*Guest Post* by A Realistic Wedding - Beautiful DIY Paper & Fabric Florals

I'm soooooo excited to kick off my first full day of guest posts with one of my most favorite brides-to-be ever - Miss Claire from A Realistic Wedding (and Realistic Nutrition - a must read for all of us hoping to make our lives a bit healthier).  Always full of fantastic creative ideas, I know you will all love her floral inspired DIYs below!  Claire - thank you so much!!!  xo

Hi ya’ll! It’s Claire, from A Realistic Wedding. When Erin asked me to guest post for her as she preps for her AMAZING wedding, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Erin is such an inspiration to me, and I know she is for thousands of other brides as well. I absolutely love her rustic/vintage/DIY vibe and I cannot wait to see how she brings all of these into her big day! So please, before you read, join me in wishing Erin (@sparkleandhay) the best wedding day! (I know I’m not the only one EXCITED to see the photos!)

 I don’t know how this happened, but I’m currently on a MAJOR DIY kick. As you’ll see from my post last week, I spent the better half of Thursday and Friday morning researching fabulous and easy DIY table numbers. So to keep the ball rolling on fantastic, cheap and really easy DIY projects, I’m featuring some adorable DIY fabric and paper flowers [like the perfect pink one above!]. Although I’m obsessed with real flowers, some people don’t share my same enthusiasm. I’ve met quite a few brides who would rather have a fabric bouquet over a real one any day. They last forever and can be really cost efficient to make yourself. Even though my wedding will be covered in real flowers, I plan on making some fabric rosettes to garnish my gift bags, place settings and décor! Check out my favorite DIY floral projects below and vote. Would you replace real flowers with any of them?

Silk Flower Ring Pillow [via Martha Stewart Weddings]

This gorgeous flower is as easy as it is beautiful. I think adding a fabric flower to ring bearer’s pillows, especially, adds such a gorgeous touch to something so traditional. You can also play with the design, the color and the size to really make this project your own. You can also customize these with different fabrics for more personalization. For the tutorial, stop by Martha Stewart Weddings!

Miniature Fabric Flower Garland [via Once Wed]

This amazing DIY project was featured on one of my FAVORTE wedding blogs, Once Wed. I immediately fell in love with it and knew it had to be featured on this post. I am blown away by how easy it looks! I think these garlands would be the perfect touch to a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or fun and colorful reception. Below are the visual instructions, but if you are a word person, head on over to Once Wed for the complete tutorial. 

 

Ribbon Flower Bouquet [via Martha Stewart Weddings]

  

I’m absolutely OBSESSED with fabric bouquets. I blame this on Emici Bridal, who makes, hands down, the world’s most gorgeous fabric flower bouquets. However, for brides who are adhering to a very tight budget, making your own may be the best route. [If not, check out Emici Bridal!] Although this project is a bit more time consuming, the end result is worth it. I know a few brides who have used this tutorial and created amazing bouquets. So if you have the time, grab the supplies and start crafting!  For the step by steps, stop by Martha Stewart Weddings.

Fabric Rosettes [via 100 layer cake and Michonne]

If you know me, you know the way to my heart is through a good bottle of Chardonnay, some delicious Brie and rosettes. I am obsessed with how classic, feminine and stinkin’ adorable rosettes are. They add such a timeless feel to what they are donned on and can transform any blah décor, clothing or accessory into something magnificent. So imagine my excitement when I found this tutorial on how to make your own. This DIY project, like the bouquet, is a little more complicated, but totally worth the wait. I think these would look stunning on a ring bearer’s pillow, as boutonnieres, as place settings and in fabric bouquets! Check out the photo step by step. For the complete instructions, visit 100 layer cake! [Like you need another reason too, right?]

Crepe Paper Poppies [via Martha Stewart Weddings]

I love the idea of adding crepe paper flowers to your cake instead of real ones! This is such a great idea for those brides who have their heart set on real flowers on their cake but have allergies or are facing budgetary constraints. These add such a colorful, whimsical and unique touch to any cake. They are also easy and cheap to make. So don’t fret if you can’t have the real deal on your cake, these little poppies are just as great! Head over to Martha Stewart for the detailed how-to.

Patterned Paper Flowers [via Wedding chicks, Lawn Fawn and photographer Chenin Boutwell]

These are the perfect follower to the crepe poppies. Paper flowers can look just as beautiful as fabric and real if you do them right! I love the use of patterned paper; it really turns these into main attractions. I think these would be perfect as centerpiece bouquets or decor bouquets for the guestbook table, bar or cocktail stands! The lovely ladies of The Wedding Chicks put this lovely photo tutorial together, but be sure to check out the whole post at their site for a tutorial on making puffy paper flowers!

I don’t know about you, but these DIY projects put me in the mood to craft! 


Again - thanks so much Claire as I'm inevitably spending today running all of my last minute errands - 2 days to go!! xo