Getting Married on a Dime

I’m taking a break from my Friends Series (mainly just trying to get over the emotional trauma that was Emily and Ross’ wedding), and today I’m focussing on a reaaally cute way to ask your bridesmaids-to-be to be a big part of your day.

It’s universally acknowledged that asking your bridesmaids to be your bridesmaids is a massive thing, and a special day for everyone. (I asked my mum where she asked hers, and she said “I can’t remember - I just remember there being a lot of hugs”. Helpful. My stepmum didn’t have any bridesmaids - even less helpful.) Wherever and however you do it, it’s going to be a great moment, and a great memory. With my crafty hat on however, (Ellie’s got her hat on, hip hip hip hooooooooooray), I’ve been thinking about a special way to ask.

Drum rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooolllll ppplllleeeeeaaassseeeeee…

The bridesmaid box!

It’s crafty, it’s cute, and it’s something different. Already, I love it. A box that you can give your bridesmaids, and they’ll look like normal cute presents…until they get to the bottom.

The contents:

Nail varnish. If you know the colour schemes of your wedding already: great, give them the colour you want them to wear on the big day. If not, nail varnishes are (luckily for us) hilariously named, so you can get one with a name related to weddings - Essie’s Trophy Wife, or O.P.I’s Otherwise Engaged, for example.

Lipstick. It doesn’t have to be one they’d ever wear themselves (although it’s great if they would); it’s more to create this amazing keepsake on your hen night.

A permanent marker - because this day will be permanently in your heart. Ayyyyyyy. Not quite - so they can write a special something on the sole of your wedding shoe on the big day. (They could be different shades of blue, if you wanted to use that as your something blue!)

A chalkboard and chalk - or a whiteboard if, like me, chalkboards make you feel very uncomfortable. (The sound. BLEGH). This means on your wedding day, you can have a super cute photo with you and your bridesmaids, each holding up a board with where you met on them - or what they mean to you, or a one word inside joke. (A la number 27 on this buzzfeed list).

A special notebook/special paper for them to write you some special marriage/relationship advice, to then put in one of these at the wedding

If you’re in America, you could include some personalised Yankee Candles!

And, a personal plug/favourite…heart-shaped tea bags. With their favourite tea blend in there, or coffee! 

Obviously, other miscellaneous items too. Clues to the hen party, jewellery, little tokens. Just a box full of wonderful surprises! (AND GLITTER.)

And then, at the bottom, the big reveal…however you want to do it. A hand-written note, a cryptic message, a balloon that pops to reveal your ask, a bag of confetti…an embroidered handkerchief to mop up the unconsolable and unstoppable tears of your bridesmaid who can’t fail to be moved by this incredible display of affection. 99% scientifically guaranteed.

How did you ask your bridesmaids? How are you planning to ask your bridesmaids? Let me know! 

xx

          If you’ve always dreamt of carrying a bouquet of old fashioned garden roses down the aisle, but your budget doesn’t quite match up to the dream, try this version! Materials:

24 stems of spray roses (It works best if you buy one bunch with buds and one bunch with open blossoms) Order them ahead of time to secure your favorite color!

Garden clippers

String or twine

florist tape

1-2 yards of ribbon

Directions: 

First, pick off the brown petals from the blossoms. We used spray roses, one of the most inexpensive roses on the market, to create this bouquet.

                    “Edit” each stem. Spray roses have several blossoms on each stem. Clip 1-2 off each stem to leave the prettiest blossoms and the stems that are around the same level on the stem. Also, remove the leaves from these stems.

                      Take a few of the stems with nice leaves and clip off all the blossoms. Wash the leaves. Leave 1-2 branches of leaves on the stem. Make sure none of the leaves are too low on the stem or it will interfere with the “handle” of your bouquet. Be sure to choose leaves that are hydrated and feel firm.

Spray roses consist of 3-5 smaller blossoms on each stem, and have a more casual feel then your normal florists’ roses. They are readily available at markets and florists all year.                              

Gather a few stems in one hand at a 45 degree angle. Each time you add a stem, turn your bouquet. Don’t be afraid to place some blossoms higher than others. This gives your bouquet depth and interest. Be sure to add leaves in as you go. These frame the blossoms and give the bouquet a natural feel. Tie with twine, cover in florist tape (to protect the ribbon) and tie up with a ribbon.

                      By deconstructing the spray roses, you can create a bouquet that looks very natural. Your guests will never guess that your flowers came from the local grocery!

The total cost of this bouquet: $12 + ribbon!

Enjoy your beautiful, garden bouquet!