Organizing your DIY flowers is simple with this worksheet I’ve created to give you a comprehensive picture of your wedding florals.  With hundreds of blooms, it can be tough to keep track of exactly how much you need for each arrangement and in total.  Here you can see where each stem is going and exactly how much everything is costing you.  And, use the recipe tab to know how many and what type of flowers you’ve allocated to each arrangement.

This excel worksheet is something I developed for myself when I DIYed my wedding flowers.  I’ve continued improving it into the comprehensive guide that is is now as I’ve helped other brides DIY.  I hope you enjoy this worksheet as much as I have!

Download DIY Flower Worksheet

Also, feel free to check out these other DIY wedding flower posts:

*This post first appeared on DIYBLOOMS.COM*

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You may remember reading my wedding crossword puzzle tutorial.  The heart-shaped crossword was on the back of our programs for a little pre-ceremony entertainment.  Of all these things I’ve shared, I totally forgot about our ceremony programs!  So, without further ado….

Free Wedding Program Template

As you can see this program requires a little crafting.  Once you’ve formatted everything in your Word Doc and have it printed and cut to size, you can glue the edge of a doily on top.  Such a fun detail, right?  Mine were actually leftovers from our DIY invitations.

Before you Download…

These are the fonts you will need to download and install for the template:

1. Bodoni MT Black (check before downloading, most computers should already have this font)
2. Oranienbaum
3. Sail

Hope you all like my programs, and totally let me know if you try for the crossword on the back!!  It is so fun

Get all the supplies you need here: (affiliate links)

The post Wedding Program Template appeared first on Naomi Bjerk.

The food was SOOOO good, just looking at this reminds me of it

Like my seating chart, I also had this faux chalkboard printed as a Staples engineer print.  When I got it, I simply wrapped and taped it around a large piece of cardboard and voila!  Instant chalkboard menu

The menu and border graphics are from the Graphics Fairy.

I created it similarly to the seating chart, in Microsoft Word.  But this one was a little simpler because, instead of messing around with character spacing, I just used Word Art and sized each box manually to the perfect size.  That way the text automatically conforms to the shape you want it.  And, it’s much easier for you to change and customize with your menu!

Download Instructions

1. These fonts are used in the document, you will need to download and install them to preserve the formatting of the template: (sorry there are so many, they are all just so fun!  And don’t worry, they are super quick and easy to install.)

• Handy George

• Chalk Hand Lettering Shaded

• Janda Elegant Handwriting

• Bergamot Ornaments

• Decadence

• Decadence in a Different Light (different version of above font~ file name: decdiff)

• Birmingham (the first one)

• Sail

• Return to Sender

2. Click below to download the menu template:

3. To customize you may click in each WordArt box and enter your own text.  The words will conform to the shape of the box, making formatting much easier.  Adjust the shape of the boxes as you like for your text.

4. Adding graphics:  see my notes on adding images to the chalkboard background in this post. (Under instruction #4)

The post Chalkboard Wedding Menu {free template} appeared first on Naomi Bjerk.

It totally matched our casual country-classy theme, and who doesn’t love s’mores?  So we bought tons of supplies and put together over 200 favors.  For the most part, I enjoyed all the DIY projects for the wedding.  But, I definitely struggled with this one, because it was a tedious job!  Thankfully my whole family pitched in and made much quicker work of it.

I decided on a simple, sweet tag and used a craft punch to cut them out of our Kraft paper.  We ordered cellophane bags and tied the package with raffia.  They ended up adding a lot to the tables and were a fun way to show a little bit of our personality.  We actually were planning on making a bonfire because the venue had a nice fire pit.  But, the night got away too fast and it ended up raining late in the evening.

If you would like to download and print the s’more favors tags click below!

The post S’more Favors {free template} appeared first on Naomi Bjerk.

Two years ago, when I first became aware of the chalkboard craze, I found a beautiful vintage frame at a garage sale, bought some cheap bead-board, and created a large framed chalkboard.  It looked so beautiful hung above the blue couch I reupholstered in my college room!  After I left the University, I knew the framed chalkboard had not yet seen its last days of usefulness… I would use it for a wedding seating chart!

Originally, I had planned on asking my friend to write out every name in a white ink pen (she has very cute handwriting, unlike mine)….  Yikes!  Talk about daunting… Although she graciously offered to do it, the more I thought about it and the repercussions of making a mistake or calculating the spacing off, I realized I would need to figure out another way.

While perusing pinterest looking at other chalkboard seating charts, I came across one for sale on etsy that looked printed.  I clicked on it and realized it was a pdf for sale with a chalkboard background.  Hmmm…. it was then that I recalled that a lady at Mr. Fancee’s home church told me about a deal at Staple’s where you can buy huge black and white ‘engineer prints’ for under $7.  So I set out to design my own printable chalkboard seating chart in Microsoft Word. (One of my favorite places to design because of my ridiculous collection of fonts!)  In the end it turned out incredible, without any stress involved.  We got so many nice compliments on it, and it was seriously so simple!  Below is a tutorial for how to create your own (faux) chalkboard seating chart.

If anyone is interested in using the template I created for our chalkboard seating chart, I’ve provided a download link below.  First, please download and install the necessary fonts to preserve the formatting.

Fonts:

• Chalk Hand Lettering Shaded
• Senandung Malam (3D Regular)
• Bergamont Ornaments
• Handwriting Draft
• Decadence
• Handy George

DIY Chalkboard Seating Chart (in Word!)

1. Compile your Guest List

Make sure you have them sorted alphabetically and know which tables you have them placed at.  You can do this right in the Word Document, or in Excel and just paste in a ‘text only’ version.

2. Configure your Document

Open up Word and set the document size to a ratio that works with your chosen frame. (You can do this under page layout / size / more paper sizes / custom size)  For instance, my frame was 2′ by 4′ so I set my document at 9″ x 18″.  Ultimately all that matters is the ratio because Staples will scale it to your desired size.

3. Insert Chalkboard Background

I downloaded this free printable.  After you download and save, insert the photo into your Word doc and Stretch it to the edges of the document.  Next, right click and set the image wrap to ‘behind text.’

4. Add Text

Start entering in the wording as you would like it to appear.  Use text boxes for the introductory wording on top.  Then, in page layout / columns select the number of columns you will need for your chart.  I did three.

Make sure to use the ruler on the top and left side of the document to position the columns how you like them.

4. Download Free Chalkboard Fonts

You can really use any font you want for this project, but some especially help with the chalkboard effect.  This site provides a very helpful collection of chalkboard fonts, background, ornaments, and tips.

Personally, I used Chalk Hand Lettering Shaded, Senandung Malam, Bergamont Ornaments, Handwriting Draft, Decadence, and Handy George.

Also, I used a banner from the Graphics Fairy.  It took some manipulating… (I’m sure there is a better/easier way to do this) I edited it in Picassa and used the duo-tone processing (I think it’s in creative kit) to make the banner lines white and the background some other color.  Then, after putting it in Word, I used the ‘set transparent color’ tool (under picture tools / format / color ) to create a transparent background leaving only the white banner.

Here is mine after Picassa editing: (you can copy and paste it into your document and use the method above for transparency)

(click image for higher resolution)

Here it is again with the wording inside.

(click image for higher resolution)

5. Format and Number

Once you have all of the fonts set as you like them, add periods after the names and then their table number.  I don’t have a great trick for aligning them all.  I just did my best and eyeballed it.

6. Save as a PDF and Print

Save the document as a pdf so none of your formatting is lost in the printing process. Then take it on a flash drive to Staples and ask for an engineer print in your needed dimensions.  When you get your print back, attach it to the cardboard backing of the frame (or in my case, duck tape it to the beadboard) and attach the frame.

Now you have a beautiful and personalized chalkboard seating chart with no handwriting woes!  Best of luck

Below is a ‘pinnable’ version.  Feel free to share or comment!  Also, if you are interested in using my template, you can download it by signing up below:

The post Chalkboard Seating Chart *Template Download* appeared first on Naomi Bjerk.

Today, I’d like to share another DIY project I did for our wedding.

I had a TON of fun designing the invitations (a little bit less fun putting them together… lol). Knowing I was going for a ‘country classy’ type look and that I love Kraft paper, I scoured pinterest for inspiration.  This was the spark for the whole project:

via

After seeing these gorgeous invites I knew I wanted to DIY lace wedding invitations using doilies and kraft paper.

The layout of the invitations was based on this next invite: (I seriously spent way too many hours of my life obsessing over font choices and styling ;))

via

For the paper I bought 250 8.5×11 Kraft paper sheets for $45  (I recently found them here for less, I used the 100 cover weight, Desert Storm).  The invites took around 90 sheets and I ended up using nearly all the rest for other wedding paper projects.  All the printing was done at Staples, they are very reasonable.

Here is a close up of the invite sans the doily…  I sometimes just sit and stare at it, because I love it so much…

But, seriously… I’m sure I spent over 5 hours meticulously analyzing every font in the world… haha  I was going for a more contemporary and fun layout with words that popped, versus the traditional invites in the cursive.  Those are pretty too, but I was going for ‘gripping’  

If anyone is interested in knowing any of the fonts, or wants a copy of the wedding invitation template I used scroll to the bottom of this post.

I bought the Doilies for around $10 off of the Webstaurant store (it came in a package of 500!)  Putting it all together was pretty simple.  I centered the doily around the invite, folded, then used a craft paper cutter to remove the excess doily on the top and bottom.

So I took these pictures before I made most of them, and I actually ended up tying bows instead of knots like the one above.  Tying the ribbon was a learning process, but the more I did the better I got.  Jake graciously offered to assist me, but after ten minutes of laboring over one bow, he asked to be relieved of his duties  Men’s fingers are just not cut out for these sorts of things…

For the RSVP postcards  I had them printed and cut at Staples, then I used stamps I had and embossed the back.  They looked so pretty with the black shiny  I wish the picture captured it better….

My mom and sisters helped me a TON with these… I mean like many hours of cutting, tying, stamping and embossing, not to mention envelope licking, stamping, and addressing… You gals are the best!  And, I should mention that Jake helped me a lot too, who would have thought he has a knack for embossing?

Again, if anyone is interested in fonts used/more information on the embossing process, I’d be happy to fill in more details!  Thanks for reading about my DIY lace wedding invitations.  If you like my blog, I would love for you to follow me (by email or bloglovin’ in the right sidebar) or view my Pinterest.  

Update:

I’ve been so flattered by the positive responses to our wedding invitations!  After getting several requests for the template, I’ve decided to make it available for download here.  It is in Word form and remains largely the same as I designed it… meaning that while it is not the cleanest or simplest template ever, it is fully customizable!

(please read the instructions prior to download!)

Instructions for Template Download

1.  Download and Install these fonts:

• Oranienbaum
• Chalk Hand Lettering Shaded
• LT Nutshell Library
• Romantiques
• Janda Elegant Handwriting
• Sail
• Some Weatz with Swashes
• Decadence

2.  Download Invitation and RSVP Template

3.  Personalize and Format

You can customize the invitation and rsvp by clicking in the text boxes and typing your wording.  For the wedding location text box on the invitation (bottom right), I adjusted the font spacing in order to make each line the same width.  You can adjust this as well by selecting the line of text, right-clicking, selecting font, then the advanced tab.  From there you can condense or expand the text by playing with the spacing.  You can also try this technique on the reply by date for the RSVP.

Other Information:

• Printing: Staples
• Size: A7  (Cut 1.5 inches off the bottom, 1″ off the right side, and in half vertically)

Get all the supplies you need to make these here:

The post Lace Doily Invitation Suite *Template Download* appeared first on Naomi Bjerk.

Two years ago, when I first became aware of the chalkboard craze, I found a beautiful vintage frame at a garage sale, bought some cheap bead-board, and created a large framed chalkboard.  It looked so beautiful hung above the blue couch I reupholstered in my college room!  After I left the University, I knew the framed chalkboard had not yet seen its last days of usefulness… I would use it for a wedding seating chart!

Originally, I had planned on asking my friend to write out every name in a white ink pen (she has very cute handwriting, unlike mine)….  Yikes!  Talk about daunting… Although she graciously offered to do it, the more I thought about it and the repercussions of making a mistake or calculating the spacing off, I realized I would need to figure out another way.

While perusing pinterest looking at other chalkboard seating charts, I came across one for sale on etsy that looked printed.  I clicked on it and realized it was a pdf for sale with a chalkboard background.  Hmmm…. it was then that I recalled that a lady at Mr. Fancee’s home church told me about a deal at Staple’s where you can buy huge black and white ‘engineer prints’ for under $7.  So I set out to design my own printable chalkboard seating chart in Microsoft Word. (One of my favorite places to design because of my ridiculous collection of fonts!)  In the end it turned out incredible, without any stress involved.  We got so many nice compliments on it, and it was seriously so simple!  Below is a tutorial for how to create your own (faux) chalkboard seating chart.

If anyone is interested in using the template I created for our chalkboard seating chart, I’ve provided a download link below.  First, please download and install the necessary fonts to preserve the formatting.

Fonts:

• Chalk Hand Lettering Shaded
• Senandung Malam (3D Regular)
• Bergamont Ornaments
• Handwriting Draft
• Decadence
• Handy George

DIY Chalkboard Seating Chart (in Word!)

1. Compile your Guest List

Make sure you have them sorted alphabetically and know which tables you have them placed at.  You can do this right in the Word Document, or in Excel and just paste in a ‘text only’ version.

2. Configure your Document

Open up Word and set the document size to a ratio that works with your chosen frame. (You can do this under page layout / size / more paper sizes / custom size)  For instance, my frame was 2′ by 4′ so I set my document at 9″ x 18″.  Ultimately all that matters is the ratio because Staples will scale it to your desired size.

3. Insert Chalkboard Background

I downloaded this free printable.  After you download and save, insert the photo into your Word doc and Stretch it to the edges of the document.  Next, right click and set the image wrap to ‘behind text.’

4. Add Text

Start entering in the wording as you would like it to appear.  Use text boxes for the introductory wording on top.  Then, in page layout / columns select the number of columns you will need for your chart.  I did three.

Make sure to use the ruler on the top and left side of the document to position the columns how you like them.

4. Download Free Chalkboard Fonts

You can really use any font you want for this project, but some especially help with the chalkboard effect.  This site provides a very helpful collection of chalkboard fonts, background, ornaments, and tips.

Personally, I used Chalk Hand Lettering Shaded, Senandung Malam, Bergamont Ornaments, Handwriting Draft, Decadence, and Handy George.

Also, I used a banner from the Graphics Fairy.  It took some manipulating… (I’m sure there is a better/easier way to do this) I edited it in Picassa and used the duo-tone processing (I think it’s in creative kit) to make the banner lines white and the background some other color.  Then, after putting it in Word, I used the ‘set transparent color’ tool (under picture tools / format / color ) to create a transparent background leaving only the white banner.

Here is mine after Picassa editing: (you can copy and paste it into your document and use the method above for transparency)

(click image for higher resolution)

Here it is again with the wording inside.

(click image for higher resolution)

5. Format and Number

Once you have all of the fonts set as you like them, add periods after the names and then their table number.  I don’t have a great trick for aligning them all.  I just did my best and eyeballed it.

6. Save as a PDF and Print

Save the document as a pdf so none of your formatting is lost in the printing process. Then take it on a flash drive to Staples and ask for an engineer print in your needed dimensions.  When you get your print back, attach it to the cardboard backing of the frame (or in my case, duck tape it to the beadboard) and attach the frame.

Now you have a beautiful and personalized chalkboard seating chart with no handwriting woes!  Best of luck

Below is a ‘pinnable’ version.  Feel free to share or comment!  Also, if you are interested in using my template, you can download it here.

The post Chalkboard Seating Chart appeared first on Naomi Bjerk.

One thing I learned very fast about my husband and his family is that they LOVE crosswords.  And, boy, they are good!  I can contribute on the occasional clue, but for the most part they’ve finished the entire thing before I finish my morning coffee.  Knowing this about my husband, I just had to incorporate a crossword into our wedding somehow!  I’ve seen neat ideas where couples put the crossword on the back of a menu card at the reception.  Good idea, except we weren’t doing menu cards… Then, I’m sure after some pinterest inspiration that I have now forgotten, I realized that a wedding crossword puzzle would go great on the back of the ceremony program to entertain guests while they wait for the service to begin.

I won’t lie to you… it definitely took a LONG time to make.  I was absolutely set on doing a heart shaped wedding crossword puzzle, and wanted to keep all the clues meaningful and personal.  Not an easy endeavor to say the least…  BUT, definitely doable, and yes, even enjoyable if you like puzzles and good challenge.

How to Make Your Own Wedding Crossword Puzzle

1. Create a list of facts and tidbits that relate to you and your fiance.  Brainstorm anything that is significant to you.  Here are some ideas:

• Where did you meet, how did you meet?
• Colleges/Highschools attended, mascots, sports played there
• Activities you both enjoy: types of sports, board games, outings, special places
• How he proposed, where, when, type of diamond, what she said…
• Careers/jobs/majors
• Color of eyes/hair
• Middle names/nick names for eachother
• Wedding facts: month of wedding, colors, food, locations, flowers, decor, songs
• Favorites: food/color/bands/music/sports teams/animal etc.
• Numbers (these are good fillers), # of years between you, # of siblings, how long you’ve dated, think of a significance for every number
• Locations: dates, where the couple will live, honeymoon destination
• ***Wedding buzzwords (these are the best fillers): some I came up with are listed below… (with the clue coming after the backslash)

Love / Deep affection
Ido / Words before a kiss
Vows / “I shall” and “I promise,” e.g.
Ring / Commitment symbol
Knot / Tie it and you’re hitched!
Wed / Made one
Blue / Something old, new, borrowed, and _____
Kiss / “You may now ____ the bride”
Wife / Bride upon saying I do
Knelt / Posed to Propose

2. Organize all your words by length (all 3-letter words together, for example)

This will help you in the next steps when you begin putting them into your crossword.  Also, it will identify weak areas, maybe you have 20 five letter words and only 3 four letter words.  Try to get a balanced distribution.  In general, shorter words are MUCH easier to use!

3. Create a template (I found the easiest way to do this is in Excel)

• Decide how tall and wide you want it
• Make the height and width of the cells equal
• Use the ‘fill color’ tool (the paint can guy) to create a template
• Below is how I formatted mine (after several different attempts I might add…)

4. List all your words on the left side of the crossword template sorted by word length

This is just personal preference.  I found it easier to remember which words I had to work with when they were on the same screen.

5. Start filling it in!

So yes, this is the tricky part… But you can do it!!!!

• Start with a few (like 3 or 4) longer words that you definitely want to use, and place them right in there, somewhere you think they would fit well.
• Now this part is largely trial and error, and frustration, and more trial and error, but trust me, it is well worth it…
• Remember, not every space needs to be filled (that would practically impossible…), but a good guideline is that every word should have at least two other words attached.  Don’t freak out if you just CAN’T find two perfect fits for that three letter word… it will be fine Just make sure you give a very helpful clue for those words with less attached.
• You will not use all of the words you came up with!  You have a plethora so that you have plenty of choices when you are in a tight place (literally!)
• Finally, (**VERY IMPORTANT TIP**) online crossword helpers are your BEST FRIEND….  if you have a space you cannot fill, see if you can plug it in on one of those websites and use any of the words they come up with.  I did this a LOT

Here is what my final wedding crossword puzzle excel template looked like: (Ok, some words may not make total sense to you, but it’s ok, they have significance to us and our guests :))

Once you have finished your wedding crossword puzzle (first have a very large glass of lemonade–or whatever your drink of choice may be–and be very, VERY proud of yourself!), fill in the empty spaces with a light gray fill with our little excel paint bucket friend again.

6. Get it into a Word Doc

I had a hard time achieving this step without losing major formatting…. So here is what I learned and hopefully it helps you:

• First, set font color in your excel doc to white (so you can’t see the words, but they are still there… brilliant? I know ;))
• Next, (this is the best way I found to do it) printscreen that baby and paste it into paint.  Then crop it down to just template portion.
• Paste that sucker into word and whala! You’re practically done

7. Number It

This can be a little tricky, I opted to use text boxes in Word to place the teeny numbers exactly where I wanted them.

8. Fill in the clue portions below

I used two columns to make everything fit nice.

9. Get it printed

Staples can do this for you, and easily print your program on the reverse side.

And Finally…. GET MARRIED!!!

I just had to add that part….  But, honestly this could be used for SO many other purposes than weddings.  It would be a fun birthday party activity, a neat DIY anniversary gift… the potentials are endless!

After the wedding, my in laws told me that while their parents (hubby’s grandparents) were visiting, they would subtly sneak in questions, such as, “What is that website those two play fun games on together?”  Finally after three or four of these, Mr. Fancee’s grandpa announced that he would finally be able to finish the wedding crossword puzzle…  Told you they LOVE them!

And just for fun since I’m so proud…. Here’s a glimpse of the front of our programs.  They matched our invitations with the lace doilies and kraft paper.

Let me know how this works out for you!  It is a super fun way to add a personal touch and meaning to your wedding.  Below is a ‘pinnable’ picture  If you like this tutorial visit my other wedding projects or follow me on Pinterest!

The post Wedding Crossword Puzzle | And a 9 Step Tutorial! appeared first on Naomi Bjerk.