet and irresistible, dessert bars are as popular as ever at weddings and special events. Use these tasty stops as favors for your guests by having them fill a bag with goodies to enjoy on the way home. Chocolate fountains are sometimes a fun addition to dessert bars. Dip fresh fruit and all kinds of yummy things in chocolate!

Image via Brides.com

There are countless options of sweet treats to have at your dessert bar. Here are just a few ideas:
- your favorite candy, of course
- miniature snickers, or other popular candy bar
- caramel apples
- cookies
- marshmallows dipped in chocolate or plain marshmallows
- graham crackers in chocolate
- lollipops
- caramel corn or popcorn
- rock candy
- licorice
- any type of hard candy is nice
- gummy bears
- chocolate covered almonds

My all time favorite dessert bar has to be this one by Lisa Vorce, via Style Me Pretty. I could stare at it for days its just SO beautiful!

Image via Rebecca Thuss.

Another take on the dessert bar:
Since cold weather is upon us, consider having a fire pit outside and have a smore bar. Stock it with graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate and any other sweet treat you think would compliment a smore. Your guests will love making something yummy while keeping warm!

Images 1-3 via Style Me Pretty, 4-6 via Brides.com and 7-11 via Rebecca Thuss.