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25 Clever DIYs for Your Reception

Add a personal touch to your celebration with a few ingenious do-it-yourself projects. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas for inspiration.

By: Mary Wozniak

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  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    With a bit of embellishment, an upcycled mailbox becomes a pretty card holder.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Create a whimsical giant paper flower backdrop with downloadable patterns and tutorials.

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    Dance the night away beneath a gorgeous paper lantern chandelier.

    Photo Credit: Evan and Katelyn

  • Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Get out those adorable baby photos for sweet and sentimental table numbers. Downloadable files make for an easy DIY.

  • Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Display escort cards adorned with tiny seashells and lovely calligraphy.

  • Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Create simply elegant place cards with a gold paint marker and shiny magnolia leaves.

    Photo Credit: A Cup Full of Sass

  • Reception Décor

    Reception Décor

    LED lights + hanging mason jars = a cool rustic chandelier.

    Photo Credit: Sarah Hearts

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Make your own paper succulents and geometric frame with a printable pattern and video tutorial.

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    A romantic floral canopy starts with a hula hoop.

    Photo Credit: Miss Plan It

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Fashion a lavish table runner with fresh blooms and on-trend greenery.

    Photo Credit: The Sorry Girls

  • Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Table Numbers and Escort Cards

    Your old bookstore finds are transformed into folded book art with these table number patterns.

  • Favors

    Favors

    “In sickness and in health…” Gift a few choice items in a clever craft paper bag.

    Photo Credit: Red Letter Vows/Etsy

  • Favors

    Favors

    “For richer or poorer…” A fun favor starts with a custom stamp; add a chocolate coin or a scratch-off lottery ticket.

  • Centerpieces

    Centerpieces

    Transform mason jars and favorite photos into vintage-inspired centerpieces with this easy tutorial.

    Photo Credit: Sarah Neal via Corinne Graves Photography

  • Favors

    Favors

    A delightful handmade display showcases pretty pink cotton candy favors.

    Photo Credit: Tim Robison Creative

  • Signage

    Signage

    Serious DIYers can construct these amazing marquee letters.

    Photo Credit: Evan and Katelyn

  • Favors

    Favors

    Copper craft paint adds trendy metallic flair to brown paper bags. Fill with your favorite treat.

    Photo Credit: Elli

  • Favors

    Favors

    Embellish a cupcake with glittery rock candy and custom tags.

    Photo Credit: Elli

  • Cake and Cocktails

    Cake and Cocktails

    Crochet cute lovebirds for a unique cake topper.

    Photo Credit: Lion Brand

  • Cake and Cocktails

    Cake and Cocktails

    Add a rustic woodland look to your dessert table with a Pinterest-inspired cake stand.

  • Cake and Cocktails

    Cake and Cocktails

    Customize your cocktails with fun his & hers signature drinks. Download and print a colorful chalkboard bar menu.

  • Signage

    Signage

    Turn a thrift store picture frame into a trendy glass sign.

    Photo Credit: Avanti Morocha

  • Fun and Games

    Fun and Games

    DIY some supersized backyard games for your outdoor festivities.

    Photo Credit: Lemon Thistle

  • Cake and Cocktails

    Cake and Cocktails

    Wedding cake magic! Rock candy crystals and pretty fresh flowers transform a grocery store sheet cake.

    Photo Credit: The Kitchn

  • Cake and Cocktails

    Cake and Cocktails

    Find your inner Picasso. Creative types can paint their own custom cake toppers with these fair trade wooden dolls.

    Photo Credit: Goose Grease/Etsy

25 Clever DIYs for Your Reception

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January 4

Photo credit: 

Seven Birches Winery

Tip of the Day: While the rules of serving white with fish and red with meat have fallen a bit out of favor, it’s still safe to stick with this pairing decision says Mark LaClair, founder of Seven Birches Winery. "Or, consider creating and bottling your own special vintage BYOV. At Seven Birches, couples can meet with a winemaker to select everything about their personal wine, from grape varietals to the bottle itself. It takes about a year for a wine to be made and aged properly, which about the time it takes to plan a wedding."

Plus, check out Uncorked: Top Wine Retreats for Your Honeymoon.

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Our Favorite Long-Wear Lip Products

Liners and tints and balms, oh my! Try these must-have products for next-level lips.

By: Kate Watson

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  • Flat Finish

    Flat Finish

    Apply Lancôme Matte Shaker High Pigment Liquid Lipstick for a chic, muted punch of color. Its unique sponge ensures ease of application and smudge-proof wear.

  • Staying Power

    Staying Power

    For a glamorous, kiss-proof finish, use Dior Addict Lip Tattoo to lock in a natural looking color that stains lips without feeling chalky. Wear alone or layer with gloss for extra shimmer and fullness.

  • Shine Bright

    Shine Bright

    Catrice Aqua Ink-In-Gloss lets you have it all: This gorgeous formula not only leaves your lips supple like a traditional gloss, it also includes a lightweight stain for stay-put, all-day coverage.

  • Prime Time

    Prime Time

    Prep right up with Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multipurpose Primer Pencil, a clear gel-like formula that primes lips before adding more product or lines outer edges to prevent color from feathering.

  • Balm Out

    Balm Out

    Trade in your lip balm for Elizabeth Arden Sheer Kiss Lip Oil for ultimate hydration and a subtle sheen. Added bonus: This formula has anti-aging properties to protect your pout.

  • A Fine Line

    A Fine Line

    Fake fuller lips by tracing the outer edges with Marc Jacobs Beauty Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner Pencil. Continue to fill in the rest of your pout for stay- put color or as a budge-free base before applying lipstick.

  • The New Normal

    The New Normal

    Swap your conventional lipstick for Giorgio Armani Lip Magnet Liquid Lipstick. It’s thinner and more highly pigmented, meaning barely there, long- lasting coverage.

  • Subtle Shade

    Subtle Shade

    Add sheer color and shine with Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-in-Balm, a dual formula with buildable coverage that easily glides on bare lips or over lipstick for added sparkle.

Our Favorite Long-Wear Lip Products

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January 2

Tip of the Day: Choose a wedding day menu that reflects your taste, but is not too extreme for your guests to eat says Pauline from Good Gracious! Events. "This is the first time that you are hosting as a married couple, so make considerations for all of your guests' tastes when planning the menu." Opt for traditional main courses, such as chicken or beef, and add on fun, innovative menu items as sides or desserts.

Plus, check out our Menu + Cake channel for more inspiration.

Jan 1

Photo credit: 

Tony Gambino Photography

Tip of the Day: It's recommended to have your teeth cleaned and polished before a teeth whitening treatment so you don't whiten over a non-clean area, over bacteria, or over plaque build up, says Dr. Mazen Natour DMD, Manhattan-based Prosthodontist. "Three to four weeks prior to the wedding date should give you enough time to redo a touch up if the initial treatment did not boost enough of the pearly white color you were looking for. This will also give you enough time to reduce some sensitivity to hot and cold drinks for few days after treatment.

Plus, check out One Month to Gorgeous: Your Bridal Beauty Countdown.

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