How to Use Starfish & Shells for Beach Wedding Decorations
Whether your wedding is at the beach on a beautiful tropical island or you have a a whimsical theme in a traditional ballroom setting, having a beach theme will make your wedding a warm occasion that will give your marriage a sunny start.
Many companies offer beach-themed favors and decorations, but decorating with shells and starfish can be easy and fun and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you put your own touch into decorating your wedding. "There's nothing you can't craft for your wedding," says Darcy Miller, editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.
Things You'll Need
* 8- to 10-inch starfish (1 per guest)
* Raffia ribbon in any color and small gift tags (1 per guest)
* Large flat tray
* Assortment of 24 small shells and starfish per table
* 1 large conch shell per table
* 1 flat glass or crystal bowl per table (any style)
* 3 to 4 medium votive or cylinder candles per table, (long-burning, any color, unscented)
* Loose crystal decorations (1/2 inch found at craft stores)
* Sand (can be colored or natural)
* Small wedding favor boxes (1 per guest)
* 2-inch ribbon (any color, enough to tie each wedding favor box)
* Flat shells or starfish to glue on wedding favor box (1 per guest)
* Tissue paper (color of your choice)
* Jordan almonds (about 1 lb per 12 guests)
* Craft glue
* Permanent markers in gold and silver
How To Make Starfish Wedding Placecards and Conch Table Number Holders
1. Write each guest name and table assignment on your gift tags with a metallic permanent marker. Choose gift tags with either a beach theme or use plain "rustic" paper.
2. Use the raffia ribbon to tie the gift tags onto the starfish. Wrap the ribbon around each starfish point and let the tag dangle from the side.
3. Fill the large flat tray with sand and place the starfish on the tray, alphabetically, with names showing.
4. Glue a table number into the lip of each large conch shell. The table numbers should be large enough to be read easily from across the room. Ask your catering manager if she has some table numbers that you can use.
5. Place one conch shell per table. Use the conch shells instead of the banquet room's metal table number holders. Place the tray with starfish outside of the banquet table near the guest book.
By Laine Doss, eHow Contributor