I was not blessed with the coordination required to wear high heels.
DIY Personalized Mason Jars
I have a confession to make. I love mason jars. They’re cheap, durable, and have a vintage charm that I am obsessed with.
They were also on sale at A.C. Moore this week making them the perfect DIY project to attempt to create for my bridesmaids.
Here’s how you can make these beautiful monogramed mason jars:
What you will need:
- Mason Jars
- Spray Paint Primer (I used Rust-Oleum Flat White Primer)
- Gold Spray Paint (I used Chase 24 Kt. Gold Metallic Spray)
- Gold Glitter Spray Paint (I used Rust-Oleum Glitter Spray Paint)
- Painters Tape
- Stencil (I used vinyl stencils custom made from WayneReplicas via Etsy)
- Glitter Tags (optional)
Directions:
- Remove the tops from the mason jars. Make sure to take off any barcodes attached to the jars. (Mine were on the bottom. Some warm water and gentle scrubbing took them right off)
- Take your stencils and apply them to your jars, making sure the letters are centered. The stencils I used were custom made by my fiancé thanks to his vinyl printer. However, he also sells them on his Etsy site linked above, or you could experiment with paper stencils. If you do use paper stencils make sure that your paper is thick enough so that the paint won’t bleed through the layer.
- Use painter’s tape to protect the glass area surrounding your letters.
- Spray a thin coat of primer and let dry. I let mine sit for about 10 minutes.
- Spray a coat of the gold paint and let dry. (At this point in the process the gold paint started to bubble and crack, but I thought it gave the letters a more rustic look)
- Spray a coat of the glitter spray paint and let dry. I let this layer dry longer than the others (around two hours) just to make sure all the layers were completely set.
- Slowly peel off your stencils. I attached paper tags with gold glitter that I bought at A.C. Moore, but you could also use ribbon or string.
That’s it! Overall I would say that this craft was pretty easy. I am not crafty at all and was able to handle it. Make sure you set aside plenty of time for this craft (maybe a lazy Sunday afternoon for example) because of the drying time needed for each layer. Also, make sure your use your spray paint in a well- ventilated area. I just opened up all the windows in the room that I was in and turned on a fan since I live in New England and it’s freezing out right now.
Or if you don’t have the patience for this craft just buy something already made from your local craft store. Nobody will know you didn’t make it yourself! Unless you tell them…
A.C. Moore had a really cute collection of mason jars with chalk paint already on the front so you could customize them without having to deal with smelly spray paint.
Have you tried any mason jar or wedding crafts? Were they successful or total failures? Let me know in the comments below!
DIY Wedding Projects: Yay! or Hell No?
Do-it-yourself wedding projects are becoming a rite of passage for brides-to-be. Pinterest posts on DIY projects claim that these projects are an easy and cost effective way to add a personal touch to your wedding.
But, how realistic are these claims? Should everyone DIY? In my next blog post, I will detail a DIY wedding project that I am going to attempt. In the meantime, here is some advice on how to choose a DIY project for your wedding, if you are brave enough.
1) Before you choose a project evaluate your motivation
It’s easy to get caught up in the DIY frenzy. Crafty people are posting their beautiful wedding creations all the time (see my resources tab for some of my favorites), but not everyone is a DIY goddess. If you’re not into DIY, that’s okay!
There are plenty of other ways for you to make your wedding unique. Don’t feel pressured if you really aren’t into it. Some of us are better at drinking out of wine glasses than decorating them.
2) Choose your DIY project wisely
The last thing you want to do is become overwhelmed by a DIY project. Choose a project that doesn’t require a ton of supplies (especially if you are doing this to save money!) and one that you can realistically see yourself doing.
If you can’t work a sewing machine for the life of you, you probably shouldn’t attempt to sew table runners for every table at your reception. Instead, choose something that uses foolproof methods like using a glue gun or painting using a stencil.
3) Practice makes perfect
I hate to break it to you, but your first attempt probably won’t come out perfectly (unless you are the Martha Stewart of crafting!). Buy extra supplies to practice with or start off with a similar craft as a test for your real pièce de résistance.
4) Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Want to create a sticker to feature on your favors, but have no idea where to start? Or want to paint table numbers on your centerpieces, but are wary of your skills?
There’s no shame in asking your artistically gifted family and friends for help in creating your masterpiece. Most likely they will be happy to help and will be flattered that you think so highly of their skills.
Last, but not least…
5) Have fun!
Doing a DIY project for your wedding should be fun, not stressful. Use your DIY time to spend quality time with your bridal party, mother/mother-in-law, or your future husband or wife.
If you try a DIY project and it doesn’t turn out as planned, don’t fret. There are so many ways you can customize your wedding from favors, to invitations, to centerpieces. Best of all, you can have someone else customize these items for you, but that’s for another blog post!
5 Surprising Places to Find a Wedding Dress
David’s Bridal and Alfred Angelo are some of the biggest wedding dress chain stores out there. They have a large range of sizes, styles, and price points. But there are other options! I explored five alternatives to see how they measured up to the competition.
J.Crew:
J.Crew is known for its classic approach to clothing. The J.Crew wedding collection is equally as simple and elegant.
Price: Gowns range from $295-$1,800
Sizes: 00-16
Customer Service: To try dresses on in store you have to travel to one of their three locations in Chicago, Washington, D.C., or New York. However you are able to order dresses online and try them on in the comfort of your home. Wedding specialist are available in the stores listed above, through email, or by phone.
Bonus: They have beautiful hair accessories
ModCloth:
ModCloth offers unique dresses from independent designers at affordable prices. What’s not to love about that? They also have amazing shoes to choose from.
Price: Gowns range from $40-$415
Sizes: depends on the dress, some only go up to size 12, others up to size 26
Customer Service: Helpful customer reviews and free exchanges
Call or live chat with stylist or customer service specialist
Bonus: Great shoes, often with a retro twist
BHLDN:
Anthropologie’s wedding collection is inspired by vintage wedding dresses. Probably my favorite out of the five because of the quality, style, and customer service they offer if you can get to one of their store locations.
Price: Gowns range from $220-$2900+
Sizes: 00-14
Customer Service: 8 locations around the country, or order online. Note that they do not provide alterations.
Bonus: Beautiful shoes and jewelry
Tradesy:
A website to buy or sell gently worn designer clothing and accessories online.
Price: Gowns range from $100+
Sizes: 00-12, plus, and petite
Customer Service: phone or email day or night. They only accept designer fashion pieces and send free shipping kits and handle returns
Bonus: Biggest variety in terms of style and price because the dresses are used
Adored Vintage:
Online retailer of vintage clothing, accessories, and decor.
Price: $168-$500+
Sizes: Harder to pinpoint since dresses are vintage. The site posts specific measurements (bust, waist, etc.) for each dress. Vintage conversion and sizing charts available for reference.
Customer Service: Available through email, but all sales are considered FINAL unless the dress is damaged
Bonus: List type of fabric, condition, and type of closure (zipper, clasp, etc.) for each dress
Engagement Rings – What are the Options?
My boyfriend and I had been together for about four years when we started to discuss marriage. We had graduated from college and were renting an apartment together. We had raised an adorable and seemingly well-adjusted cat. Marriage seemed like the next step in our journey as a couple. There was just one thing holding us back— the cost of an engagement ring.
Between graduate school, students loans, rent, and basic utilities we were pretty much maxed out.
We ended up postponing our engagement until we had saved up a decent amount for a down payment on a ring, which we picked out together. Deciding to get married was a decision that we had mutually agreed upon and we thought that we should both have a say in the ring as well.
I find the whole engagement ring and proposal scenario outdated. It’s like saying: “Great we both want to get married! (I hope. If he just proposed without talking to me about it first I probably would have said no. That’s a big decisions to make without involving me, you know, a partner in this hypothetical marriage) Now you have to go out and buy me a large expensive piece of jewelry that I can wear on my finger to show people that I am betrothed to you.”
An engagement ring used to be a sign that your husband would be able to provide for you financially. While this may still be the case for some couples, most women play a bigger part in the financial stability of their household (although we are still not paid as much as our male counterparts for many reasons)
I contribute to our relationship financially and will continue to do so after we are married. Therefore, it seemed natural for us as a couple to share the cost of a ring. If he couldn’t make a payment I took over and vice versa.
I am very happy with my engagement ring, but I wish that I had done more research about the alternative ring options that are available to couples and the ethical concerns surrounding the way diamonds are harvested.
Brilliant Earth, for example, is a company that is devoted to selling jewelry that is produced in a humane and sustainable way. I had no idea that the demand for diamonds worldwide was contributing to pollution, unsafe working conditions, and violating the rights of indigenous people. Brilliant Earth engagement rings range from $475 upwards making them an affordable alternative to jewelry store chains.
Another option I hadn’t considered for myself was a tattoo in place of a ring. While my fiancée already has tattoos we ultimately decided against it because I’m too afraid of needles (something I hope to overcome one day!) However, there are many beautiful tattoo concepts for couples to look to for inspiration. Best of all you’ll never loose your ring because the reminder of your commitment will always be with you.
There are so many other options (some shown below) — a simple knot or Claddagh ring, silicone rings, wooden rings, etc.
I hope these options provide you with alternative ideas for you and your partner!
Resin Stacking Ring ~ daimblond via Etsy
Unconventional Bride 