DIY Wedding Kit #7 Origami Cranes – a symbol of patience and trust

Origami Crane

Origami cranes not only look beautiful, but also hold great meaning in the institution of marriage.

It is an ancient Japanese tradition for the bride and groom to fold 1000 cranes to symbolise  their patience and trust – necesary to sustain a happy marriage. This process is called sembazuru and the tradition itself is called Tsuru wa sennen. A couple who could weather the long, time intensive folding process together, supporting each other, talking with each other for weeks while taking on a challenging task was proving their ability to maintain a long term, content relationship.

You can find the instructions on how to fold the crane here.

But once you’ve finished your 1000 cranes, what do you do with them? Well, I have found some weddings which took this simple and inexpensive idea, and used it to decorate their venues with stunning effect. Check out the wedding pictures below.

Take a look at this Japanese themed wedding, they suspended cranes on string and captured them in glass jars!

This Bride folded 1001 cranes in a rainbow of colours which were then suspended above the ceremony.

This couple went for all white cranes and displayed them as a backdrop to their ceremony. It looks absolutely breathtaking!

This couple used patterned paper for their cranes, and hung them on their table centrepieces which were mini trees. How cute!

If you have the time to spare and are trying to avoid buying or renting expensive decor, why not give this a go!?

For more fantastic DIY ideas please subscribe to my blog, or check out my website at www.weddingreceptionidea.co.uk.

DIY Wedding Kit #6 Origami Butterflies

Are you having a wedding with a Butterfly theme? Here’s a great cheap way of decorating your venue or an idea for DIY favours.

Origami butterflies!

Traditionally origami butterflies often appear at Japanese weddings. The Butterflies are known as “Mecho” and “Ocho” and usually adorn sake wine bottles during the ceremony. A central part of the Japanese wedding ceremony is the “three times three” sips of sake taken by the bride and the groom alternately. Although no one is sure exactly what the original “Mecho” and “Ocho” symbolised, it is safe to say that they are now a recognisable tradition of the Japanese wedding, and therefore denote love, union, and even friendship.

I bought the beautiful origami paper on ebay, it cost me £1.95 for 20 sheets but I’m sure you could get it cheaper if you were buying it in bulk.

Check out how to fold it at this website.

Want to see how you can use origami to make your wedding beautiful? Take a look at how  this couple  made a huge impact at their wedding with an abundance of origami cranes.  My next DIY will be how to fold origami cranes, so subscribe to my blog if you would like to keep up to date.

If you are looking for more DIY wedding ideas or theme ideas please take a look at http://www.weddingreceptionidea.co.uk/.