The DIY (do-it-yourself) bride may be willing and capable when it comes to overseeing creative projects, but time can be an obstacle. Determining how to use your skills is a challenge given the large number of tasks that require attention. Focusing on a few quality projects that reflect your style allows you to fully enjoy the DIY process.
Find Your Wedding Style
Whether you've envisioned your wedding for years or are actively hunting for new ideas, you'll find that selecting an overall style or theme for your big day will help your DIY projects take shape.
Don't be afraid to leave room for nuance. The most striking weddings reflect the personalities of the bride and groom, and personalities have many facets. A wedding that's "a modern take on 1940s glamor with a dash of fairy tale" can't be summed up in three words, but it just might equal fabulous, especially since it opens the door for a myriad of DIY options.
Bridal magazines are wonderful sources for inspiration, as are the items in your own home and closet. Note your favorite colors, patterns, clothing styles, furniture styles and general decor choices. Do they spark ideas for bridal gown styles, jewelry and accessories, floral arrangements and wedding decorations?
Do It Yourself
With a personality-reflecting style in place, begin making natural connections between your talents and the necessary tasks at hand. If you have experience with graphic design, perhaps you could create your own wedding invitations. If you have an eye for interior design, you may find it easy to oversee wedding decorating decisions, including floral choices.
Think twice before taking on projects that require a large amount of work on your actual wedding day. For example, if you're a gardener who enjoys arranging flowers, have fun making selections for your bouquet and tables, but resist the temptation to create the bunches of blooms without backup assistance, as this task often requires last-minute touch-ups. Few brides have time to assemble detailed arrangements on the day of their nuptials.
If you decide to spearhead a major project, such as sewing your own wedding gown, make sure this is your main DIY endeavor. You can always take on additional projects if the work at hand proves to be less time consuming than imagined.
Brides looking to engage in a variety of creative tasks that are fulfilling without being all-consuming often find that wedding accessories and favors provide many opportunities for creative craftsmanship.
Wedding Accessories
Accessories play a key role in a wedding and the surrounding events. The creation of these treasures can be a source of joyful involvement for crafty brides. Here are some DIY ways to accessorize:
- The Wedding Purse. Purchase a simple yet elegant purse to be used on your wedding day, then embellish it with the trim of your choice using such flourishes as feathers, silk flowers and crystal beading.
- Jewelry. Once you've selected dresses for wedding showers, parties and gatherings, create jewelry to finish the ensembles. DIY jewelry making often involves combining new beads with remnants from vintage jewelry for an updated yet retro look. Antique malls, estate sales, bead shops and the jewelry sections of department stores are great sources for interesting pieces to incorporate.
- Hair Ornaments. Some brides enjoy contributing to their wedding day hairstyles by crafting their own veils from tulle and beads. Others make their own headpieces or barrettes using ribbon and baubles like silk flowers and seed pearls. If you choose to go this route, wear your creation around the house in advance to ensure it holds up before donning it for your ceremony.
- The Guest Book. If you can't find the guest book of your dreams, consider purchasing one that is elegantly simple, then bringing it to life with trimming that complements your wedding style. Crystal rhinestones, specialty ribbon and vintage jewelry remnants are striking additions.
Brides-to-be soon discover they aren't the only ones receiving gifts in honor of their nuptials. Whether you're thanking guests, wedding party members, or family, consider adding your special touch with the project ideas below:
- Favor Packaging. To enclose favors for wedding guests, purchase inexpensive petite gift bags or boxes from a local craft or party supply store. Beautify them with a "Thank You" stamp in the style of your choice, making sure you select an ink that will dry properly on the surface of your packaging. For added flair, pre-tie bows in a complimentary ribbon color and carefully secure them to box tops or bags with hot glue.
- Gift Bags. Providing out-of-town guests with treat-filled bags is a popular wedding trend. To spruce up standard gift bags with handles, personalize them with a welcoming message, such "Thank you for being a part of our special day." Use an attractive font, and print the text on quality paper, which can be glued directly to the gift bag or first adhered to a larger piece of patterned paper to create a border.
- Bridal Party Gifts. Vintage items make unique gifts for bridal party members. If you have the time to peruse an antique mall, you'll find that some dealers dedicate a portion of their booths to a certain type of collectible, such as brooches, lace handkerchiefs and make-up mirrors. While you may not be able to find exact multiples, the authenticity of vintage treasure makes these gifts special. You can also unify the items by adding a common adornment. For example, if you're giving bridesmaids vintage perfume bottles, tie a bow around teach top using ribbon that reflects your wedding colors.
Try It Out
For projects that involve creating multiple items, begin with just a few supplies and produce a prototype. If the process is enjoyable and the results desirable, continue on your path to DIY greatness. Chances are you'll learn a little more about yourself along the way.
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