Wedding Blog
In my head, I’m a DIYer. I’ve built furniture, painted (and painted and painted) houses, laid tile, and sewed slipcovers. When it comes to anything home-related, I think, “I can do that!” And then I do.
Then I started planning a wedding. I assumed that I could pull together a fabulous wedding on a super low budget by being creative about materials. I mean, c’mon, I practically LIVE at Home Depot and Lowe’s. (True story: every time I walk in, I’m greeted by at least one worker who asks how my latest project is going.)
The DIY bride in real life is not living up to the DIY bride in my head. I got to thinking today, maybe I’m NOT a DIY bride. Maybe I’m a DIY homeowner who has to accept her limitations on the bridal front. Because boy, oh, boy, the DIY thing is not going well.
Here’s an example: wedding-day makeup. I’ve done three makeup trials and none were quite right. I’ve taken to wearing full makeup on a daily basis (looks really cute with my work-from-home attire, let me tell you) just to practice. Today, at lunch, on a Wal-Mart run for cat food, I found myself paralyzed in indecision — pinkish or yellowish eye shadow? Um, hello, it’s FIVE BUCKS. So I chose one, tried it out in the car in the parking lot (yea, I’m totally classy like that) and didn’t like it.
That, in a nutshell, is my DIY experience.
I assume I can do something, discover that I lack the necessary skills to make the right decisions, and get fed up and annoyed. Then I still don’t make the right decision. Remember my invitations frustration?
I think that it’s time to admit that I’m out of my element, and as proud as I might be to claim that I did it all myself, I just can’t… and still keep our budget low and my sanity intact. I’m not a DIY bride, not in the “holy cow, she did just as good a job as a professional!” sense of the term.
And yet, this post isn’t going to end like you thought it would, with me admitting that I just can’t do it and that I’ve decided to hire some pros. While part of me would love to do that, budget-be-damned, it would feel like giving in. And speaking of the budget, it’s definitely a factor. I don’t want to spend much money, but I don’t want it to look like I didn’t spend much money.
So I don’t know. I’ll let you know what happens next once I figure that out, but I’m wondering, is anyone else coming to terms with the fact that they’re just not good at the wedding DIY stuff?
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Share this post: Is DIY a State of Mind?
I’ve already readily admitted their ain’t NO way I’m doing my wedding day hair or make-up. Even when I try my absolute best, my skin’s never flawless-looking, and my hair ends up flat and kinda “meh.”
Me! Before I got engaged, I always assumed I could keep a wedding budget low by getting creative and doing a lot of stuff myself. Well, now that I’m actually planning, I’m finding this really really difficult, especially in a city.
I’m having to be realistic with myself when it comes to what I can do well and what I can’t do well.
I made some really cute matchboxes to use with our sparklers, but attempt at invitations wasn’t as good!
For some reason, not really the budget, I also want to do as much myself as possible.
However, I’m slowly realizing this isn’t the best idea! 
I agree. For hair and makeup - there is no way I’m trying to do it myself. Yes, everyday, I can look good. But for one day, I want to look amazing… I’m leaving it to the professionals!
I suggest sticking to DIY projects you know you can handle. Sounds like you’re good at decorating and building things… why don’t you focus on your decorations and DIYing those?
I’ve DIY’d most of our small details so far, and it’s so much fun! Most of my ideas come from seeing something in ‘real life’ and thinking “hey, I can do that!”. Keep looking for that inspiration and make it your own!
I think a lot of it is knowing ahead of time what your limitations are. For example, I can be incredibly impatient, so I started my DIY invitations really early so I’d have plenty of time to go slow and do it right, without trying to rush through it.
i know what i can and can’t do and go from there. if i’m weak in one area i’m totally not above asking for help and outsourcing, if you will. i don’t wear make up and i don’t fuss with my hair so those are two things i’d never “diy” unless you considering calling in favors “diy”
@Miss Bruschetta: Ditto in the hair and make-up… I do mine everyday and I know I’m no make-up artists. Don’t get me wrong I don’t look horrible, it just doesn’t last me very long.
I admire your DIY abilities around the house. That’s where I fall short. I’m in Home Depot or Lowe’s daily, but only because I stripped the pipe trying to replace the faucet, then I bought the wrong part, then I need a bigger wrench, then I lost the washer. My DIY efforts around the house usually result in me calling the plumber or handyman after a week of trying and several trips to Home Depot. But alas, I keep trying new projects. I’m going to get this stuff one of these days.
I’m going to DIY my hair and makeup just because we simply can’t afford that expense. (FI nearly had kittens when I told him how much catering is… then he proclaimed “They have quite the racket going!” LOL YEP DUH! Men just don’t get it!)
We’rd DIYing most of everything just because I don’t want anything to look over done. Trying to keep it cheap means a lot of DIY for us, which (once I get my bum in gear) will be fun! (Gosh I hope so!)
I’m totally in this boat too. I think I may be calling up some pros though. My enthusiasm for DIY that won’t turn out how I envision is also dwindling.
My DIY project definitely turn out better and are much easier in my head, but I’ve just stuck to it. My problem is that I get bored 10 minutes into it, so I have to have a good TV show on to actually see it through completion.
I was actually just thinking about this earlier today and wrote a short blog about it myself..
I WANT to be a DIY’er…but I’m just NOT. I’m not crafty, I’m not super creative…It’s a bummer because there are so many cute ideas out there and things I make turn out like kindergarten projects.
*sigh*
While I’ve had to admit I’m no DIY guru, I’ve taken to second-hand DIY…that is the DI-(Not so myself but a friend and hey isn’t that close enough?). I’m really more of a frendor type. I suck at looking like a girl. So I’m going to have my MOH do my hair and makeup! She’s great at it, and it’ll stay in my budget, yay!
i’ve also taken the DIY road when it comes to hair and make up. my mom’s doing my hair and i’m doing my own make up. i’m also in the process of creating my own invitations. i’m basically going to try to DIY as much as possible. my stand is (and will be, even though i’m bound to screw a few things up) the budget is the most important thing to take into consideration. sure, i want my guests to be awed and talk about my wedding for weeks, but at the end of the day that’s not why i’m having a wedding. after all of the flowers are dead and the invitations are thrown away, i’ll still be married to my best friend and we will have that extra $10,000 we didn’t spend on the wedding–we can buy a house, go on a trip, save for the future! i have to keep reminding myself: we’re inviting these people because they love and support us, and they will continue to even if the invitations are inadequate.
Maybe there’s different types of DIY brides. ie. those that make amazing invites but can’t curl their hair to save their lives (this is totally me!). Don’t give up, just think about what you can do and delegate what’s not so good for you.
Also, maybe our expectations are higher because there is so much emphasis and pressure put on this one day and all the elements involved, unlike your homemade bookshelf/newly painted living room/etc. Weddings have such strong personal and public ties to them it can be hard not to get caught up in trying to make everything ‘perfect’ and I think this adds to the frustration when diy projects go awry.
With makeup have you tried bare essentials. I went in there the other day because I heard it was good for people with sensitive skin and not only did they do a free makeover for me but they have great kits with DVDs that show you how to apply everything. Now I am not doing my own wedding makeup I needed something for epics and for other events like showers.
I worked at a makeup boutique for about a year and I think anyone can do make up well. It just takes practice. Play around don’t take yourself to seriously and don’t be afraid to fail. The other thing that is a major help is the right tools. A foundation brush will give your skin that flawless movie star finish. It can feel a little weird but in truth you use less foundation than you would with a sponge or your fingers. Some other pointers…
do your foundation last it gives you a chance to clean up any errors around your eyes.
Use at least three eye shadows shades….this will give you the depth and contouring that makes it look so cool…not necessarily dramatic depending on your shade choice.
Seriously…you can do this it just takes practice…and don’t be so hard on yourself you are beautiful and amazing.
We all have different strengths. I was sure I couldn’t do any DIY to save my life… but you know what? There are certain parts of it that I’m actually really good at.
I know for a fact that I shouldn’t tackle florals. No way! I’m a major fail at them… but we’re making decorations out of paper right now and they are turning out great!
So, I’m calling in the pros for some things and trying my hand at others… Hopefully the balance will work out!
Oh, I feel your pain. I love making stuff and being thrifty, but I’m finding that my thriftiness and creativity does not always add up to elegant, “oh wow, you made that yourself?!” moments. That’s why I’m keeping everything as simple as possible.
Good luck, and keep us posted on your projects, successful or not!
!@AliCherri1: I’m the same way. my everyday look isn’t awful, but it will last all of 4 hours before totally flopping and will certainly not be flawless or wedding-like.
Cheese: As I’ve commented before, I’m so not DIY bride. If i didnt’ have a million talented and willing friends and family members, there would be no DIY! Call it DIO (do-it-ourselves), enlist a lot of help, and you might be surprised!
Hope you are able to figure out what you can and can’t do and come up with a plan B!
Don’t know if I’m DIY or just cheap. Some thing, however, I know I have to delegate–makeup being one of them. Don’t know if you’ve got one, but I found a deal at a well-known beauty academy–full makeup for $35. Might be worth a quick web search for you…
You know, I could probably do the makeup part, but my hair is either down or ponytailed. I suck at hair! I am totally thrilled with the way my DIY projects have turned out so far, but it hasn’t been without a lot of trial and error. And Mr. CC patience is gone!
My problem with DIY is that I get indecisive! I’ll have too many ideas for invites to be able to choose just one and commit to it.
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Mrs. Cheese, Knoxville
Age and Occupation: 29, Engineering Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, CAD Designer
Engagement Date: July 31, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Blogging Since: October 16, 2008
Venue: Our home and the two acres it sits on
About Me: I’m an emotional girl who loves sentimental things, parenthetical asides, and trying to do things herself. I can cook, sew, am a whiz at planning, terrible at delegating, and totally in love with my fiancé (who will be my second husband but first love of the rest of my life). For our home/ garden/ DIY wedding, we’ll be moonlighting as interior designers, home improvers, and gardeners with the help of our fabulous friends and neighbors. We can’t wait to be married, and are learning how fun getting married can be.
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