We love pretty little knick-knacks and photos of whimsical dresses in the breeze and diamond engagement rings just as much as the next girl.  But what really gets our oogly eyes widening? A girl’s wedding day is perhaps the most memorable day of her life – unless she’s so overwhelmed and pumped with adrenaline that she nearly forgets the entire day (and yes- this really happens).  That’s why capturing the entire day and night with artistic photographs is so important.  Living vicariously through the lens is a luxury as delicious as a five tiered wedding cake.

Another “keeper” to place in a wedding album is a photo of the rings, diamond jewelry, flowers, hair clips, any little object that adds detail and romance to the wedding.  These sweet details are often kept safe in the family for decades- but photos of the way they were on the wedding day keep the shining frills as bright as can be.  Engagement rings pictures are an all time favorite, especially with a background of paisley cloth or perching in the bride’s boquet – what a beautiful way to add sentiment to your cherished wedding treasures.
Great wedding photos capture the emotions of the bride and groom, intertwining their feelings with the serenity of a natural background or the exquisite details of a reception hall.  The setting of the photos is a reflection of their tastes and a snapshot of time and detail.

1. The Color Palette
2. The Style
3. The Feminine Quality

Okay, so maybe there are more reasons, but why don’t you see for yourself?

Photography: Nirrimi

Everyone recognizes the gift wrap bow. It’s the same bow year after year, holiday after holiday. We’re changing it up by making that bow out of ribbon and making it truly the gifting bow year after year after year!

This project is a little more difficult if you don’t have good dexterity. In the photos a paper clip is shown to hold the ribbon in place between each step, but this is only for photographic purposes, this entire project has to be done while holding the ribbon in one hand and folding with other. This is why good quality satin ribbon works best, it fold nicely yet has enough texture to keep it from slipping in your hands. One slip of the fingers and your bow may unravel like a husband without gifts on Christmas Eve!

Materials:

1” wide unwired satin ribbon
Embroidery floss
Hand stitching needle

1. With the ribbon still attached to the spool make a loop in the end so the front of the ribbon is facing out.2. Take the ribbon that is still attached to the spool and fold around its self to make a point. 3. Now the ribbon should be coming out the side of the loop opposite your point. Make another point on that side.4. Repeat these points all the way around the center loop making points in between points and under points until your bow fills out.

5. Cut the ribbon underneath the finished bow and make a few tack stitches from the back, through all the folds in the ribbon and underneath the center loop.
6. Place self stick Velcro on the bottom of the bow, over top of the tack stitches. Place the Velcro’s companion piece on top of your wrapped gift so it can be used again and again with the addition of a new companion piece of Velcro.

Sometimes the simplest package can be the most stunning. With an old paper bag and some bakers twine you can pack a punch in the style department. This technique works wonders for a more “manly” packaging as well.

Bakers twine can be found anywhere but I bought my special Christmas collection twine, called Timeless Twine, from Bella Creationz on Etsy. As far as the paper bags go, you can find them anywhere but be weary of those you get from take out food, they often have hidden grease spots you won’t notice until you’re about to place your gift under the tree!

Materials:

Bakers twine
Paper Bag
Tape
Double stick tape (optional)
Colored cardstock for the tag
Hole punch

1. Deconstruct the paper bag at its natural seams so it will lay flat and wrap your gifts as you would with regular wrapping paper.

2. Place a piece of double stick tape between the gifts if you have two as I do, and place the smaller gift on top of the bigger gift to create a step pyramid look.

3. Place twine on top of the gifts and wrap around to the bottom. Twist the two pieces of twine around eachother and go back around the gifts back to the top.

4. Double knot the twine on the top and set the gifts aside.

5. Make a 2” x 3” rectangle on the piece of cardstock. Use a round object like a bottle of paint or something similar to trace around so the corners of the rectangle are rounded.
6. Cut the rounded cornered rectangle out and use a hole punch to punch a hole at one end to string the twine through.

7. Address the tag for the recipient. Don’t forget to put who it’s from!

8. Place one piece of twine through the hole in the tag and tie a single knot with both ends of the twine to secure the tag.
9. Tie a small bow in the twine, snip the ends, and you’re done!