Weddingbee Blog

Hi, my name is Miss E and I suffer from DIY project commitment phobia.

I always start off with good intentions, I swear. Good intentions of sticking to my original ideas, starting early, and following each project through to the finish. But somewhere along the line those good intentions fall by the wayside…and I become a bad, bad bride.

You see, I will “discover” this great idea for some unique project and will get all excited about it. But then…I keep looking and finding new ideas, and then I decide I like those ideas better, but then something else comes along and…well, it is never ending. I put off buying supplies for my projects because I have this mindset of “what if I see something better/more unique?” So, without supplies, I obviously am putting off actually STARTING projects, and therefore the “to do” list grows and grows with a multitude of “great” ideas which are in grave danger of not coming to fruition just because I can’t snap out of this stage and get my butt into action.

I think that part of the problem is that the majority of these projects can only be done when I’m down at home in Nelson (try doing something elaborate in a tiny dorm room with no craft tools, no table space, and no mother to rescue you when you get covered in glue. Just. Not. Fun). The next time I am there will be exactly two months from our date, so I keep thinking, “oh I will start doing things then.” Right. What I avoid telling myself is that there are some things I CAN be doing during this time, things I have been conveniently ignoring.

Well, no more of this sitting on my backside, idly scrolling through inspirational photo after photo.

It is time to wrangle this DIY beast and show it who is boss.

Step 1: Decide on exactly what projects we really want in our wedding and STICK. WITH. THEM. Unless, of course, we get down to the wire and one particular project is too much, then it is okay to scrap it altogether. But that is another kettle of fish.

Step 2: Buy those supplies. This is something that I can easily do while I am at university—just research the supplies online for the best prices, click a button, wave goodbye to the dollars, and send it to my parents’ mailbox. Simple. No more excuses.

Step 3: Stop using the computer for endless ogling of other people’s weddings, and start using it to do those few projects I can do from anywhere with a power socket. Like designing the kids’ activity books, the programmes, the OOT information booklets, etc. (And if I’m good and get these done then I might just let myself “waste” an hour on those aforementioned other weddings. Or two hours…I respond well when there is a reward system. :))

Step 4: Know when to cull the list. This goes back to Step 1. I think I have mentioned it on this blog before (or maybe just in my head…these things get mixed up) but if a “handmade” project is causing more stress than enjoyment, and if it isn’t absolutely crucial to the wedding (and how many of them are, anyway), then out it goes! Oh, and Miss E? This step includes NOT adding any more projects to that list. I promise you don’t need anymore on your plate, and neither does Mr E. *end third person talk*

For proof that I really mean to stick to the above plan, here is a little squiz at my latest acquisition: a cute little heart balloon stamp from cupcaketree on Etsy that I will use on the cover of the kids’ activity books.

Source

This isn’t the only supply I have bought this week either! Cupcake papers, twine, ribbon, etc. are all slowly finding their way into my shopping basket. I’m on my way, people!

Have you had a hard time committing to your DIY projects?