Tips & Tricks: Decor

Decorations at a wedding can really help to create your desired ambiance and today we'll be sharing tips and tricks for how to decorate different elements of your wedding day!

Transportation

Let's start with getting to your wedding venue. There are many options, dependent on your budget, your attire, and your style: bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, horse & carriage, vintage auto, town car, limo, bus, trolley, your own car or a friend's car. Some things to consider when selecting your transportation option include:

• The number of people you need to transport, and does everyone need to travel altogether or in smaller groups?
• Are there any restrictions for vehicle types at any of your venues?
• Does the route to the venue limit the type of vehicle you select?

If you'll be hiring a company, make sure to get everything in writing and ensure that you have an after-hours/emergency contact number. Be aware of the good routes to take and do some research to see if any local events may affect traffic. Also, if you're planning to decorate the car, double-check with the owner of the vehicle (a company, your friend, etc) about any restrictions.

Ceremony

The amount of decorating that you do for your ceremony depends on what the space looks like and what you would like it to look like. Here are some considerations for aisle runners, as well as some ideas here and here.

Reception

Depending on the venue, you may consider having fabric backdrops or curtains that incorporate your wedding colours or making adjustments to the lighting. It's helpful to visit the venue at a similar time of day to which your reception will be held to get a good idea of what the space will look like. Here are some general tips on sprucing up your venue.

A guestbook is a fabulous way for guests to share their thoughts and tips with you on your celebratory day. Here are some options beyond a blank book:

• DIY: Print out photos and stick them into a stylish notebook using photo corners. Guests can sign the blank spaces around the photos or on designated pages.
• Have a personalized book printed; some online companies that do this include shutterfly and mixbook.
• Skip the book and ask guests to sign a mat that frames your favourite photo.
• Make a wish tree by setting up a bare tree and having guests write messages on slips of colourful paper that are then tied onto the branches.
• Have guests write toes on stickie notes; these can be added to a wedding scrapbook later.
• Set out wine bottles and a contrasting colour of permanent market, then have guests sign the bottles; if they're empty, they can be used to bottle your favourite wine later. What a great way to relive your wedding years from now!
• Set out puzzle pieces for guests to sign, then put the pieces together after the wedding!

If your guests will be seated at tables, covering the chairs can make a big difference; click here and here for chair cover ideas. Make sure you have arrangements for table cloths, either with your venue, another service provider, or your family or friends. For ideas on table settings, see here, here, and here. Tables also typically have table numbers (to coincide with a seating chart) and can have place cards as well (to let guests know where to sit).

Here are some ideas for centrepieces, which can be contemporary, fairly simple, and not necessarily floral. If you do go the floral route, consider using recyclable vases such as the blumebox, mason jars, or old wine glasses. Depending on the time of year, fruits, vegetables, potted spices or other plants can make for edible or long-term use centrepieces. Decorations can also be made out of paper and kept as memorabilia. Sawyer and Sprout, one of this year's vendors, has some cute decorative options:

I was looking for flower alternatives that would last longer and be reusable. Fabric and paper items are timeless, and I really enjoy using these mediums in an unexpected way. I love to create items that can be kept and used year over year, becoming heirlooms. They become a kind of memory sharing.

Once you've decided that you'd like to give favours to your guests, consider using reusable or practical products, such as soap from one of this year's vendors, Dot & Lil.

The last word comes from Anne of Dot & Lil:

There are lots of ways to have a wedding! Just have fun with it, and try and find ways to have your wedding really express who you are and what you're about. It's such a perfect and unique opportunity to express who you are as a couple. Handmade and indie items really lend themselves to custom, one of a kind creation in a way that makes that easy.

How To Tuesday: Elegant Chair Covers DIY

I would like to thank my friend Laura for this great and simple idea to make a great contribution to your wedding decor. Chair covers are something that can so easily be forgotten. You may have ones already provided in a simple white or black colour from the venue but what about adding your own little pizzaz to tie the whole theme together.

Chair covers are a quick and easy way to add a sparkle and glam to the table setting. They’re a fun way to show your personality and there are many different ways to make them. It’s a good idea to use your theme color palette in order to ensure consistency. Chair covers instantly transform boring reception chairs into luxurious thrones for your guests to sit comfortably in. Most chair covers are inexpensive as well, ranging from $3-8 each. 

First you’ll have to choose which type of fabric to be the cover. There are many different types such as: spandex fitted, loose drop, and self-tie covers. It all depends on the overall look you want to achieve.
Once a fabric has been chosen, choose a color. Most wedding chair covers are white or black so the accent piece will show better. 

Once the fabric and color have been chosen, there are many ways of placing the cover over the chairs, depending on which type of cover.
The spandex fitted and loose drop covers are easiest to place onto chairs because they are made to fit the chair. The self-tie covers require an extra step of tying the cover onto the chair but create an interesting look. 

The next step is to add an accent piece to the upper half of the chair. This can be a sash, bow, puff, ties, pearls, flowers, crystals, feathers, etc. The accent piece depends on the overall look you want.
There you have it, inexpensive, luxurious and glam chair covers to spruce up your wedding at a lost cost.

Meet Our Vendors - Decor!

For some brides, the downside of her wedding day is that it really is just one day. Countless months, minutes and migraines are spent trying to make this one day as beautiful and as special as possible. While photographs do an excellent job preserving memories and feelings, imagine having your wedding flowers and décor that last a lifetime. 

Paige Beckett of Sawyer and Sprout offers flower-alternative accessories and handmade décor; fabric and paper items last longer than flowers and are reusable. All of her items are customizable (to match wedding colours, themes, etc.) and prices range from $15 for boutonnieres to $100 for a large bridal bouquet, while discounts may be offered for multiple item purchases. Without the time to personally DIY, Sawyer and Sprout also offers customized paper and fabric bunting, and other décor items that will last year after year, while providing that eco-friendly, handmade feel to your special day.

Welcome to Flower Week!

I am so excited for this week, ladies & gents! We've reached flower week, and florals are one of my absolute favorite things about weddings. Over the past year or so, Ottawa has literally blossomed with new indie floral businesses and we are so excited to showcase their truly distinct and unique styles with you at Wed By Hand.

As you'll see, we have three unique floral companies joining us this year for Wed By Hand--each with their own signature style. And I think you'll see that the ladies who own these companies will show you how to put together flowers that really reflect your style and your wedding theme--whether you're going for something ultra modern or something super rustic and vintage-inspired.

Throughout the week we'll not only introduce you to the vendors that we'll have on hand for Wed By Hand, but also give you tips for how you can use flowers in unique and interesting ways to accent your special day!