Photo: Wonky Eye Photography
Whether you’re looking to save money on florals, hoping preserve special wedding memories, or searching special ways to add that “wow” factor to your big day, put the Pinterest down — we’ve got you covered. Wedding planner to the stars David Tutera shared with BRIDES four unique ways you can use paper — yes, paper — to totally transform your big day. Think beyond your standard wedding stationery and try some of these tips for one-of-a-kind décor and mementos.
A Bouquet That Lasts Forever
Florals are often one of the most expensive-yet-beautiful parts of wedding planning. What if there was a way to save money AND have something that lasts forever? According to David, this no-glue gun required way of crafting a perfect paper floral bouquet from one of his kits (available at JoAnn, Michael’s and AC Moore) enables you to make an entire bridal or bridesmaid bouquet out of craft paper. “The girls or guys can do it and put it together — and it’s a keepsake. It just looks amazing,” says David.
Décor
Want to ramp up your décor with show-stopping visuals using unassuming (and cost effective) materials? The answer — you guessed it — is paper. “I did a party last year where I did a whole backdrop of paper with paper florals as a backdrop to the band.” David adds, “People are sort of surprised like, ‘oh my gosh look at what you can do with paper.'” Incorporating these materials into tablescapes, centerpieces, and throughout your reception just might be the wow factor you’re looking for.
Beautify Your Vows
“I’ve seen this way too many times: people will read their vows off their smart phones, or they will have a crumbled piece o paper out of their jacket,” explains David. He suggests taking this as yet another opportunity to step up your game and save the memory. David believes vows “should be on a beautiful scroll they read and you can frame that and turn it into a piece of art that is larger than life.”
Cherish The Memories
While traditional guest books and sign in boards are a lovely way of preserving memories and guest’s well wishes, there are other ways to save and display these “memory moments.” There are a variety of creative ideas that he has seen and incorporated seamlessly. “There’s the trees (where guests sign on the the leaves or leave thumbprints), the balloons on ribbons, messages in a bottle to open on your 10th anniversary and turn into a piece of art.” And then there are unconventional, artsy ways to really get creative. “I have even done where you take pieces of paper and people write letters to the bride and groom. You then give it to an artist and they take the paper and actually recreate the bride’s dress and put it in a shadow box and you can’t really see what was written but you know the words are now a part of the dress in the shadow box you can display in your house.”