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I am, but I have the same philosophy as you: I'm doing as much as I can in advance, so if it looks cheap, I can scrap that project and either start over or find a pro. I think I'm kind of training myself to get better, ha ha!
Well, I'm DIYing my centerpieces and all the reception decorations, the ceremony flowers, table numbers, place card holders (little split wine corks), cake topper, programs, and a couple other little things like that. However we decided not to DIY any of the "big" things like music or food. I went back and forth on whether to do my own cake for a long time, but in the end I decided I wasn't considering doing it myself because it would save money or look better, but because I was a control freak, and that wasn't a good enough reason ;)
I did not DIY the invitations, which surprised a lot of people. But in the end I found that for me to make the ones I wanted it would end up costing more...
i did a ton of diy. i also started early, and my only advice about that is to watch out because odds are you'll change your mind and/or find something you like better. i'd spend days working on something and than find something cuter online that i'd want to do, but usually i would just stick to my original.
I had an 18 month engagement, and was doing stuff like making invitations and calligraphing envelopes of home owners over a year out. People would hear and act like I was crazy, but now we're down to the final months and it feels great not to be rushed because I got so much done last year. The only downside is that doing things so early, you have to make a decision and stick to it (ie colors, menu, what time everything is). I diyed lots of stuff and like the personal touch it will give my wedding. I think it is sensible, not crazy :) Go for it!
Starting early is a great idea! I advise against anyone who thinks waiting until they're a month out to start. You're smart to do it in advance! I am so inspired by the DIY ideas that I see but I just don't have the time... or the patience!
Overall, I feel great about what I'm planning to do, and know that is will be possible if I start early enough. however, every once and awhile I hear a co-worker talking about her florist, baker, DJ, string quartet, hairdresser, make-up artist, limo driver, day of organizer, etc etc and I start to wonder if i've lost my mind!!
I am! The only things we are hiring to be done is dinner, pictures (family friend though!), and I think thats its! We are doing the cake, flowers, invites, programs, hair, makeup, centerpieces, everything ourselves! I agree with starting early. Then you don't feel rushed and if something goes wrong, you still have time! :)
Rosie Girl - you're going to be my inspiration!! I'm hoping to do something VERY similar. We've got our venue (that comes with caters) but beyond that we're not PLANNING on hiring anyone, except I'm hoping my cousin (a photographer) will let me hire her for the photos.
Beyond that, we're planning on doing flowers, cake, decorations, music, all the paper products, favours. Oh, I may consider hiring my usual hairdresser to do my hair and makeup :)
Good luck, and I can't wait to hear how it all goes!
Can't wait to HEAR how that goes. I am doing invites, programs, escort cards, misc. reception decor, church decor, table numbers... and I bought all of my vases, votives. I'm basically hiring someone for cake, food, arranging flowers & hair... and of course a seamstress.
Its getting down to the wire, and I'm stressed. A lot that you can't do till the end. Programs depend on who is doing readings, what readings and music you select, etc. Can't do escort/table cards until you know who is coming... can only start table numbers till you know how many tables...
It's possible, but it gets a little stressy at the end.. just my experience.
My engagement is only going to be 5 months, and well, I'm still DIYing my centerpieces and all the reception decorations, table numbers, cake topper, tiered programs with monogram, thank you cards, candy buffet, guest book, card box, and a couple other little things like that. The major things like food, music, etc. are being done by "professionals"! Plus, I am excited to feel that sense of pride and accomplishment once everything is done, we're married, and walk into the reception hall and see how all of my time and energy paid off! All of this for 300 people! Wow...I still have a lot to do and only one month to do it! Yikes!
You can do it and it will be great! :) Good luck!
I'm DIYing the table runners, containers for the floral centerpieces, gifts for my bridesmaids, the programs, table numbers, escort cards...
I was gonna DIY the invites but I found ones I liked for cheaper. :) Wedding is in 5 months! Ahhhh!
I think I'm DIY'ing more than I'm hiring out, haha. Seems like everything needs to be done by moi.
But I want it that way-- I agree, it makes the wedding more personal, more you. So far, I'm DIY'ing:
-Invites
-Guestbook
-Programs/signs/escort cards, really any paper goods
-Candy buffet
-Signature drink
-All flowers/ centerpieces
-BM gifts, most likely
-Veil
-Hair flower
-Garter
I know there are a million other things but I just haven't gotten that far yet, I guess. Still, it's a lot... luckily most of it is already done or waiting to be completed. All the stuff I can think of, that is...
Go GIRLS!!!!
I am also DIYing virtually every aspect of our wedding. I'm even going so far as to grow my own flowers. I am lucky enough that I'll get this summer to do a growing trial to know what works and does not work for next year. As you all have said, I think starting early is the KEY!
Good luck to all of you and it's wonderful to know so many others are giving their wedding such a personal labor of love!!!
I'm doing nearly everything myself, mostly for cost-saving reasons. (The fiance doesn't mind spending money, but I do!) So far, I've done my save-the-dates, which were very well received; most people didn't realize I made them until my mother told them.
I've picked out my invitation kit, which I need to order soon. I'm pretty good with computer-printing stuff, so I think those will probably go fairly easily for me, too.
I plan to use FiftyFlowers.com for my flowers; I'm going to get one of their package deal thingies. Since I only have two bridesmaids, and my reception is a cocktail party style with no tables (= no centerpieces!), I won't need a lot of flowers... so I think Mom and I can handle that. (We've already practiced with fakes. lol)
I'm having one of my good friends do my photography. He will be hired, yes, but he'll be a lot cheaper than a wedding pro... and IMO, does just as nice work.
The reception food is included in my venue fee, of course. Oh, the cake... I'm having a family friend make that. Again, she will be hired, but will be a lot less than a bakery or specialty shop.
Not having a bridal shower or bachlorette party, so that saves money. (Hey, when you have very few friends and they all live far away... there's really no point.)
So, all we're paying for is the venue/catering, photography, cake, my dress, and groom's suit (no tuxes). And the supplies for save-the-dates, invitations, and flowers. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. 
there's not much we aren't DIYing in our wedding... and i think your last blurb hit the head on the nail - get help. its wonderful your mom is going to be able to help you... employ as many folks as you trust with your projects as you can. i hadn't even considered asking others to help with MY DIY projects, but family started offering their expertise and i have gladly accepted! it's a load off my shoulders knowing that they will do their best because they want our wedding to be special for us. =D
We did our S.T.D's, invitations, centerpieces, general wedding decor, etc.
Like many of you I started doing stuff way in advance so if it looked janky I could fix it.
I did a lot of DIY projects. However, what I did was to start with those most important to me. I figured that way, if I ran out of time, it would only be the least important things that got skipped. Here was my final list (links go to instructions/information):
There are so many things you can do yourself! Just make sure you really weigh out your options. Starting early is good, but I find that I end up still wanting what I really wanted if I try to compromise too much.
I chose 1 flower to simplify all of my arrangments- and I am even growing them myself! Sam's Club has good prices. I am a photographer, so I will have selenium toned silver gelatin prints mounted on white board for people to sign in addition to a guest book.
I think people will remember the sincerity of the ceremony, the food, and the band the most. We are also making our own invitations, but that has been a very time consuming task! They will be original and look amazing in the end, however.
Ask a friend to be your photographer if you have a friend who has decent equipment. I wish tuxes were not so expensive!
Ask a friend to bake your cake or cupcakes, so that you don't have to do everything yourself. Enlist people to help! I think it is special to have a personal touch. Ask a friend to do your hair and keep things simple. Good luck!
I
am doing a LOT of DIY projects, but I have a ton of help from my mom and my girls.
I'm making fabric flowers for my mini-vases
Cardstock paper pinwheels to put on the backs of the chairs
I'm making our cardbox out of newspaper, mache boxes and modge podge
I'm making a baby's breath garland for the entryway
It's not exactly DIY but kinda, I bought 24 mason jars and will be filling them with some sand and tealight candles
I'm making my own invites, nearly done!
I will be making my own garter
And all the food for my reception - we're doing a light dessert bar, so I'll be baking everything.
My momma will make my my just married banner
(inspiration from a seller on etsy)
We'll be doing our own programs, and other paper goods.
I think that's about it...
It's taking a lot of time, but it'll be worth it. I have peace knowing I didn't spend a fortune on these things, and that a lot of time and special effort went into my wedding.
My mom and I are big on art and crafting so it's been fun to do all this together.
though we still have A LOT left to do.
oh, and the veil and hair pieces for my girls. I don't have pictures yet though..
I am doing a ton of DIY. Right now it seems neverending, but I plan to have it all done 6 months prior to the wedding, so I can just sit back and relax. I don't know how realistic that is, but I am sure going to try.
Here is my list:
Thanks so much guys! I especially appreciate the pics of planned and completed DIY projects!!
2d Bride - just yesterday my FI suggested using velcro on our pocketfold invites, and now I'm going to suggest magnets! That is an AWESOME idea! Where did you get them from?
Miss Spunken - I LOVE the lace on your invites! Do you have any more photos of your invites?
The magnets we used were the Basic Grey Magnetic Snaps. They are easy to use, because they are self-stick. They should be available in pretty much any craft store, under scrapbooking supplies. Since we were making only a few invitations, they worked for us.
If you are making a lot of invitations, you may want to look instead at the Rare Earth disc magnets. They are only $8.99 for a package of 200. However, they would require you to use your own glue to stick them on.
HAHA, Don't worry, I have already started on my DIY centerpieces and I'm not even ENGAGED YET!!!
I've done a few in the last week and others are either done or are still in progress:
I've been DIYing all weekend..so many things to do..so far I have finished my garters, ribbon wands, name hanger, part of my invites, part of my favors, and I'm working on my cake plate as well. I'll also be doing my flowers. 6 months to go!! woohoo!!! lol...I'm so tired...lol
Im DIYing the heck out of my wedding.. I would type the list but it just goes on forever.. litterally. I look at the stuff ive done and still got to do and the list keeps on creeping up. I have literally had to stop browsing some blogs, because I kept on getting ideas and the list just got longer :S
I agree with you also. Its more personal. I'm doing all the flowers, favors (painting them, writing on them, wrapping them,etc), centerpieces..those are the main things i can think of right now.
I'm really just getting started but I will be doing a lot of DIY! I have to fist start with the engagement party diy stuff! We are having a destination wedding so this engagement party has become very important to the both of us.
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My wedding is not for another year, and at this point I'm planning on doing a LOT myself. As a backup, I'm starting early, so if I run into problems there is time to hire alternatives!
Is anyone else doing a ton of stuff themselves? Is this crazy? I'm not doing it because I think it will be 'cheap' but rather b/c I'd rather have everything personal vs. perfect. I also feel that I can get a lot nicer stuff for the same price by doing it myself. (Ex. I could order inexpensive invitations for $2 each, or I could make much nicer invitations for the same price that would normally cost $6-8 each).
I'm pretty capable, and I have a TON of help from my mother who is also great at coming up with creative ideas and executing them.