w411dev, Author at Wedding411 On Demand

4 Truths About Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds have burst onto the scene over the last two years and are riding a wave of popularity as more people choose them for ethical, eco or just plain value reasons. Here’s a quick primer on the four key things to know about lab grown diamonds to help you decide on whether they are right for you.

They’re Exactly The Same As Mined Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are created using the same natural processes as diamonds produced by mother nature – extreme heat and pressure. However, instead of the process taking millions of years, it takes just a few months.

What this means is that even a jeweler wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a lab grown stone and a natural one.. So if you don’t want to tell people that you went lab grown, no-one would ever know!

They’re Not ‘Fake’ In Any Way

Unlike diamond alternatives like moissanite, lab grown diamonds are recognised by the diamond industry and the FTC as real diamonds. This has led to a phasing out of the term ‘synthetic’, which was previously used to describe lab grown diamonds. Instead, they are usually called ‘lab grown’, ‘lab created’ or ‘cultured’.

They Deliver Incredible Value

Diamond prices are based on rarity – the rarer an attribute is the higher the diamond is priced e.g. ‘flawless’ clarity is exceedingly uncommon in natural diamonds and as a result they come with a high price tag attached.

Rarity isn’t such an issue with lab grown diamonds as there is a theoretically infinite supply, so prices are significantly lower. Just how much lower will depend on what you are looking for, but they can be anywhere from 50% – 70% less expensive than mined diamonds.

You Can Focus On Getting A Diamond That Will Sparkle Brilliantly

When you’re buying any diamond, whether it’s natural or lab grown, it’s important that it is accompanied by a certificate from an independent laboratory. This will tell you everything you need to know about the cut quality, color, clarity and carat of the diamond.

The key thing to remember is that your diamond’s ‘cut’ is the most important factor in determining how much your diamond will sparkle! And the good thing is that the great value that lab grown diamonds offer mean that you can choose a stone with the highest cut quality possible, without sacrificing on the other factors, so you can make sure your diamond will sparkle brilliantly.

Written By: Ringspo Professionals

Brunch Weddings: Caterers Spin On Brunch Food Favorites

Brunch events are on the rise and for good reasons. If you are looking for a more casual, economical and daytime affair then maybe a brunch wedding is for you. Local big-name caterers are available to put their spin on brunch food favorites and trust us you will not want to disappoint on the menu. Keep reading to see what local caterers have to offer when it comes to their brunch cuisines and their take on brunch events.

Sara Weaver, Director of Sales & Marketing for Santoni’s Catering says shes seen “it’s more popular to have some brunch favorites incorporated into the overall menu. Couples that do an entire brunch themed menu typically have an earlier event – so it’s a daytime wedding or early evening.” Immediately following are two of their most popular appetizers followed by recipes for two of their brunch dishes.

Homemade Mini Chicken & Waffles + Brown Butter Syrup

Cheesy Shrimp and Grits in an Asian Spoon

Sweet Potato Hash

The Sweet Potato Hash can easily be made vegan by replacing the butter. This is a healthier alternative to breakfast potatoes.

SWEET POTATO HASH RECIPE
8 – 6 oz servings

3 lb Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
¼ cup Blended Oil
½ stick Unsalted Butter
1 large Red Onion diced
1 large Red Pepper diced
1 large Yellow Pepper diced
½ cup Light Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Nutmeg
¼ teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon Pure Maple Syrup

Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water, until slightly softened, approx. 4 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water to cool; drain. Transfer to a large bowl.

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter with oil in large heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add onions and saute until tender. Add the peppers. Continue to saute until onions are golden and peppers are tender. About 10 minutes.

Transfer onion and pepper mixture to bowl with the potatoes. Add brown sugar and spices to potatoes and toss to mix.

Melt remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add potato mixture to skillet; spread in even layer; pressing with the back of a spoon or spatula. Cook until golden brown turning occasionally; about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Grilled Apple Cider Donut Cake

The Apple Cider Donut Cake is made by Santoni’s then topped with the Apple Cranberry Compote. It’s a great brunch dessert that brings in the breakfast flair.

APPLE CIDER DONUT CAKE RECIPE

Apple Cider Mixture
1 large or 2 small apples (Granny Smith is recommended)
1 ½ cup Apple Cider
½ cup Milk
Cake Batter
2 cups All Purpose Flour
½ cup Almond Flour
1 ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Nutmeg (freshly grated is best)
4 oz Unsalted Butter
¾ cup Sugar
½ cup Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
¼ cup Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
6 tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon Salt

Apple Cider Mixture:

Peel, core and chop your apples. Combine with apple cider in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat for 10-12 minutes until apples are tender. The mixture will foam up when it boils. Cool for 5 minutes, then puree, preferably with an immersion blender, although a blender or food processor will do.

Combine 1 cup of apple mixture with milk; this allows milk to curdle, like buttermilk.

Cake:

Combine flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

Cream butter with sugar and brown sugar in stand mixer on medium speed using the paddle attachment for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one by one. Add oil and vanilla, and mix for another minute, until well incorporated.

Alternate adding the flour and apple mixtures in batches beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scrape the bottom of the mixer bowl to make sure butter and sugar isn’t stuck there. Mix for 10 more seconds to make sure everything is airy and light.

Pour batter into greased Bundt cake pan and bake at 350F for 35-50 minutes.

Cool cake in pan for 10 minutes and then invert on cake platter.

Cinnamon Sugar:

Combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Coat cake with cinnamon sugar. Cool completely before cutting.

For those brides that do an entire brunch themed menu typically have an earlier event – so it’s a daytime wedding or early evening.

APPLE CRANBERRY COMPOTE RECIPE

½ cup Apple Cider
1 cup Fresh Cranberries
1 Orange, zested
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1 tablespoon Honey
½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt
6 Granny Smith Apples, cored and diced
2 sticks Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Add all ingredients to medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally until apples become tender and cranberries begin to pop (12 – 15 minutes). Remove from heat and serve warm.

Melissa Benson, Co-Owner of Eleven Courses Catering shared “I love how creative a brunch wedding menu can get – especially when the menu includes highly stylized stations or fun small composed bites during cocktail hour. With Eleven Courses, you are sure to be able to design an out-of-the-box wedding with exciting menu items that your guests have never seen before!” Read on for a few of their signature brunch wedding dishes.

Photos by Bradley Images. Signage by Emerald Event Design.

Gnocchi Donuts

Dark Chocolate Pizzelles with a Honey Goat Cheese Cream Filling

Beef Brisket & Sweet Potato Hash

2 Tablespoons Jalapeno Oil
2 Sweet Potatoes, 1/4-inch dice
2 Purple Peruvian Potatoes, Thinly Sliced
Pinch of Sea Salt
Pinch of Ground Black Pepper
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
4 Cloves Caramelized Garlic
4 Scallions, thinly sliced
1 Sweet Onion, 1/4-inch dice
1 Poblano Pepper, ¼-inch dice
1/2 Teaspoon Caraway Seed
1 Sprig of Thyme
2 Tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
A splash of White Wine
2 Cups Cooked (“Leftover”) Beef Brisket Diced

Blanch the potatoes in boiling water until fork tender then drain and set aside for the next cooking step. Heat the jalapeno oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Finish cooking the potatoes until golden brown. While browning the potatoes add in the salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and caraway seeds,. Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic, onions, scallions, poblano, thyme and brisket, fold in gently. Add the white wine and vinegar to deglaze the pan. Season with salt to taste. Serves four.

10 Seasonal Cocktails For Your Spring/Summer Wedding

The sun is shining, the weather is perfect and flowers are blooming. And, if that’s not enough, you’re getting married in the midst of it all. You’ve probably already drawn inspiration from spring/summer, whether you picked pastel bridesmaids dresses or bouquets that feature seasonal blossoms. Don’t stop there — spring/summer can also inspire the flavors in and colors of the cocktail(s) you’ll serve at the wedding. Below are ten potential libations for your big day:

1. Strawberry Basil Ginger Cocktail

A 2013 study showed that berries were the most popular fruit in America, so this strawberry-centric cocktail will undoubtedly be a crowd pleaser. But there’s more to it than just a fruity flavor: your bartenders will also whip in fresh basil and ginger ale to give the vodka-based beverage even more of a kick. View full recipe.

2. Whiskey Smash

A spring cocktail doesn’t necessarily have to be fruity. This whiskey-based cocktail does have a bit of sugar, mint and lemon, but it’s just enough to counteract the weight of the alcohol. Even those who don’t necessarily go for whiskey will appreciate the softened version, and the liquor’s biggest fans will love the twist on their go-to. View full recipe.

3. Blood Orange Gin and Tonic

This bright and beautiful cocktail is so simple to piece together — your bartenders will have no problem whipping up a tall order of blood orange gin and tonics. The layered beverage starts with gin at its base, then fresh blood orange juice, then orange bitters. A splash of tonic water tops finishes the drink, while a slice of blood orange makes it look picture-perfect. View full recipe.

4. Pimm’s Cup

The Pimm’s Cup is the quintessential English summertime cocktail, and for good reason — it’s not too sweet, too fruity or too plain. It does require a bit more prep than some of the options on the list, but the reward is a fresh-tasting cocktail thanks to ingredients like cucumber, rosemary, mint, lemon and strawberries. See? There’s something for everyone in a Pimm’s Cup. View full recipe.

5. Spring Rosé Cocktail

Whether you’re ordering bottles at brunch or sipping a frozen version poolside, you already know that Rosé is the wine of spring. For your wedding, you’ll want to make sure you’re buying the best, and in springtime, that’s either a Spanish Rosado or Pinot Noir Rosé.

Of course, you want cocktails for your wedding, so your chosen Rosé will pair with an ounce each of vodka and homemade peach simple syrup, plus an added splash of grapefruit juice. That fruity combination will make your warm-weather go-to even more special for a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. View full recipe.

6. Kentucky Sweet Tea

Any Southerner will tell you that sweet tea is the warm weather drink of choice — it’s crisp and refreshing and, of course, sweet. So, imagine how perfect it’d be to have a pitcher full of (bourbon-spiked) tea on your big day. You can serve the finished product in lemon-garnished mason jars to up the adorable-ness factor. View full recipe.

7. Matcha Green Tea Gimlet

Flowers aren’t the only thing blooming in spring — trees have regrown their leaves, too. If you’ve incorporated these lush, seasonal greens into your wedding day décor, you might consider a bright green cocktail. A gin-based matcha cocktail has just enough earthiness to it to fit into your theme, although a splash of simple syrup sweetens the flavors just enough to make them work. View full recipe.

8. Lavender Lemonade Mojito

Once upon a time, soft pink was the pastel to end all pastels. Now, though, there’s a new hue in town — lavender is the top color this year, which means you might have incorporated the pretty, subtle shade into your wedding theme.

If so, round out your vision board with this lavender cocktail, which not only matches visually but in its flavor, too. The recipe incorporates homemade lemonade, as well as homemade lavender simple syrup, which means it will be extra fresh — just what you want in the midst of the year’s freshest season. View full recipe.

9. Vodka – Thyme Lemonade

Warm weather always calls for lemonade, and, because it’s your wedding day, you should definitely spike the pitcher. And, if you want something slightly more sophisticated than a simple vodka-lemonade, this one features a lemon-thyme syrup for added flavor — and a sprig of thyme and a slice of lemon to make the finished product look fancy. View full recipe.

10. The Honeysuckle Cocktail

Is there anything springier than honey? This three-ingredient cocktail brings together honey, rum and a splash of lemon, a sweet but refreshing combination, especially when shaken and served over ice. Plus, the finished product has a whitish hue, meaning it can fit with just about any wedding theme — and a splash won’t stain anyone’s spring-colored outfit. View full recipe.

Choose Your Cocktail

These are just 10 of the truly countless ways to incorporate springtime colors and flavors into your wedding’s signature cocktail. If you’re in doubt, try whipping up a few at home and choosing from there — you’ve been wedding planning, so you deserve a drink anyway.

Written By: Kacey Bradley

She is the lifestyle and travel blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she frequently writes for sites like US Travel News, Thought Catalog, Porch.com, Tripping.com and more! Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!

Wedding Party Gifts That Your Crew Will Love

From the moment you say “Yes!” to the moment you say “I do!” you are planning to make your wedding day everything that you hoped it would be. Your closest friends and family likely lent a hand in the process, so be sure to show your appreciation with words, actions and even a small memento. Not sure what that should be? Don’t worry, below are some wedding party gifts your crew will love.

Sunglasses

Buying new sunglasses is a great option to consider if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for wedding party gifts. There are so many choices to consider. Do you want everyone to match? Or do you want to switch it up and get everyone their own pair unique to their style? No matter what you decide, you can easily buy each pair with the click of a button online.

Weekend Bag

This gift is ideal if your wedding party will be traveling for your big day or even just staying the night in a hotel after the wedding. This is a practical and thoughtful gift that is sure to get its use over and over again. Find time to give it to them a few days before the wedding or at the rehearsal dinner.

Robes

Give a gift that can be worn on your wedding day and beyond. Robes are a popular choice, but think about what fabric and design element your girls would appreciate the most. Would they lounge in silk and lace even if it isn’t for a special occasion? If not, there are great options for cotton and jersey robes as well.

Clutch/Wristlet

Cufflinks

Who says you can’t get the groomsmen something to wear as well? While they may not want matching robes or shirts, there are accessory gift options to consider. A great idea is to get custom cufflinks. They’re a small detail that can pull together their wedding look, but also be used for any other special occasions to come. Don’t feel like you have to get the same links for each member of your party, either. Take some time to go through and find ones that complement each of your guys’ personalities and style preferences.

Photo Book/Album

Handwritten Thank You Card

In this day and age, almost everything is digital. Sending a thank you text message or email may result in your sincerity getting lost in the delivery. Purchase quality stationery and get to writing! There’s something about receiving a handwritten letter that really captures sincere emotion.

5 Simple Outdoor Wedding Décor Ideas

Outdoor weddings have become more common in recent years. One reason being is couples want gorgeous scenery for the backdrop of their special day. Are you planning your event outdoors? With the scenery being the main attraction you can choose to include simpler outdoor wedding décor that is still sure to complement your space. Keep reading for five great ideas.

Flower Garlands

The best way to decorate your outdoor wedding is with stunning blooms. Flower garlands are simple yet they can transform the look of arches, tables and chairs.

Paper Décor

Paper décor is an affordable DIY option. Hanging origami cranes, pom poms and spiral streamers are great 3D decorations that come in a variety of colors and styles to match your wedding theme.

Alternative Seating

Many outdoor wedding packages include the classic folding resin or chivari chairs, but if you want to add uniqueness to your setup incorporate some alternative seating. Ideas include benches, hay bales, ghost chairs and patio furniture. Stop into consignment shops or borrow backyard furniture from close family and friends for mix and match seating. Not finding what you are looking for? Local rental companies have many options to choose from.

Potted Plant/Flower Aisle Markers

Potted plants and flowers make for beautiful aisle markers and you can continue to enjoy them long after the wedding day is over. Head to your local garden center and talk with their specialists about what plants are best for the look and feel you are going for. Purchase all your materials and DIY!

Outdoor Piano

With all the money you saved on your other outdoor wedding décor, consider splurging on one décor piece. An outdoor piano and talented pianist will elevate the wedding space and bring a romantic vibe.

Written By: Riya Sander: Riya is an inspired writer. With her years working in marketing communication, she is delighted to work with aspiring small business owners. Connect with Riya on Twitter, @sanderriya.

How To Pick A Scent Theme for Your Wedding

When the magic and surprise of an engagement comes to an end, it’s time to start the fun part: planning the wedding! As any bride or groom will tell you (regardless of whether or not they hired a wedding planner), there are seemingly thousands of decisions you need to make to ensure your wedding day is one for the books.

From seating charts to floral arrangements, first dance music to venue options, wedding bands to the perfect wedding dress, there’s any number of decisions to make. One of these choices is what to make your scent theme, a relatively new trend in wedding planning. Scentscaping includes creating an atmosphere through fragrance, usually a relaxing or calming one, that makes guests feel a certain way.

There are many ways to create a scentscape at a wedding, but the most popular (and easiest!) ways are with:

Candles
Essential oils
Perfume + cologne
Flowers
Potpourri

For more information on how to have a wedding day no one will forget, check out this guide from FragranceX that will help you choose what to scentscape with, as well as some popular wedding scent themes and how to recreate them!

Contact Us Here For More Information

A Guide To Being The Perfect Bridesmaid

It is the day every girl dreams of and because you play a major role in her life, you are a big part of it. Other than the bragging rights, there’s a lot more to being a bridesmaid from the emotional support to the stress of preparing and planning the shower and bachelorette party. We have a few tips to make your job a whole lot easier for you to be the perfect bridesmaid.

Be Present

The best parts of being a bridesmaid would be helping the bride choose her dream dress and finding your dress too. A lot goes on, and the bridal party is often exhausted, but it’s important not to slack on bridesmaids duties when it comes to being emotionally there for the bride. Check on her with a quick “How are you holding up” text or invite to a low key hangout like dinner or a walk.

Be A Team Player

Disagreements amongst bridesmaids often happen. Ask yourself frequently if arguing over the outfit color or jewelry you will wear on the day will make a difference to the bride the day of. Remember that it is all about her and arguing over bridesmaids attire will only cause her more stress, making you, by definition, a bridesmaid-zilla.

Don’t Get Wasted

Enjoying a few drinks on these days is completely fine but don’t overdo it. When you are inebriated, you run the risk of not being able to meet the needs of the bride.

Gift Giving

We all know that the bride gets all kinds of gifts on her bachelorette, shower and wedding day. But you, as the bridesmaid, need to make sure that you give her something special, not a spatula or oven mitts. Below are some ideas for the perfect gift:

A honeymoon survival kit

Decide on small gifts your bride will most need on her honeymoon and then assign each of these gifts to a bridesmaid. Consult a recently married friend on the things they used most on their honeymoon, or wish they had packed.

Laser Hair Removal

Every bride has her preferred bikini wax style. We cannot think of a more sustainable and valuable gift to give a bride than laser hair removal. Not only does it offer a stress-free solution to ingrown hair or annoying rashes due to waxing, but it also gives her permanent hair reduction. She won’t even have to take her razor with her on honeymoon.

A surprise on the honeymoon

Find out where they will be enjoying their week away and give them something memorable. Phone the hotel/resort and surprise your bride with room service, a spa day for 2, a wine tasting, a snorkelling excursion or you can even hire two bicycles for them to explore.

Take Photos

Photos are one of the most important wedding elements for a bride. Even if the bride is not the center of attention type, we can guarantee you, she will want her wedding events to be documented.

Written By: Professionals at www.globeauty.co.za

Groomsmen Gifts & Proposal Ideas

As the groom, your journey from yes to “I do” has already started. Part of that journey is choosing your groomsmen. Having groomsmen for your wedding goes as far back as biblical times. It is a sacred tradition, one that will benefit you a lot more than you think. When you choose someone to stand by you on your wedding day, that’s something you and that person will never forget. If you want to go the extra mile with your buddies in making them feel how important they are, then make your proposal count. Choose the venue, and go bearing great groomsmen’s gifts to make the “proposal” meaningful. Read on for some ideas.

Get Groomed

A gentleman acknowledges the importance of a good haircut. One’s personality and character are amplified by his choice of hairstyle. The social constructs surrounding image are hard to avoid. People will always formulate their initial impression of you by the state of your hair.

Make appointments for you and your buddies at your go-to barber or find one that offers great service and atmosphere. You may even want to inform your barber in advance about your proposal plans. When the right moment comes, ask them to be your groomsmen and present them with their own personalized shaving kits to go with the grooming theme.

Take Them to a Sporting Event

It’s always a fun time when you’re out with the guys, watching your favorite team. Also, sports stadiums give out that sense of camaraderie and relaxing vibe. They set the perfect mood for the favor you’re about to ask.

Halftime breaks are usually the best time to have a quick one-on-one before the game resumes. Make sure you bring a token to immortalize the moment. Custom-made beer glasses/mugs with phrases like “Best groomsman” and your buddy’s name on it are as sweet and thoughtful as any groomsmen gifts and proposing gestures go.

Go on a Fishing Trip

Invite your crew to a fishing trip and have some quality time together. Don’t forget the s’mores and alcohol to go with your catch for the day. Huddle them up by the fire and build the excitement by telling them about your engagement (if they don’t already know). Then how cool would it be to present each person with their groomsmen gifts, a pure leather and wool flask with their names engraved on it. Don’t forget to fill it up with the finest whiskey before offering it up to them. The moment they say yes, you can raise the flask together and propose a toast to your upcoming wedding.

There are several options you can go for as the perfect gift for your groomsmen. It’s great to have the boys around to help you keep your cool and relax before the march to the altar. Every groom needs his own army who can give him support and great memories.

Written By: Tara Lee
Gift Photos via groovygroomsmengifts.com

Common Diet Mistakes to Avoid When Prepping For Your Wedding

Few life events are as exciting as your wedding. If you’re getting married soon, you naturally want the day to be perfect. For some people, that means losing weight. Dieting before your wedding is common and understandable. Just like wearing the wrong type of supportive footwear for a workout can ruin a fitness goal, you don’t want to sabotage your dieting efforts by making certain mistakes. The following are common diet mistakes that you need to guard against.

Skipping Meals

Losing weight isn’t always easy. You need to monitor how much you’re eating to ensure you don’t have too many calories in a day. Paying that much attention to your eating habits can seem intimidating. Thus, some people try to take a shortcut by skipping meals. Don’t make this mistake! Skipping a meal will make you crash, boosting your odds of overeating later in the day.

Not Hydrating

Many people assume dieting is all about what you don’t put in your body. However, it’s also important to consider what you are putting in your body. Specifically, you need to stay hydrated. Drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day will help you stave off thirst. If you’re too thirsty, you might mistake the experience for hunger, causing you to eat more than you should.

Not Checking Nutrition Labels

It’s important to thoroughly check the nutrition labels of all groceries you buy. Too often, people don’t realize that supposedly healthful options such as juice or energy bars actually contain ingredients that will cause them to put on weight.

Not Controlling Portion Sizes

You should prioritize eating vegetables and similar nutritious foods when dieting. That said, just because you’re not snacking, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to pay attention to how much you’re eating. You lose weight when you consume fewer calories a day than you burn. If you eat too many calories, you won’t reach your goals.

Not Considering Your Environment

There are many reasons people struggle to lose weight. One of the most common is the simple fact that resisting the temptation to snack on your favorite treats is extremely difficult. That’s why dieting experts recommend making sure you don’t keep any of those foods in your house. You can’t cheat on your diet if you don’t have the option to.

Remember these points as you look forward to your wedding. It’s entirely possible to shed some weight for the big day. Doing so is easier when you don’t make these common mistakes.

Written by Clarissa Rivera

Off the Registry: Trendy Homemade Wedding Gifts

Weddings are a special event that people celebrate with thoughtful gestures. Couples work tiny details of their love story into the decor. Family members write speeches filled with stories of the married couple when they were kids. Then there’s the moment when the married couple takes home all of their gifts to open and enjoy.

Deciding what you’ll give your friends for their wedding can be challenging. They most likely have a registry set up or will create one, but you might feel like giving them something more personal. Check out this list of trendy homemade wedding gifts.

Map Their Relationship

It’s extra special when a wedding occurs for a couple who has been long distance up until that point. They finally get to say goodbye to nightly phone calls and days spent alone. Celebrate the distance they conquered by mapping their relationship in painted frames. Cut out the cities they’ve lived in and where they’ll live in now into heart shapes for an extra loving touch.

Homemade Recipe Book

Something newlyweds look forward to is making meals together during their first few weeks of married life. Take half the work out of the activity by making a homemade recipe book. Include everything you think they’d love, from breakfast foods to desserts.

Painted First Dance Lyrics

If you’re close with the couple, you might be able to find out what they’ve chosen for their first dance song. It’s something they’ll remember forever, which is why the lyrics make a perfect gift if you paint them on canvas using a special font or the colors from their wedding.

Basket of Face Masks

After the wedding is over, they will want to relax. Help them skip the expensive spa prices and make a basket of face masks instead, using key ingredients like glycerine for healing and moisturization.

Sweater Throw Pillows

Get inspired by the coziness of winter and sew sweater throw pillows to brighten up the newlywed’s home. Find chunky knit sweaters at thrift stores or get a knit fabric in the specific shade or print they’d like.

Herb Garden Kit

If your friends enjoy gardening in the spring, give them the joy of a winter garden by making an herb kit. Paint tiny pots and write out labels for each of the herbs to make it more personalized.

Trust Your Gut

When you find the right wedding gift craft, your gut will tell you to go for it. Enjoy making your friends something they’ll treasure alongside her standard registry gifts.

Written by Kacey Bradley

Kacey is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Guides for Brides, Hotel Online and more! Follow Kacey on Twitter and subscribe to her blog to keep up with her travels and inspiring posts!