Taking the Initial Leap into Wedding Planning 🫘

My brain is so full. I’m focused on figuring out how to plan a wedding. It all feels decidedly overwhelming. When I picture throwing a huge party for people, it doesn’t seem so intimidating, but I’m also just realizing this is probably the biggest party we’ve tried to throw ever.

So let’s take things one step at a time.

Setting Creative Expectations ✦

I have told myself I will DIY three things. That’s a tiny number for someone like me who is both capable and eager to do DIY projects for something especially like this. But because we’re trying to get married on a shorter timeline, this is making my otherwise slow craft soul take on a new set values as the standard for this day. We’ll see how that goes!

Update: I’m DIYing way more than three things lol

The main idea behind this is to: limit the amount of work solely on my shoulders, to delegate well, and to be okay with items that are pre-made and good enough quality, especially for things that will not last beyond the day of.

I feel like we’re prioritizing the fact that we want to get married over the pomp of the classic wedding structure. It’ll still be lovely, but it may not look like all the weddings we’ve attended before. We’ve also heard that planning a wedding sooner reduces overall costs since we don’t have time to come up with more details that could add to the expenses.

Current DIY List ✦

So far I am taking on the wedding invitations as my first DIY! I have a new manual die cut/embossing press that I want to try to utilize as a way to make at-home letterpress.

Second, I think I want to work on a welcome sign mirror. I basically want to recreate one that I saw online. I’m also searching marketplace for a wooden tilting mirror because I also just really want one of these!

Third, I’m considering making a papel picado backdrop for photos. But this is just an idea, and I’m not sure if I want to take this on as my last DIY, especially if there is another more pressing thing I should spend my energy doing.

Lastly, I’ve thought about embroidering a wall-hanging piece that’s reminiscent of vintage wedding samplers that people used to receive back in the day, but that would be as a little wedding gift to ourselves that’s not necessarily part of the wedding itself (because I’m trying to stay within my three-item limit ha).

Delegating & Looking Ahead ✦

My mom is interested in helping with all of the reception decor, especially table centerpieces, so I’ve got her helping me source items for that. She might also make the cake!

My brothers have access to a 3D printer and a cricut machine, and I’m hoping there’s a way we can collaborate to build out some custom embossing/letterpress plates. This might be a stretch, but I’m hoping to explore this if we have the time.

My brother’s partner is an incredible sewist who offered to make me a wedding dress. !! It feels like a once and a lifetime opportunity to have a custom dress made for me, so I’m working on design ideas + logistics for how to travel to see her enough times to have it made by her. TBD but likely??!

Things we need to do:

• Set a proper budget
• Find a venue (so we have a date)
• Reach out to catering
• Lock in the overall aesthetic

Wish us luck!

Follow along our wedding journey starting here: Junk Journaling Our Engagement Chapter 🫘 | Wedding Updates + Flower Garlands 🌱 | Linocut Love Bird Envelopes 🌱

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