The DIY Brides Event with IKEA Dublin: Part Two

For those of you who missed Part One, do check it out for fabulous DIY ideas for your Brides ceremony and drinks reception; including a mosquito net Brides ceremony focal point, an heirloom bouquet made from curtain pole ends, fabric flowers, a wishing tree and a very easy photo booth idea!

Up in Part Two of The DIY Brides Event with IKEA Dublin round up we have:

• A Magnetic Table Plan 
• An adorable way to present your cutlery
• Sash Escort Cards 
• A hanging centerpiece 
• Net Curtain Overlays 
• Rose Fold Napkins { that take 10 seconds } 
• A Fairy Light Back Drop made from Net Curtains 
• A stunning Photo Booth 
• A ceiling rose { from net curtains that cost €6.00 for the pair! } 
• Super Simple Brides Favours 
• And a little childhood fun for adults! 

{ Big Shout Out to my dear dear friend Susan Kennedy from Lensmen PR & Photographic Agency who came along and took these great photos of the event... Susan is an absolute doll, do check her out if you are yet to choose your Brides photographer! }

Would you believe that that table overlay is actually a net curtain?? 

This easy peasy Table Plan was made from a magnetic notice board, fabric, lace, card and some magnets! Simple & Sweet!! 

This stunning rose napkin fold only takes 10 seconds and can be prepared weeks before your Brides and boxed up for delivery to your venue, if its not something they can supply for! 

What do you think of my fun & funky photobooth? 

Milk & Cookies { from these adorable milk bottles, available at IKEA of course, would make a super midnight snack for your partying guests! }

The whole DIY Brides Event at IKEA was a dream come true for me. It was a delight and an honour to be allowed into the store and create such {great} looks and DIY ideas to share with you all... as I mentioned before, there is a chance, due to the massive demand to attend both evenings, that it will be run again, so be sure you to keep you eyes peeled and sign up to our newsletter for future news!! 

Big thank you again to IKEA and all their amazing staff and of course to each and everyone of you who attended!! 

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The DIY Brides Event with IKEA Dublin: Part One

It's hard to believe after all the hard { but extremely fun } work we put in that the DIY Brides Event with IKEA Dublin has been and gone :)

A massive thank you to all who came out on during possibly the warmest and sunniest weather Ireland has seen in some time! Both nights were filled to the brim with eager couples and some of their Brides party. I know some of you missed out on tickets due to them being snapped up so quickly... but a little birdie tells me you might just got another opportunity to come along and see the 4 terrific scenes we created and see the amazing { if I do say so myself } and very simple DIY Brides Projects we created before peoples eyes { so stay tuned }!

So who would like to see some pictures?

{ Big Shout Out to my dear dear friend Susan Kennedy from Lensmen PR & Photographic Agency who came along and took these great photos of the event... Susan is an absolute doll, do check her out if you are yet to choose your Brides photographer! }

I was so excited to create, design and style four Brides scenes using IKEA products and as many DIY Brides Ideas as I could! Each of the DIY Brides projects I used were super simple, some requiring no skill or previous experience and one only takes about 10 seconds to complete! { And yes, someone did time me; I did it in less than 9 :) }

The Brides ceremony's main focal point was the Mosquito Net { only €8.00!! } decorated with artificial flowers { from 80c } with two matching floor lamps { yes, those are lights! } decorated with matching flowers and of course, from the ceiling we hung these fantastic paper cranes to tie in with the hugely popular bird trend that will be for Bridess in 2013 & 2014!

We showed couples how to make those lovely fabric flowers which we've used to decorate the bride & grooms bench and how they could be incorporated into pew ends or indeed {made on a smaller scale } made into an Heirloom Bouquet.

I showed couples how easy it is to make an Heirloom Bouquet from .... Curtain Pole Ends!! Yes... not brooches or buttons but Curtain Pole Ends... :)

NEXT UP....

Was the Drinks Reception Scene and the main focus here was our Candy Station, created using IKEA's new Pic 'n' Mix Station... { only €1.50 for 100g !!! } .... the sweets are divine, {quality control is important to me so I had a little taste or two :) }

We also showed couples how quick & easy it is to create a wishing tree as a guest book alternative and we created a great photo {booth} op for couples & guests using a simple screen and some bright colourful chairs & cushions... traditionally at a Swedish Brides this is where the bride & groom would sit and open up all the gifts and envelopes in front of their guests! { A tradition not to many Irish couples who attended the event where keen to adopt for their own Bridess :) }

So that completes Part One of the DIY Brides Event at IKEA Dublin... do check back later for Part Two which features the Brides Reception and 'Party' Scenes... you wont want to miss the stunning rose napkin folds I used { that take 10 seconds }, how I took net curtains and made a table overlay, fairy light back drop and a ceiling rose feature for a first dance, as well as an easy peasy magnetic table plan and a Photobooth from material and picture frames!

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Unknown Brides Decor, Centrepiece Ideas, DIY ideas, Ikea, Receptions, Style Ideas

Idea of the Day: Suspended Centrepieces

If you are looking for something different that is sure to impress your guests…look no further! Take a peek at the beautiful suspended centerpieces below. The floating flowers would add such a striking and unusual touch to your reception. The look can also be achieved for round tables but perhaps hang a few of the flowers at different levels to accomplish a higher impact effect. Another advantage to this is that your centerpieces are guaranteed not to block anybody’s view of fellow guests at the table and more importantly the view of the top table!

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DIY Rustic Elegance

DIY centrepieces have become very desirable over the last year for many brides and grooms. However I have heard from many a couple that they sometimes find it hard tying a DIY centrepiece into the décor of their venue. The main worry being that the rustic look suits only a particular type of venue, however in my opinion the beauty of DIY is that you can create a look to fit into whatever the décor may be. Take the picture below as an example, this DIY centrepiece adds a rustic elegance to a sophisticated city venue proving that you don't need to have a barnyard Brides to achieve that DIY rustic feel.

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Smart Lighting Ideas-Bringing the outdoors in!

If you love the idea of an outdoor Brides but not the stress of the imminent threat of rain, there are some very smart lighting ideas that can make you feel like you are out in the wilderness among nature.  Throw in some very beautiful rustic pieces some foliage and you are on your way!

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Isn't it incredible how lighting can transform a venue?! 

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Brides Cake Alternatives: Thinking Small.

Guest Post by Anna Knight

There are so many mouth-watering Brides cake options out there that it can be hard to know where to start (apart from sampling as many as humanly possible, of course). Increasingly though, couples have been creating stunning displays of single-serving treats in lieu of the traditional cake. If you’re thinking of going small on your big day, here’s some food for thought!

Make a statement
 
The cake is the centrepiece of your Brides banquet, so if you’re going to replace it, it better be with something equally visually arresting. Cupcakes are a versatile choice as you can set them up in so many different ways, such as building a tiered cupcake pyramid with different flavours on each level. You can top the sugary mountain with a standard-size cake, so you needn’t forgo that all-important cake-cutting moment. Or try giving your highest tier a quirk by using a single giant cupcake, complete with decadent swirls of buttery frosting. Yum!

 

Everybody’s happy
 
OK, so you can’t please all of the people all the time. However, by putting a wide range of options on offer you can certainly increase the number of guests who do leave your reception stuffed and satisfied! With single servings – whether you’re going for cookies, cupcakes or chocolate truffles - you get the chance to mix all types of flavours. Plenty of people don’t like traditional fruitcake, but you’d be unlucky to host a Brides where no one likes Oreo flavour or banana or red velvet or peanut butter…you get the idea. Offering a broad selection of smaller bites will mean picky eaters and omnivorous guests alike are equally happy.

Fuss-free feasting
 
Kids: They’re messy. Cake: It’s messy. When two inherently messy things collide, the result is seldom pleasant. Implement some damage control by providing one-bite dainties such as macaroons. Without crumbs or sticky frosting, they melt on the tongue in seconds; and with every colour in the rainbow available, they don’t lose marks on kid appeal. Your adult guests benefit too, as these delicate delights will leave them bloat- free and dance-floor-ready in a way that heavy Brides cake never could.

 

Variety is the spice of life
 
Once you stray from the idea of a single Brides cake, you open up a world of truly endless options! From doughnuts to chocolates to cutesy cake pops, you’re sure to find something that fits the aesthetic and feel of your Brides. You can even go healthy with a beautiful fruit display, perfect for summer. Or skip the solid centrepiece and set up a massive chocolate fountain, surrounded by stacks of strawberries and marshmallows for dipping. That way, guests will have something to gather around, and the sweet stuff keeps flowing all night long.

Whatever option you go with, every aspect of your Brides is an opportunity for you to get creative – and cake is certainly no exception. And remember, sometimes great things really do come in small packages!

About the Author

Anna Knight is lead contributor to SimplyBridal. She loves fashion, especially jewellery and shoes. She adores simple, classic pieces and even designed her own Brides dress. She tied the knot in 2010 in a small, intimate ceremony, but can't wait to renew her vows in Bali.

She currently lives in a partially remodelled apartment with her husband and two Yorkshire terriers.

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Blá's Idea of the Day: Floating Arrangements.

LOVE this, not least for the colour, but mostly cause its something I don't see very often at Bridess. I think it makes the perfect 'pew end' or aisle liner, particularly for an outdoor ceremony. I would work equally as well in glass vases for your centrepieces!

 

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Blá's Idea of the Day: Share Your Love

I love this idea, simple and so lovely!

The groom writes down all the things he loves about this bride and the bride does the same for her groom. A beautiful touch to share with your guests at the drink reception, on the back of your ceremony program or even as your centrepiece.

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Unknown Brides Details, Centrepiece Ideas, DIY ideas, Idea of the day;, Style Ideas, Top Tips, Unique Ideas