Guilded it in Gold :: 100 Layer Cake :: Sara Logan Photography

Turn up the glam!  With gold paint from your local craft store, ordinary candles and vases turn into gilded masterpieces fit for the modern mountain bride.

Here's what you need:

- Gold Acrylic Paint
- Paintbrush
- Vases
- Basic Candles
- Flowers
- Time :)  DIY posts always leave this part out!

Step One: Start with clean, dry containers and apply a layer of paint.  For this project we freehanded the top line to give it an organic, one-of-a-kind feel.  For the textured containers we used the dots as a guide for accenting the container.

Step Two:  After allowing the first layer of paint to dry, apply a second layer.  Continue to apply laters until the desired opaqueness is achieved.  We used three layers for our final product, but you could vary the layering for an ombre effect.

Step Three:  Fill the dry vases with water and your favorite flowers!  We used cafe au lait dahlias, garden roses, snapdragons, ranunculus, anemone and snowberry.  

To complete our mountain modern look we added gold chargers, striped table runners and vintage candlesticks.

The sky is the limit on things that can be gilded in gold!  Check out these cute gilded animals the bride made using children's toys!

Vases and candles are just the beginning!  Let this inspire you to think beyond and craft special accents that reflect your personality and make your guests smile!

We had so much fun with Sara on this project.  Check out her website here!

Fall Bouquet Recipe :: 100 Layer Cake :: Sara Logan Photography

My favorite bouquets always start with a walk in the woods and end at a local flower farm.  It’s there that I find ingredients that are not only unique and special like my brides, but these ingredients speak to the present moment.  I think that’s really special.  Here is a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into a bridal bouquet and the ingredients it calls for.  I hope it inspires you as you plan your wedding!

You can check out the full feature on 100 Layer Cake!

The Ingredients: 

Dahlias
Garden Roses
Sunflowers
Zinnias
Hydrangea
Tuberose
Amaranthus
Sea Oats
Chocolate Queen Annes Lace
Foraged Ferns & Foliage

All these beautiful photos by Sara Logan Photography!

DIY Concrete Candles :: A Tutorial for Once Wed

Supplies:
Bag of concrete with sand
Water
Mould to cast in — we used a tall soda can
Spoon 
Scissors or a utility knife 
Small candles

Instructions:
1. To begin, cut the top off of your soda can.
2. Add a small amount of water into can.
3. Add a cup of concrete mix and stir.
4. Continue to add in concrete dust and water (repeating steps 2 & 3) until the concrete mix and water becomes thick. (The less soupy the mix, the stronger the cast)
5. Using a paint stick or dowel rod, tap up and down shaking your mold gently. This will even out the concrete.
6. Place your candle on top of the concrete and gently press down until candle is flush with the mix.
7. While lightly holding the inserted candle in place, tap up and down to shake mix evenly around the candle.
8. Leave to dry overnight. Check every few hours continuing to press candle even with candle surface.
9. Once dried, gently score the cast using scissors or utility knife and pull away aluminum.

Photography, Concept & Styling: Heather Payne Photography // Flowers & Fingers: Kelly Perry of Philosophy Flowers // Calligraphy & Paper Goods: Abany Bauer of Brown Linen Design // Ribbon: Bits & Bobs by Ginny Au

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