I decided on Tortellini pasta with artichokes and sundried tomatoes. It was so delicious, I’ve been giving recipe instructions ever since. As such, I thought I’d share it with all of you because it is certain to work well for DIY showers, Girls Nights, or even a wedding menu option. Enjoy, and let us know how your own efforts turn out!

Tortellini Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
1 Lg package of Tortellini pasta (prepare as instructed)
1 12oz jar of artichoke hearts
1 12 oz jar of Julienne cut sundried tomatoes
1 can of sliced black olives
Parmesan Cheese
Basil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:
1. Once you have boiled and drained the pasta, place in a large mixing bowl.
2. In another bowl, pour the drained artichoke hearts and olives.
3. Warm the sundried tomatoes in a small skillet, then add to the artichokes and olives.
4. Toss the ingredients together with a bit of olive oil.
5. Add to the Tortellini and mix well, making sure all ingredients are coated with oil.
6. Add about a cup of Parmesan (more or less depending on your taste), salt, pepper, and the basil.
7. Mix well, pour into serving bowl, and use fresh basil sprig to garnish.

If you wish, grilled chicken would be an excellent addition for a heartier salad. Bon Appétit!

I know many wedding professionals will tell you incorporating silk flowers instead of real flowers is a serious faux pas but there are many options that have a more life-like feel and, let’s keep in mind, this is your day and your budget. Do what works best for you. If you are going to use tall vases, pairing the water pearls and silk flowers can be a beautiful combination (and it’s up so high no one will know the difference).

Ice Standard has the best price on a 2 oz. package:
Like the Mystic crystals these polymer pearls are created by simply adding water. This causes them to expand into perfect miniature spheres. Use them to add some extra color to your decorating scheme. They are available in pink, aqua, sapphire blue, black or clear. Use separately or mix colors in one vase for a stellar effect! One package will create approximately 5.75L or 1.5 gallons of hydrated water pearls.

According to Peter O. Whiteley, Sunset senior writer, the best types of mats for this diy project are made of reeds, slender pieces of bamboo, twigs, or other natural materials that roll up easily.

Most place mats measure about 14 by 19 inches, so select a vase that stands 12 to 13 inches tall and are about 4 inches wide.

To make your vase:

1.Test-wrap your mat around the vase and mark where the ends overlap.

2. Cut off the extra so the ends of the mat butt together or overlap just slightly.

3. Retie any strings that may be woven through to keep your mat from unraveling.

4. Roll the mat snugly around the vase. Join the ends together here and there with pieces of slender wire.

The mat will become a tight-fitting sleeve that you can slide off when it is time to clean the vase.

Reflecting on that wedding, we think potted plants or flowers make great centerpieces. They are easy and inexpensive DIY projects. We suggest using unusual pots/containers and grouping small plants together on each table, accented by votive candles.

These programs are so beautiful, so easy to make, and oh so kind to your big day budget!

What You Will Need: 12 x 12 Primary Color Cardstock, 8.5 x 11 Secondary Color Cardstock, Thick Wood Sticks (like tongue depressors found in Dr.’s offices), Scissors, Additional Decoration, & Craft Glue

1- Cut the card stock in half and fold the pieces in half again

2- Place the stick in the middle of the bottom edge and glue the sides together on the stick (paint or glue colored ribbon to the sticks for extra punch)

3- Create your program information layout on your computer (photoshop allows for more creative designing) while your fans dry

*Tip: A great template to design by places photo of the couple, the location, and the time on the front of the fan, and an agenda with wedding party list on the back.

4- Print the program information on 8.5 x 11 sheets of the secondary color cardstock (4 per sheet fits best).

5- Cut the out and glue the information onto the fans. You can cut in a pattern or use a border to add extra flourish.

6- Add additional ornamentation, such as ribbon or beading, and set the fans aside to dry.

7- Once your fans are dry, carefully package them in a box and store in a safe place until they are ready for use.

Another great program fan idea can be found at Aylee•bits of who i am.

These fans take a bit more work, but there is a template and the finished product is definitely worth the effort. Great for small weddings, or for brides who have LOTS of willing hands to lend in the assist. You can also find great computer templates for the paddle fan here as well. Have fun!

All you need for this project are handle-free baskets, colored material, craft glue (any that works on material), and if desired spray paint. (Use spray paint to add color to the baskets; just be sure to paint them at least a day in advance so that the paint has plenty of time to dry)

1) Spread the material face down on your work surface and place the basket in the center (Be that you have enough material so it will fit nicely inside the basket while leaving plenty to drape over the sides)

2) Glue the face edges of the material around the edge of the basket, about an inch from the top

3) Gather the material as you glue so that it is spread evenly around the basket

4) Allow the material to the basket for the duration of the required drying time by placing the basket upside down(material side down) in an out of the way location

5) Once the baskets are dry, you can fill them immediately or wait until reaching the reception site for easier transportation and handling (it’s best to play with different ways of filling the baskets so that you know exactly what you want and how it will look come the day of the wedding)

6) Accent the baskets by surrounding them on each table with tealight candles or flower petals.

These baskets work best for simple, somewhat informal and/or themed weddings (i.e. beach, country, fall, ect.) Have fun and if you decide to use these, send us some pics of your handy work!

The recipe is simple and the finished product can be dressed up to suit your style.

Ingredients:
12 lemons
Sugar
Fresh or frozen blueberries
Blueberry vodka (750 ml)

Squeeze your lemon and add the juice into a mixing bowl. Add water and sugar to taste. I suggest keeping it on the tart side because the vodka will sweeten your mixture. Cut 4 of the squeezed lemons into quarters and add them to the bowl along with 1 cup of blueberries. Pour the entire bottle of vodka into the bowl, stir, cover and place in the refrigerator. For a little oomph, we took some lemon zest and a few blueberries and put them in ice cube trays. After they are frozen everything is ready to serve.

To make the hanging pom-poms, you’ll need tissue paper (8 sheets per hanging Pom-pom, 4 sheets per napkin pom-pom), monofilament and 24-gauge cloth-covered floral wire
I substituted colored ribbon for monofilament since I had it on hand and it accented the tissue paper color very nicely.

Hanging Pom-Poms.
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue (a smaller size works fine).
2. Make 1 1/2-inchwide accordion folds, creasing with each fold. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. Loop monofilament wire or ribbon around floral wire and tie to secure.
3. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.
4. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

Napkin Rings
With just a few changes, follow the same steps as the hanging pom-poms.
1. Stack four sheets of tissue. Cut a 10-by-5-inch rectangle, going through all layers. Make 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.
2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, slip over center of tissue, and twist to secure. Trim ends of tissue.
3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.
4. Bend wire into a loop to fit around napkin, and twist end around loop to secure. For ribbon, simply tie ribbon around napkin so that it is secure but does not bunch and misshape the finished fold.

Overall, it took less than 10 minutes to make the pom-pom hang, and even less time to make the napkin ring. To make a total of 10 pom-pom hangs and 10 napkin rings, the cost would be around $20…not bad for a good dose of pretty. Just organize a favor and pom-pom craft night with your bridesmaids or girlfriends, and you’ll have lovely and tastful eyecandy for your event without blasting a hole in your budget. These are great for wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, or girls’ night celebrations.

Rose Geranium Sangria

1 ½ cups of water
½ cup of sugar
24 medium organically grown rose scented geranium leaves*
2 bottles of chilled dry rose wine
1 blood orange, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 pint of fresh raspberries or blackberries, or a combination of the two, washed
1 pint of strawberries, washed, hulled and thinly sliced
6-8 cups of sparkling water or club soda if desired

Bring the water and sugar to a boil. Stir in the rose geranium leaves, cover and remove from heat. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain and press liquid out of leaves using a wooden spoon. Chill infused syrup in an ice water bath or refrigerator until cool. In a large glass pitcher or medium size punch bowl, combine the chilled wine, syrup, orange and lemon slices, and fresh berries. Chill for a minimum or up to several hours to let the fresh fruit infuse their flavors. Before serving add the sparkling water or club soda if desired. Serve chilled.

For a tasty non-alcoholic beverage for mommies-to-be, simply replace the rose wine with club soda, (diet lemon-lime soda works as well if you wish to leave out the sugar).  Enjoy and let us know how it turns out!

* You can find organically grown rose scented geraniums at a local nursery or farmers market. They must be pesticide and chemical free in order to be fit for consumption.