How long does it really take to make 400 origami cranes? Stark white ribbon or cream lace? How long before the wedding should I start making the favours? You must be a DIY bride.
Planning a wedding can be taxing at the best of times - no matter how often we tell ourselves we wont be like our friends panicking over the table decorations at the last minute. No, our wedding will be relaxed and stress free! But being a DIY bride, that adds a whole new dimension. You don't want to be passing out face forward from exhaustion into your bouquet!
The trick is careful planning and to be realistic. Stick to what your good at and don't try and do everything the night before the wedding!
Lenny Ann Low has written a great little piece about the pros and cons of being an I do it yourself bride:
i-do-it-yourself - the perfect wedding
When you get married you have two options. Run screaming from the idea or consent in front of family and friends to lose all sense of joyful, hard-won liberty in the future. Just kidding... click here to read her full story from The Melbourne Age.
And if you'd like to share your DIY wedding story send us an email we'd love to hear from you.
pic: Carlo Pignatelli
I hope you enjoyed the french fancies theme. Share your thoughts, all feedback welcome, and a big thanks to those who have already contributed, keep it coming. Remember if you have a product or pictures to share - send it in we'd love to hear from you!
Coming next on 'i do' it yourself, we'll explain why I'm covered in glitter and getting out the Christmas decorations...
Pic by Natalie Moser
These little guys are fabulous. Id like to have some to choose from on my desk so I can just hold up the appropriate emotion when people bother me. I'm feeling frustrated just hold up the frustrated ceramic.
They are the work of Belgium artist Mitsy. I think I'd choose Relieved - now that my deadlines are over. Frustrated - because that happens often. And Mean - if you cant say anything nice don't say anything - just hold up your ceramic.
There is one thing I don't have in my house - a clock. Hanging a clock on your wall is like hanging a piece of art, so you have to like it. Well that was never more true than with this clock by Dutch By Design. Its only £45 and comes with all the frames, bit of a bargin! I've never found one I like until I saw this on the decor8 blog. Its also a great idea if you wanted to make one yourself.
Not many people it seems are game enough to make their own wedding cake. But here's an idea that's not only easy, it looks gorgeous too!
Start by scouring junk stores and antique shops for old china cups and saucers, don't worry about finding sets the more mismatched the better.
Now who can't whip up a batch or two of cupcakes? Just make enough so there is one for each guest plus some extras. The best bit is you can do this months in advance and freeze, so you don't have to worry about sweating over a hot oven the night before the wedding.
When you're ready decorate your cupcakes in the usual fashion, icing and sprinkles etc. Have a bit fun and use different food colourings and flavours, it all adds to the effect. Then with the addition of a little tissue paper for padding and some cupcake liners simply display your desserts in the china cups. Easy.
You can arrange them together in a big group or have one at every place setting. They can even double as cute favours or place names with the addition of a card - or if you're very tricky you could even ice the names on!
Now who can't whip up a batch or two of cupcakes? Just make enough so there is one for each guest plus some extras. The best bit is you can do this months in advance and freeze, so you don't have to worry about sweating over a hot oven the night before the wedding.
When you're ready decorate your cupcakes in the usual fashion, icing and sprinkles etc. Have a bit fun and use different food colourings and flavours, it all adds to the effect. Then with the addition of a little tissue paper for padding and some cupcake liners simply display your desserts in the china cups. Easy.
You can arrange them together in a big group or have one at every place setting. They can even double as cute favours or place names with the addition of a card - or if you're very tricky you could even ice the names on!
Fancy some fabulous handmade gifts to add to your wedding registry? Check these out:
1. Beautiful canoe shaped bowl covered with a 1920s map of Paris.
2. Add a little oo la la to your room with this reproduction of a vintage French corset ad.
3. Hand drawn and one of a kind, this huge cup and saucer with beautiful bird design will be something to treasure forever.
4. Add a touch ofje ne se qua with this 'Love Paris' 10x8 fine art print
5. Take a pretty old plate and a lovely old candlestick, put them together, and you have this fabulous floral serving stand.
6. Hand painted beautiful bohemian ceramic coasters.
7. A sweet pink and chocolate brown french memory board. A great way to get organised.
US$24.99 from Memories to You
8. Looking like delicious melted chocolate, this gorgeous wooden candle holder is all Australian made.
9. This black and pink pinstripe glass bowl just oozes style.
