When Reality Strikes… and What I Am Doing About It

When Reality Strikes… and What I Am Doing About It

January 12th, 2010 @ 10:59 am by Mrs. Buttons
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I had been waiting for the moment when the reality of wedding planning was going to strike me. It struck… hard… about 3 months into our engagement.

When I started the process of wedding planning, everything seemed like rainbows and unicorns and sunshine… it was so fun! I had so much inspiration (and still do), and it seemed like there was an endless list of aspects that I wanted to incorporate into our day.

Then… you get price quotes from vendors. And for me at least, I wanted to just throw up. Mind you, I did realize that the price quotes were going to be extremely high, and most likely much more that I’d be willing to pay for certain things (around $1000 just for ceremony flowers?!?!?! Gasp…), but nevertheless, seeing the numbers on a piece of paper or a computer screen really made the reality sink in.

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I’ve said it before; I am a bargain shopper. And, I’d like to think that I’m a pretty creative/crafty person. Therefore, in light of the pricing information, I began my DIY quest. Of course, there are going to be some aspects of the event that we will have to hire someone to complete for us, but here is my hope: I want to DIY certain projects for a portion of the full retail price (I’d like to do it at half price… we’ll see if I can manage that!).

What am I planning to create, you ask? Here is my current list:

Guestbook
Ceremony decor
Table linens (with the help of Grandma Buttons)
Cocktail hour and reception centerpieces
Escort cards
Favors

Obviously, there are more odds and ends that are going to sneak up over the course of planning, but these are the largest items on my list! So, now that I’ve made it public, I am going to have to stick to my guns to deliver on my promise. I know I can accomplish DIYing aspects of the wedding, and I will appreciate any helpful links, tips, etc., that you are able to throw my way as I journey through the process. Wish me luck!

How much do you plan to “DIY” for your wedding? What projects are on your list?

Tags: budget, diy |

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30 Responses to “When Reality Strikes… and What I Am Doing About It”

1 2 Last

Bee

Mrs. Star (message) 2,057 posts, Buzzing bee

I did all of that stuff on your list except the linens myself and saved a TON. You can do it! Just make sure you start now and don’t leave it to the last minute! Can’t wait to see how it all turns out.

1/12/10 @ 11:08 am (reply)

Member

littlemissmoo (message) 3,006 posts, Sugar bee

We’re DIYing our memo board for the guestbook, invites, favours and favour boxes. After the wedding we plan on scrapbooking together our guestbook out of our “advice and wishes” cards.
I agree with Star, just get it started! It’ll save you loads of money but it’ll take forever to do (especially if you’re as indecisive as me!).

1/12/10 @ 11:15 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Pug (message) 3,753 posts, Honey bee

flowers are outrageously expensive, aren’t they? good for you for taking on the ceremony decor and reception centerpieces–those are big ticket items!

1/12/10 @ 11:15 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Trail Mix (message) 6,329 posts, Bee Keeper

That list is definitely do-able and I know you’ve started on a bunch of those projects, so I have no doubt you’ll get ‘em done! Wedding planning is such a bitch on the wallet, eh?

1/12/10 @ 11:22 am (reply)

Member

ETwedding (message) 296 posts, Helper bee

You can definitely do that! Well, the linens might be challenging, but hopefully your grandma will help a lot.
My DIY list included:
flowers (bouquets)
centerpieces
escort cards
favors (through candy buffet)
programs
guest book

1/12/10 @ 11:26 am (reply)

Member

miss sweets (message) 77 posts, Worker bee

I definitely know what it feels like to have a budget and for it to creep up on you closer and closer to the wedding….with 7 months to go I am feeling the heat! I am DIYing the following:
-Placecards for reception
-Favors for reception
-All flowers (with the help of my family - “creative team”); centerpieces
-Ceremony Programs
-Ceremony Decor
-Cake Topper (my mom)
-Seating Chart

Good luck….we’re going to need it!

1/12/10 @ 11:29 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Spaniel (message) 6,792 posts, Bee Keeper

Flowers are kind of ridiculous, really, when it comes to wedding sticker shock. I sort of skipped them, pretty much, for that reason.

1/12/10 @ 11:31 am (reply)

Member

mikan (message) 209 posts, Helper bee

I am ALL for DIY. Actually I was pretty bummed when I looked back on 2009 and thought, “Wow, I didn’t really make much of anything…” (I do both knitting & crochet mainly.) But then I realized, I am DIYing a wedding and that’s a pretty big craft in itself.

Our DIY list includes…
- flowers (centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres) by FI’s mom with help from myself and family
- escort cards
- programs
- Save the Date postcards (photography, design)
- invitations (design)
- decorating our birdcage cardholder
- signage
- wedding certificate poster “guestbook” (co-designed with a friend)
- birdcage veil

There’s probably more but I can’t think of them right now.

1/12/10 @ 11:31 am (reply)

Bee

Miss Buttons (message) 5,046 posts, Bee Keeper

@Mrs. Star: Yes…procrastination is always an issue! I made it a New Year’s resolution to get going on as much as possible…

@littlemissmoo: Good luck with your crafting!

@Miss Pug: @Miss Trail Mix: Yeppp I hear you…add the word “wedding” to something and the price skyrockets. Booooo! I’m gonna take the bull by the horns, yo…

@ETwedding: DIY bouquets! I wish I was so brave…but I’m allowing a florist to take that one! Thankfully, my grandma is a seamstress, and we have a lovely plan for the linens…I’m so pumped!

@miss sweets: I love that your mom is making your cake topper! How cool!

@Miss Spaniel: I hear you dude…I love flowers, but I don’t like them THAT much…haha!

@mikan: You have quite the list…so impressed! It is very awesome that you are designing all stationary….I wish I was that skilled!

1/12/10 @ 11:40 am (reply)

10.

Bee

Miss Cardigan (message) 8,645 posts, Bee Keeper

I can’t wait to see what you’re doing for ceremony decor! I have a few ideas, but I’m hoping not to have any flowers besides bouquets, and it’s hard to come up with alternatives!

1/12/10 @ 11:41 am (reply)

11.

Member

Ms. Library (message) 1,251 posts, Bumble bee

I like how your list seems very manageable and you get to do your own linens! Super cool! I plan on making:
- napkin rings
- programs
- all signage and labels
- presents for the little folks in the wedding
- table number holders
- everything for the fauxtobooth

1/12/10 @ 11:41 am (reply)

12.

Member

DC Anna (message) 514 posts, Busy bee

My DIY list includes:
Save the Dates
Invitations
Favors
Guestbook
Programs

My stepdad will hopefully be helping with a cardbox since he loves to build things.

Just on paper products alone, going DIY or semi-DIY has saved us tons!

1/12/10 @ 11:43 am (reply)

13.

Bee

Miss Pencils (message) 1,027 posts, Bumble bee

Feel ya on this. I’m not so crafty so my list is shorter, lol, but I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!

1/12/10 @ 12:04 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Sewing (message) 2,701 posts, Sugar bee

Flowers can get crazy expensive, I agree! I love DIY, but sometimes I go overboard and buy too many supplies, thus rendering any potential cost savings impossible! So my tip would be, always write out what you need before shopping for supplies! I’m excited for your list though!

1/12/10 @ 12:07 pm (reply)

15.

Member

lindsey316 (message) 90 posts, Worker bee

Ok here’s my list of DIY deeds:

-Save the Dates-Check
-Invitations- Almost Check
-Ceremony Pomanders
-Something to cover up the ugly plain white lattice at the ceremony
-Recpetion Center Pieces
-Reception Decorations, to include the following:
Lights to hang above dance floor
Fabric to soften the rough edges
Chinese Lanterns
Hurricane Lamps with candles
Some type of table overlays

-Guestbook
-Escort Cards
-Table Number Holders

1/12/10 @ 12:07 pm (reply)

16.

Member

lindsey316 (message) 90 posts, Worker bee

oh and I can’t believe I forgot my favorite item…

My birdcage Veil!!!!!!!

1/12/10 @ 12:08 pm (reply)

17.

Member

KMSull (message) 6,442 posts, Bee Keeper

There was a about what we were going to DIY a week or so ago! Some of the bees have me in absolute awe!

1/12/10 @ 12:22 pm (reply)

18.

Member

Goldilocks1107 (message) 2,602 posts, Sugar bee

We have a big DIY list: veil, STDs (done!), invitations, card birdcage (done!), rehearsal dinner invites, centerpieces, dinner place cards, hors d’oeuvres cards

1/12/10 @ 12:30 pm (reply)

19.

Bee

Miss Nachos (message) 1,734 posts, Bumble bee

I would love to make a ton of stuff for our wedding, but I wouldn’t want to ship it all down there, so I’m saving my craftiness for the home party. Not too much to do though.

1/12/10 @ 12:35 pm (reply)

20.

Bee

Miss Buttons (message) 5,046 posts, Bee Keeper

@amanda.lynn: Haha! I can’t wait to see it too…since I am still undecided as of yet!

@Ms. Library: I love that you are making a fauxtobooth!

@DC Anna: Hooray for saving money!

@Miss Pencils: I’m sure you’re crafty!

@Miss Sewing: REALLY good tip!

@lindsey316: Wow! I’m super impressed, that is a huge list!

@KMSull: I hear you!

@Goldilocks1107: Yay for DIY centerpieces!!!