DIY map pendants require next to zero skill to make. But your guests don’t have to know that. In fact, judging by how gorgeous these pendants are, your guests will think you are one crafty genius.

DIY map pendants are perfect for destination weddings. Simply find a map online of your wedding destination and use it to make keepsake pendants for your guests. These would also make brilliant gifts for your wedding attendants. (Cufflinks for the guys?)

DIY Map Pendants Tutorial

You will need:

• Judikins Diamond Glaze
• E6000 Multi-Purpose Adhesive
• 25mm Pendant Blanks with Glass Cabochons (I bought mine on Etsy from LagunaCraftSupply. The cost was $20 for 20 blanks which included the glass cabochons.)
• Waxed Cotton Necklaces (Mine are from Etsy seller assortedgoodies. They are about $1 each.)
• Jump rings (I used 4.5 mm 16g heavy duty sterling silver jump rings from Etsy seller RaineSupplies. Silver plated would be a more economical option.)
• Round Nose Micro Pliers
• Jewelers Flat Nose Plier
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The guest list. The mere thought of it is enough to send many couples running for the migraine meds. Should we invite naughty Uncle Harry? What if he acts badly and hits on the bridesmaids? What about Ted from work? Sure, we don’t like the guy, but we were invited to his wedding. And then there are the two Tasmanian Devil children that just happen to be the boss’s spawn. Do we have to invite children?

If you have opted for a small wedding (yippeee!), there’s a good chance that creating your guest list will be more of a challenge. Here are 10 ways to slice and dice:

1.Pay for your own wedding – or at least the majority of it. That way you will have more say in who doesn’t make the final cut.

2. Only invite your nearest and dearest. Moms, dads, sisters, brothers, grandmas, grandpas and close friends make the list; acquaintances and distant relatives don’t. Let them down gently.

2. Don’t invite co-workers – even if they invited you to their weddings. See #3.

3. Don’t invite people out of guilt (i.e. they invited you to their weddings or bought you lunch three days in a row.)

4. Don’t invite children.

5. Don’t allow dates. Serious boyfriends and girlfriends only.

6. Have a destination wedding. This is usually a surefire way to keep your guest list small – unless  you hang with a well-heeled bunch.

7. Elope. (Paris anyone?) Make it just the two of you and maybe a couple of close friends or your parents.

8. Plan a post-wedding party so you can still celebrate with people who weren’t invited. This is a popular option for couples who go small.

9.  Pick a small wedding venue. Size constraints can work wonders for a mounting guest list.

10. Read Ten Reasons to Have a Small Wedding. Then read Ten More Reasons to Have a Small Wedding.

Please note that these are only suggestions.  If you love kids, by all means have them at your wedding! If the thought of having your co-workers at your wedding makes you warm and fuzzy – go for it. Just remind yourself that it really is okay to have a small wedding, even if there are some hurt feelings along the way.

Whatever you decide, it always goes a long way to be considerate to others. If people are upset that they aren’t invited, apologize and explain to them that you are having a small wedding and that you just can’t invite everyone. Some will get it; others won’t. Courage, my love! You won’t regret a thing by staying true to yourselves. But don’t just take it from me – let these couples convince ya.

Photo:  Chris & Adrienne Scott

 DIY stamped spoon plant markers are easy to make – and they make for great favors and gifts. They’re especially charming when they are paired with herbs in a teacup!

Sourcing vintage silver spoons locally is not always easy. I stumbled on a virtual gold mine er silver mine of ’em at an area antique sale. It was held in the dirtiest, smelliest (moth balls galore!) storage garage I’d ever set foot in – but it was filled with treasures. I got these spoons for about $1 each. You can also check etsy and Ebay for vintage silverware.

To clean silver, you can run to the store and buy silver polish – or do what I did and use toothpaste. It works like a charm! Leaving a bit of the tarnish adds character.

DIY Stamped Spoon Plant Markers Tutorial

You will need:

• antique silver spoons
• 36 Piece 1/8″ Letter Number Stamping Set
• rubber malletor hammer
• wood
• permanent black marker
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A bow represents a finishing touch, a final detail to something made by hand, and I love that it is now becoming popular in the most carefully curated of designs: the wedding.

I have to admit that while I was gathering images for this post I appeared to have come down with a rather strong obsession with the bow in the hair (or hair as a bow) look. Here are a variety of my favorites and I’m sure you can find a style that would fit from rehearsal dinner to reception!

Baby’s breath used to be synonymous with sad looking plastic wrapped red rose grocery store bouquets. No more! Today baby’s breath has been reborn as a chic and sophisticated bloom that can make a big impact in bunches by itself or mixed in with other stylish flowers.

In its most traditional form as a bouquet, baby’s breath can be done simply in bunches (great for matching bridesmaids bouquets too) or they can be mixed in with other flowers as well. This succulent and feather bouquet is gorgeous and the accents of the baby’s breath around the edges add a gentle and delicate touch to the more structured shape of the succulents.