Helping Hands

Brides and Maids of Honor, listen up! There is a task at hand–two to be precise. Bride, unless you are rich as Roosevelt, you may find yourself charged with the task of assembling your own centerpieces, aisle decorations or wedding favors. Maids of Honor, you have a bridal shower to throw, and a bunch of giggly women to entertain. Let us work together to solve these two problems!

Brides, will your centerpieces be silk flowers delicately placed in sterling silver urns? Are your party favors delectable chocolates wrapped in tulle and tied with a pretty ribbon? Have you discovered how to bundle organza and silk to make soft flowers to line the church aisle or decorate chairs? Pick one piece of the total decorations for the day–one that will surely keep you, your mother and your sister knee deep in satin scraps and ribbon all through the night. You should really have a staff.

Maids of Honor, you must plan a lovely affair to shower the bride with gifts. While bridesmaids and female friends feast on pretty little cupcakes and drink champagne, you’ll find it helps when there is something to DO. Watching the bride open her gifts is one thing. But how long does that really last?

I say, put all those French manicured hands to work! With love, of course. Provided the instructions are easy–even for the artistically impaired–and the workload not too big, how about a decoration-making party?

Maybe it seems you’re recruiting your friends into some sort of slave labor, but keep in mind that you can limit their efforts. Buy all the material and make sure everything is ready to use. Does the tulle need to be cut into little squares? Should ribbons be cut to a specific length? Spare your guests, and do the prep ahead of time. Let your friends have fun just with the assembly. Ask that each guest make only about five items–10 if they work in pairs. If the bride still has decorations left over to make, at least she’ll be ahead of the game.

Maids of Honor, what a fun and successful party you will have thrown! Rather than playing the usual bridal shower games, you will have organized something special. There is nothing like a fun activity and a clever art project to liven up the typical bridal shower.

Brides, the outcome will be charming. Your centerpieces, aisle decorations or party favors–whatever you choose to make on your own–will all come out a bit differently, having each been made by different hands. The personalities of those you love will be entrenched in your wedding. And your friends will feel as though they were a part of making your special day happen.

Any ideas for homemade wedding decorations or party favors?

Carla Gonzalez-Hart

(photo credit: justintosh)

April 12th, 2009 by admin | Posted in Tips | (0)