diy – nye Decor – Yes, It can be Beautiful!

A true story, from a DIY Bride

Someone asked me: “if you could do your wedding all over again, would you?”

I wasn’t too sure how to answer, so I asked for some clarification…

“Hey Al, if you could do your wedding all over again, would you:

–       Hire a professional decorator?

–      Change your colours?

–       Be less stressed?”

My answer is, and always will be, No.

Hindsight truly is 20/20; yes there are some things I would do differently, but for the most part I was proud of what we accomplished. And by “we” I mean myself and Mike, my entire family, our bridal party and our friends.

The key to a successful Do It Yourself Wedding is having support and encouragement.

We are proof that a DIY wedding can be beautiful; you just need to plan accordingly and not be afraid to ask for some help.

And you know what?  No matter what, you will always be stressed out about something. Such is life!

DIY Projects our wedding consisted of:

–       Various Chalkboards (welcome sign & bar menu)

–       All paper products (invitations, programs, menus, escort cards, guest book)

–       Floral Pomander Centre Pieces

–       Invitation Garland

–       Glittered Candle Vases

–       Table & Seating Chart

–       Flower Girl Dresses and Ring Bearer Pillow (Sewn by my Aunty Cathy)

–       Banister Garland and Wreath

–       Glittered Letters

–       Backdrop of trees with twinkle lights

–       Decorating the Hall

My dad and my brother graciously cut down trees out at our camp, to be used as an amazing gorgeous background.

My mum hunted the city for twinkle lights for nearly a year; they were used to fill the tress and provide mood lighting around the hall.

My awesome Uncle Tom and Cousin Chris got straight to work. They hauled the trees in and started cutting them to my desired height. I felt kind of like a supervisor, I just watched and pointed and used my hands a lot at this point. Once the trees were cut, the lights were strung (thanks Chris for being patient with me).

I saw a super cool photo on Pinterest, so I ask my dad if he could mimic it, almost a fan looking light cluster…

While all of this was being done, the girls and I set up the tables. I rented table linens from a local business called Fairy Chair Cover. We had plain black spandex chair covers, with floor length black table cloths. I spilt the gold and silver colour across the room using various satin table runners. From there the centre pieces, candles, menus and place settings were added.

My mum, Aunt Cathy and cousins (bridesmaids) were awesome, all hands were on deck. By the time I looked around, tables were set, napkins were fluffed in wine glasses, and each place setting was out.

 

Mike and my dad also hung silver 3D stars over the dance floor, along with our homemade custom garlands.

Our head table was fairly non-traditional. A lot of people gave me odd looks when I tried to explain it. I wanted a table where everyone could chat, and not feel like they were being stared at while eating dinner. I was trying to convey the “Christmas dinner table”. Sure enough, as soon as it was laid out roughly, everyone nodded and understood. I think it turned out fab!

There are many people to thank with the entire setup process and the behind the scenes. Special thank you once again goes out to Mike, my parents, our families and bridal party.

A big thank you, to our friends Kenny and Lorna, Ted, Irena and my awesome girlfriends for helping with anything and everything.