A Perfect Engagement Bride Blogger | Melissa dyes for color!

When I decided to dye my crinoline, it was the most apprehensive I felt about any DIY project because of the potential for disaster. However, with the help of my maid of honor, it all went off without a hitch. I used three boxes of fuschia dye to get the bright fuschia color and Voila! The crinoline matches my shoes perfectly!


How to dye your crinoline:

1. Fill your washing machine with hot water.

2. Dissolve the dye in hot water first, NOT in the washing machine. Two cups of water to one pack of dye. Stir until the dye is completely dissolved.

3. Submerge the crinoline in the hot water in the machine, until it is completely wet.

4. REMOVE the crinoline from the washing machine.

5. Add the dye, and one tablespoon of detergent, and let it agitate for a minute to get fully mixed.

6. Add the crinoline back in, completely submerging it.

7. Start the wash cycle over again, so you have the full amount of time. Do not empty the machine, just twist the knob around again.

8. Keep an eye on the wash time. Let it agitate in the washer for 15 minutes, and then, wearing gloves, pull it out, and untwist it and smooth it out so it will dye evenly. Otherwise it will be tye dyed.

9. Put it back in for another 15 minutes. It needs to be in the dye solution for 30 minutes total.

10. Let it go through the rinse cycle. Open up the machine, look at it, and determine if you are happy with the color. If you would like it the color to be deeper, start the process all over again, without skipping any of the directions.

11. If you are happy with it, let it finish the cycle, and pull it out to airdry. Voila!

12. Run your machine on the quick cycle twice with detergent and one to two cups of bleach to clean out the machine.


Word to the wise, your crinoline may shrink during the dyeing process, so you may want to purchase a size up just in case. I bought my crinoline off the knot's trash to treasure board for a great price. The crinoline I dyed was David's Bridal style number 603.

April Showers Bring... May Weddings!

And our first May wedding takes place on Saturday! Check out the fabulous aisle runner, unity candle set and banners I Do Originals created for our Saturday couple.

Help A Bride Decide!

Choosing a color palate can be one of the most challenging parts of planning a wedding. Particularly when the bridesmaids dresses are black and do not limit your color creativity in the least! One of our own brides is currently struggling with this very decision.

Should she go bold and bright with intense shades of pink, green, orange and yellow? Or tone things down a bit with softer flowers like peonies and colors in lighter shades of pink and green? She loves them both so I am reaching out to our blog readers for help!

Which do you prefer?

all images: project wedding

A Perfect Engagement Bride Blogger | Melissa's Manolos

I love d'Orsay pumps. What can I say? When I first laid my eyes on these beauties on the Neiman Marcus website - I just about died. Only trouble was, they were out of stock and "so last season"...but of course they were on sale! With help from a friend, I tracked down a pair of my own at Bergdorf Goodman and I haven't looked back. Probably the biggest splurge of the entire wedding, but what better day to sport a pair of Manolo Blahnik's than on your wedding day!

image credits: Melissa

They are just perfect! The fuschia satin, the black feathers and the d'orsay style. I just HAD to have these shoes. You best believe I will get my money's worth out of these lovelies. I already have a few post wedding outfits in mind. ;)

Big News!

If we are friends on facebook or you follow me on twitter you may have been wondering about the big news I alluded to last week... well today the news can finally be revealed!

Jessica + Steve, our adorable November 1st couple are the cover couple for the April/June 2009 issue of Carolina Bride!

Jessica + Steve featured on Cheyenne's Blog
Jessica + Steve on Best Impressions Blog Part I
Jessica + Steve on Best Impressions Blog Part II

The rockin' vendors that made their day possible:

Ceremony Location: Atrium at the Design Center of the Carolinas
Reception Location: Byron's at South End

Caterers: Best Impressions
Photography: Cheyenne Schultz
Planning: Alyse Woodward
Rentals: Party Reflections
Carriage: Southern Breezes
DJ: Split Second Sound
Musicians: Queen City Ensemble
Hair/Makeup: Whose the Fairest
Cake: Mary Helen Bode

And finally, some of my favorite shots from Jessica + Steve's day that are not included in the article.