It's funny how trends develop sometimes, you see something a couple of times, then all of a sudden it's everywhere. So it is with this summer's must-have wedding accessory - Striped Straws. Guaranteed if you're reading the US based wedding blogs you will have seen them 10 times in the last week. And the reason is simple - they're fun, colourful and cheap - instantly adding a little bit of panache to drinks and desserts. So we scoured some of our favourite food, interior and wedding blogs to bring you a round up of pretty ideas for how you could use striped straws on your one fab day.
From simply using the striped straws to sip a cocktail or glass of bubbly to creating mini-ice pops or creating a cake-topper with a difference, the options for striped paper straws are endless. And as they are dirt-cheap - pipii has boxes of 25 for £2.95, there's no guilt involved in this little bit of whimsical decor...
Simple Striped Straws
The great thing about striped straws is that you don't have to do a lot with them to add a little bit of pretty pretty, simply placed in guests mason jar style tumblers like these shot by Q Weddings Photography via Martha Stewart Weddings, show how effective . Why not give your champagne glasses a fun edge by adding a playful striped straw like these captured by Rebecca Wood and featured over on Style Me Pretty?
Mason jars have never looked prettier, these cute bow and straw combo's featured over on Hostess with the Mostess shot by Gabriel Ryan Photographers. This look works just as well for slim jims or ordinary whiskey glasses, though if Mason Jars seem a little odd at an Irish or UK wedding. Retro glass Coca Cola bottles paired with striped straws can add a little childhood nostalgia to your day, this idea comes from Style Me Pretty shot by Ken Kienow.
Fun Foodie Ideas for Striped Straws
It's not just drinks that straws are handy for, they also make for very useful decorative elements for sweet treats too. Whether it's crafty cake bunting like this simple yet cheerful idea from 100 Layer Cake (easy DIY tutorial included). Or if you're having a dessert table, then adding striped straws brings an element of colour and fun that could tie in with your colour palette. The toffee apples were part of a real wedding featured on Martha Stewart Weddings captured by B&N Photography.
Cupcakes and tarts can have little signs like these mini-pie straw signs featured on Wedding Chicks shot by Sarah Layne Photography while the cute marshmallow idea from Hostess with the Mostess by Wants and Wishes couldn't be easier to recreate, simply place a straw into your marshmallows, dip in melted chocolate and roll in sprinkles!
Striped Straw Flags
Spruce up your straws with fun flags and fancies like these ones above. Why not use your initials or a monogram like this A + E version which featured over on Style Me Pretty shot by Kate Leverenz Photography (top left) and by Kate Connolly (bottom left). You can download free mini flags from great sites such as Belletristics and Wedding Chicks. If you prefer something a little more personal check out these cool tutorials from come on ilene and Sarah Hearts.
For the DIY divas in search of a favour idea - what about straws on bottles of cordial as favours for your guests like these from Ruffled by Amelia Johnson Photography.
Or for those of you short on time, my favourite idea of all, and the simplest, is to add a little flag (no printing necessary) is to tie a little ribbon to paper straws - Style Me Pretty shot by Chrisman Studios.
Add a Little Stripe to your Life
So there you have it - you never knew you wanted them but now you do. Striped Straws Rock!
There are lots of places to buy striped straws, but just watch the prices, we've seen some heinous over-charging. So our recommendations are Pipii and Amazon, while Plan My Party have pink ones.
Main image credits: Elyse Hall Photography via Style Me Pretty | MEF Photography and Esla Events
