DIY Wooden Letters

I can't tell you how many times my mom and I drove by the church picturing my big day.  Most churches and venues have gorgeous landscaping and aesthetic value, but dressing it up makes it uniquely personalized.  I remember going to a wedding at our church, just to see what the church looks like when a wedding is going on.  We drive up, look at each other and think are we at a funeral or a wedding? Now ask yourself, do you want your guests saying that?

• You don't need an invitation to go to a church ceremony.  It's a worship service and most churches have an open door policy.  I recommend going to at least 1 wedding at your church to you can figure out how you want to decorate the church. (Please don't use this as advice for every church, check their website, bulletin or ask).  Also, dress up for the occasion, don't wear jeans.  You will stick out like a sore thumb!

DIY Wooden Letters

I bought our initials (2 each for the front and back of the door, that way if the doors are open or closed you can see the letters) (A for Amanda and M for Matt) and 2 inch light blue ribbon at Michaels and borrowed my dad's staple gun for the project. You could also use a hot glue gun to attach the letters to the ribbon.

Step 1: Sand the wood (optional, the wood may be smooth enough to paint)

Step 2: Paint the wooden letters ( I noticed foam brushes worked best )

Step 3: Figure out how long the ribbon should be ( since most churches don't allow nails or pins we draped the ribbon over the top of the door )

Step 4: Cut the ribbon

Step 5: Staple or hot glue the letters to the ribbon

Step 6: Bring the decoration to the church, hang and boom, you have a beautiful personalized church door!

DIY Wooden Letter Decoration

Pre-Wedding Girls Day

     Visiting with out of town guests and extended family on your wedding day can be hard.  It is a busy day. Aside from hugging everyone and thanking them for being there, there isn't much time to 'catch up' with people you haven't seen in 6 months or sometimes more. You struggle with knowing they spent a lot of money and time to be there for you, and knowing you will be busy getting ready, saying vows, getting pictures taken, eating, and dancing. So how do you catch up with these wonderful people you dearly love?

     Luckily weddings aren't just one day, it's a whole weekend. Think about it, there is the day before where you are prepping/decorating, and having the rehearsal dinner.  The day of the wedding you get ready, have the wedding ceremony, wedding reception, and typically an after party at the hotel bar.  Then the day after you have a brunch with all the out of town guests and extended family.

Pew Bows

Decorations at the front of the church

     The day before my wedding we had a girls day. About a month before I emailed my mom, sister, grandmothers, Matt's mom, his sister, his grandmothers, my aunts, cousins and the bridesmaids, and gave them the plan. I knew they all wouldn't be able to make it, but the important part is that everyone knew what was going on, and they felt included (which was important to me.) Keep in mind to invite close friends that aren't in your wedding, but who are traveling, to events like these.  My good friend Danielle was flying in so I made sure to invite her to lunch and nails. You want people traveling to feel welcome, enjoy their time, and look back and say 'that was a great wedding! I am so glad I went!'

Girl's Day Schedule:

French Manicure

Decorating the church from 9:30am-11:30am

Lunch at 12:00pm

Nails at 1:30pm

Not only did this allow me to spend time with family and friends, but the mani/pedi gave me a chance to relax, which is important on such a busy/exhausting/exhilarating weekend.