Birch Log & String Light Centerpiece Tutorial

Today I'm excited to bring you a tutorial for my favorite custom centerpiece I've built to date! We made these beauties to complement some picnic tables we had rented for our event - it was a great way to bring the outdoors inside and create a cozy, rustic and casual environment.

Here's a list of the supplies you'll need:

IKEA MUSKOT Plant Pot - 9 1/2" (2 per centerpiece)

10 ct. Battery Operated Edison String Lights - I got mine at World Market (no longer available) but you can find similar HERE at Target.

4ft Birch Sticks 3-Pk from Hobby Lobby (they don't have them online) $15.99/set of 3, but use your HL app for 40% off!

GREAT STUFF 16 oz. Gaps and Cracks Insulating Foam Sealant with Quick Stop Straw - Home Depot (I used 2 cans for 15 sets of centerpieces)

Vigoro 0.4 cu. ft. Mexican Beach Pebbles - 2 bags for 15 sets of centerpieces (you could also use moss or something else to fit your theme/style!)

Rubber gloves (for use with the spray foam)

Tape of some sort (masking or gaff recommended) to help hold sticks in place while they dry

TOTAL COST PER CENTERPIECE: All in all, it cost us about $35 per centerpiece set. And the great thing is that we've already used these in multiple events - they are super versatile and add a touch of a soft glow to any room!

Here's how I did it:

First, I sweet talked my dear husband into cutting all of the birch sticks in half for me, so each centerpiece stands 2ft. high. Each birch log looks a little different, so as he cut them I numbered the bottom of the sticks to make sure each centerpiece matched in both pots. I also had him cut a notch in the top of each log so that the string lights can sit securely on top.

Next, I used the spray foam to secure the logs inside the pot. PLEASE USE GLOVES! This stuff is legit and it will legit take the skin off your hands, so please use caution! It also expands fast, so start with small sprays to get the amount you need. 

I filled the pot up a little less than halfway, then used the logs and/or tape to hold them in place while it dried. Allow several hours to fully set.

Once they fully set, you're ready to add the lights and rocks. Wrap the lights around each log and secure in the notch on top of each pole. Finally, bury the battery pack under the pebbles and you're all set!

The great thing about these centerpieces is that you can swap out the rocks for moss or something else cute to match the theme and style of your event - they are very versatile! We finished the look up with a strip of moss in the center of the picnic table and three cute votives. 

At our latest event, we also used them on some of the food tables. See more about that event HERE.

I love the soft, outdoorsy look we were able to create with these centerpieces, even when our events were inside. Bonus: they would look awesome in a back yard or on a porch as well! 

Photo Credit: Sarah Marie Photography

(DISCLAIMER: This post contains some affiliate links.)

Country Charm Wedding

We're wrapping up wedding week with one of the sweetest weddings I've ever been part of. From the story of how these two came together to the dessert bar reception...everything about this day was just, well, sweet. And I couldn't have wished a sweeter day for two more deserving people! 

Meet Jen & Tim...

I could write an entire blog post on the incredible story of how God brought these two and their amazing families together. Jen is by far one of the strongest women I know with a faith like no other...so to see her find such a kind and caring protector like Tim was a true answer to many prayers.

For their big day, Jen and Tim wanted a simple and intimate setting for their closest family and friends in an afternoon ceremony followed by a dessert reception. And if you know the bride, there are two things she loves: cowboy boots and the Clemson Tigers! So of course, those had to be tied into the theme of this country casual fall wedding. 

All the guests who sported their favorite boots!

Instead of a traditional guest book, family and friends signed these log slabs instead!

The ceremony and reception were both held in the same room, but to keep things casual, the bride opted for round tables for both the ceremony and reception....or what I like to call a "family style" ceremony.  

With wood slabs, burlap, pinecones and pumpkins...these fall centerpieces were accented with some bright fall flowers (including Clemson orange and purple, of course) to match the bride's bouquet.

Oh, and remember my awesome Craigslist fireplace mantle find from my sister-in-law's wedding? Well it made an appearance here as well, but with a few more "country style" accents!

After the ceremony, guests were serenaded by live music from our buddy Chris Cauley (you might remember him from Team Adam on NBC's The Voice) while they enjoyed some amazing desserts!

Then it was time to send off the happy couple! But you can't do sparklers in the middle of the day, so the bride hand made ribbon wands to wave them off..in true Clemson football style, of course.

Cheers to a lifetime of love...and cowboy boots. 

Congrats Jen & Tim!

Photo Credit: http://lindsayhooten.com

All photos were provided by my dear friend Lindsay over at Lindsay Hooten Photography...if you're in the Atlanta area, you should check her out!

Pink & Purple Wedding

We're having a blast talking all things weddings this week!

Today, let me introduce you to Emily & Clinton...

Photo Credit: http://www.sugarsnapatl.com

These two are super special to me. That's because for this wedding, not only was I the designer, planner and florist...I was also sister-in-law to the bride and matron of honor. (talk about pulling double duty!) 

Photo Credit: http://www.sugarsnapatl.com

When it comes to siblings in law...I hit the jackpot with this gal, she's just swell. We did this same pose at my wedding (see below right) and of course, had to carry on the tradition!

Photo Credit: http://www.sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://www.sugarsnapatl.com

cinderella-carriage

Anywho...if you know Emily, you know she loves all things fairytale related. In fact, Clinton even proposed to her with an adorable Cinderella carriage snow globe (that we displayed on their cake table) So from the princess style ball gown to the sweetheart cupcakes and every detail in between, we wanted to make her day feel like her own special farytale. I LOVED the bright pink, purple and black color palette she chose...it was so vibrant and fun! And when we found dyed hydrangeas to match her vision, we hit the jackpot!

Let's start with the flowers. Sam's Club came through for me again with a great selection of affordable flowers, and perfect colors to match! (to read more about how I used Sam's Club for my own wedding bouquets, check out my DIY tutorial HERE) 

Oh my word our tiny apartment was busting with flowers! (did I mention my hubby's allergic? oops!)

Emily wanted bouquets, but she also wanted flowers integrated into all of her centerpieces, so this order cost a little more than my last, but for just under $700 here's what we got:

1 Large bridal bouquet

6 Large bridesmaids bouquets

2 Mother's carry bouquets

3 Grandmother's carry bouquets

13 Boutonnieres

20 Centerpiece arrangements

12 Aisle arrangements

2 Large buffet table arrangements

7-10 small arrangements for altar and other accent tables

Talk about getting some bang for your buck! We had flowers everywhere and they were gorgeous! The bouquets and arrangements were made up of pink & purple hydrangeas, green hypericum berries, hot pink roses and purple tulips.

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Now let's talk decor. Emily wanted this fairytale day to have a country club setting with a slightly rustic feel (which I love, because in wedding world these days rustic is the new black). So we accented her decor with touches of burlap and mason jars...galvanized buckets and vintage lanterns, barn wood framed chalk boards and DIY distressed table number frames. It was lovely!

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Did you see that adorable little sketch in the picture above? That's actually their save the date. The bride's grandfather is an artist, and he sketched that picture for them. My husband then scanned it in and added the text...it was so cute and personalized just for them! I also designed all of the Bride & Groom's invitations, programs and wedding favors. I created a custom "logo" for them that we placed on any of the printed signage for the day such as place cards, etc.

The logo I created for them.

The wedding favors were another adorable burlap touch, complete with the couple's logo and filled with purple and silver Hershey's Hugs & Kisses.

One of my favorite pieces we created for Emily & Clinton's big day was the fireplace mantle altar. Since the wedding was at a country club, there was no "traditional" altar for the focal point. In fact, the ceremony and reception took place in the same room, so while the guests were enjoying cocktail hour on the gorgeous veranda, the room was flipped...however this altar remained in the room and doubled as a backdrop for the dance floor. I actually scored the mantle off of Craigslist for $50...what a steal! (the story of how we actually got it to fit in a vehicle is a comical tale for another day...let's just save you the trouble now and say it will NOT fit in a Rav4)

The mantle was in great condition, so we just added two wood planks at the bottom to enable it to stand up and painted them white. I bought some sheer curtains at Ikea for $5 (similar HERE) and tacked them on the back to give the center some filler, and then we ran a strand of twinkle lights along the back of the opening to give it a soft backlight glow effect once the sun went down. It turned out beautifully!

Another subtle fairytale touch with the unity candle. Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

For the aisle, we couldn't actually do an aisle runner because the dance floor was already in place, so to jazz it up I created mason jar floral arrangements and accented them with burlap. We then dressed the center aisle with pink, purple and white rose petals.

They're married! Dancing back down the aisle. Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

After a cocktail hour on the veranda, the guests came back into the ballroom for dinner and dancing....oh, there was so much dancing! The centerpieces contained an eclectic mix of vintage lanterns (no two tables were the same!), with mason jars wrapped in burlap, tied with ribbon that matched our bridesmaids dresses and filled with white hydrangeas.

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Those table number frames cost $1 each from Michael's. I painted them a purplish pink to match the decor and overlaid a layer of ivory to give it more of a rustic/distressed look. We used chalk-paper card stock (did you know they make that?! It's awesome!) and chalk pens, both also from Michael's.

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

And here's just a few more of my favorite shots from the day...

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Photo Credit: http://sugarsnapatl.com

Venue: Dunwoody Country Club

Hair & Makeup: Sineat Heintzelman (she's amazing!!)

Flowers & Decor Design: Sweetwood Creative Co.

Wedding Cupcakes: Gigi's Cupcakes of Buckhead

Dress: Bride Beautiful

Here's to Emily & Clinton's Happily Ever After!

"Ready to Pop" Baby Shower

Who has two thumbs and loves a good theme party?

This girl. [points to self]

So of course I jumped at the chance to do a fun "Ready to Pop" themed baby shower for my bestie, who is almost ready to pop...literally! She's just weeks away from meeting her sweet baby boy. Here's a glimpse into our fabulous DIY baby shower...with tutorials on some of the fun details to come later this week! From the Caramel Butter POPcorn to Cake POPs to POPcorn chicken and the favors, I had a blast dreaming up ways to incorporate the theme.

This super simple diaper cake makes a great gift (and centerpiece)...tutorial located HERE! Want an easy and inexpensive way to display your cake pops and add a little bling to your table? Simply get white, rectangle styrofoam pieces from any craft store (example HERE) for a few bucks and cover them in fancy wrapping paper! So simple...yet it makes your cake pops, well...pop. (pun intended)

All of the "Ready to Pop" logos were easily created in photoshop...download FREE printables in blue and green OR pink and brown HERE!

I think the cupcake in a jar favors are my new favorite. I just keep finding new awesome ways to use mason jars! Hope you enjoyed this peek into our fun filled day...thanks for POPping by!

(see what I did there? I just can't help myself)

(Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links.)

Game Night Cupcakes

Call me crazy, but I love....I mean loove themed parties!

Just the thought of dreaming up decor, food and activities around a fun theme is enough to keep my brain swirling for hours. So when our Just Married's Small Group decided to do a Board Game Night for our first social, I was all over that junk like white on rice. I couldn't help myself!

My focal point for the snack bar wound up being cupcakes. If you've know me for more than five minutes, this is not a surprise to you. In fact, I'm seriously contemplating petitioning to have cupcakes become an official food group.

That way at least i'll feel better about myself when i'm eating them for breakfast.

Anywho, I digress...let me tell you about the easiest theme-related dessert you'll ever make: dice cupcakes!

I originally saw the idea on Pinterest where someone had made some adorable fondant dice for cupcake toppers. So cute, but let's be honest...ain't nobody got time for that.

So I figured out a faster, cheaper option...sugar cubes!

I enlisted my awesome hubbs to help me make the dots on the die with edible ink while I made and frosted the cupcakes. Here's how you do it:

1. Bake and frost your favorite cupcakes...any flavor, any frosting - the possibilities are endless!  (Note: I would recommend piping the frosting on though, just to give it a stylish look, and create a "platform" to sink the dice down into.)

2. Buy these cheap and easy sugar cubes at any local grocery store.

3. Find an edible ink pen for the numbers on the dice (I found mine at Michael's Arts & Crafts). I used these Wilton Edible Ink Pens, they worked great!

4. Display them in a fun way...because let's be honest, it's all about the presentation.

5. Game on. Eat as many as you can without them going straight to your hips.

Life is always sweeter when there are cupcakes involved. Enjoy!