The Bride's Guide Blog

1 To create hand-stitched napkins, you'll need scissors, a vintage napkin, a pencil, thread, and a needle.

2 Step 1: With the pencil, trace out the guest's name and table number. It'll serve as your stitching guide.

3 Step 2: Secure the napkin in an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taunt.

4 Step 3: Thread your needle, and tie the ends together. Sew directly over the pencil outline. When you're done, make a few short stitches to anchor the thread.

5 Step 4: Fold the napkin, and secure it with a loop of pretty rope.

6 The next project -- a stenciled welcome sign for your seaside celebration -- requires a small life preserver (available at any marine or boat shop), painter’s tape, spray paint, letter stencils, a stencil brush, white paint, and a safety mask.

7 Step 1: Cover the straps that secure the ropes to the preserver with painter's tape to protect them from paint.

8 Steps 2 and 3: Place the preserver on a drop cloth in a ventilated area. Put on your safety mask, and spray one side of the float. Let it dry for 10 to 12 hours. Then, flip it over and repeat on the opposite side. Once it's dry, use a stencil brush to stipple on your "Welcome" words in white paint using the letter stencils.

9 Step 4: Hang it up for all to see!

10 For the custom votive candleholders, you need glass votives, soy wax, wicks, soy-candle coloring, thin boat rope, a pencil, scissors, a thermometer, a double-boiler or pan, a spatula, and a hot-glue gun.

11 Step 1: Place the soy wax into the double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, place a heat-safe bowl over a pot of boiling water.

12 Step 2: Place the thermometer inside the bowl, and heat the wax until it reaches 180 degrees.

13 Step 3: While the wax is melting, place a small dot of hot glue at the middle bottom of your candleholder, and adhere the wick.

14 Step 4: Tie the wick around a pencil to keep it upright, and lay the pencil across the candleholder.

15 Step 5: Remove the wax from heat, and add the candle color of your choice. We, of course, chose powder blue.

16 Step 6: With the spatula, stir the color until it's fully mixed in.

17 Step 7: Pour the colored wax into the candleholder slowly.

18 Step 8: Let the wax dry for 3 to 5 hours. Remove the pencil, and cut the wick to the desired length.

19 Step 9: Place a dot of hot glue at the bottom outside of the candleholder, and attach one end of the boat rope to it. Let it dry for 15 seconds.

20 Step 10: Wind the rope around the candleholder, stopping at its lip. Snip the rope, and secure the end with a dollop of hot glue.

21 Whether scattered around a cocktail area, or placed along a reception table, these votive candles will add a warm, nautical touch to your celebration.