This was my pocket fold…there are 3 views in this pic (the closed invite, a zoom of the center card and open to show full inside.
I put a very thin line of glue on each of the pocket and there was room for the RSVP post card and a thin card with travel info. Depending on what you want to put in the pocket this may be enough or you can use tabs on the pocket to make it deeper. (You can see it in the drawing below)
My invitation folded to a square that was 5×5″. This meant that I cut a piece of card stock 5″ x 17.5″ I made folds in the card stock so that there were three 5″ squares and one 2.5″ side be side in that order (like the drawing).
I folded the 2.5″ piece in, glued the two edges and that was the pocket. The same thing would happen with tabs only you fold them in, apply glue to the tabs and attach to form pocket.
type writer guest book
This idea was originally showcased on Martha Stewart Weddings and is catching on quickly. Any couple who loves reading, writing, antiques, literature, etc – can celebrate their personalities with this unique and memorable idea! You can find an antique typewriter fairly affordable online (try Ebay), at an anitque shop, an thrift shop or garage and estate sales.
You can use one long roll of paper, which can then be rolled and tied like a scroll, of folded and placed right into your wedding album! Or, use single sheets of paper, which can then be combined into a book, put together in a scrapbook or in your wedding ablum, or assembled like a manuscript.
Choosing the right decorations for a wedding reception can be a real challenge. This can be further complicated if you are trying to decorate on a tight budget. However there are tons of sources of cheap wedding decorations that can add a lot of zest and sparkle to the reception. If you plan ahead, work carefully and buy strategically you can save a ton of money while still having a beautifully decorated reception. This article will help with some practical ideas and tips for decorating your wedding reception on a budget.
Do It Yourself
One of the best ways to save money on wedding reception decorations is to do some of the work yourself. You can often buy the pieces and parts separate and then simple assemble the decorations. The great thing is you will save money, while personalizing your decorations. This will ensure that you wedding decorations look different from a standard cheap store bought ones. For example you might buy some streamers and balloons and then assemble these together in an interesting arrangement.
Buy In Bulk
Another great way which really goes along with the Do It Yourself concept is to buy in bulk whenever possible. This is easiest to do online these days as you can find many stores that will sell in large quantities. For example you can get 250 tea light or floating candles and sine you are purchasing so many at one time you will save big. Then you can use the concept from above and assemble them on your own.
Use Friends
An easy way to get the decorations done fast is to have a pre wedding decoration party with your girlfriends. Have them come over for an evening of hot soup and sandwiches and then spend the rest of the evening enjoying everyone’s company and conversation while everybody works away at assembling the decorations for the reception.
Use Candles
Buy a ton of candles in bulk and then pick up a few large glass bowls or large open vases and you have your decorations set. You can float the candles on water inside of the vases. This makes a wonderful sparkling environment for the reception that people will just love. It is simple yet very elegant and can be done with very little work. For an extra personal touch you can include some candles at each persons sitting place also.
So get started early, purchase in bulk then divide and conquer to get the assembly of your decorations done for very little expense.
1. Pre-made fondant is easier to work with then homemade fondant.
2. The fondant starts to harden if it is left out to long. On a cake, the moisture from the cake keeps it moist. In other words: if you aren’t using it, put it in a sealed bag.
3. You should not use regular food coloring to color fondant. You need to use food coloring paste from a cake decor supplier. Dip a toothpick in the color paste, and stick it into the fondant. Kneed and stretch until the color is evenly spread out.
4. You should pick up a few sheets of study plastic from walmart (like the ones you see us using in the pictures. Draw circles on one as guides and lightly spray with cooking spray – then wipe off. You need the fondant rolled 6″ bigger then the cake: so 14″ for an 8″ cake, 16″ for a 10″ cake, etc. The side facing you when you roll will be the top, so you want to make sure it is smooth. Once you have it rolled, cover with a second sheet of plastic, ungreased. Flip. Remove the first sheet of plastic. Now you flip it onto the cake. I found the best was to have your hand in the middle underneath, and then line it up so when you flip, your hand is in the middle of the cake.
5. You need to coat the cake with something before putting the fondant on. We used gelatin – but for taste reasons, buttercream icing is a better choice. Right before you roll the fondant, you should cover your cake with the buttercream so it is ready.
6. We got a smoothing tool in our kits to smooth out the top and get rid of air that could cause bubbles later on. Then, you smooth the sides by pulling out pleats a little at a time and then smoothing down with your palm gently. Once you have it smooth all around, you trim the edges and use a small spatula to push the bottom in. On a real cake, you would leave a little extra and tuck it right under the cake a little.
7. You can use fondant in molds – much like playdoh! You smooth it into a mold and then pull it out with a toothpick. The ribbon and bow details on our cakes were made with molds. This is very useful! You can get chocolate/baking molds in many many shapes: hearts, cherubs, bows, etc. You could also roll the fondant flat and cut out shapes with cookie cutters! These details are then attached to the cake using some sort of glue: we used gelatin, you could use buttercream icing or melted chocolate as well.
So, that is most of what I learned, lol. I HIGHLY recommend finding a local class so you can learn first hand how to do this before you do your cake. It was a rewarding experience – and now that I know how easy it is to do – I see some fondant cakes for birthday parties and such in the near future:)
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. of Icing Suger (1 KG)
1 envelope Knox Gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup glucose (from cake decorating supply stores or craft stores)
1 1/2 tablesppons glycerine (over the counter at the pharmacy, I got mine at walmart for $2)
1 teaspoon clear vanilla or almond extract
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place 3/4 of the sifted icing sugar in a large bowl, make a hole in the center.
2. Place 1/4 cup water in the top of a double boiler and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Let is absorb the liquid. Once it has absorbed all the liquid, put over boiling water in the bottom of the double boiler. Add glucose, glycerine and vanilla, stirring well until all is melted and well blended (MY NOTE: I don’t have a double boiler, so I used two pots, boiled a little water in the bottom one and then placed the smaller one, with the ingredients, into the larger one. My sister said she used a metal bowl placed over a pot of boiling water)
3. Add liquid to well or hole in center of the bowl of icing sugar. Work in mixture slowly with a spoon and then by hand until all sugar is absorbed. Scrape out dough onto a clean counter sprinkled with someof the remaining icing sugar. Knead in balance of the icing sugar if needed. Stop when fondant no longer feels sticky to the touch.
4. Divide into managable portions and place in plastic bags that can be sealed. Be sure to place the bags in an airtight container and store in a cool place. Fondant can be stored for a day or two once sealed in this manner.
COLORING:
You can color your fondant by adding food coloring to the liquid before mixing with sugar. But, if you want more control over the exact color, want a hard-to-get color (black, red, etc), or want to color only part of it: you will need to buy Paste Color from a cake decorating supply shop. You then color the fondant by dipping a toothpick in the color and poking it into the fondant: then knead the color in until blended evenly.
HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED:
This depends on the size and number of layers. One recipe will do both a 8″ and 10″, or one 14″ with a little left over for rope edges (made by rolling fondant into thin snakes and twisting together). For myself, I am making 3 batches in order to cover all 5 layers and make thin ropes for the edges.
1. Add height and drama to your centerpieces with a snow storm above each table
2. Create a winter wonderland above the aisle in your ceremony venue.
3. Decorate windows in the ceremony or reception areas.
4. Add excitement with a snow storm above your dance floor.
5. create a simple, elegant backdrop behind the head table or the alter.
Oh and the best part? This project uses Dental Floss and labels you can pick up at the local office supply store. SO budget friendly, and yet so chic!!
