DIY Tuesday

Noble Pectin decorative lights

I love crafting so I thought I would share a beautiful and beachy craft idea I recently stumbled upon. It's decorative shell lights. I glued pretty and colorful noble pectins onto a strand of white indoor/outdoor lights. You could use these at your rehearsal dinner, wedding or reception or just use them on your deck.

Here's what you will need and how to make this project.

Supplies:

• Shells, scallop shells, clam shells (I used Noble pectins)
• masking tape
• minature lights (UL approved)
• bonding cement

Tape about a 2-foot length of your lights to a work surface that you have protected from the glue. Make sure the lights are laying flat. Apply a small amount of the glue to the shell and place the shell on the plastic base of the light. Make sure the glue doesn't get on the bulb. Let them dry about an hour and then move to the next section.

After you are done, hang the lights and enjoy the beautiful glow of your beachy treasures.

Spice it Up with Color

Don't be afraid! Go ahead, spice up your wedding with beautiful bold colors. To help you decide on your wedding colors, go to your nearest hardware store or even Walmart. Go to their paint section and let your favorite colors draw you to them. Mix and match until you have the perfect colors. You'll want to incorporate your colors into your invitations, favors, flowers and the wedding party. You should get away from the over-used boring wedding colors and give your wedding a fresh upbeat look.

You could even add a splash of color to your dress. This beautiful dress by Impressionbridal.com would look stunning at a wedding of lavender and silver or lavender and green. Imagine the possibilities.

Below are a list of color combinations for summer weddings. We'd love to hear what your favorite wedding color combos are!

Two-Color Summer Wedding Combinations

Red and Bright Orange

Red and Pink

Lavender and Purple or Violet

Lavender and Sage, Light or Medium Green

Yellow and Pink

Aqua and Turquoise

Aqua and White, Off White or Cream

Turquoise and White, Off White or Cream

Three-Color Summer Wedding Combinations

Pink---Orange---Red

Pink---Orange---White or Off White

Pink---Light or Medium Green, Sage or Yellow

Purple---Lavender---White, Ivory or Cream

Hot Pink---Purple---Yellow

Hot Pink---Orange---Off White or Cream

Here are some beach wedding colors:

Two-Color Beach Wedding Color Combinations

White and Turquoise

Light Turquoise and Turquoise

Periwinkle and White

Light Green or Lime and Lavender

Off White, Ivory or Cream and Taupe or Tan

Light Blue and Ivory, Off White or Cream

Three-Color Beach Wedding Color Combinations

Light Turquoise ---Turquoise ----White

Light Turquoise ---White ---Cream or Ivory

White --- Cream or Ivory ---Mocha or Tan

Cream, Ivory or Off White--- Mocha or Tan ----Gold

Coral ---Off White, Ivory or Cream ----Mocha or Tan

Dark or Navy Blue ---Light Blue ---White

The Best Gift You Could Ever Give Yourself

Wouldn't it be nice to spend time with your fiance and your family members on your special day instead of worrying about all the details of your special day? I know some of you are planning your entire wedding and trying to do it yourself on the wedding day and also recruit family members. Just think about how much easier it would be on everyone involved if you were to hire a bridal consultant (ABC member) to take care of your day of worries.

Below are some questions you might be thinking:

Why can't I do the planning myself?
You can do the planning yourself and that can be fun. But it can also be a hassle: checking out the many sources for each vendor category, making sure all the details are in place and worry about whether you're getting the best deal and whether everything will turn out ok. A bridal consultant has the training and experience to make it all come together while you relax!

What will a wedding planner charge?
The Association of Bridal Consultants discourages its consultants from charging a percentage of the wedding. Most ABC consultants charge an hourly rate or a fixed fee, or a combination of both. A wedding planner should be part of your budget, not an extra expense. Actually, you often save money because a consultant suggestions affordable alternatives that will still enhance your wedding. A professional bridal consultant will work with you to create your dream wedding, including the consultant's fee, all within your budget.

What is a Bridal Consultant?
A Bridal Consultant is a professional whose training, expertise and contacts will help make your wedding as close to perfect as it can possibly be. You can relax and be a guest at your own wedding. A bridal consultant is an advisor, coordinator, supervisor, financial planner and a mediator.

Let Beautiful Details handle the details with you. It's your big day. Make certain it turns out the way you have always invisioned--and enjoy your wedding!

Add a Splash of Color and Bowl Them Over

A new trend that I have recently come across for this summer is serving fruit punch to your guests in fun glass containers in different shapes and sizes. You will make a splashy appearance at your wedding by adding fruit punches in your wedding colors made with fresh juices and high-end spirits (artisanal vodka, fancy rum) and serve them in fun and fancy vessels rather than standard bunch bowls. Just ladle the punch into your guest's glass.

Make it an entire punch bar!

The bowls/bar to the right are available for rent through Beautiful Details. They have chalkboard material right on the glass. Label your punch with fun names. Name them something romantic or do something fun and original that goes with your wedding theme. You'll have your guests talking for days about this cool and colorful new wedding trend.