To DIY Or Not To DIY Your Wedding

[@BluebirdBrideAcademy]

Will you be doing any DIY? And if so what? X

[@sophiewoolner18]

I'm doing our invites :) I find with invites, a lot of people just throw them away afterwards so we don't want to spend loads of money on them for people to just throw them out xx

[@amysmith9883]

I agree with the invites. We are having a wedding website so an invite is mostly going to signpost people to that. I have collected Douwe Egbert jars to do our own pick and mix/sweet cart. Some other little things like I have bought cheap flip flops for guests in the evening x

[@shootdownthestars]

We’re doing our invites with the help of a graphic designer friend, and I also bought a pack of digital floral illustrations on Etsy. Also as we’re having an autumn wedding, we’re having dried flowers and I’m doing those myself as I love flowers, and I can do them well in advance!

[@felvae4837]

We are DIY’ing all of our centrepieces (lots of candles, antlers and greenary!) as well as our invites 😌 We did originally want to do our own food to save money.. but thankfully we quickly decided against that 🙈

[@BluebirdBrideAcademy]

@@sophiewoolner18 makes total sense! 🙌🏻

[@hellograceface]

I’m recently engaged so have been binge watching all of your videos, they are so useful!! I know you mention about the “shabby chic” vibe not being on trend anymore, I’d love to see a video on current wedding trends and what kind of thing is in style now 😊

[@BluebirdBrideAcademy]

Good topic. Let me think how to put this one together 😉

[@lah1667]

Diy-ing my bouquet, hair, decor (bunting) and dress. Will get my make up and photos done professionally. Undecided on the invites and cake.

[@HappehKitteh]

I can’t believe you could’ve been on the bake-off !!! I can totally see it 🥰

[@BluebirdBrideAcademy]

Not convinced I would have made it through all auditions though 😉. 🧁

[@tomikiawells3629]

Hi, daughter's getting married in September(about 180 guests), MOG is a caterer so she'll be catering the reception, cake included. I asked her if she was sure as I know it can be a lot and she will have it no other way 🤷🏽‍♀️. Since I did my oldest daughter's(about 100 guests) 6 years ago with the exception of the cake, I know what it takes so to only have to do the decor is a blessing. I'll be using all vases and chargers from my first daughter's since I have them stored.(one more daughter to go and I'm done😊) I'll just need coordinating table runners, sashes and florals. Ceremony and reception in same local, we just have to flip the chairs. I'll be doing the florals, artificial using true feel flowers except the bouquet will be fresh flowers. They decided to only include nieces and nephews in wedding party with exception of Man of Honor and Best Man(had too many family and friends to choose from). They are getting a professional photographer, that's the only thing not being diyed. Oh and dj but her cousin is a professional dj so, he's gifting her his serves.

[@biancasteinbockwalker2493]

I think what’s missing from this video is people who actually love doing DIY. Yes it may cost me more, but I love creating things and this is something I have b even looking forward to doing before I got engaged. Plus my wedding theme is a bit niche (hundred acre wood) so I am aware that to make this happen a personal touch is needed

[@BluebirdBrideAcademy]

Aww what a wonderful theme! It will look amazing with all your personal touches ☺️

[@jessicasakimae541]

1. Flowers- It is doable but consider if you have NEVER played with or don’t really like arranging flowers don’t and if you can not get into your venue the day before don’t because it’s too much day of. A lot of time involved. 2. Invitations- You can do it depending on the level and how elaborate you want it to be. So many choices with a professional and it is very repetitive so it won’t be very fun and you might need to buy special tools that could cost a lot. 3. Cake- The stress so close to your wedding could be a lot if you are doing something other than a fruit cake that could be made well in advance. And transportation of said cake could be very stressful and more complicated than you originally think. 4. Photography- Can’t really do it yourself but DIY would be having a family friend. If they don’t do it the way you want could you speak up to them? And don’t you want all friends and family enjoying the day? 5. Hair and makeup- Really you could do it yourself and it be fine but having a professional would really add to the day and make you feel pampered. 6.Shoes- You could fancy up some of your own shoes that are comfortable for the dancing 7. Decor- Keep in mind set up and tear down! Setting up the day before will help you to enjoy your day and not be stressed. It takes so much time to get it all done over months and months.

[@fluffyflossy1]

Hi Lauren, really enjoying your videos, where do you recommend getting your flowers from? I’m based in London

[@BluebirdBrideAcademy]

Are you looking to diy yourself?

[@alyssarh]

Sometimes photographers turn out to not be what you expect 💀 two of my close friends were marrying each other and they had hired a photographer who was a professional and had been recommended by someone they knew. I was with the bride and her bridal party because my boyfriend was the best man. The photographer was SO unprofessional. She was late, she missed getting ready photos and detail photos, she barely scraped together the family photos. She was out in her damn car when my friend was putting on her wedding dress for the zip up photos!! I ended up taking over and covered everything she kept missing or messing up. Because she was late, I shot the girls getting ready. I rushed my own hair and makeup to make it happen and spent the whole day focusing on shooting them in a good way to get photos they'd be happy to see. It was worth it, but boy oh boy do I wish they had went with a different photographer. I'm so glad I was there to help fix the mess. Sometimes a good friend who can do photos is better than a crappy hired professional!

[@deviharris5725]

I agree with DIY flowers. It's a good idea to try to set up the flowers the night before. I agree about *only* hire a professional photographer. For future videos, can you use more visuals please? thank you!

[@laurawilliamssepsiseducati5642]

I am making my own cakes. The top layer vanilla buttercream Victoria sponge (that with the Victoria sponge I unsurprising my other half by making the sponge a blue colour. This is due to the fact that we are a little bit geeky and he is a massive Doctor Who fan so white buttercream cutting into it and it being blue will be an amazing image because he has no idea) the second layer lemon polenta cake with lemon buttercream and third layer chocolate cake with raspberry and mascapone buttercream frosting

[@laurawilliamssepsiseducati5642]

Piece of advice from someone who heard it earlier and it was like oh my goodness. If you are using Canva you can screenshot it and then put it in to be done via Vistaprint

[@catzbee123]

Canva let’s you print it directly from them now too and it’s cheaper than anywhere I’ve ever seen

[@jessicaendean8226]

And you can save the designs and print them yourself or through another printing service

[@laurawilliamssepsiseducati5642]

My wedding is next year and I have already made my okay because we are using artificial flowers and then I am making the bridesmaids and flower girls bouquets but with those I am using comic books and books. My other half and I both enjoyed reading so having books in our bed okay I think is a very nice idea, And my partner and I are extremely vague comic books/Marvel fans so they are going to be incorporated in my back up shoes and my bridesmaids Bocquet and the Bocquet that I’m going to throw because I want to keep my Bocquet in tact

[@jlf6614]

i wish you would include pics when referring to your flowers so i can visually see what you are talking about

[@mumof1260]

Im DIY my table centrepieces and my own sweetie table im making the boquets for my bridesmaid's as we are having fake flowers as my partner has massive hayfever We are having a professional photographer for the day but on the night time we are going it alone just loads of photos and even considering using some disposable cameras as i really want some unpolished unedited raw photos x

[@orlabrendanoreilly3619]

Great advice! Thank you

[@BluebirdBrideAcademy]

You are so welcome!

[@laurawilliamssepsiseducati5642]

I’m upcycling my backup shoes

[@crimsonmoon7010]

Have you chosen your venue yet? Have a look at Stirk House Hotel, it's stunning! 🥰

[@Laure__Line]

I am going to DIY my make up, the invitations and almost everything that is made made of paper, maybe my fiancé’s bow tie, and nothing else. Edit : sorry, forgot to add the games and other animations, since these are a big thing in my country.