While browsing online I came across a darling website (Sarah Hearts) with access to a easy and free template for cupcake or drink flags. I have wanted to make some flags for a while now and thought this would be the perfect opportunity. With a couple of parties in the near future, these are a great additional detail!

What you will need:

Paper (white or color)
Scissors
Toothpicks or straws
Double sided tape

To begin: download the template from here. Enter in your information in the word document. You could do the couples name or date, the cupcake names, or a fun saying. Once you are done, hit print. The page with print with a very slight grey border. Next take either a straight edge & x-acto blade or scissors and cut out the rows along the grey border. Place double sided tape on the strips of paper and wrap the paper around the toothpick or straw. Using scissors cut out a triangle on the end. Easy right?

Hosting a bridal shower and need some last minute ideas for decorations? We have a great decoration idea using things you probably have around the house. Here is what you will need:

Small Round Coffee Filters

Cupcake Liners

Quilting Pins (yellow would be ideal)

Round Styrofoam Balls (for each centerpiece)

A Bag of Lemons

Boxes Lemon Head Candy

Flower Vases (various heights)

To begin:

1. Separate the coffee filters into groups of two. Taking the cupcake liners, place one liner in the center of each coffee filter. Pierce the quilting pin through both the liner and filter.

2. Twist or shape both pieces into a cone shape with the quilting pin exposed at the end.

3. Taking the end of the pin, place into the Styrofoam ball. Place the pins about 1 1/2 inches apart, covering only the top 1/2 of the ball. Leaving the bottom half exposed.

4. Repeat these steps till the Styrofoam ball is full.

5. Go through and slightly push open the liners and filters to create a full look. Fill in with more liners and filters where needed.

6. Fill the flower vases with 2/3 full with lemon head candy or various lemons.

7. Place the Styrofoam ball on top of the flower vases and you are done!

Note- for a 4 inch ball, you will need about twenty filter and liner pieces to create a full flower. Feel free to play around with various size coffee filters, colors of cupcake liners, and candy.

These are fun, easy and very inexpensive. A perfect centerpiece decoration for any bridal shower or brunch!

During the wedding planning process you will likely run into some budget road blocks here and there. From flower woes to lighting issues, things tend to come up. Below are some creative solutions to issues that may arise.

Candlelight: Candlelit weddings are truly the most romantic weddings. If you have always envisioned yourself getting married by candlelight in a backyard but your venue has strict requirements on candles, these Dreamlights from Urban Outfitters are the perfect solution. You can hang the lights from trees, wires or use them as centerpieces on your tables. For a more budget friendly ideas, purchase twinkle lights right after Christmas for your wedding and light all the pathways, trees and tents with the lights. Your guest will love the lights.

Floral Centerpieces: If you love fresh flowers and want large centerpieces but your budget does not allow for it. Create the illusion of large centerpieces using jars or vases. Fill up the jars or vases with water and float a large flower head in each jar or vase. Follow the jump to get more ideas on floating flowers. Or a couple months before the wedding purchase various bulbs and plant them in your vases. Like this wedding centerpiece from Martha Stewart. Make sure over the next couple of months to water and tend to the flowers. By the time your wedding day arrives your flowers will be in bloom.

Photo Booth: Everyone loves taking pictures in a photo booth. If you want to really wow your guests with a photo booth but don’t want to spend all your money on photography then get creative and make your own photo booth. Select a designated area at the reception venue and hang a sheet, paper or some other type of backdrop. Before the wedding pick up various props from consignment shops, garage sales, or thrift stores. Purchase things like glasses, books, hats, scarves, toy guns, fake flowers, frames, stuffed animals, or anything else you find humorous. Place all the items by the backdrop and let your guests go to town. Have on a side table a camera, Polaroid camera or hire and assign a armature photographer to the photo booth.

Signature Cocktail: Having an open bar can be very expensive if you have a large guest list. Instead of breaking the bank on booze offer your guests wine, beer and a signature cocktail. Pick a fun name for the signature cocktail like the blushing bride, the greyhound groom or the something blue martini. Get creative and have fun. A signature cocktail is a great way to offer guests a variety of drinks without opening up the bar.