DIY: Message in a Bottle Save the Dates!

 When I started thinking of a destination wedding, I couldn't think of a better way to "Save the Date" than a message in a bottle. When I started browsing online websites, I was quickly turned off by the pink sand, sparkly sea shells or frilly looking paper. I was looking for something more natural and "realistic" looking. ...They always say if you want it done right, do it your self.

Step 1: Purchase supplies. Supplies needed:

- Glass bottles (I purchased mine from ebottles.com for $1.48/ea including cork)

- Sand (I already had some we had purchased to fill our outdoor basketball hoop)

- Any ornaments or sea shells (I purchased some small sea shells from Michaels)

- A beachy scent (I purchased Pina Colada scent from Michaels)
- Raffia string to tie around your message (I purchased from Michaels)
- Parchment Paper for message (I found mine at Walmart)
- A funnel to fill the sand
- A pencil to assist in rolling the message

- Packaging to mail it in (unless you are hand delivering). I purchased 4x4x8 boxes and brown crinkle paper from ULINE.com. The boxes were perfect size and the crinkle paper stuck with the "natural" look.

Step 2: Print your message on Parchment Paper

 I just used Word to draft my message and printed it on my parchment paper. I also printed name tags to attach to the exterior of the bottle.

Step 3: Give your paper some character!

I choose to burn the edges of my paper using long matches and a candle (to re-light the new matches). This is quite messy...I did it over my sink...and still made a mess and inhaled quite a few fumes but it was all worth it! :)

Step 4: Fill the bottles with sand & add your scent

I used a funnel I found in the garage and filled the bottles pretty easily (I filled the bottom about 1 inch to ensure I left enough room for the message). A helpful tip is to "bake" the sand before using it. This allows the sand to dry out as much as possible so it doesn't stick to the edges when you're filling the bottles. After filling, I added a few drops of the Pina Colada scent in each bottle and dipped the bottom of the corks in the scent. (p.s.- This was my favorite part. Every time I smell this scent now it makes me think of the bottles, the engagement, the wedding, very happy thoughts)!

Step 5: Roll the message and tie with string

By far the most difficult and tedious part. Rolling these little suckers small enough to fit in the bottles was not simple (or fun) but it did get easier as I got the hang of it and you have to keep in mind that the crinkles are all giving the paper a little "character." I used a pencil to roll it, starting at one end and keeping it as tight as possible. There really isn't a rhyme or reason to the method except for practice. Once I got it small enough I quickly put the end inside of the bottle before it expanded any and I had to start all over :). THEN I tied the string around the middle of the paper and left about 4-5 inches of string hanging out the top of the bottle. Next, press the cork in (it goes in pretty easily, especially after dunking it in the scent so don't press too hard!).  Then repeat, repeat, repeat! :)

Step 6: Attach label & finish with string

I punched a hole in the label using the tip of my pencil (a hole punch would have created an "unnatural hole) and then just tied knots in the string around the label. The bottle looked a little plain so I tied some string around the bottle to spruce it up a bit. I thought it looked quite nice.

Step 7: Box them up and ship!

I stuffed my boxes with lots of the brown crinkle paper and made sure they would not break and then taped them up. To label the boxes, I printed addresses and return labels on my parchment paper. I just ripped the paper to give it "character" and glued it to the box. I also created a label that said "FRAGILE, This Side Up" using the same paper and rip/glue method. I hand delivered a few of them and shipped the others. The shipping of course took up the majority of the cost but I was proud and excited about the bottles (and I think it was worth it..the price and the time consumption!).

*Other good ideas, that I did not use:
- Using a plastic bottle so you can just ship it without boxing it...would also be cheaper.

- Giving your paper character by using tea bags, rather than burning the edges.