DIY Vintage Matchbox Favors

While wedding favors are certainly not a must these days, it is always nice to send your guests home with a small thank you if the budget allows.  Our personal favorite wedding takeaways are the edible ones, but there are other cute options that can be enjoyed by all.  

We set out to find inexpensive and useful, yet personal and charming favor options for guests.  One idea that we came up with were these decorative matchboxes.  To open the box, the guests pull on the ribbon tab and out pops not only matches, but also a message of gratitude.

These matchboxes can be put together in an evening with the help of your craftiest friends and a favorite movie.  Select colors and patterns that reflect your personal couple style or wedding colors.  Make them even more personal by adding the guests' names and using them as place cards (the ribbon could be pulled to reveal the table number).

You will need:

-Matchboxes of your choice size (We used Coleman matches. Best deal was $1.88 for a 4 pack at Walmart)

-Lightweight card stock paper, contact paper, or paper bag

-Adhesive spray found at Michaels or any craft store

-Scissors and/or paper cutter

-Ribbon (polyester works best for stamping)

-Letter stamps and ink 

Step 1: Carefully open the outside sleeve of the matchbox so that it lays flat. 

Step 2: Use the flattened sleeve as a pattern to trace and cut your paper of choice to fit the size of the box. 

Step 3: Spray the back of the paper with adhesive spray, let set for 1 minute, and then apply to the flattened matchbox cover.  Be sure to leave one striker side uncovered. (If using contact paper, adhesive spray is not needed for this step) 


Step 4: Allow adhesive to set for at least another minute before folding the matchbox cover back to its original shape.  Use a small amount of adhesive to secure the shape. 

Step 5: Leaving half an inch of room on both ends of the ribbon, use letter stamps to spell "thank you" on the ribbon.

Step 6: Adhere one end of the ribbon to the inside of the matchbox.  Trim the raw edge.  Neatly fold the ribbon inside the matchbox, leaving the trimmed edge as a pull-tab.  (For another personal touch on your matchboxes, you can add your wedding monogram, logo, or we added a "You are striking!" message to the guests.)

Happy Crafting! 

Enjoy,

Jen

Four Leaf Wedding: PJ & Amy

Carpenter Photography

I have been so excited to finally play catch up and share some more fabulous weddings with you all like this one!  Amy and PJ have to be one of the classiest couples I have ever had the pleasure of working with.  I love how romance and sophistication oozes from every photo.  I had a difficult time narrowing down my list of favorite photos taken by Carpenter Photography as they were all simply beautiful and classic.  (p.s. The above picture is one of my all-time favorites!  Amy looks like a bride model out of a magazine.)

Carpenter Photography 

Carpenter Photography 

Amy and PJ were married on October 15th, 2011 at Meridian Street United Methodist Church with a reception following at the Conrad in Downtown Indianapolis.  If you're having vendor envy after looking at this wedding, well... you should! The classic all-white flowers were provided by Kathy's Kloset (check out Amy's 3 dozen rose bouquet!), video by LeBella Wedding, cake by none other than Heavenly Sweets, flawless make-up by Karen Hall, transportation by Naptown Trolley, and the always fabulous Endless Summer Band kept the party going.

Carpenter Photography 

Carpenter Photography 

Carpenter Photography 

Carpenter Photography 

Amanda Coffey with the Conrad arranged for these amazing photos to take place on the roof of the hotel!  This was an incredibly romantic moment as the sun set over Indianapolis, Amy and PJ enjoyed a quiet little escape before the reception began.  Melody with Carpenter Photography captured the view perfectly!

 Carpenter Photography

Carpenter Photography 

Carpenter Photography 

Carpenter Photography 

Amy, PJ, and their classy, gracious families were an absolute delight to work with!  I hope these first 5 months of marriage have been blessed and I wish you tons happiness in all of your years together!  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this once in a lifetime occasion. 

 Carpenter Photography

Carpenter Photography 

With Love,

Jen

Six Golden Globes Trends

Last night, the Golden Globes brought us a beautiful night of fashion.  Most of the dresses fell into one of several categories: deep, rich jewel tones, black, and muted pastel tones, among a few others. Some of these girls knocked it out of the park while others missed.  I'll let you decide for yourself who did what. As you browse, imagine these gorgeous dresses starring in your own wedding-once we find look-alikes, unless of course, your budget for the big day includes designer gowns for the wedding party.  Enjoy!

SIZZLIN' HOT IN RED

WireImage Photos from Huffington Post

RADIANT IN JEWEL TONES

WireImage Photos from Huffington Post

SMOKIN' IN SILVER

WireImage Photos from Huffington Post

ELEGANT IN BLACK

WireImage Photos from Huffington Post

QUIRKY IN COLOR

WireImage Photos from Huffington Post 

WHIMSICAL IN MUTED TONES

WireImage Photos from Huffington Post

It was a fun night for fashion and a great look into what the year 2012 holds for red carpet glamour!  All of the women looked beautiful, even if it was in their own "special" way...but a few really stood out to me.  Dianna Agron's red lace Giles Deacon dress was so beautiful, and Dame Helen Mirren was demure and classy in her sapphire Badgley Mischka gown. Salma Hayek wowed, showing off her amazing body in a black Gucci gown with gold embellishment on the bodice, and Zooey Deschanel was adorably cute in her black Prada gown with a punch of neon green. Charlize Theron looked absolutely stunning in her Dior Couture dress with a thigh high slit and of all the headbands worn last night, her 1920 Cartier collection headband was TO DIE FOR. Jessica Chastain looked gorgeous in her Givenchy gown and dripping in Harry Winston jewels. And last but certainly not least, Jessica Alba's soft berry hued Gucci dress was striking when the spotlight hit it, and she looked fantastic!--let's not forget she had her second baby just five months ago!  

Oh how we love awards season! So if you fell in love with any of these dresses and totally pictured something like it starring in your own wedding, give it a week or two and knockoffs will be everywhere.  Until then, head over to The Huffington Post and rate your favorite dresses!  And remember, take a few cues from these ladies but make sure your big day is YOU!

Jaimee

It's A Girl: Anna's Baby Shower

My cousin Anna is having a baby girl!!!  And, of course, my sisters and I, along with our mother, could not have been more thrilled to throw her an all pink baby shower!  

Branding expert Loretta Hoover designed the invitations, flags, coasters, and other coordinating printed materials.  Paddi Cakes created the most delicious white almond vanilla and pink chocolate fudge cake pops, while Just Pop In supplied the strawberry and vanilla popcorn- yum!  Four Leaf Events' own Jaimee Dee was kind enough to share her talents and be our photographer for the day.

One of my favorite touches were the small bags of popcorn containing a different magnetized prayer request were passed out to remind the guests to keep them in their prayers "Before Anna Pops."

No baby shower is complete without a homemade diaper cake.  This one made by my sister was so personalized and adorable!

After a silly game of undressing and changing the baby doll's diaper while wearing oven mitts and an apron (a twist on a family Christmas game), my oldest sister presented a touching devotional about life as a parent.  When hosting a shower it is best to keep the details a personalized as possible.  After all, the purpose of a shower is to celebrate that person's next step in life, so why not focus the details around that person and their style!

I had to share these shots of my adorable nieces who were both big helps as mini hostesses for the shower.  Being an aunt is the greatest!

Congratulations to Anna & Kedric on their baby girl arriving very soon in September!  We cannot wait to meet her!

Jen

FLE Shoot

I was going through my pictures this weekend, and found some long-lost pictures from the first shoot Four Leaf Events did almost two years ago.  These pictures showcase just a few of the, incredibly unfair amount of, talents that our Jen Barnette possesses. These pictures depict several services that Four Leaf Events offers to make your day that much more special. She made the gorgeous veil that the first bride is wearing by sewing a beautifully light lace onto the two flowers that she pieced together, petal by petal, and topped it off with iridescent beads in the center.  It is both eye-catching and simple at the same time.  

Our second bride is wearing a couple different pieces that were tailored specifically for her, by Jen.  The dress she is wearing was a simple, white, A-line wedding dress, and Jen added a full, beautiful, tulle skirt that gave the dress an incredible princess look and feel--that may have been somewhat influenced by the Vera Wang dress that Kate Hudson wore in the movie "Bride Wars," which we were slightly obsessed with for a period of time.  She also made the purple flower belt in the same way she made the veil, but rather than iridescent beads, Swarovski crystals were used in the center.

Four Leaf Events offers a variety of services to make your day special and uniquely yours.  If you are interested in learning more about how you can benefit from FLE helping you on your special day, click here.

*This was an immensely fun shoot, and we would not have been able to do it without our beautiful models, nay, muses, who also happen to be our sisters.

Jaimee

FLE Anniversary: Catie & David

Since the Four Leaf Events blog is so new, there are several very special weddings that I did not get to post right after they happened.  Catie and David's wedding was at the top of my list!  This is one of the happiest couples that I have ever worked with (maybe because they had waited about 8 years to finally get married!).  

The couple's very traditional style was a constant theme throughout and reminded me of every young girl's dream.  My favorite touch was the cookie favors.  Catie has always been "famous" for her "Catie Cookies," so it was fitting to for each guest to receive a bag of 2 cookies with a sweet thank you for being a key ingredient in their lives.  Unfortunately the photographer was not willing to supply photographs for my post, so all I have to share is this Instagram'd snapshot of the couple's beautiful smiling faces.

David & Catie

May 29th, 2009

Congratulations on 2 years, Catie and David!!!  Sending lots of love to North Carolina!  

P.S. I accept "Catie Cookies" any day of the week! =)  

Jen

Countdown to the Royal Wedding!

1 day, 23 hours, 15 min, 58 sec

Prince William and Kate

       Thirty years ago, on July 29, our mothers set their alarms for the early morning hours to watch what would, until now, be thought of as the most fantastic, fairytale wedding.  Now, thirty years later, on April 29, 2011, we are going to do the very same thing.  Our very own, Jen Barnette, is planning a very intimate viewing party that will, no doubt, not disappoint. With details of the night remaining a mystery to guests, much like the royal wedding's secrecy, we are highly anticipating the event.  What I DO know is that the replica invitations were beautiful and were complimented by her own design of RSVP cards (which I loved so much I wanted to keep, rather than send back to her). Also, what I know, is that we will begin the evening in cocktail dresses and end it in our pajamas! Who said twenty-somethings are too old for sleepovers?  Stay tuned for pictures of the event, and we would love to hear from anyone else about other viewing parties that will be taking place, and better yet, see pictures of what's going on out there!  Also, be sure to check back after the wedding for the gorgeous details, and how we can help you make your own wedding as magical as the one the world will be watching!

Jaimee

If The Bow Fits, Flaunt It!

When I was a little girl, my sisters and I always had a bow in our hair.  We were told to wear play clothes to shoot a commercial and the director told us to remove our bows because children didn't play in bows.  Well, Mr. Director, we did!  

How fitting to incorporate a piece of your childhood into your wedding day look or decor?  Besides my obvious nostalgia, bows have become a favorite wedding accessory because of their classic femininity and playfulness.  Try adding a bow or ribbon to details on your big day to highlight your girly-girl side.

BHLDN Tiered Tulip Gown, Dear Golden Vintage Shoes, Bridesmaids Dresses, Headband, Etsy Garter, Chloe Bow Clutch

Jen

Lucky Wedding Details

Today we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and, as I am sure many of you can guess, my favorite part about today are the four leaf clovers (I'm sporting an excessive 3 today)!  I love the shape of the four leaf clover as a symbol of faith, hope, love, and luck, of which it takes all four to succeed in life.  So why not tie this symbol of good tidings into the day you join in a new life with your groom?  


These details do not have to be "Irish-y" or "St. Patrick's Day-ish" and can be incorporated into your event without it being an overwhelming theme.  A four leaf clover charm can be added to a bouquet, a bracelet or necklace, a garter, or even a bustle.  Cuff-links are a classic way to use four leaf clovers and a special touch if the groom has Irish roots!  Or you could spread the luck to your guests by adding a crafty fabric or real four leaf clover at their place-setting.   

necklace, theknot.com bouquet, etsy.com garter, antique cufflinks

Here's to being lucky in love!

Jen