WOW?!!? Who’s be absent? THIS bride to be. Jeeze . . . Sorry guys. I’m back now and let me tell you, it’s serious crunch time!
My wedding is in 4 months and I’m only in town for 10 of those weekends. Which means, this gal has got A LOT on her plate. And no, don’t ask if I’ve found a ceremony site yet . . . I’m avoiding that question all together. I’m sure something will work out, but right now I need to focus on the REALLY important things – like making flowers. (wait, that IS more important than the ceremony location right? Or am I just deluding myself?)
But since we’re on the topic of delusion lets discuss the fact that I’ve decided once and for all that I am going with paper flowers for the wedding.
What does that mean exactly? It means that in the next 10 weekends I have to hand make over 500 flowers. That’s 20 flowers per table x 24 tables + a few for good measure. I have been laboriously hand painting crepe paper to give it some depth and intrigue and then bribing girlfriends (beer anyone?) to come join my kitchen counter sweat shop operation.
Chatham literally walked in to one of the slave-driving sessions the other night and turned right back around. (He’s a smart man I tell ya!)
Ok ok, I’m exaggerating. I’m not really some awful slave driver demanding bridesmaids cooperation or else!! It’s been quite fun having groups of girls over to drink tea (an earlier version of beer) gossip and partake in awesome arts and crafts projects. And like ALL good wedding blogs will tell you, never be afraid to ask for help. Your bridesmaids, mothers friends and the crafty neighbor you never knew you had are pretty much all willing to assist!
Clockwise from top left: Pre-cut handpainted crepe paper petals; Adding painted detail to a finished flower; the pile slowly (i repeat SLOWLY) building; My mom and I enjoying quality flower making time—who needs a powder day?!?!?
I was inspired to take this crazy paper-flower road by a few different weddings I came across online (see links below) and if you aren’t as ambitious as me (I beg you not to be, it’s really not worth it!!!) Etsy.com has great resources for people who will do the leg work for you, for a price, without disowning you afterward!
Also to be totally fair, we’re not doing it all alone. We’ve enlisted the always amazing Tara Ooms from Tara Bella Florist to help us with all the other important decorations of the night, and we got her nod of approval on the mock paper flower arrangement we showed her. At least this way we’ll know our hard work will be handed over to a trusted industry pro to pull it all together at the end.
Please feel free share any of your own DIY tips below for all our fellow brides-to-be. And good luck any of you crafty creatures, I know I’ll need it!
http://www.oncewed.com/10439/wedding-blog/diy-wedding/diy-tissue-paper-garden-centerpieces/
http://www.100layercake.com/blog/archives/8874
http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/how-to-make-paper-flowers-from-cupcake-liners/
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/08/diy-project-peaches-coffee-filter-flowers.html
Below is a kind of shotty video of me making these flowers, with my hands covered in paint! Did I mention I’m hand painting these first? Right. I did. Super. Yup, this is just the beginning.
