This wedding has really brought out the craftsy in me… before getting engaged I never would have imagined that I’d be a “project” kind of girl… but here I am, DIY-ing myself into a tizzy… most recently, by running around town to buy all of the ingredients for several of my very own homemade chalkboards. This was my inspiration:
We knew that we wanted some chalkboards to write the menu on and to label the little box full of flip flops that we want to have and to make a sign pointing people towards the cocktails (man, I wish there was a sign like that everywhere I went). And our first idea was to go and buy some pretty, vintage-y frames, to spraypaint white and put around the chalkboards (like in our inspiration photo). But when we went to Ikea’s “as is” section, you know, where they sell all their broken stuff for cheap. We had the brilliant idea to buy up headboards and dresser drawer fronts for a couple bucks each because we realized that they all had wooden frames built-in — because realistically — how much were those fabulous vintage-y frames that I had yet to find going to cost? After a stop at the Home Depot for some chalkboard paint, primer, and sandpaper, we were set to go.
Here’s a little photo tour of the process so far:
The driveway became our workshop. We cut up about a zillion old shopping bags and then a neighbor came by and gave us a drop cloth (thanks neighbor)!
We sanded down the areas that we wanted to chalk-board-ify and then started priming:
In the end, we were victorious:
We had to let the primer dry for 24 hours before painting on the chalkboard, but we were crunched for time. We’re moving from Baltimore to Seattle in three weeks and then flying back for the wedding in Massachusetts (I know, I know… what were we thinking?!). We had to go up to MA for my best friends’ wedding this weekend, so we drove our half-done chalkboards up to my mothers’ house in Rhode Island on our way up, since we won’t be able to bring them on the plane with us. I’ll have to finish them in a month when I’m back on the east coast prepping for the wedding. I’ll give y’all an update then.
But for now, just imagine something like this — all untaped and covered in chalkboard instead of primer and painter’s tape:
What should we write on this one?
Great idea! Can’t wait to see the finished product.
I’ll be sure to post photos when they’re done… I can’t wait!
Looks great!