Category: DIY Wedding Blog

Laurie created this INCREDIBLE woodland wreath for this week’s DIY project. To see more, check out the feature on Ritzy Bee today.

**Update: Instructions and pictures added below**

Supplies:

1 14” Styrofoam wreath form
12 floral water picks (short ones with pointed ends)
20 12” pieces of medium thickness floral wire
1 bag of green sphagnum moss
1 yard wide satin ribbon ( 2” – 3” wide)
1 yard thinner ribbon ( approximately 1” wide)
18” skinny ribbon ( to use as hanger for wreath)
1 large hydrangea bloom
1 small  maiden hair fern plant (a 4” pot size will work)
6 -9 cymbidium orchid blooms ( or any other small flower will do)
Several long pins ( corsage or t-pins will work)
Several heads from a hen and chick plant

All of the supplies should be available at you local craft store, nursery, or flower shop.

Tools:

Scissors
Wire cutters
Floral clippers or knife

Directions:

Begin by covering your work surface with newspaper or an old tablecloth.  Moss is messy!

1. Tie a length of skinny ribbon on the top of your wreath form to make a hanger.  (see figure 1)

2. Cut  18 strands of your wire  into pieces approximately 3 inches
in length.   Make your wire into pins by bending  the lengths into  a
U-shape.   (see figure 2)

3. Take a piece of your moss and
stretch it over the wreath form. (see figure 3)  Use the U-shaped wire
pins you just created  to secure the  moss by sticking them through the
moss and into the Styrofoam.   Continue around the wreath and cover the
sides and top of the form completely with moss.   (see figure 4)

Next you will assemble all the elements that will be tucked into the moss-covered wreath.   

4.
Begin by cutting your large hydrangea head  into smaller clusters, 
then stick the stems  into the water-filled flower picks.   You can use
your scissors to make the hole a little larger to fit more flowers in
each  pick.   Fill three or four picks with hydrangeas, then fill the
remaining tubes with ferns and orchids.  (see figure 5)

5. Cut
your 1” wide ribbon into 6 inch lengths.   Make a couple of loops with
each length, and run a corsage pin through the bottom of each loop to
secure.  (see figure 6)

6. Make a simple bow using your widest ribbon.

7. With your remaining wire strands, cut several 3 inch lengths. 
 Stick one end of the wire into the back side of the hens and chicks 
(see figure 7)

You have now assembled all the elements, it’s 
time to start adding them  to the wreath.    All of the flowers, ferns
and ribbon will be concentrated on the lower section of the wreath
form. 

8. Begin  by sticking the fern filled picks into the wreath form, at an angle with the points pointing inward,. (see figure 8)

9. Add the large bow to the bottom of the wreath and secure it with
wire.   Add the hydrangea clusters in picks next. (see figure 9)

10. Add  cymbidium blooms, ribbon tufts,  Lastly, add the hens and chicks.(see figure 10)

11.  Tuck in  moss to conceal any of the water pick ends.

12.  Hang over a mantle, on a door or wall. 

Budget:

Wreath form – $5
Water Picks – $2
Ribbon – $6
Flowers- $5
Moss – $6
Fern- $5
Pins and wire – $2
Total amount spent:  $31

Everyone here knows what a huge fan I am of Lyndsey Hamilton Events. Lyndsey has a such a fantastic eye for detail and works with some of the top wedding vendors in the world on her events. When she wrote me a couple weeks back about starting her own blog, I couldn’t wait till it launched. So, when I received an email today from her team that it was finally live….I was thrilled! I can only imagine the amazing tips and beautiful real weddings she will feature everyday on LHEverything(how cute is that name!). Her blog is definitely worth adding to your reader. Check out the amazing Praire Chic spread above she designed for the new The Knot Fall issue!

In the last month I have never received so many emails from brides looking for a specific dress than I have with the Caroline Herrera wedding dress above. I definitely see the appeal because it is absolutely lovely, but none of the women have had any luck finding it anywhere. Does anyone know where a bride could find this dress or have the dress above for sale? It is a Caroline Herrera gown from the Fall 2004 line with polka dot chenille fabric. If you have one and are interested in selling, I have A LOT of potential buyers. I usually don’t do this type of post, but I would really love to help at least one bride find this dress if possible. You can leave comments below or contact me directly at oncewed at gmail dot com. Thanks!!

Looks like a completely differnt wedding right? I love how they filled the old wooden crates above with a mix of wildflowers, apples, and other goodies. Custom Event Group has designed a number of incredible weddings and their site is filled with tons of inspiration, so it is definitely worth checking out.

[Images c/o Custom Event Group and Sara Remington]

How lovely is the wedding above? Custom Event Group was the mastermind behind this gorgeous celebration, which took place at an old apple farm and vineyard in Nappa Valley. I just love the beautiful mix of rustic and elegant touches throughout. Who knew topiaries and wildflowers could work so well together? Even though I’m more of rickety old chair kinda gal, I think the ornate metal chairs used in the ceremony above complement the setting perfectly. Stay tuned for Part II…

[Images c/o Custom Event Group and Sara Remington]