These fancy schmancy salt dough tags will add pizazz to your DIY wedding favors. They’re fun and easy to make too! If you have stamps with individual letters, you could also use these as name cards.

Here is what you need to make these salt dough tags:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1 cup of salt
• 1 cup of water
• heart cookie cutters
• stamps (Amazon has a great selection of stamps, but the ones I used for this tutorial came from Michael’s)
  
• ink pad
• bamboo skewer or straw to make hole in tags
• ribbon
• sand paper

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients.

Add water.

Mix, or get a couple of helpers to do the messy work:)

Roll to 1/4 inch thick.

Ink your stamp. Press stamp into dough.

Press cookie cutter into stamped dough.

Place cut-out on a baking sheet.

Using a bamboo skewer, chopstick or straw, make a hole in the top of the tag.

Bake in 200 degree oven for six hours.

Remove from oven. Sand edges.

Aren’t they gorgeous?

Add ribbon. Fini!! If you want to get extra fancy, paint the tags, add glitter, then varnish.

You don’t have to spend a bundle to ‘wow’ everyone on your guest list with your exceptionally good taste in wedding invites.

e.m. papers has a great selection of printable wedding stationery that you can print at home (or at a copy shop) for a fraction of the cost of traditional wedding stationery.

Along with saving you hundreds of dollars, e.m. papers printable paper goods are convenient – and fast! You don’t have to wait around for stationery to arrive from an online printer. Simply select a design you like and download the file. Enter your personal information (names, text, dates, etc.) into the form fields and print on card stock. If you are intimidated by the idea of printing your own wedding invitations, e.m. papers has printable how-to guides to help you with the process.

e.m. papers offers 13 wedding invitation sets that include the invitation, save-the-date, RSVP, thank you, program, seating list, table numbers, place cards, and menus for $129. Want to see more? Visit e.m. papers

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Jennifer & James

San Francisco, CA

Wedding Date: October 8, 2011

Number of Guests: 75

Wedding Cost: $40,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Sir Francis Drake Hotel

Wedding Reception Location: Sir Francis Drake Hotel

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wanted to be able to enjoy our wedding day with our closest friends and relatives, not spend the day greeting a massive number of people. In addition, many of our friends and family live on the east coast and are not able to travel across the country.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

For us, the challenge was that we were getting married in San Francisco, but had only moved here a few months prior. We didn’t have any idea where we wanted to get married, so we spent a lot of time checking out different wedding venues in the Bay Area.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Not really.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

Not really. Since most of our guests were from out of town, only our closest friends and family were going to be able to make the trip.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

We wrote vows for the wedding, and although we didn’t share them in advance, they turned out to be very similar.

What were the highlights of the reception?

The first dance and last dance were exceptionally special. We had some fun speeches, as well, which I think happen when you have an intimate wedding. Speakers aren’t as intimidated when they aren’t faced with a huge crowd.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Being able to have fun and spend a significant amount of time with friends and family.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Make everyone aware early on of the maximum number of people you want at the wedding. This helps to set expectations and reduces the number of last minute “additions” that “helpers” try to make.

Vendors:

Photographer:  Vero Suh Photography

Florist: Huckleberry Karen Designs

Stationery: Union Street Papery

Caterer/Cake: Scala’s Bistro

Entertainment: Bay City Music

Gown Design: Allure Bridal

Bridal Shoes: Benjamin Adams

Bridal Jewelry: ABS

Bridesmaids Dresses: Love by Enzoani

Wedding Rings: David Clay Jewelers

Gift Registry: Macy’s

Honeymoon Destination: London, Paris, Alsace

For the most part it’s not crossing over into the wedding dress yet, although Gwen Stefani (being the trend setter she is) did debut the style with her own wedding dress nearly a decade ago.

More modern brides are easing into the look with their bridesmaids’ dresses.

Flowers are another gorgeous was to use the ombre effect. You can take flowers of the same variety and vary the color from one end of the table to the other, or make the same effect with different flower varieties that are all the same color.

Ombre cakes are very popular right now too. There are several different ways to create the look on cakes. You can choose to have the outside of the cake be a solid color and the inside layers of the cake varying from one color to the other. Another option is having each layer of the cake vary, or having each layer of icing vary. You can also create the ombre look with cupcakes too!

Table linens are another place you can continue the look of ombre. Napkins and tablecloths are both DIY wedding projects you could make as well. Here’s a link to the tablecloth DIY project.

Paper products are an easy way to use the ombre effect. Invites, menus and even this cute idea for a paint chip chandelier all have the stylish ombre look.

Ombre gradient coloring can work by going from one end of the color spectrum to the other, or by staying within one color and varying from lightest to darkest of that shade. It’s a popular look that works with any color palette and style.

Photo One: stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com; Photo Two: wherebeautyremains.blogspot.com; Photo Three: jessicasprinkel.com; Photo Four: jillthomasphotography.com; Photo Five: designsponge.com; Photo Six: marthastewartweddings.com; Photo Seven: elizabethannedesigns.com; Photo Eight: call-me-cupcake.blogspot.com; Photo Nine: pinkpeachcakes.blogspot.com; Photo Ten: erineverafter.blogspot.com; Photo Eleven: marthastewart.com; Photo Twelve: oncewed.com; Photo Thirteen: ohhappyday.com; Photo Fourteen: inspiredbythis.com; Photo Fifteen: stylemepretty.com; Photo Sixteen: heygorg.com

Rebekah owns the even design company A & B Creative. Read Rebekah’s blog.

These chevron invites and save-the-dates all use different sizes, styles and color palettes showing how versatile this pattern can be and how many styles it can adapt to.

Another great feature of this graphic pattern is that sometimes you only need a little bit to make an impact. Here chevron was used as an envelope liner and adds a pop and sophistication to the fun invites.

Chevron is also a fun pattern to use to help make simple favors look more visually interesting. Both the favor bags’ and succulents’ looks have an added element of style and fun that they wouldn’t if only solid colors had been chosen.

I am absolutely in love with these simple, modern and sophisticated chevron inspired cakes.

Using the pattern on your napkins or a table runner helps the centerpieces to not be the only focal points of the tables. By buying several yards of a chevron patterned fabric in colors and widths that you like you can make your own runners and napkins that can be gifts or great keepsakes after your wedding.

While the chevron can be busy, it’s all about the way you choose to apply it. The examples shown here  all make an impact, while not overwhelming the eye. If you want to use this pattern in your wedding, make sure that you use it sparingly and use it to tie together the rest of the look and decor from your big day.

Photo One: elizabethannedesigns.com/blog; Photo Two:wileyvalentine.com/blog; Photo Three: etsy.com; Photo Four: stylemepretty.com; Photo Five: yespleaseblog.blogspot.com; Photo Six: 100layercake.com; Photo Seven: weddingchicks.com; Photo Eight: elizabethannedesigns.com/blog; Photo Nine: jesihaackweddingsblog.com; Photo Ten: inspiredbride.net; Photo Eleven: designsponge.com; Photo Twelve: sittinginatreeevents.com; Photo Thirteen: elizabethannedesigns.com/blog

Rebekah owns the even design company A & B Creative. Read Rebekah’s blog.

This recipe for hot cocoa on a stick is easy to make – and the results are delicious! You can wrap the hot chocolate on a stick with cellophane bags and give as DIY wedding favors, or simply leave them out at your dessert or beverage station.

They key is to use good quality chocolate and to make sure your milk is steaming hot before swirling the delicious blocks of cocoa.

Recipe and Tutorial for Hot Cocoa on a Stick

(From King Arthur Flour)

Yields 25 – 36 blocks (Depending on how big you cut them. I got 25 blocks.)

Ingredients

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk (1 1/4 cups)
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate (chopped chocolate bars or chips)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened baking chocolate
• wooden sticks (I used coffee stir sticks)

Golden Horseshoe Inn is a historic Virginia wedding venue in the Blue Ridge Mountains that specializes in boutique size weddings for up to 50 guests and elegant elopements for two.

The inn’s all inclusive elements mean that your officiant, chairs, tables, linens, wedding cake and bridal flowers will be taken care of  – all created and designed to your specifications.

One of the big advantages and sanity savers of a wedding at Golden Horseshoe Inn is having your own personal wedding planner. She will be with you every step of the way, helping you work thru each decision and detail. Your wedding planner will also be there directing the events on your wedding day –setting up decorations, receiving deliveries, welcoming guests, making sure everything falls into place. Having your own wedding planner to rely on, lets you experience your wedding, rather than overseeing it.

Golden Horseshoe Inn can help you design the special touches that make the day uniquely yours, without having to spend a fortune.

Photos Three, Four and Five: Kibler Photography

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Eliza, 27 & Toby, 31

South Bristol, Maine

Wedding Date: September 4, 2011

Number of Guests: 10

Wedding Cost: $9,500

Wedding Ceremony Location: Clifford House, South Bristol, Maine

Wedding Reception Location: Clifford House, South Bristol, Maine

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

I imagined myself sitting down to write a guest list. When I thought of all of the people I would like to invite, I realized that many of them were people I hadn’t seen in a long time and I knew it would be impossible to catch up with all of those people in the same night. I would want to talk to everyone and there just wouldn’t be enough time for that. I felt like I’d end the night feeling cheated and missing people. The aforementioned ‘people who I hadn’t seen in a long time’ happened to include all of the groom’s immediate family members, as well as my brother. I felt that this group would have a great dynamic, so it just made sense to me.

Also, I knew that I could do a lot with our budget for such a small wedding, and not just in “superficial” ways. We were able to provide accommodations for all of our guests, which was important to me since my most desired location was in an area where you would have to drive pretty far to get to a hotel.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No, we were lucky that we were able to stick to immediate family – moms, dads, siblings & their families.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

I tried to be forthright about it from the get-go. As soon as we made the decision to have a small wedding, I spread the word amongst my extended family and friends. We also had a less formal party after we got back from our honeymoon and invited family and close friends.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Toby actually came up with the idea of saying a few words about our families coming together and then inviting others to speak, instead of doing a reading. After he spoke about our families, he turned to me and told me he loved me in the most beautiful way. I was not expecting it at all, and luckily I hadn’t had time to actually prepare anything to say, because I wouldn’t have been able to get the words out! Then my Dad read a beautiful poem he wrote, and our brothers and his father told some sweet anecdotes. The format turned out to be such a great idea for a group of our size.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Gosh, it is just a blur to me! Amazing food, great conversation, great music (the groom created a playlist of our favorite songs), opening gifts, champagne, laughing … at one point we got silly and danced … it was probably the funniest little party I’ve ever been to.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Aside from what I’ve already mentioned, I liked that we were able to put so much thought and detail into the design. I fought hard on eBay for some of that vintage tableware! It was great fun. And now I have the option of re-selling it and getting my money back, or keeping it. I’m keeping it;)

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Do something special for close friends/family you decide not to invite. Even a small gesture like bringing them back a wedding favor can mean a lot.

Vendors:

Venue: Clifford House, South Bristol, Maine

Photography: A Love Supreme Photography/Erin Wallace

Catering: Sea Coast Catering/Lurie Sprague-Palino

Cupcakes: Sweet Delights/Gipsy Diskin

Flowers: Boothbay Region Greenhouse/Denise Demeter

Officiant: Maria Northcott, Notary Public

I could not be more in love with the looks of these bundled up brides! Even if you’re just wearing these items for your photos it’s beyond adorable and I love the juxtaposition between the fancy dresses and the cozy warmth of the coats and scarves.

An interesting alternative to the bridesmaids dress in a winter wedding is to have all of your bridesmaids wear matching coats. I love these coats that have a dress-like shape. Another winter wedding difference could be to carry fur (or faux fur) muffs in lieu of bouquets. A bonus for these alternatives is that your bridesmaids really will use these again!

Boots are another fun accessory to wear while outside. The above couple outfitted all of their bridesmaids in Uggs which keep you warm and are much better than heels for walking through snow! This bride also wore them, and how cute is her flower girl in her matching mini pair?

If you want slightly more formal boots you can opt for a white pair that is the closest outdoor alternative to heels.

Don’t forget your groom! Men’s attire can also be adjusted to the season as well. Lighter suits of other seasons can be traded in for thicker suits of wool or felt and wool coats which can still look formal but keep your men warm at the same time. If you’re open to it, your groom could even wear a fur or wool hat.

If so much of what makes a wedding is “in the details” then we can’t forget the little winter accessories like tights and mittens. If you’re brave enough to have a winter wedding while wearing a shorter dress tights are going to be a must! This design looks like it will still keep you warm, but has a delicate design perfect for a bride.

Mittens are another accessory that is not only pretty, but also serve its purpose.

So, do you still think summer weddings have all the fun? These winter accessories will make your wedded winter wonderland look like the cozy affair you’ve always dreamed of.

Image One: etsy.com; Image Two: stylemepretty.com; Image Three: stylemepretty.com; Image Four: stylemepretty.com; Image Five: stylemepretty.com; Image Six: stylemepretty.com; Image Seven: luxemountainweddings.com; Image Eight: stylemepretty.com; Image Nine: desideespourunjolimariage.com; Image Ten: ruffledblog.com; Image Eleven: favim.com

Rebekah is a wedding designer and stylist. She owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.

One of my favorite winter wedding cake looks is white on white. Seeing detail on the cake, but it being in the same color as the cake, looks so sophisticated and it evokes the memories of snow. I love the simple additions of the deer and tree as well as the hanging orbs that make you think of the ends of a wooly hat.

Simple toppers are another great addition to a winter cake. Whether you add a wreath, pine cones, or winter birds, simple details like these come across as having a touch of class even though they’re probably very affordable.

Winter cakes don’t have to be all white either, here’s a very bright and cheery cake that uses red cardinals as its winter accent.

If you’re not feeling a cake that’s so bright, you could always ease into color by having chocolate details. You still have a snowy white cake, but you bring in a little color with the delicious chocolate accents.

If you want your winter wedding cake to have more of an ambiguous winter theme, you could add some “bling” to it like these two sparkly cakes.

Don’t forget that even if you choose to have a somewhat neutral colored cake you can always have the color come from inside. I love this red velvet cake that’s hidden inside this stylish white on white cake!

I saved my favorite for last. How amazing, adorable, and hilarious is this snowman winter wedding cake? I love that it is totally chic and not at all cheesy or gimmicky as I’ve seen some other snowman cakes be. This is perfection for a fun winter wedding!

As you can see, there is a winter cake for every style of wedding. Sophisticated, lodge inspired, weather and seasonally inspired, decadent, sparkly or funny. Whatever energy and style you want to bring to your wedding, there is cake to help complete it!

Image One: etsy.com; Image Two: ericaobrian.com; Image Three: etsy.com; Image Four: secrets.rainadawnevents.com; Image Five: unitedwithlove.com; Image Six: brooklyncake.com; Image Seven: stylemepretty.com; Image Eight: 2.bp.blogspot.com; Image Nine: wedlux.com; Image Ten: holidaywithmatthewmead.com; Image Eleven: savethedate4cupcakes.com; Image Twelve: marthastewartweddings.com

Rebekah is a wedding and event designer and vintage obsessive. She owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.