The London Underground map is a schematic transit map showing the topological positions of the London tube stations. It’s also a funky, iconic and culturally significant piece of art work, ideal as the basis for a stylistic and modern wedding seating plan.
Professionally Made
The image to the right (courtesy of Gemma Milly Illustration) and this design are wonderful examples of professionally designed London Underground themed seating plans, where tables are named after each line on the tube map and guests each have a station! I really wish we’d had one of these at our own wedding!
There are lots more great examples on our Pinterest board.
Make Your Own
If you don’t have the budget to have one professionally made, or if you simply fancy having a go at making your own Underground themed plan, there are a number of ways that you could consider.
- Use a standard London tube map and add your guests’ names. In this tutorial, luggage labels have been pinned to the map to show which guests are seated at which table.
- Use photo editing software to digitally edit a London Underground map, replacing station names with guest’s names. Luckily, as the background for the map is white, this should not need a great deal of technical expertise!
- Dust off your painting set and practice your calligraphy – trace the London underground map onto plain paper and use your paints and pens to craft your own version. This lovely example is by the same professional designer as above.
- Use coloured string and panel pins in a plain white wooden board to make a funky string Tube map design. You could then tie on guest’s names, or print them onto the white board behind your string map.
Other Décor
- Underground bow ties for the men and skirts for the women.
- Set each table a ‘find the animal‘ quiz – there are animals hidden in the London underground map, who can find them?
- The Transport for London shop has a wide range of London Underground related paraphernalia, ranging from mugs and bags to toys and t shirts.
- Get some Underground maps laminated, and use them as coasters or perhaps make bunting from London Underground maps to decorate your reception venue.
Not just London…
If London does not hold any particular significance for you as a couple, but you love the iconic design and humour of this style seating plan, then remember that the key features of a tube map are easily transferable to other locations. For example:
- Use your own home town or city, even if it hasn’t got an underground system. Use key landmarks to map out different ‘lines’ in the style of the London Underground map. For example, here is one of Brighton and Cardiff.
- Use your favourite hobbies, such as films or books, to create your own underground map. Here is a map constructed by London Underground and the London Film festival, and here is a one showing popular music history with each line a different musical genre. Use each line of your map, representing a film or musical genre, as table names. Each guest then has a film or musician as their place holder at the table.
- For medical types – ‘Underskin‘ map, the human body as an underground map! Tables could be named after the different ‘lines’ in the diagram (Arterial, digestive, lymphatic etc) with specific body parts for each guest – bride and groom get the heart, but who will get the little toe?!
Remember to check our Pinterest board for a whole host of inspiring ideas for your own Underground map seating plan. Whether you use a London Underground map or design your own, your guests are sure to be thrilled with this totally unique and unusual take on a wedding seating plan.
Useful Resources
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Colourful and pretty, bunting is all the fashion at the moment for all sorts of occasions. It is remarkably easy to make your own wedding bunting, in the perfect colour or style that you love. It has so many more uses than decoration as well – how about a bunting seating plan, a bunting guest book or quirky props for your romantic wedding photos.
How to make bunting
Paper bunting
Paper bunting is probably quicker than making fabric bunting, and lends itself to decorative ideas which require writing on the pennants, for example if you are using the bunting as a wedding seating plan, naming guest’s chairs at the reception or as a bunting guest book.
All you will need is:
- A selection of paper in your chosen colours. Many craft shops sell ‘scrapbooking’ paper which would give you a great selection to choose from
- Double sided sticky tape
- Ribbon – ideally the ribbon should be wider than your double sided sticky tape
- A guillotine or scissors and pencil
Use a template to make sure that all of your paper pennants are the same size. Arrange your paper triangles in the order in which you want them to appear on the bunting. Stick double sided tape along the top front edge of each pennant and use it to fix each pennant to the ribbon (the ribbon should go along the front of each pennant, hiding the double sided tape).
There you have it, quick and easy home made bunting!
Alternative methods:
- Use a hole punch to punch two holes along the top of each pennant and thread ribbon through
- Pin your paper pennants to some wide patterned ribbon or binding tape, and sew them on
- Use different sorts of paper or material – how about lacy white doilies, or colourful oilcloth (oilcloth is what wipeable tablecloths are made from)
- Why stop at triangles? Bunting made from paper hearts, flowers or any shape that takes your fancy would add a splash of colour and fun to your wedding décor
Fabric bunting
Whichever method you use, you will need a selection of coordinating fabrics – remnants are great. Look for material that is coloured on both sides if you are not hanging your bunting against a wall, or you will have to sew two triangles together to make a double sided triangle. You will also need a triangular template cut from card to ensure your pennants are all the same size.
Method 1 – No sewing needed…
Pin your card template to the fabric and use pinking shears to cut out as many triangular pennants as you need. Cutting the edges with pinking shears will stop the material fraying as much. Use an eyelet setting tool to make two eyelets in the top of each pennant. Thread ribbon through the eyelets and hey presto, you have made your own fabric bunting!
Method 2 – A little bit of sewing…
For the methods involving sewing, you will also need:
- Lengths of bias binding. You can get a variety of colours if you do not want white
- Thread
- Sewing machine (and someone who can use it!)
Cut out your pennants using pinking shears, as above. Sort the flags into the order you want them hanging in, and lay your binding tape flat on a table. Place your pennants evenly along the tape, about half way up. Fold over the tape to trap the pennant and pin. Using a straight stitch on your sewing machine, sew the flags to the binding tape, remembering to leave some tape at each end for hanging.
Method 3 – Lots of sewing…
For bunting that will last, you probably should consider making it from hemmed material triangles. Over time, paper bunting will tear and crease and un-hemmed material triangles may fray at the edges. Hemming your bunting triangles may take a bit longer but if you are handy with a sewing machine it should not be too much trouble.
Additionally, if want to hang your bunting so that both sides are on show and you have chosen one-sided material, you will need to sew two fabric triangles together to make a single double sided pennant.
Here are instructions for making hemmed fabric bunting.
Ideas for using your bunting
Of course, your bunting will look stunning hung around your reception hall or marquee. But why stop there?
Wedding seating plans
Have a look at our Pinterest board, where there are lots of fantastic examples of couples using bunting for their seating plans. I particularly like the bunting strung back and forth across a vintage picture frame, with table names and guests written on each pennant.
Paper bunting is ideal for a wedding seating plan, as you can easily write or print your table names and guests on the pennants before you cut them out.
Guest books
Make some bunting flags from pretty paper in assorted light colours, and place them on a table with an assortment of pens. Instead of circulating a guest book, ask the guests to write their wedding messages on a pennant. Collect them up and make your very own, unique wedding bunting that will bring back happy memories every time you see it!
Decoration
Have a look on our Pinterest board for some great ideas for using bunting to decorate everything from chairs and tables to marquees and wedding cakes! Bunting is also great as props for wedding photos – make some paper bunting spelling out L-O-V-E for the bride and groom to hold, or hang ‘Just married’ bunting above the happy couple.
Credits
Bunting images by County Marquees (the Bride made that bunting herself) and Wedding Paraphernalia were sourced via Flickr and used with permission under a Creative Commons License.
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Change boring plain banquet chairs into stunning, coordinating and imaginative chairs, for the perfect stylish wedding. Discover how you can create your own chair décor using ribbons, sashes, flowers, signs or even a full chair cover – all to match perfectly with your colour scheme and wedding theme.
Sashes
Instead of a room full of plain chairs, tying simple sashes across each chair creates an instant splash of colour, style and coordination. Sashes can easily be made from strips of fabric, such as tulle, satin, organza or raffia. The simplest to use are probably materials which will not require hemming, such as organza or tulle.
Colours can be chosen specifically to coordinate with your wedding colour scheme – remember that you do not have to choose the same colour for every chair, but could use a range of harmonious colours to decorate your wedding chairs. You can also sew decorative ribbon or embellishments on to enhance your sashes – but remember that you will probably be making quite a few so factor in the amount of time it will require.
How to tie a sash
Tying a basic knot:
Line up the middle of the sash with the middle of the chair, and tie the sash in a tight knot. Hide the knot by rotating it until it is hidden with the organza sash itself, or by placing a flower or other decoration over it.
Tying a bow:
Tie a tight knot, as above. Continue to tie a bow, making two loops if the material is thick. When the bow is tied, spread the material on each loop out so that the bow is wider. If the bow loops flop, pull the ends to make the loops slightly smaller. It is possible to use wired material, which will add rigidity to your bows.
The video tutorial here shows how to make a very pretty double bow, using organza material and a contrasting ribbon.
Other options:
Tying the sash Obi style, making a rosette knot or tying the sash vertically .
Making your own fabric chair covers
To make your own fabric covers you will need to be able to use a sewing machine and plenty of time (or plenty of friends who also have sewing machines!).
Simple covers
Sew ‘pillowcase’ pattern slipcovers for the chair back, and add ribbon or an organza sash.
Full chair covers
Due to the amount of fabric required, and the time it would take to sew a number of full fabric chair covers, it would probably be a cheaper option to hire full fabric chair covers. However, remember that you do not have to cover all of the chairs at your reception, simply creating stunning covers for the bride and groom’s chair, or for the chairs at the top table would look amazing. If you are a keen seamstress and like a challenge, instructions for sewing your own full fabric chair covers can be found here.
DIY Chair back signs
Hanging decorative signs across the backs of chairs can be a great alternative to place cards and a fun way of letting your guests know where they are sitting. Print names onto card and hang from ribbons, or use mini chalkboards to write ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ for the bride and groom.
The joy of chair back signs is that they can be designed to tie in with your wedding theme. For example, here are instructions for fabulous Art Deco ‘Mr’ and Mrs’ decorative chair signs, or for more ideas browse our Pinterest board.
Decorative hanging ribbons
Chairs that have a bar straight across the back of the chair are ideal for tying hanging ribbons – but be warned that they take just as long to remove after the event! Or use a coordinating ribbon with long tails to tie a simple flower posy to chairs.
Adding flowers to your chair decor
Chair-back posies can be used as a favour for guests, as well as a decorative accessory for your seating. If you use silk, dried or paper flowers instead of real ones, you can make posies or trailing garlands well ahead of time, and they can act as a lasting memory for the guests that take them home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Don’t forget that there are lots of examples of all sorts of chair décor on our Pinterest board, from ribbons and ruffles to mistletoe and origami flowers. Be inspired!
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Cupcakes are very popular, and are a great alternative or addition to a traditional wedding cake. They are versatile in both colour and flavour, meaning that you can create a display that will complement your wedding colour scheme and guest’s tastes perfectly. They can also play a tasty part in your plans for your wedding tables – place a pretty little flag in your cupcakes, and you have ready made place cards for tables, or use these beautiful ‘cupcakes in a jar’ as delicious wedding favours.
So, how can you make your own wedding cupcakes? With some advance preparation, it is surprisingly easy!
Cupcake recipes
A good basic cupcake recipe can be found here. Simply put all the ingredients in a bowl, whisk, fill and cook your cupcakes for a really tasty result.
You’ll need:
- 150g butter, softened
- 150g caster sugar
- 150g self-raising flour
- 3 medium eggs
- 2tbsp milk
- Few drops of vanilla extract
- 12-hole bun tray, lined with paper cases
Set the oven to Gas Mark 5 or 190 degrees and cook for 15-18 mins, or until the cakes have risen and are just firm to the touch in the centre.
Alternatively, this recipe will create cupcakes with a lighter texture, as it requires you to mix ingredients separately, and then to fold in whisked egg whites for extra lightness. Note that the measurements are in the American ‘cup’ measurement – either use a set of measuring cups or check the conversion ratios into grams/ounces here.
Red Velvet cupcakes are very popular, with their rich red colour being perfect for a romantic touch to your cupcakes.
If you are looking for some more tasty adventures in the kitchen, have a look at this fantastic selection of delicious sounding cupcake flavours, ranging from lemon meringue and chocolate vanilla to coffee cream and strawberry.
It is probably a good idea to do a test run, making 12 or 24 cupcakes first to check that they taste as you would like (I am sure you will not be short of willing tasting volunteers!). Don’t over fill the cases – it is easier to ice a cake with a flatter top.
Storing cupcakes
When you have the recipe refined to your liking, then cupcakes can generally be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days, and the plainer ones will also freeze well in an airtight container, if necessary. It is generally best to ice your cupcakes as near to the Big Day as possible, and to store them in the fridge if you are using buttercream icing.
Decorating your cupcakes
There are two main ways of decorating your cupcakes – either with buttercream frosting, or with fondant icing. Have a look at our Pinterest wedding cupcake page to discover the huge range of possible decorations for your cupcakes.
Buttercream frosting
They joy of using buttercream icing is that you can choose the exact colour and flavouring. Here is a simple recipe that you can use to experiment with colour and flavours to find the perfect combination for your wedding cupcakes.
You’ll need:
- 140g butter, softened
- 280g icing sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk
- a few drops of food colouring
Piping buttercream
You will need a piping bag (either washable or disposable) and nozzles. There is a rather bewildering selection of nozzles on the market. Have a look at this pictorial example showing what effect different nozzles create.
This is a very good tutorial which demonstrates four different ways of icing your cupcakes. It is best to pipe icing straight from the fridge as it will have better definition than icing piped at room temperature. It takes a little time to get the hang of piping, but you can quickly achieve some stunning results with a little bit of practice.
Piped icing can be decorated with sugar sprinkles, decorations, glitter, coloured sugar balls, sugared flowers or even fresh strawberries and blueberries.
Fondant icing
You can buy ready-made fondant icing from most supermarkets to save making your own. To add colour to the icing, simply take a handful of the fondant icing, drip a couple of drops of food colouring on and knead the icing with your hands until the colouring is blended in.
Roll out your fondant icing using a board and rolling pin lightly dusted with icing sugar (to stop the icing from sticking). Using a circular cutter with the same diameter as your cakes, cut out as many icing circles as possible before re-kneading the icing and rolling out again.
Brush the cakes with some warmed apricot jam or a thin layer of butter icing to stick your icing circles on top.
You can then add decorations as you like – I particularly like these bride and groom cupcakes, or you could even get creative and make your own fondant icing roses to put on top.
Other options
Other options for icing your cakes include ganache, royal icing, poured fondant icing, melted chocolate, cream cheese frosting or a simple icing sugar and water mix.
Our Pinterest page has a huge collection of wedding cupcakes to inspire you. Whatever you choose, enjoy experimenting and creating your perfect wedding cupcakes!
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We have talked in a previous article about origami, and the Japanese tradition that folding 1000 paper cranes will make your wedding dreams come true. We have looked for some fantastic guides, tutorials and ideas that may inspire you make your own origami wedding accessories.
What you will need
Origami paper in your chosen colour and design – you can either make all of your origami in one colour or maybe choose a selection of complementing colours to give added depth and variety to your origami decoration. The thinner the paper, the smaller the origami pieces you will be able to make. For an authentic look, consider buying some proper Japanese Origami Washi or Chiyogami paper, available from online stockists.
Every crease needs to be crisp – you can either run your fingernail or the end of a plastic ruler along it, or use a ‘bone folder’ tool to give a really crisp and neat finish.
The only other thing you will really need is a nice, flat surface to fold on and a little time – make sure you start your origami project well before the big day to avoid a huge rush at the last minute!
What can I make?
Flowers – Some simple flowers to fold include the lily, lotus, rose, daisy and tulip.
Butterflies – bring a breath of spring with a butterfly wedding theme, use different sizes of paper to make small and large butterflies.
Cranes – probably the most well-known origami wedding icon, folding 1000 cranes is said to bring good fortune to the happy couple. The video here shows how to make a simple origami crane.
Where to use your origami
Origami wedding seating plans
If you have made cranes, you could hang them in beautiful in vertical strings. This idea could be transferred to any other origami creation such as butterflies or flowers. This couple used their threaded cranes to create their unique origami wedding seating plan and here, simple cranes of different colours are used as a seating plan.
Place cards
Use your little origami creations to decorate your guest’s place cards at the table. There are some great ideas on our Pinterest board.
Table decorations
If you have the patience to make a few hundred simple triangle folds while you watch Eastenders, then you will be able to make this stunning modular origami swan as a table centrepiece. You can also arrange origami flowers in a similar way to fresh ones, using a little wire and oasis in a beautiful vase. This lovely centrepiece uses an origami box with matching flowers on the favours, a perfect finishing touch.
Favours
A traditional Masu box would make a lovely box for wedding favours. Lucky stars are said to represent your hopes and dreams – perfect for decorating favours. There are a lot more ideas to be found on our Pinterest board.
Other ideas
- Button holes for men, corsages for the ladies
- Use your origami flowers as hair decorations
- Use any small origami creations as coordinating cupcake toppers
- Decorate your wedding cake with symbolic cranes or beautiful flowers
- Make some humorous fortune teller games for the tables
- Origami bride and groom
- Napkin folding is an art in itself!
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The London Underground map is a schematic transit map showing the topological positions of the London tube stations. It’s also a funky, iconic and culturally significant piece of art work, ideal as the basis for a stylistic and modern wedding seating plan.
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