Quick and Easy DIY Direction Signs

Like many others in the wedding world, I was obsessed with the beauty that is wedding directional signs.


Image via Mrs. Ostrich, Photo by  Max Wanger Photography



Image via Mrs. Bunting, Photography by  Bryan and Mae Photography

 Knowing that our chapel was a part of a much larger building, made them almost a necessity. Unfortunately this task was one I left to last minute, and I needed to craft an easy fix. Then I remembered a post from Mrs. Ferris Wheel, showing off her DIY speech bubbles. With her method as my inspiration, I had a simple solution.

Supplies:

• cardboard
• box cutter/exacto knife
• sharpie
• chalkboard contact paper
• twine

Using a large flap of a cardboard box, I drew an outline of an arrow, and then cut it out with the box cutter.

Then I used my cardboard arrow to cut the proper amount of contact paper. I tried to leave a bit of an edge on all sides so that I could fold the paper over and stick it to the back. (Sorry I didn't take a picture of this step, but it took four hands to make sure the contact paper applied to the cardboard smoothly and to eliminate all of the wrinkles/bubbles. You've been warned: you may need help with this step!)

To finish it off, I simply tied the twine around the slim part of the arrow, creating a hook to hang my sign. My bridesmaids had fun with the chalk markers and helped me display them around campus pre-ceremony.

Photo by Valerie Demo

They must have worked. We didn't have a single lost guest!

Did you leave any projects to the last minute that worked out better than expected?

DIY Chalkboard & Product Review

Another wedding project I didn't have time to share pre-wedding was our DIY chalkboard that displayed our seating chart. DIY chalkboards are nothin' new on the 'bee, but I couldn't resist sharing ours and reviewing the supplies we used.


Sneak peak of the finished product!
Photo by Valerie Demo / Altered by me for privacy

We started with a $15 mirror, which I found at Diversity Thrift. After visiting a few thrift stores in the Richmond area, I would definitely recommend Diversity as a must-see, especially for bigger items (like furniture or mirrors).

Once Mr. Hawk had it all taped up with painter's tape and handy-dandy recycled Target and Wawa plastic bags, he got to spraying.

Image via Amazon

We used Krylon Chalkboard paint and had a very positive experience. Although reviews mentioned two coats being enough, Mr. H ended up applying 4-5 coats over several weeks. Typically on a Saturday he would take the mirror/chalkboard out front to spray and then let it dry in the sun throughout the afternoon. Because we had it propped up against the side of the house to dry, we did notice a little bit of dripping; however, once all the coats were applied, I didn't see any drips in the paint. So if you don't have the time to apply extra coats, I would recommend letting the chalk paint dry completely flat. Another thing to note is that the description indicates one can covering a three by four foot chalkboard. Even with the four to five coats we applied, we still had paint left over after the project.

The painted chalkboard in action with seating chart post-its

Because I didn't want to worry about smearing, I also purchased Sanford's Expo Bright Sticks chalk markers.

Image via Amazon

The ones I purchased were the Fluorescent colors, and let me tell you, the description is accurate. Although the marker caps appeared more muted, the colors were very bright. I ended up loving the contrast the brighter colors provided. The Bright Sticks were very easy to use, creating clean lines without any drip. I also liked how easy they were to erase. A wet paper towel was enough to clear the chalkboard. There was only once or twice that I had to wipe the board a second time to completely erase any faint lines.

I didn't do a lot of review-stalking before purchasing these products, so I definitely think we hit the jackpot! Do y'all have any product recommendations to future chalkboard DIY'ers?

DIY Ribbon Napkin Rings

Months back, way before my wedding day when Momma and Sissy Hawk were in town I went on a DIY spree. Unfortunately time got in the way of my sharing this project until now.

First and foremost I must give credit where it is due. Momma Hawk pretty much took on this project all by herself. I had a vision, and she ran with it. (Thank you, Momma H!) Much like Miss Unicycle, I became obsessed with bowtie napkin rings featured on Martha Stewart Weddings. Since we were having a Southern wedding with dapper bow tie-clad groomsmen, they fit perfectly with our overall theme.
 

Image via Martha Stewart Weddings

Supplies:

Ribbon (we used 3/4 in.)

Fabric glue (Unique Stitch)

Bobby pins

Momma Hawk first cut the ribbon into strips. Since we were going the no-sew route, she folded one edge (about a quarter of an inch) of the ribbon strip and secured it with glue. To keep it in place and allow the glue to dry, she slid a bobby pin over the fold.

It took several minutes for the glue to dry, so Momma Hawk did a whole series of this step before moving onto the next fold.

Once they had ample time to dry, she glued the unfolded edge under the side that was already glued and folded. Again, she secured the ribbon with the bobby pin until the glue dried. (Who knew bobby pins were so multi-functional?!)

Since both edges were glued, we didn't have to worry about fraying, and the initial fold gave the rings a finished look. (Yay for no-sew projects!)

We ended up with just over one hundred of the rings, and it only took a few hours to knock them out in front of the TV.

Care for a preview of the rings in action from our wedding day?



Image via Valerie Demo

Although in the end we chose to go with white napkins over yellow, I think they turned our fabulously. Three cheers for Momma Hawk!

Anyone else jumping on the bow tie napkin bandwagon?

One Month Anniversary & Post-Wedding Feelings

As of today, it has been exactly one month since Mr. H and I tied the knot. (Happy One Month Anniversary, Mr. Hawk!)  Nearing the one-month mark really made me realize that although I had a beautiful wedding day, I had been hiding my head in the sand in regards to some of my feelings (and because of that ended up taking a longer than planned hiatus from the 'bee).

As I'm sure many of you married ladies can attest, the day flew by faster than any day I've ever experienced. I fully remember the moments and laughs that I spent with Mr. H during our first look. The actual wedding ceremony felt like a blink of an eye. Next thing I knew we were being introduced at the reception, and then moments later we were packing up the car and heading back to the hotel. It was a crazy whirlwind: both here and gone in a matter of seconds.

Partially due to the speed of the day, it took me a couple weeks to come to grips with the fact that the wedding actually happened at all. It almost seemed like a dream, and over the honeymoon Mr. H often heard me repeat, "I can't believe we're actually married. I can't believe it happend." Although I was incredibly happy to finally be his missus, it seemed very surreal.

I also experienced a feeling of loss. A full fourteen months of planning came to an end. My family and friends all went back to their lives, and I felt like I hadn't spent the time with them that I had wanted to. I did the best I could being pulled in many directions, but I wished I could've been superbride, sharing significant time with all of my loved ones who travelled so far to be with us. The worst part was with my parents and Sissy Hawk living cross-country, I knew that I wouldn't be able to see them again for over six months. With all of the wedding festivities, I was spoiled by getting to see them so often. I missed them already, and it tore me up inside.

There was also a little behind-the-scenes drama that I wasn't sure how to feel about. Although it truly didn't effect my wedding day, for some reason I was letting those feelings cloud over me a bit. I think the other mix of emotions I was dealing with really didn't help. The best way I can describe the totality of my emotions is to say that I was in a major post-wedding funk.

Luckily, as with most things, time has finally settled my nerves. Day-to-day life is starting to get back to normal, and I've excitedly accepted my new title as Mr. Hawk's wife. If any residual feelings of post-wedding funk find their way back, I try to focus on all of the beautiful moments like seeing Mr. Hawk at the end of the aisle, chatting with Momma Hawk over dinner, my dance with Daddy Hawk, and watching Sissy Hawk do the Roger Rabbit on the dance floor. Revisiting the photographs that I've received so far also does wonders. They transport me back to May 19 and put a smile on my face.

What emotions did you feel post-wedding? Did anyone else suffer through a funk like me? If so, how did you shake it?