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DIY Gift Box

“May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness, and tied with love.” L. O. Baird

Over the past year, gift boxes have become more and more luxurious and stylish. Gone are the straw baskets with the generic and mass produced items and in their place are locally curated, thoughtfully designed, and entirely customizable gift boxes. For those of you needing a little inspiration on designing a gift box, I’ve designed one for you to use as a guide for your own creation.

What you’ll need:
• Gift Box
• Variety of Items
• Crinkled Paper

What I used:
Wooden crate
Terrarium + Air Plant
• Picture Frame (similar here and here)
• Journal (similar here)
• Small Pouch (similar here and here)
• Lotion + Shower Gel (similar here and here)
• Watercolor Print (similar here and here)
Napkins
• Wine Stopper (similar here)
Sparkling Wine

Notes:
Gift boxes are wonderful to make because you can customize each one to the individual that will be receiving it. I find it’s easiest to if you choose a theme for the box that is appropriate for the person receiving the gift. Whether that theme is a color, an occasion (ie: housewarming, wedding, new baby) or interest (ie: coffee, wine), having a theme helps you pick out items and gives your gift a nice cohesive look and feel.

Have fun and think outside the box when it comes to the “box.” Bowls, crates, and many other things can be used as your “box.”

I like to include some type of plant in each gift box. Depending on the person, you could give potted herbs, succulent, a small bouquet, or even an air plant.

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

Instructions:
1. Lay out everything you want to include in each gift box. It helps you get an idea of what you have. Keep in mind you might not use everything you bought.

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

2. Place the crinkled paper in the bottom of the box.

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

3. Start playing around with where items should be placed. Generally, the taller items should go in the back, with smaller items placed on top/last.

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift 13

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - DIY Bridesmaid Gift Box

Designing A Tablescape

A few months ago, Lisa and I held a small event at West Elm Grand Rapids where we taught how to design a tablescape and I thought it would be fun to share those steps, as well as some tips, with you over the next couple of weeks.

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - Spring Tablescape Styling

There are 4 easy steps to designing a tablescape.

1. Start with the Why
2. Design
3. Styling + Setting the Table
4. Decorating the Table

Make sure to check back soon (or subscribe to the blog)! I’ll be going through each step in great detail as well as giving you some helpful design and party tips.

 

Sneak Peek: Karen + Daniel

A sneak peek of Karen and Daniel’s wedding, with a beautiful ceremony at the Basilica of Saint Adalbert and a fun reception celebration at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s Imperial Ballroom.

Spring Tablescape Class

Earlier in May, my friend Lisa and I hosted a spring tablescape styling class at West Elm in Grand Rapids. We started the evening going over some basic floral tips and then guided them through the process of designing and arranging a centerpiece. We then educated them on designing and styling a tablescape for a few different occasions. We ended the evening with our floral centerpiece + West Elm vase giveaway. It was both Lisa’s and my first time teaching a class, but we had a lot of fun and we couldn’t have ask for a better group of ladies to spend the evening with. Below are a few pictures from the event.

JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class JS Weddings and Events Grand Rapids Wedding Planner and Floral Designer - West Elm Spring Floral and Tablescape Styling Class

Sad you missed the class? So am I. Stay up to date on all things JS Weddings and Events by simply entering your email address in the subscribe box. You’ll be the first to know about upcoming events, helpful tips, and so much more.

xx js

Take On Tradition

A few weeks ago I attended my friend’s bridal shower (fun fact: I’m also helping her plan her wedding!). It’s been quite a few years since I’ve actually attended a bridal shower, so I was excited. Part of the invitation included the theme of “Something Borrowed,” in which we had to bring an item that Amy could use on her wedding day as her something borrowed item. This caused me more stress than I care to admit. I mean really, I just had to pick something that I thought she might like and bring it with me. Of course, the most logical thing would be to bring something she could wear (a bracelet, necklace, or earrings), but for some reason, this simple request had me stumped. None of the suggestions I received from people were good enough or unique enough. I was determined to bring the perfect item. Side note: her future mother-in-law brought the most perfect item!

This small task, which I made so much more complicated than it needed to be, got me to create this little list for all the future brides planning their wedding.

Grand Rapids Wedding Event Planner - Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

 

S o m e t h i n g    O l d

Represents continuity, ensuring the bride always will be linked to her family and friends.

Ideas: family heirloom locket, grandma’s handkerchief, mother’s wedding dress incorporated into your dress, aunt’s strand of pearls.
Groom Ideas: grandpa’s pocket watch, dad’s cufflinks.
Non-Attire Ideas: grandparent’s Bible, display your grandparents + parents wedding photos, grandma’s china plates for your wedding place setting.

S o m e t h i n g    N e w

Encourages the bride’s optimism for the future and her new life.

Ideas: your dress, clutch purse, couture head piece.
Groom Ideas: neck tie, wingtip shoes, cologne.
Non-Attire Ideas: monogram cake topper, champagne flutes.

S o m e t h i n g    B o r r o w e d

Reminds the bride that friends and family will always be there for her.

Ideas: perfume from a friend, hair pin, grandma’s broach affixed to your bouquet.
Groom Ideas: Friend’s lapel pin, dad’s wrist watch.
Non-Attire Ideas: cake knife, cake stand, furniture/settee for cocktail hour, first dance song.

S o m e t h i n g    B l u e

Stands for fidelity, loyalty, and love, making it the perfect reminder of the couple’s commitment to each other.

Ideas: blue nail polish on your toes, amazing blue heels, blue silk robe to get ready in, aquamarine ring.
Groom Ideas: navy blue suit, blue striped socks, navy blue polka dot pocket square.
Non-Attire Ideas: blue escort cards, blue cupcakes, signature cocktail with fresh blueberries.

A n d    A    S i l v e r    S i x p e n c e    I n    Y o u r    S h o e

A coin left in her shoe for the entire day is a wish for prosperity.

 

xx js