Top 10 Reasons why DIY Cards are better than store bought cards:
1. They don’t cost as much!
2. They are made with love!
3. They come from the heart!
4. It’s the time and thought that goes into making the card, that makes is so special!
5. Means a lot to someone who receives a DIY card!
6. It’s harder for someone to toss in the trash can!
7. People love to get a gift that was handmade and crafted by you just for them!
8. It’s more personable!
9. People appreciate the little things!
10. It’s FUN!

 

Photobooths for any occasion!

We love photobooths! It a great way to get your guests mingling! Besides everyone looks great in those types of photos and the best part is, it’s for all ages!

Since Valentines day is coming up we wanted to share our simple and easy Ciao Bella DIY ideas for photobooths. These are helpful tips for making a fun and memorable photobooth.

1. Choose a theme ( like Valentines day and choose red, pink and white as your colors)
2. Designate a good spot that is open and has a one color wall preferably, white. Make sure it is somewhere that you can access easily without it being in the way of guests walking around the party.
3. Set up the camera on a stand and set a timer so that your guests can walk up and press the button and then jump in front of the camera.
4. Get good props! My favorites are big jumbo sunglasses, a variety of hats, feathered boas, themed props, wigs, masks, crowns, plastic guitars, musical instruments, and different types of prop cut outs(lips, mustaches,etc)
5. Buy steamers! They are easy and simple and make for an easy backdrop
6. Make a banner
7. Get balloons
8. Place a table next to the photobooth area for all your props
9. Make a sign
10. HAVE FUN!

Our favorite from The Knot !
Romantic proposal ideas

1. Choose a favorite place — whether it’s a fountain, hotel rooftop, monument or national park — that has personal significance to the two of you. Once you’re there, ask someone nearby to take a picture of you together, and instead of posing, drop down on one knee.

2. Have a choir, brass band or drum line show up for a surprise performance of your fiance-to-be’s favorite love song in a park or public location for your proposal. For a really personal touch, ask the performers if they can incorporate your fiance’s name into the lyrics.

3. Get in touch with the stage manager of your favorite production and propose after the cast’s curtain call. Call ahead and see if you can have a special note or ad placement added into the playbill, so you have a keepsake of the proposal.

4. Arrange a surprise proposal with a street caricaturist. Have the caricaturist sketch a picture of you two with word bubbles that say, “Will you marry me?” and “Yes!”

5. Ask the divers at an aquarium to put on a proposal show inside their biggest fish tank. Give them a (waterproof) sign that says, “Will you marry me?” to hold up against the glass and then position yourselves for what will, at first, seem like feeding time.

6. Send your unsuspecting fiance-to-be on a treasure hunt that ends with your proposal. Start with a clue at home (a handwritten note or text message) that leads to a tour of your favorite spots all over town.

7. Go out for a night of dancing and ask the DJ or bandleader to pass you the mic so you can dedicate a song and propose on the dance floor.

8. Hire a skywriter to spell out your proposal for everyone around to see.

9. Take out a full-page ad in a newspaper, and then pick the perfect spot to have a relaxing morning of catching up on current events. Another twist on this idea is to call into a radio station and then make sure your fiance-to-be is listening when your proposal is on the air.

10. Ask your local movie theater to run your special proposal “trailer,” then show up early for the previews.

11. Upload a video of your prerecorded love story with a surprise ending (the proposal!) to YouTube and then insist you have a hilarious cat video that’s a must-see and watch it alone or with friends.

12. This one requires some lead time. Without your partner knowing, take a month (or even a year!) worth of video moments each day and set it to play. When the countdown of romantic moments reaches the current day, propose!

13. Pack a romantic picnic, and put the ring in with the dessert. After a leisurely meal, ask your sweetheart to get out the dessert.