Any DIY regrets?

KimM0915 · March 2010

I had no intentions of taking on a bunch of DIY projects, but I've found myself to be pickier and craftier than I'd originally thought. I ended up designing and producing my own save-the-date magnets (which was actually pretty easy aside from computer problems!) and making a photobooth for the wedding. I'm also in love with the idea of using carved pumpkins to add some extra spark to my fall-themed decor, but I've decided to limit myself to only a few pumpkins for the head table.

I'm wondering if any one has taken on a project and regretted it or if there are any things that you would highly recommend. I'm definitely enjoying having crafty things to do and can appreciate the money-saving aspects, but I don't want to go too nuts!

veijes · March 2010

We were planning on doing all of our wedding flowers ourselves but my friend just got married 1 month ago and I helped her do those and now we decided that we would do most of our centerpieces ourselves but leave the bouquets up to a florist. Most of our centerpieces are pretty easy so I don't think it will be too bad and we are saving a ton of money but at the same time I can see myself getting stressed because they have to be done the day before the wedding and I'm a perfectionist so I really don't want anyone to help me with them haha.

hkiesling · March 2010

I did quite a few DIY projects, and I loved them all (well, after they were done...during was another matter!). My only suggestion would be to limit the projects that have to be done the week of the wedding. There's so much else to do anyway. Are you going to carve real pumpkins or the styrofoam kind? The fake ones can be done ahead of time and are probably cheaper.

debbieupper · March 2010

We're doing carved pumpkins, too -- and I'm wondering the same thing about how hectic it'll be the week-of. I'm toying with the idea of asking my sibs to help out by doing a few pumpkins each or something (I have a big family).

I'm right with Veijes, too, on the flowers. We were going to DIY, but now are planning on getting a farmers market vendor (ahead of time) to make bouquets, or hiring a florist.

In the beginning I had this feeling of "I really want to impress people" by DIYing a TON, but that's prob not the best reason to do it. Do what you think will be fun and rewarding and won't turn you into a basket case.

Izzygrim · March 2010

Making a photobooth? Sounds interesting. Details please!

hkiesling · March 2010

I will say that all day I kept running into my DIY projects, and it was an incredibly satisfying feeling. Everything was so "us" and just the way I pictured it. Don't be daunted by it, but do take it one step at a time.

Izzy~ I didn't make a photobooth exactly, but I did make a photowall for guests to take pictures with. I have pictures and instructions in my bio if it's any help to you.

beka0404 · March 2010

I started out with grand DIY plans, especially because I got sucked into the bridal blogs like Style Me Pretty and such. Then I realized that the DIY projects were starting to stress me out, so I pared down the list and decided to do only stuff that I could do way ahead of time. My one big regret was trying to make wreaths for the interior doors of the church. Note to self: do not buy $50 worth of flowers and two 12" diameter wreath forms without measuring the ginormous doors of the church! Also a regret, my impulse purchase of a candy buffet set-up (including tables). Luckily, I re-sold it, but my FI is still teasing me about being DIY-crazy.

shameless_ad · March 2010

I've really tried to limit my DIY, because I know it would stress me out - especially anything that needs to be done last minute.

I'm making all of the centerpiece wreaths, and my Dad made all of our candle holders (90!) - pictures in my bio. My Dad also made our card box, which I'll have pictures of soon!

I'm thinking that I'll DIY our Unity Candle too. I looked on Etsy, and it's basically printed vellum wrapped around a candle. I can do that for less than $25-$35, which is what most people on Etsy are charging - plus shipping!

I decided early on that trying to DIY flowers or invites was beyond my patience and anxiety level.

NuggetBrain · March 2010

I was going to DIY my invites, but they did not turn out at all how I wanted when I printed them so I'm ending up having to spend way more to get them done now after spending the money on the DIY than I would have if I'd just gotten them professionally done in the first place. Other than that though, I'm not DIYing anything btu the favors (bags of popcorn). I'm just not craft-savvy enough.

dc*prep · March 2010

My only regret was doing things too soon. We have an 18-month engagement, so I bought some stuff pretty soon after we were engaged, and then later on I changed my mind and decided I didn't want to use a certain type of paper, etc. Things aren't returnable now, so I might have to try and sell it online. Kind of a bummer, cause I spent $100+ on it!

So I would just recommend making sure your vision is pretty well developed before you delve into thing and waste time/money on something you won't even want later on. Or maybe I'm just crazy, and I'm the only person on here whose vision has changed over time

Bimbi284 · March 2010

So far, my aisle runner. I think if I had the time to work on it, it would be awesome...and I still may be able to finish...but I'm just not sure at this point :-(.

Linzstyle · March 2010

I attempted DIY tissue paper pomanders....not cool! I'm sure they would have been fine, but after making 1.5 of them, it was way too time consuming for a metiocore (in my opninion) outcome. ESP, since I was only doing them for the ceremony where we'd be spending an hour...tops.

2beMrsD · March 2010

I would limit what you give yourself for the week before the wedding. I was much busier than I'd planned. I had tons of help, but nobody was able to/comfortable doing things without my direction & approval. I ended up acting as a director for all projects (decorating, flowers, etc) and finishing my other DIY things late at night. Also, order/buy materials well in advance- our bm jewelery beads didn't end up coming until after the wedding, so we had to improvise on Friday- not fun!
Looking back, I really wish that I'd been able to enjoy the couple of days before the wedding more. I also got married out of town, so giving myself the entire week vs. two days before the wedding to be on-location would have helped!

Any DIY regrets?

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