Beyond the Bouquet: Modern Florals for Handmade Weddings

When most people think “wedding”, they think “flowers”. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t new, modern ways to use flowers in your wedding style. From the Etsy Wedding Team here are 5 modern floral ideas for handmade weddings that go beyond the bouquet.Try Iconic. Simple is modern. So by using one or just a few iconic flowers, you can make a design impact in a very modern way. {handmade by www.elanink.etsy.com}



Use Pattern. Not your traditional floral pattern, another take on modern floral is to use an iconic flower design repeatedly in a pattern. The key to making it modern is simple lines, and not too much detail. {handmade by www.KembaCelebrations.etsy.com}


Go Large. Flowers can be quite dramatic. To make a statement using florals, try using a few of them very large. {handmade by www.YANDEBRIDAL.etsy.com}

Color it Bold. Bold or dark colors in florals instantly read modern. For maximum statement pair dark colors with light ones and bold colors with paler ones. {handmade by www.tessakim.etsy.com}

For more style ideas for handmade weddings, browse the Etsy Wedding Team members on the left.

Hot Pink and Chartreuse Wedding Treasury!

Thanks Invites By Jen for creating this team treasury! Click the photo to access, expires 03/14/10 @ 5:08PM

Handmade Weddings: Make a Statement

Sometimes you just want your guests to say, wow. (It’s okay to admit it!) For those wow moments handmade wedding designs and accessories can be at the center.

Here are some design ideas from the Etsy Wedding Team to add more star power to your wedding.
Go Bigger. Yes, sometimes bigger is better when you want to make a statement. You can do this by adding more of an item to a tablescape, for example, or actually making your accessory bigger, longer, etc. {handmade by www.heknowsmyname.etsy.com}


Go Shinny. Especially when the accessory is not typically metallic, shinny or sleek, adding that texture will really make it stand out from others. {handmade by www.ruffhouseart.etsy.com}


Go Unexpected. Do you need really to wear gloves in spring? No, but don’t they look awesome? Adding unusual accessories or unusual style will definitely spark conversations at your reception. {handmade by www.Countessa.etsy.com}

Go What? Surprise your guests, literally. One-of-a-kind handmade pieces can be show stoppers, and make your wedding style more memorable. {handmade by www.hairbowswonderworld.etsy.com}


Go Detailed. Adding that extra detail where not expected (like your feet!) can really underscore how much thought you’ve put into your wedding design. {handmade by www.FeathersandFrills.etsy.com}

For more “wow” wedding designs, browse the Etsy Wedding Team at the left.

Custom Monogram & Petal Cone Giveaway!

After a small hiatus we are back with 3 prizes for our lucky blog readers!






First up from Go Against The Grain, A cusom monogram. There will be 2 lucky winners of this prize who will win their choice of monogram.


And from Nutfield Weaver, A Handwoven Ivory Lace Petal Cone.




To enter the giveaway you can complete any of the following tasks. Please leave your contact email address in your comment(s) so that we can notify you if you are a winner. Completing multiple tasks will get you multiple entries into the giveaway.

IMPORTANT
Each task must be added as separate comment in order to count as an additional entry. If you do not leave an email address your entry will be disqualified.

1. Follow the Etsy Wedding Team Blog by using the google friend connect tool.
2. Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/etsyweddingteam
3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the link to your tweet
4. Follow Go Against The Grain on twitter http://twitter.com/agoodbuild
5. Follow Nutfield Weaver on twitter http://twitter.com/nutfieldweaver
6. Post our giveaway button located on the right sidebar of this blog on your blog and leave your blog address for verification.
7. Tell us your favorite item from Go Against The Grain's Etsy shop.
8. Tell us your favorite item from Nutfield Weavers's Etsy Shop.
9. Add us as a friend on myspace http://myspace.com/etsyweddingstreetteam
10. Become a fan of the EWT on facebook http://facebook.com/etsyweddingteam
11. Become a fan of the Go Against The Grain on facebook http://facebook.com/GoAgainstTheGrain

Hurry and enter, This giveaway will expire 03/17/10 @ 6:00pm EST.

good luck!

have many wonderful items in our shop to benefit Haiti, please click the photo beow and show your support.

Handmade Ring Bearer Style

These days there are so many ring bearer pillows choices, many of which aren’t even pillows at all. So for whatever you want to be, there’s probably an Etsy Wedding Team ring bearer style to match. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Be Classic: Classic colors and beautiful details can make your ring pillow an absolute stunner. {handmade by www.YANDEBRIDAL.etsy.com}


Be Glamorous: Some details just say glamor. By incorporating feathers and jewels you can have high glamor with modern style. {handmade by www.bellesandcrystals.etsy.com}


Be Personal: Adding your initials or names can help make your ring exchange more personal and intimate. {handmade by www.TheBloomingSouth.etsy.com}


Be Heirloom: Extremely well made and timeless designs help you pass on your wedding traditions to the next generation. {handmade by www.NutfieldWeaver.etsy.com}


Be Coordinated: With matching flower girl basket and ring pillow, your littlest wedding party members can be cutely coordinated. {handmade by www.luly612.etsy.com}


Be Natural: For garden or outdoor weddings, your ring bearer style can reflect your surroundings or interests in nature. {handmade by www.MackensleyDesigns.etsy.com}


Be Reusable: Some ring bearer designs, such as dishes, allow you to experience a little bit of your wedding day everyday at home. {handmade by www.dawndalto.etsy.com}


Be Floral: There’s no reason the flower girl needs to get all the floral glory. Ring bearer pillows can be highly floral as well. {handmade by www.AmoreBride.etsy.com}


Be Themy: From St. Patrick’s Day to beach weddings there are many designs that help you match your theme. {handmade by www.ShellScapes.etsy.com}

For more ring bearer ideas and designs, browse the Etsy Wedding Team members on the left.

Flower Girl Power

Let’s just say it: flower girls are often the “awww” moment at your wedding. They make your guests smile. You can make that moment even more meaningful with the right accessories that reflect your style.

Here are 4 handmade style ideas for your flower girl from the Etsy Wedding Team.

Floral Wear. Beautiful floral hairpieces, corsages and necklaces in your wedding colors can make an adorable impact. {handmade by www.MGMart.etsy.com}

New Flowers. Looking for something a little different? Try unusual types of flowers, or even leaves. {handmade by www.Spoccdesign.etsy.com}

Flower Keeper. When your flower girl is too young to drop petals, or you simply don’t want to, flower balls, mini bouquets or baskets with attached flowers can substitute. {handmade by www.MackensleyDesigns.etsy.com}

Beyond the Basket. Try unusual shapes to carry petals. {handmade by www.NutfieldWeaver.etsy.com}

For more flower girl and handmade wedding ideas, browse the Etsy Wedding Team on the left.

Beach Ceremony and Reception Style

The ceremony and reception are often the result of months of preparation. For beach and destination weddings, it can be a fun challenge to blend your style and theme elements into one cohesive day.

Here are five Cs, illustrated by handmade designs by the Etsy Wedding Team, that can help you bring it all together.Color. Not every style choice has to be exactly beach, tropical or water themed. Find beautiful things you love in your color palette and it will still tie together, plus reflect your style. {handmade by www.TheBloomingSouth.etsy.com}


Casual. One of the big reasons couples choose a beach theme is the desire for a relaxing, personal wedding day with family and friends. To have that wish come true, reinforce it with signs and cues to your guests to relax and enjoy. {handmade by www.SignsByDiane.etsy.com}


Comfort. Warm, sunny days can be perfect wedding weather. Providing water, fans and other comfort items will help guests enjoy the day as much as you. {handmade by www.printyourparty.etsy.com}


Clean. For a very modern, timeless take on a beach theme, look for iconic, clean accessories. {handmade by www.maidavale.etsy.com}


Consistent. Including your theme on special touches or unexpected details can tie the overall wedding design together much more. You can often find beach or tropical versions of almost any wedding accessory. And with Etsy, special requests are often welcomed. {handmade by www.Beadz2Pleaz.etsy.com}

For more beach wedding design ideas, browse the Etsy Wedding Team members on the left.