BRIDE AND GROOM VOTIVES

While I decided not to use this idea for my daughter's wedding, I did think they were cute enough to share.  These are my "bride and groom" votive wraps.  

Personally, I love the look of the wing tip collar and bow tie on a groom, and of course the garter is one of the traditional touches for the bride.    These could compliment the decor at a bridal shower, add candlelight to the tables at the rehearsal dinner or provide a special touch near the guest book table at the wedding reception.

Here's what you will need for the groom:

• non-fusible interfacing
•  cut to 1 1/2" wide x 7" long
• 7/8" wide black single faced ribbon
• cut to 4" long
• 1/8" wide black single faced ribbon
• cut to 2" long
• stapler and glue gun

Once you have cut the interfacing (the reason I went with interfacing is you don't have to finish the edges and yet it is nice and crisp..just what you need for a good wing tip collar!)  to the dimensions listed above.  Find the center by folding the interfacing in half horizontally.  Now, cut vertically to within 1/4" of the bottom edge; fold the edges and crease firmly to create the collar points.    

Next, knowing that the final tie dimension is 2" wide; hold the ribbon right side facing you; fold 1" on the right and 1" on the left to the back (wrong sides will be touching one another).  Pinch the top and bottom together horizontally and staple together.  The last step is to use the 1/8" wide ribbon as the bow tie knot; first add a dollop of glue to hold the edges of the ribbon together at the backside of the tie; crimping the staple at the same time.  Once dry, add a dollop to the interfacing and press the tie firmly in place.  

Finally, I used a sewing machine to sew the collar together (that way you can just slip them over the glass and use the votive for other events as well) overlapping the edges 1/4".  If you don't have a sewing machine you could hand stitch them.  A semi-permanent solution that eliminates the stitching would be one of the many options for glue dots, or if you don't mind a permanent solution, you could of course use the trusty glue gun to adhere it into place.  I have a love hate relationship with my glue guns (yes, I have more than one)....I love them, but I generally end up with at least one glue burn with each project I work on.

For the bride, you will need the following: 

• sewing machine, glue gun
• embellishment (your choice)
• 7/8" wide white or ivory double faced ribbon
• cut 12" long
• 1/4" wide white or ivory lace
• cut 12" long
• 1/4" wide white elastic
• cut 5 1/2" long

The first step is to sew the lace to the edge of the ribbon using a straight stitch.  The elastic will be sewn at both the top edge and the bottom edge of the elastic.  Align one edge of the elastic with the stitch you just made to attach the lace to the ribbon; the second stitch line will be at the top edge of the elastic.  The trickiest part is pulling the elastic taut from one edge of the ribbon to the other; as I'm sure you noticed, the elastic is less than half the total length of the ribbon to create the gathers of the garter.   Be sure when you are pulling the elastic; once you get the first few stitches past the pressure foot to grab it from behind...now pull like crazy from the front and the back while you are stitching.

When you've finished sewing the elastic it will look like the picture above.  Now, fold the edges right sides together; overlapping 1/2" and sew in place.  Trim the seam allowance to approximately 1/4".    Slip the garter on the votive and place whatever decoration you like for the finishing touch.  I added a white flower I had on hand, but you could use a flower to match the color scheme of the wedding, or a charm (like I added to the one below); rhinestone button, etc.