DIY Bride Coach

Tags

bridal sharing, bride sharing, candy buffet, DIY bride, DIY wedding, pool blue wedding, turquoise wedding, wedding planning

I recently started “coaching” another DIY bride. She’s not thinking about catering the meal herself (like I insanely did), however everything else she wants to do herself. Her wedding is an outdoor summer wedding and it allows for me to share my insights and reflections with her. Today we talked about candy buffets and tent decor. T, These are some of the websites I used to create my wedding dreams.

Candy Buffet
I followed a website’s advice and purchased 10-15 lbs. of each type of candy I displayed! With their calculations, I had way too much candy. Before you purchase anything, select your containers, list the candy you want to include and draw it out. Arrange and rearrange your vase/containers before purchasing the candy. Most of my containers I purchased at the Dollar Tree or in Wal-Mart’s craft section. I was lucky enough to find Mr. Bulky’s having a “Moving Sale” and received a large discount on my Jelly Belly’s. I also used these websites to purchase the remaining candy, carefully comparing the prices and shipping options. Candy Crate, Oh Nuts!, and Bulk Candy Store. My candy buffet included, white Pep-O-Mint Lifesavers, Hershey Kiss Truffles, white chocolate covered pretzels (homemade), blue Old Fashion Candy Sticks, light blue Jelly Belly beans, dark blue Jelly Belly beans, white Jelly Belly beans, cream Jelly Belly beans, light blue swizzle stick rock candy, white swizzle stick rock candy. I shopped around and purchased cute “Scoop of Love” spoons to serve the candy and placed clear candy bags with silver twist ties on the table.

Candy Buffet - Rock Candy

Candy Buffet - Scoop of Love

Tent Decor
Paper lanterns are a must for an outdoor tent wedding, you can find then in any shape, size and color you want. I shopped around to find the least expensive paper lanterns and ended up saving a large amount on bridal party flowers as well. I stumbled across their paper parasols and thought that would be better fit for my bridesmaids to carry down my grassy aisle. Luna Bazaar was a great resource for me. I looked for tulle at discount prices, shop around online and remember to use words like “wholesale” and “bulk” to find the lowest price.

Bridal Sharing
Know someone else planning a wedding? Why not share what you have! Whether on loan or for keeps, this was the best cost cutting trick for my wedding and several of my friends. One of my girlfriends gave me over 100 votive holders. Another friend gave me 6 bouquet holders which I clipped on the head table. Lucky for my DIY bride friend I have a lot to share. She’s borrowing yards of white tulle, white flower girl basket, votive holders, bouquet holders, white wedding lights (which I bought for 90% off clearance after Christmas), bubble machines, vases for candy buffet, and “Scoops of Love”. When borrowing items from friends, carefully make two lists of borrowed items, one copy for each of you.