I never thought of myself as a crafty person, so when I thought about making my own stuff for the wedding, I really didn't know how it would all turn out. But not only does DIY projects help with the budget, it gives such a great sense of accomplishment when that project is finished. Not to mention it gives our wedding a more personal touch!

DIY Project List

·        Invitations -  DONE
·        Programs
·       Flowers
        ·       Bouquets
        ·       Corsages
        ·       Boutonnieres
·        Cardbox -  DONE
·        Guestbook - DONE
·        Cake Topper
·        Wedding Slideshow

DIY Invitations

I had tackled doing DIY pocketfold invitations, and made a few mock-ups until I found a style I really liked. Then I sat down and thought, "Do I really want to make 250 invitations, especially if they are just going to be thrown away?" I decided that my time and mostly my sanity wasn't worth it, so I opted to order the invitations online at VistaPrint.

Here is our invite:

The total cost of invitations, RSVPs, envelopes and enclosures came to $189.17, so with postage, the total cost per invitation is $1.17.

 DIY Programs

Here is my finished mock program. Don't mind the different color of paper....I ordered different colors to try and decide which one I liked better.

What I used:
Cricket Paper Cutter
Silver Metallic Cardstock
Metallic Text paper
Purple Ribbon
Hole Puncher

Process:
I used Microsoft Publisher to create the programs.
1) I cut the silver metallic cardstock to size (4.25 x 11). I scored the paper at 3/4" to create a small flap
2) I cut the metallic text paper to size (each sheet is 3/4" longer than the first, so the first page is 4 x 8, second page is 4 x 8.75, third is 4 x 9.5 and the fourth is 4 x 10.25)

DIY Bouquets

Since we are getting married outside in June, I've decided to make my own bouquet out of silk flowers. Living in Nebraska, it's hard telling what the weather is going to do, and I'd hate to spend alot of money on real flowers only to have them welt (which has happened to many of my bridesmaid bouquets in the past). I'll be assembling all the flowers myself and will be making:
·         Bridal bouquet (1)
·         Bridesmaid bouquets (5)
·         Grooms boutinniere (1)
·         Groomsmen boutinniere (5)
·         Mothers' of the Bride & Groom corsages (3)
·         Grandmothers' corsages (2)
·         Father of the Bride & Groom boutinierre (3)
·         Grandfather's boutinieree (1)
·         Personal Attendants & Guest book Attendants corsages (4)
·         Ushers' boutinierre (5)
·         Ring Bearer and Special Attendants boutinierre (3)
·         Throw bouquet (2)
Note: I'm making two throw bouquets, one for the little girls that will be at the reception (12 years and younger) and one for the older girls. I have seen how aggressive a bouquet toss can get and I am terrified a little girl is going to get trampled by someone bound and determined to get the bouquet!!! :-)

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Cardbox

I followed "Road to the Aisle"'s instructions on how to make my cardbox. I'm very happy with the finished product.

Note: will post photos soon 

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