So what's been happening on 'i do' it yourself this month? Lots of new designs of course including a beautiful new guest book tree and a range of teenage party invitations.

Thumbprint guest book tree

Rose Garden Invitation

Chalkboard Invitation

Disco Diva Party Invitation

Pic: Striving to serve at home

Homemade jam, made with love, makes the sweetest wedding favour.

Start early on collecting jars and ask family and friends to save theirs too. It might take a couple of days work in the kitchen to produce the amount of jam required, but of course this can be done well in advance of the wedding.

Here are some great step by steps to follow to make your own wedding jam:
• Weekend Appreciation - Strawberry Jam
• Cupcake Project - 10 minute Cranberry Jam
• Good Food - Raspberry Jam

Pic: White Box Weddings

So what outdoor activities can you set up to keep your guests busy? Croquet is perfect for a spring or summers day. Here are a few other great ideas we've come across over the years that are perfect for a garden fete:

Patonk or Petanqu, pics Martha Stewart and Pinterest

Giant Jenga. Pics Cotton Candy Weddings and Entertainment Solutions

A coconut shy. Pics Boho Weddings and Wild Weddings

Love these photos by fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø, they remind me of a piece I did back in uni which I really must make again.

Here's a realy cute idea for a fete themed wedding - a cake competition! Guests at this pretty English country wedding were encouraged to bake a cake for the dessert table in lieu of a wedding gift. For a bit of added fun prizes were awarded for the best cakes!

Photo: Jon Rounston

Bunting isn't just for the walls, it makes the most adorable cake decoration too! Here are a few of our favourites:


Credits: Pinterest, rainbow cake with bunting by Kelly Prizel, Spring Carnival Cake Bunting from Blue Bird and Violet, 100 Layer Cake, Summer Bunting Wedding Cake from the Cake Parlour

To keep that country feel flowing through to your table decorations, ditch the elaborate centerpieces for something cute and quirky like pretty floral teacups.

Super simple to make, just start collecting your cups and saucers early on from markets and antique stores. Cut a piece of oasis (floral foam) to fit inside the cup and add your flowers. Of course you can use teapots too!

Pics: Kristel Wyman, Ruffled, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Green Photographic

Pic: Paige Newton Photography

It wouldn't be a fête without bunting. Making your own can be a fun and fairly simple process, all you need is some pretty fabric, bias binding tape and a sewing machine for speed.
Here are a couple great step by steps to guide you through the process:

• Lori Danelle
• Twig and Thistle

Pics: Via Boho Weddings, Ideal Bride Magazine, I Heart Shabby Chic and English Wedding.

We felt this country garden fete theme had a touch of England about it, so this month we're giving away super cute "Keep Calm and Marry On" posters. Free to download from the 'i do' it yourself shop.

In a gorgeous berry jam pink, the file is 12x16" so you can make a poster print or just shrink it down. Enjoy - and remember to keep calm!

If you loved the look of Sheena and Dan's garden fete wedding, here's how to get it.

1. Black distressed vintage wedding table numbers, $8.50 each from My Primitive Boutique. 
2. Jam packed with love editable labels, $5 from 'i do' it yourself.
3. Chalkboard seating chart, $50 from 'i do' it yourself.
4. Beehive water cannister for hire from Dear September. 
5. Burlap love bunting with red hearts, $16 from Mirtillo Shop.

Pelting the bride and groom with eggs might sound like a bad prank - but what if those eggs were filled with glitter or confetti?

Cascarones are a popular feature in Mexico during Carnival, just before lent, and it's a tradition that more and more countries are taking hold of for weddings. Hollowed out eggs are filled with confetti and decorated, perfect for tossing. In fact having a cascarone cracked over your head is supposed to be good luck.

To make a cascarones is very similar to decorating any egg at Easter. Use a pin to make a small hole in the egg and pour out the contents. Wash and dry the egg, then you can decorate with paint or tissue paper. Make a slightly larger hole on the bottom of the egg and fill with glitter or confetti then close with a little tape or tissue paper.

Then you're ready to chuck them at someone! Happy Easter!

Gorgeous photos from Griottes

So Im not exactly sure where I took this photo, except that it was near Tekapo. This is the start of a work where I'm going to experiment with mixed media on a photo. I've started by printing it out large format onto some lovely 100% post consumer recycled paper that I have. Masked of the sides and painted in most of the water.

We were sent this very cool infographic today from McCrindle Reaserch. All sorts of interesting facts about Aussie weddings and good to see the number of weddings is on the rise!

Summer might be over here in Australia, but it was such a rubbish summer, we thought lets bring a little spring back to the blog. So our theme for this month will be Garden Fete. Bunting, sunshine, outdoors and a few easter eggs too. Keep hopping back to check it out.

Colour pallet: berry jam, lemon, sushi and grass

Credits: Ewa-Marie Rundquist, via Celebration, painted easter eggs via Bird's Party. Home made jam.

Cake bunting bu Avie and Lulu, Garden Fete Invitation by 'i do' it yourself, bunting by  Becki Walker Photography, bunny by Sarah Vaughan Photography - keep an eye out this month for the fabulous wedding this little guy made an appearance at.

Loving the work of Kathe Fraga. Her work resembles aged decorative fresco panels, adorned with birds flowers, vines and leaves in a modern Chinoiserie style.