In the past I had never really thought much about using burlap for decorating or anything for that matter, but more recently burlap has been popping up all over the wedding scene. After seeing so many different pictures, I have fallen in love with the rustic chic burlap idea. I have put together an inspiration board with ideas on how to dress it up to your desired look.

And if you are the DIY type, here are the directions to make your own burlap table runners from Style Me Pretty.

Materials

One bolt of 54-inch wide burlap (you can use less, but 21 runners took the full bolt)
Teal Blue Thread

Directions

1. Cut fabric in lengths of 14 feet, two inches.

2. Cut in half lengthwise so that each strip is 27 inches wide

3. Turn the ends and sides under one inch and hem

4. Stitch with a zig zag stitch (my mom used the largest zig zag, about a quarter of an inch) on her machine and chose satin thread)

5. Iron flat

I really adore the idea of wooden handcrafted signs that can be used for all different purposes such as directing your guests to park or just an added chic touch to the ceremony or reception. They are rustic, adorable, and so easy to make. Here are a few of my favorite signs I have seen.

These are simple, yet decorative DIY ways to show off a couples’ personality right as the guests arrive!

Photobooths are a fantastic way for guests to interact. It’s an activity that guests can have fun with and amuse themselves during the cocktail hour and the wedding reception.

Unfortunately, the price of having a wedding photo booth can be a little too much if couples are on a budget. That’s why creating your own photo area could be the way to go. By using such a simple idea as a picture frame, you can create a fun and budget friendly photo booth of your own.

A large inexpensive picture frame, a box of fun props, and a digital camera is all you need to make your very own photo booth.

Prop ideas: boas, hats, glasses, beads, face masks, wigs. Get creative!

Here are some fun DIY printables for Lips and Mustaches

Creating your own DIY photo booth would surely be a hit at your reception. There are so many different ways to put one together, just get creative!

Aristide Event Center was featured in the Mansfield News Mirror
Presenting June Bride: Tips on how to lessen your wedding’s carbon footprint
Click the links below to read both articles

Couples look for ways to go green
Wearing Green

In the hopes of getting everyone in the eco-friendly frame of mind, we’ve gathered together some easy tips and projects to make going green for your wedding more accessible than you’d think.

1. Use the same location for the wedding and the reception.

This saves fuel and emissions to the environment, since guests don’t have to drive to more than one place. Plus, it’s economical because you’re not paying fees for two locations.  Or consider leaving your reception in a gas-free ride such as a “Just Married” bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.

image via Elizabeth Ann Designs

2. Rent or borrow

Rent or borrow decorations, serving ware, and other items that will likely be of little use after the big day. Aristide Event Center provides tables, chairs, linens, and flatware as apart of our services, which helps reduce costs.

In fact, a venue’s built-in aesthetic values can eliminate the need to acquire a lot of decorative items. “Using our indoor ballroom or outdoor terraces for your wedding and reception reduces the amount of (outside) floral arrangements and decorations, due to our own elaborate décor and flourishing landscape,” said Rachel Grossman, director of Aristide Event and Conference Center in Mansfield.

3. Share your flowers and food

Let your special day live on a little longer by sharing it with people in need. Rather than toss all your still-gorgeous flower arrangements, donate them to a local hospital or convalescent home. The same goes for any leftover food—most soup kitchens and homeless shelters can arrange to have someone swing by your reception to pick up unused refreshments.

4. Use less paper

Think about how much paper is used in a traditional wedding: save the date cards, invitations, response cards, double envelopes, bridal shower and rehearsal dinner invitations, programs, menus, escort cards, table numbers, gift wrap…the list goes on and on! It is actually pretty easy to reduce the amount of paper you use for your wedding. Skip the response cards, save the dates, and double envelopes. Write the reception menu on a chalkboard, bistro style. Wrap the bridesmaid jewelry gifts in pretty scarves instead of wrapping paper (plus the scarves will be nice bonus gifts in addition to the bridesmaid jewelry!). And for the essentials like the wedding invitations, opt for recycled paper or an alternative fiber paper like hemp or bamboo.

Aristide Event Center has a retractable projector screen that would be perfect for one big wedding program that all your guests can see.

5. Plant a tree

Plant a tree together as a couple during the ceremony to symbolize new life together, while also giving new life back to the environment. This is a wonderful option, instead of a unity candle because it allows the couple to transplant the new tree to their home to watch it grown throughout their lives.

Do you think that the lighting at a wedding reception site means only flipping on a light switch? If you want to transform your wedding from standard to eye catching beautiful, you’ll probably need to take a more illuminating approach to your decoration. These days there are so many options to lighting, from the most basic to the most extravagant.

On a limited budget, you might use string lights or simple pinspots (small bright spotlights directed on the tables to highlight centerpieces).  Paper lanterns and candles are also quite romantic and inexpensive.

Images via 1.The Sweetest Occasion 2. Unicorn Dream Magazine 3. Free People Blog

Images via 1. Wedding Bee 2. Our Wedding Plus 3. Google  4. Mochatini

At the end of the day, wedding lighting can truly set the entire tone of the event, and it should not be disregarded. As with any vendor, professional planners often stick with lighting designers that understand their vision and requirements, and brides can benefit greatly from that relationship. If you go it alone, take the lighting as seriously as you do your invitations, cake, attire, catering, and so forth. You will not regret it!