My inspiration for the day! I have been a HUGE fan of Macarons but honestly, they can be a bit pricey! SOOOOOO, second option? Chocolate covered Oreos, yup OREOS!!!!

Then I started searching for other wedding (and party) ideas and thought about the DIY bride! Cost effective and handmade with love for your guests!

DON’T GET SCARED!!!! This is SO doable and how much fun to make with friends and family…….. a real bridal party fun night. If you haven’t worked with chocolate, I suggest a trial run so you know the consistency and how to use the tools. Like I said, not hard but you still might want to try a few before diving in.

To create a cookie couple you’ll need:

• Oreos
• Brown chocolate
• White chocolate
• Colored dyes
• Piping bag
• Containers/bags
  

The less the cookie is handled the better. Psst-Pre-dipped chocolate Oreo’s are available in certain areas. Check your grocer to see if they carry them. If not you can always dip your own.

• To do so melt quality chocolate (if you buy the kind from a craft store, such as Michael’s, read the instructions on melting! Nothing sadder than an overheated bowl of chocolate.)
  
• Spoon over the cookie, allow chocolate to set.
  
• Prepare the Royal Icing as needed, it should be runny enough to flow, but not so much so it runs over the sides of the cookie. Royal icing hardens, so don’t think it is too “flowing” as it will dry wherever you put it.
  
• To create a blushing bride, flood the surface of the cookie with flesh colored icing, allow to set. Next, use the offset spatula to apply the white icing, creating the shape of the letter M, imagine what the top of strapless gown would resemble. Use pastry bag or bamboo skewer to add necklace details.
• STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS BELOW
  

To make 3 cups of Royal Icing, you’ll need:

• With a mixer, beat all ingredients at low speed until icing forms peaks, 7- 10 minutes.
  
• To prepare the individual colors, divide the icing, one cup each into separate bowls and add a few drops of selected color gels, stir to blend, continue to add color until desired effect is achieved.
  

TIPS:

• If you’ve not used cake decorating tools before, take time to practice piping and using Royal Icing. It will make the decorating process much easier.
  
• If you’re adept at using a pastry bag for decorating, do so to flood and pipe icing for the necklace, button and bow tie. If however, cake decorating isn’t your bag, the offset spatula and bamboo skewer is sufficient.
  
• To avoid mixing colors, allow each application of icing to set up before adding the next color.
  

Instructions

1. 
   

   
   

   To do so melt quality chocolate and spoon over the cookie, allow chocolate to set.
   

2. 
   To create the groom, create a V shape with white icing, use the offset spatula to flood the whole surface of the cookie with the icing and allow to set.
   Next, flood the remaining surface of the cookie with black icing, again allow to set. Using a spatula or a piping bag (you can also use a strong Ziploc back and cut of one of the corners.
   
3. 
   Now use a pastry bag to add buttons and a bowtie. Allow to set.
   
4. 
   To create a blushing bride, flood the surface of the cookie with flesh colored icing, allow to set.
   
5. 
   Next, use the offset spatula to apply the white icing, creating the shape of the letter M, imagine what the top of strapless gown would resemble.
   
6. 
   Use pastry bag or bamboo skewer to add the necklace details.
   

• Now that you are done decorating, you have a few options:
  
• Cello bags with matching ribbons and a sweet note attached (tags, stickers, etc)- you can find them online or at your local craft store
  
• Boxes –Here is a good source for online ordering
  
• Lollipops!!!! YUMMMMM (of course you can use any decorating technique but you can also decorate using the above- you just need to insert the stick BEFORE decorating!!!)
  

Not into decorating? How about wrapping them in foil, using matching colors as found here-

So you have two options – Buy them or make them. The sky is the limit on these special cookies…………

Are you brave enough to go this far?!?!?!

How did the carnation get such a terrible reputation as a flower? Maybe all those grocery store bunches gave them a bad rap (especially the green and blue ones that are clearly dyed unnaturally) But let’s give them another chance!!! From now on, let’s use their scientific name- Dianthus

See how a simple Dianthus bunch can be made into a simple and creative bouquet? Change the color, add some bling, wrap with a gorgeous ribbon and….. a more subtle, traditional feel with a tad of bling and sparkle! ( I would TOTALLY load this up with a TON more bling, but you get the idea!)

(more…)

Crafting something for your big day will not only give your wedding a more personal touch but it will also save you money (so you can have a larger dress budget, of course). A DIY bride will find this a simple project and something uniquely you! This Unity candle looks so much better than any store-bought candle you can purchase.

Materials

Pillar candle
2 taper candles
Transparent vellum paper
Ribbon
Glue dots Double-sided tape can also work.
Gemstone scrapbooking embellishments I used buckle slides and gem dots.
Scissors
Paper cutter

Directions

Step 1: Print your wedding logo horizontally on the vellum paper. Design a simple monogram with names and wedding date using Photoshop. Cut off about 1″ from the top and bottom of the vellum paper using a paper cutter.

Step 2: Attach the vellum paper to the pillar candle using a few glue dots in the back. Double-sided tape would also work for this project.

Step 3: Slide the buckle slide (you can find these in the scrapbooking aisles at your local craft store) on the ribbon and attach the ribbon to the pillar candle using a few glue dots. If you don’t like as much bling, just attach the ribbon to the candle minus the buckle slide.

Step 4: Attach a ring of ribbon to the taper candles using glue dots, and add crystal scrapbooking embellishments to the candles for a little more sparkle.

Step 5: Determine if you need a hurricane vase for an outside wedding.

Step 6 : Enjoy your wedding day!

Craftzine

I have become a HUGE fan of S’mores since I was lucky to taste Sweet Maralyn’s Chocolates, HOMEMADE marshmallows! She was gracious enough to make an OUTREAGEOS S’more bar for one of my events and trust me, once you have these marshmallows, you will never want to open another bag!

Dessert bars are HOT right now. After your guests have been dancing the night away, it is a great treat to have something sweet (keeps their energy up to keep the party going!!)

A s’more bar may be an option if

1. There is a fire pit
   
2. You can find an inside fire station. Many catering companies can bring them.
   

I found this great blog post from Cookie Creatives that gives a great new spin on s’mores- 4 different flavors of marshmallows, raspberry, lime, vanilla, and chocolate.  There were 2 different kinds of graham crackers, 3 types of chocolate, and 2 toppings.  The toasted coconut and chopped toasted pecans were delicious add-ons and stick to the melted marshmallows perfectly! Look at the display of simple plates and bowls for the display as well an incorporating some tin pails and wicker baskets to keep it elegant but summery and slightly rustic. This can be customized to have any kind of color or platters that match your theme!

Since there were so many possible s’mores give guests some creative ideas by attaching tags with different combinations to the end of the skewers with some paper raffia.

I LOVE these suggestions

• Key Lime Pie – honey graham cracker with lime marshmallow, white chocolate, and dipped in toasted coconut:
  
• Dark Chocolate Raspberry –  chocolate graham cracker with raspberry marshmallow and dark chocolate:
  
• Vanilla Nut – honey graham cracker with vanilla marshmallow and  chopped toasted pecans
  
• Traditional S’mores - honey graham cracker with milk chocolate and vanilla marshmallows.  Yum!
  

Another option to include s’mores in your event without the work of building a whole display or making multiple flavors is to package some marshmallows with enough graham crackers and chocolate to make a few delicious treats per guest.  Leave them out by the grill or fire pit along with some skewers and let guests enjoy them at their leisure!

Or another version with simple Cello bags (from Michael’s!) and a matching ribbon

My obsession with cupcakes is getting to be comical at this point (maybe i should just write a cupcake blog lol) Cupcakes are growing up and I am so proud to see what they have become

One of my new followers on Twitter has the funnest idea about cupcakes……. I happen to love kits that make life simple (even though i really do love the decorating…….. one of these days i will learn gumpaste flowers cuz my roses rock!!!)

So you want to have a fun spin on your wedding shower?

How about a treat to celebrate the upcoming football season (this is when i tend to bake anyway……… stay away from the TV lol)

But since we are in baking mood (for me, that would be ALWAYS!!!) lets talk about a great option for a Halloween Party… Show up to any party with these and I guarantee you will be the hit of the party! (who will care if you even dress up?)

There are so many more listed on Cupcake Cuties and the kits are perfect for 2 Dozen and all you need are cupcakes!  The rest is in the simple and complete kits!