The Things One Can Do With Paper!

I have to say my mouth hit the floor when I saw this post on the blog Ruffled.

I would call myself extremely creative…. but I can’t say I would have thought of this!

These art installations were created out of simple paper cones and stuffed into chicken wire.  They were hanging in the 4 corners of the reception space. These would make such a huge impact for very very little cost!

Here are the step by step instructions:

Step 1. Cut chicken wire to desired length and width.
Step 2. Twist wire into the shape you want it to be. The more twists, the more interesting it will look.
Step 3. Tie one end of the rope to the chicken wire in a couple different spots. Throw the other end over whatever you will be hanging it from and pull the wire up until it is 4-5 feet above the ground. The the end you are pulling on to something heavy until you are ready to raise it to the finished height.
Step 4. Roll paper as shown in the pictures. Start at one of the short ends and roll towards the other. Try to roll it into a cone shape.
Step 5. Stick the smaller end of the cone into one of the chicken wire squares, and the cone should pop open to fit the whole and will stay in place.
Step 6. Continue adding paper cones until the chicken wire looks full (you do not have to fill each and every square, just eye it until it looks right)
Step 7. Raise the finished sculpture to whatever height you wish and then tie the end to the finished piece to keep it in place.

Sounds so easy I want to go right out there and try it!!! How about you? What have you done with paper.

Email your paper product creations to me. I’d be happy to feature them in an upcoming post. info@handinhandbridal.com

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Shoe Appeal Wednesday

It’s been a few Wednesdays since we’ve done this (my favorite) type of post. So here we are!

Since we’re talking about paper this month I thought we might feature these. Paper shoes!

These were designed by using decoupage and adhering paper to an already existing shoe. The flowers were fashioned from paper by tearing strips and rolling. With a little hot glue or contact cement adhere the flowers and strips for the leaves and voila!

What a great way to repurpose an old pair of shoes. Oh how green of you! But one tip… don’t get caught in the rain!

Challenge: Give it a shot at home and send me a pic of your finished pair. I’d love to feature them here!

Now I’m inspired to try it myself… stay tuned!

The Importance of Paper

Well I know it’s been a while since my blog has been active. Let me tell you I have been so so busy. 2011 is going to be a very active year for Hand in Hand Bridal. We have so many great events coming up in the next months.  There are also so many things we have done but can’t show you yet. So hop on our roller coaster cause it’s going to be a crazy ride these next couple of months.

So now with that said, it’s time to get back on track around here!! This month and into November we’re going to talk about the importance of paper and how to incorporate all different types of it into your wedding décor and theme.

If you knew me well, you would know I am an absolute, certifiably insane, paper product addict. I almost get giddy when I find out something new has hit the market. I fall in love with corny things like patterned paper and paper clips.

Here’s a little sneak peek at my own “little” collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this month we’re going to talk about all the ways we use paper when planning a wedding.

Invitations is the first that comes to mind of course.

Place Cards

Favors, Flowers, Tossing Cones, and and and and and!!!!!

Stay tuned for the rest of the ways paper can be used to decorate, accentuate, and celebrate your wedding day!!!

Au Revoir for now!!!

Record Holding Wedding Dress! OMG!

 

You must see this fabulous dress decorated with 43.008 Swarovski pearls and crystals. It belongs to a bride in Bucharest, Romania who married March 24, 2010. The outfit was entered in the Guinness Book of World Records shortly there-after.

The dress itself weighs 26 pounds. Not to mention what these shoes felt like.

Now if we could only see the rest of this wedding. I can’t imagine. 

French Inspired Wedding Invitations

I just had to share these gorgeous invitations I found. Completely Parisian inspired and absolutely stunning!

Found on Etsy. Check out all of the designs at Enfin, la voila!

The French Bridal Trousseau

The following post was totally stolen from someone way more knowledgeable than I on the topic of French weddings and traditions. Here’s just one of the posts on her amazing blog. And for what it’s worth… I am so envious of her life as a wedding planner in Paris.

Please check out Parisian Party and her lovely blog.

Here’s her take on collecting your bridal trousseau.

trous·seau, n. [French, from Old French, diminutive of trousse, bundle. See truss.] The possessions, such as clothing and linens, that a bride assembles for her marriage.

Back in the day, a young woman and her mother would start collecting and sewing items for her trousseau years before she was even engaged! They stored the items in a heavy hand-carved wooden wardrobe or trunk, and when it was complete, the trousseau contained everything that the girl owned- everything that she needed to start her new married life. Trousseaus could contain quilts, china, silverware, pillows or linens, in addition to clothing and lingerie. In Victorian times, it was even a la mode to host a “Trousseau Tea” the day before the wedding, where the brides family would invite people over and show off all of the items in the girls’ trousseau. Today’s trousseau contains gorgeous lingerie, luxurious toiletries, and fabulous going-away outfits, all packed up into beautiful luggage.

If you’d like to go on your own Parisian trousseau shopping spree, your first stop HAS to be the glamorous boudoir of Chantal Thomass at 211 Rue St Honoré. This shop is a paradise of intimate feminine goodies like bras, bustiers, stockings, and dressing gowns as well as froo-froo accessories like pink, lace-up umbrellas, and…black satin and lace hand-cuffs. Oh la laaaa!

Another queen of the intime is Fifi Chachnil. Since 1986, Fifi has been known for her gloriously feminine designs as well as her sense of humor and classic vintage style. Her lingerie is sold worldwide, but nothing beats a trip to one of her Parisian boutiques.

“Though’s in the know” know where to find the most famous French lingerie- they visit Sabbia Rosa at 73, rue des Sts-Pères. This tiny shop lives up to the hype and is a favorite of fashionistas like Madonna, Naomi Campbell and Catherine Deneuve.

One other major element of the modern bridal trousseau is fragrance- for your Parisian trousseau, peek your head into one of the Annick Goutal Boutiques and discover your new “signature scent”. Everything about these boutiques is feminine and flirty- and while you’re there, treat yourself to one of their Boudoir Treatments for the Face or Body (or both!)

One other major element of the modern bridal trousseau is fragrance- for your Parisian trousseau, peek your head into one of the Annick Goutal Boutiques and discover your new “signature scent”. Everything about these boutiques is feminine and flirty- and while you’re there, treat yourself to one of their Boudoir Treatments for the Face or Body (or both!)

If you want to try your hand at creating your own lune de miel fragrance, sign up for an “Atelier du Parfumerie” at the world renowned Guerlain boutique on the Champs Elysees.

Once you have your trousseau together, you can’t just toss it into any old Samsonite! You still have a wedding to pay for, so don’t break the bank on nouveau LV, Hermes or Goyard. Instead, try scouting out Le Monde du Voyage in the Marche aux Puces at St-Ouen. This store has been specializing in vintage luggage for over 20 years, and will surely have the perfect valise to round out your Parisian bridal trousseau.

Thanks for giving us a good view into the life of a French bride.