WEDDING GRINS & DIY WINS
Calling all future brides! This is the post for you. Planning a wedding is no easy or cheap task which means finding a balance between buying all the things (easy) and making all the things (cheap) is critical! Don’t get me wrong, I took the easy route several times while wedding planning, but there were a few wedding details I approached with the mantra “Why buy, when you can DIY?”.
They say October is the new June as the most popular month to get married, and I totally get it! I was an October bride myself and our special day was spectacular! Colorful leaves, crisp breezes, 65 degrees…can’t beat it! We used all kinds of green leaves for decorations including a leafy wreath with our last name’s initial inside. This was the perfect backdrop for the bridal table where we ate our first meal as husband and wife.
How to: buy a super inexpensive hula hoop and wrap it with green leaf garland. Cut a thick piece of poster board to match the size of the wreath, glue or tie it to the back, and attach a large initial to the middle of the poster board. Hang this decor piece with fishing wire to make it appear as if it’s floating. Cheap, easy, & cute!
After all of that planning, you’ll want to remember who was with you on your special day. A traditional guest book (which will only get lost and collect dust) isn’t your only option. In fact, there are all kinds of options out there, but I wanted something my guests could sign, and I could hang on my wall! You can buy a wall decor guest book online but be ready to pay a pretty penny for it. Let’s make it instead! My very handy father-in-law and husband helped bring this awesome guest “book” to life, and it now hangs in our hallway where we can admire it everyday!
How to: buy a piece of plywood and cut it to the size of your choosing (mine is 24 inches x 40 inches x .5 inches). Stain it and cover it with epoxy to make it shine. Attach a vinyl sticker to decorate (or leave it plain) and let guests sign it with a paint marker.
At the end of the night, guests will send you off into the blissfulness that is married life. Skip the rice and bubbles and give everyone a “send off ribbon and bell wand” to wave as you leave your wonderful celebration! No one has to clean up after the send off and guests get to keep the wands! It’s a win-win! Similarly, you can buy these online or “DIY” it and save on that probably already blown wedding budget.
How to: buy 12 inch wooden dowels, cut ribbons in the color and width of your choice to 18 inches, and tie at the top of the dowel. Hot glue a small bell on top of the knot where the ribbon is tied to the dowel. Pass out for guests to wave as you walk into happily ever after!
These DIY projects took a little effort but had a big impact on the pocketbook. Whether you buy or DIY, remember to have fun, enjoy the day, and most of all, take it easy on yourself if something doesn’t go the way you planned…throwing a party for 400 (or any amount really) of your closest family members and friends isn’t for the faint of heart. 😉
Chat soon!
Kelsey
