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i haven't started a lot of my projects yet just know I want to do them.
the frst thing i did besides reserve my venue was my save the dates. They are going out right after xmas so I wanted to have them done.
other than that i'm just doing one thing at a time when i see something on sale. etc.
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TRIZTAR713
12/2/06 11:43 P
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all of yall diy brides-2-be seem to be well organized and ahead, i am barely starting my wedding plans.
what was the first thing you did?
i want to do the most i can and save the most i can too?
how r all of yall handleing the financial cost of the wedding??
any tips??
thnx
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we bought a nice serving set from bed bath and beyond for 30 dollars and two of the five pieces will/can be used for our serving set. I'm excited because I am going to decorate them a little bit (some ribbon or something). I'm excited b/c rather than just get rid of them after the wedding we'll just return them to their set and use it in our house.
I'm considering this a DIY.
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/17/06 4:19 A
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Thanks Irishlass, I guess you are right. I should just go with it. I am sure that she will come up with something lovely. I can't do everything myself, so I should delegate a bit more. She has made some nice things, but not everything is to my liking. I will get my other bridesmaids to work with her on designing them. They are the ones who have to wear them after all, not me. It will save them all some money too.
Congrats Lizardbreath!!! You were really lucky to get away with relatively no expenses and a great group of friends to call on. Good for you!
I haven't made any forward progress lately, more like backwards progress. My Maitron of Honour (different from my Jewlery making Maid of Honour) knows some people down at the docks. I am planning a boat wedding, and she thinks she can rig me a better deal. I might be jumping ship, literally 
ANyway, we'll see if it turns out or not.
Best to all!
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THELIZARD
11/15/06 2:44 P
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I just got married (phew! It's over!) and we did basically everything ourselves: invitations, decorating, set up, food, flowers, etc.
My NUMBER ONE piece of advice: don't be afraid to ask for help, and don't be afraid to call in some favors!
We might be extraordinarily lucky, but in our group of friends, we have a pianist, a few opera singers, bartenders, a wedding PLANNER (that RULED!), 3 florists, a caterer and several servers, a pastry chef, a graphic designer, a minister, a beverage distributor, 2 DJs, a few live bands... I'm serious, it was awesome!
We ended up spending about $1,800 for a wedding for 125 people that was fun, put together and uniquely ours. We definitely had to be organized, and careful not to put too much on any one person, but really, all of our friends were so happy to help. It was an amazing celebration that DIDN'T cost us our downpayment on a house!
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IRISHLASS83
11/15/06 3:24 A
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| Well buttercup, if she's made something and you've seen it before, then i say go with it but work with her so that your still getting something u know your going to like. if you havent, politely tell her that you already have something in mind.
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/15/06 2:17 A
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This DIY stuff is more difficult than I first thought it would be, and less fun. I tried so hard to make an oragami paper crane yesterday, but failed miserably!!!
Also, my MOH wants to make the jewlery herself for the girls, but I am a bit dubvious about it.
Well, I'll have to give it another go. I will look up some different instructions and get another book for stupid people - Oragami for Dummies or something like that.
Good luck to you on all your projects!
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| My mom and I will be doing our invitations. I am hoping to make jewelry for both me and the bridal party. If I get ambitious I'd like to make my veil.
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ROCKSOUL38
11/14/06 10:30 A
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| Wow! All of you have really great ideas. I am proud of you all for your DIY efforts. I just got the paper for my invites in the mail the other day so I have been busy putting them together. I am excited to get my engagement photos done so I can add the picture to my invites too! As of late I haven't had any major thoughts on new ideas for diy stuff, but I am sure I wil think of something.
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/14/06 4:27 A
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Great Sweet!
The more you do, the more personal and memorable it will be. Have fun with it!
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SWEETI6532
11/13/06 8:33 P
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| I am a self proclaimed DIY bride. I am doing my invites, STD (if I send them out), Unity candle, favors, card box, programs, flower girl basket, my mom is making my flower girl dress, and my ring bearer pillow. I am having my flowers professionally done. I am not good at that. But pretty much anything else that I can do I will.
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/13/06 2:23 A
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Hi Mdeevy,
I just posted you on the other chain, "What stage of planning are you at?" LOL!
Anyway, can you maybe get a reduction in the price and do your own centre pieces? You could threaten to take your business elsewhere. I know my contract says that my deposite is refundable with up to 150 days notice. That could set them straight and make them more agreeable. Maybe you are too nice and they are trying to take advantage of you. Bring someone along who is a strong negotiator and gets things done. I get shy and had a hard time bargaining. My MOH is a no-nonsense kind of girl, really useful with the vendors.
(although I already said it on the other thread, I am an English teacher at a university in Japan). I teach ESL and Literature courses. It is a blast!
Good luck with those vendors! I hope you can get what you want. Maybe compromise by using white and yellow roses instead of all yellow???
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Thanks Buttercup!
I had a mini-heart attack yesterday when I went to the florist to talk centerpieces. In our reception site costs the flowers are included a a dozen roses for each table. I went to talk to the florist about what those centerpieces were and if I wanted to change anything how much it would be. The centerpieces that are included are a dozen multi colored roses...and I am really unhappy about that. I asked him how much extra it would be if I wanted just yellow and he told me 50 dollars per table, extra!! I am really upset about this and I feel like the reception hall wasn't totally forth coming with the truth about the flowers...they made it seem like it was any color roses I wanted! I do not know what I am going to do about this situation...
Anyway, I really like your idea of using origami for your place cards too, very cool!!
What grade/subject do you teach?
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/12/06 12:48 A
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Nice idea Mdeevy,
That is the nicest use of all the money for favours that no one really cares about. They just get junked in the end. I too am using oragami in my centre pieces and as name place holders. I'm a teacher too.
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Hello,
I am getting married in July 2007...so far I made the save the dates (it looks like a photobooth set of pictures of my fiance and I...the words Save the Date 7.14.07 on the bottom of each photo...
I am going to make the necklace and earrings for myself and possible my bridesmaids. I am also thinking about making their pocketbooks...I have a student who is making blue and yellow cranes to put on the tables and the reception card table.
I am stamping white bags for the favors and putting jelly beans in yellow and blue (my colors) in them...we are also making a donation in honor of our grandfathers to cancer and alzheimers.
I think that is all I am doing but, who know!
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IRISHLASS83
11/11/06 1:50 A
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| ohhhhhhh ya white chocolate is the best.... and if you dont like the few molds that you get with the kid.. u can buy em sometimes in the craft shop at walmart.... or umm some specialty craft shops, lol or even online
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/10/06 11:59 P
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Wow Irishlass, thanks so much! what a great idea, getting the white choco and food colour! I love white choco!!!
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ZOLA_NATALIE
11/10/06 11:04 P
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I've been married almost 5 months and I would consider myself a DIY bride. We made:
- my veil
- bridesmaid dresses
- flower girl basket
- unity candles
- invitations
- centerpieces
- all the food (cake was done by a family friend)
- reception decorations
- flower arrangements (only boquets and boutineers were bought)
... plus lots more I'm sure I'm forgetting.
Have a wonderful wedding!
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2BMARRIED
11/10/06 7:52 A
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I want to do as much as I can DIY. I am one of the cheapest people...so this shouldn't be hard :)
I am doing: flowers, invites, programs, & decorations DIY. I am very VERY excited because I'm a crafty nerd like that! 
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IRISHLASS83
11/10/06 5:20 A
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| Buttercup, you can buy the chocolate factory at walmart for around $20.... then just buy the chocolate bark stuff and melt it.... its sooo easy.... and truthfully, the white chocolate tastes better than the regular chocolate for some reason, plus u can use food coloring and get ur colors and everything
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/10/06 4:50 A
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Hi Irishlass,
Your ideas are great too! The last wedding I went to the candles set the centre piece on fire, literally! we put it out quickly though. I don't think I will use candles after all either.
Good idea about the chocolate. I haven't heard of the Chocolate Factory. I'll check it out, thanks.
the picture ideas are nice. I put up a collage of photos at our engagement party, and it got everyone talking and mixing. It was a good idea.
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IRISHLASS83
11/9/06 4:52 P
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Buttercup... i love the ideas you have so far, seem very neat and different..i know alot of people have candles as part of their centerpieces too but i dont like having them lit when lil kids are around... i like the idea of having small framed pictures of the couple on the tables instead, its a great conversation starter and you can put different pics on all the tables..
or instead of the regular bride and groom caketop i like the whole monogram letter thing.. its always something you can keep on a shelf on display later
or if you have the Chocolate Factory you can make lil chocolate heart suckers for the lil kids, or instead of buying chocolate favors for the guests you can make your own for alot cheaper....the factory kit comes with rose and heart molds so its very nice..
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*BUTTERCUP*
11/8/06 11:34 P
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Hi girls,
You are all really inspiring me. I feel like I don't have time for all this, but I will make the time.
I think I will try the invites and save the dates. I am going to add oragami brides and glue on ribbons in my colours. The print will be in a solid black. I will seal the envelope with the kanji character for love.
I haven't figured out the details yet, but soon.
I thought the idea of giving the boys the task of putting together a music list was great!!! Thanks!! I know nothing about music, and he loves it, and it will keep him busy and make him feel like he is contributing. What else can we trust them with??? I will try to get him to help me with the oragami bits as well.
As for centre pieces, I need a few opinions. I will have rectangular long tables seating 8. I bought long runners in my 2 colours (turquoise and red - a martha stewart idea l liked). I want to lay my flowers (fresia and roses) down on the runners and in the centre my sweety had the idea to put together a few branches wrapped in ribbons and hung with oragami pieces. What do you think? I will have about 140 people, which makes about 18 tables.
Anyway, you girls are marvelous! It is great to see everyone is doing this stuff themselves!
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SARABLUENOSE
11/8/06 5:10 P
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wow Rocksoul.... So I did the invites myself, with a couple of friends.. And we sat down from dawn till dusk with non-slip measuring mats, rulers, blades, punches and a whole bunch of different papers and boards... And I was SO glad to post them!
But a friend did a (computerised) cartoon/charicature of me and my man, and we used that as the outer layer... Now that it's been a month since I actually had to address the envelopes, I love them again :)
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IRISHLASS83
11/4/06 3:14 P
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| im the bridesmaid but ive been helping the bride to the flowers, invitations, centerpieces, pretty much everything, they are making all the food themselves as well..
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Congrats on getting your save the dates!
I'm still waiting for mine, when i ordered them they said Nov 4th but on my account it says still printing.
I hope they get here soon!
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ROCKSOUL38
11/2/06 1:31 P
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| I got my STD magnents yesterday!! Ya!
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ROCKSOUL38
11/1/06 10:30 A
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| I have something new I am doing!! I'm really excited about it. I saw this really gorgeous serving set for the cake. It was so cool. Both pieces had silver handles with silver wire and pearls wrapped around the handles! I thought they were amazing. They had matching champange(sp?) glasses too with the pearls and silver wrapped around the stems. So... my new project is to recreate both the glasses and the serving set using inexpensive thick silver wire and pearl beads. It is going to look so awesome!!! I can't wait.
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ROCKSOUL38
10/30/06 10:14 A
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| Yeah me too. My invites will be alot of precise cutting, glueing, tying, and tediousness. But it should be fun. Just as long as I do a few at a time I shouldn't get burnt out and my invites will be beautiful.
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PAINTEDLADY35
10/27/06 10:08 P
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| that is where i got my save the dates,,,i made cute postcards...wish i could do my invites that way!
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ROCKSOUL38
10/27/06 12:05 P
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| I ordered save the date magnets from vistaprint.com and I got to design them myself. Does that count as DIY? I certainly think so. They are really cool too!
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I had a website saved for the pocketfold invites, but it's no longer in my bookmarks. Sorry.
But if you google for them you should get lots of hits, they look pretty easy to do and i'm not very crafty.
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| If you go to TheKnot.com you will find alot of ideas for DIY projects. I am decorating a cake topper. We bought our invites plane and are printing them on the computer ourselves. And I am creating my own place cards.
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| I'm doing my own playlist. We are either going to burn cd's or use an ipod. we're planning on burning copies of the best songs onto cd's for our guests, too.
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POOBROWN
10/25/06 10:44 P
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| I am, I gave my fiance the task of putting together play lists.
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POOBROWN
10/25/06 10:43 P
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| how are you doing your own pocket fold invites?
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So far the only thing I've really come up with is doing my own pocket fold invites.
I was going to do save the dates, but ended up getting them for free.
I need to come up with some more ideas.
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PAINTEDLADY35
10/25/06 12:15 P
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| i saw those and clipped that idea out too!..i make a great sour cream christmas cookie that would work really great for those...i just don't know if i'll have the time!
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ROCKSOUL38
10/25/06 10:54 A
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| I think I've decided to bake some cookies as an added favor for the reception. I have seen pictures of the cookies I want. They remind me of the cookies on Alice in Wonderland. That is probably why I want them. But they are the cookies with the monograms on them. I'm excited. Tee-hee!
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PAINTEDLADY35
10/23/06 8:10 P
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the aisle runner sounds awesome!!!..i might steal that idea...with a monogram stencil....
we are still looking for our song too...
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| The aisle runner sounds great. As far as the music goes I am still trying to decide. My Fiance wants Busta Rhymes "I love my chick" since he can't dance.
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ROCKSOUL38
10/23/06 1:43 P
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| Oh! Is anyone doing their own music for the reception? I thought about making mix cd's to pop into a multi disc player. And then having special songs all the special stuff mom/son dance, dad/daughter dance, couple first dance, garter toss, bouquet toss, etc. Any thoughts of what sort of music I should have???
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ROCKSOUL38
10/23/06 1:39 P
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| I just came up with my latest idea!!! I'm so excited. I am going to stencil my own isle runner! It's going to be so cool. I plan on running two strips of ribbon down each side and inbetween each piece of ribbon I am stenciling our theme graphic, two connected hearts!
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| Thank you ladies. The invitations are coming along great. I just need to decide on a seal for the invites. So far 99 down 71 to go. Congrats to all the other brides DIY.
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*BUTTERCUP*
10/22/06 9:31 A
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Hi there,
I have also decided to do as much as possible myself. I am doing the invitations, centre pieces, bouquets, and boutiniers. Also baking sweets for the late night dessert table. Will do my own make up as well, but probably get a proper manicure and pedicure, and of course a professional to do my hair. I can't figure out what to do for the gifts, either for the guests or my wedding party. ANy ideas? It is a hard one.
I am doing a yacht cruise wedding, so decorations are mostly taken care of, and I am having the ceremony on the boat, which saves on decorating and renting two different sites.
Nice to meet you all!
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PAINTEDLADY35
10/21/06 11:06 P
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| let us know how they turn out!
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| Hey all, I am so excited. I found this great website for just about every kind of font you can think of and they are free. www.fontfreak.com We found our font for our invitations and we are finishing them up this weekend. I can't hardly wait.
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PAINTEDLADY35
10/20/06 10:20 A
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| wow that is great...did you buy a computer program or did you hand do each invite?
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HANKSGIRL
10/19/06 3:17 P
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| My finance and I did our own invitations and they came out BEAUTIFUL! We did 150 for $60.
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ROCKSOUL38
10/19/06 3:14 P
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| Wow! That sounds nice. I hadn't even thought of adding beading to things. My dress has pearl accents and I would really like to incorporate that through this rest of my wedding. And doing your own invites saves tons of money. I can't imagine doing it any other way though. I love being crafty like that.
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| I have a Maggie dress w/crystal beading. I went to Wal-Mart and got matching glass beads in blue, green, & clear. I have hand-sewed them to the pen, flower girl basket, and also the guest book. I also found it cheaper to make my invitations then to order them. I saved around $1,000.00 alone on that. I still need to figure out what I am doing with the candles. Our ceremony is at sunset and they light the place up with thousands of white lights. I wanted to stick with the sparkling theme. We are giving mini wine bottles as favors and I am going to decorate a centerpiece for those as well.
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ROCKSOUL38
10/18/06 12:17 P
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| I am making my invitations... including response cards and thank you cards. I am creating all of my flower arrangements (corsages and buttioneers included) with the help of my soon to be sister in law. I am designing my own center pieces and table-scapes. I am also doing all the decorating at the reception and the ceremony.
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PAINTEDLADY35
10/17/06 12:27 P
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| i designed my save the dates, and i plan on doing the centerpieces,favors and welcome baskets..i'm having my bouquet and boutineres(sp?)done professionally..i'm pretty crafty and have a degree in fine art so i actually enjoy doing that kind of stuff but i'm trying not to overwhelm myself too much...
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SCHEEL1430
10/17/06 10:50 A
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| i don't claim to be a DIY bride by any means, but my sweet fiance has experience in graphic design so he was able to take a magazine add of the save the date i picked out and recreate it in my color scheme and then send it to a local printer. we're doing the same thing for all our stationary. we'll end up with super nice stationary for a fraction of the cost.
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Well... I'm getting married in Hawaii in 19 days time. It's just the 2 of us so it's really relaxed. I just bought my dress on Ebay 3 days ago, hope it fits when it gets here... I'm making my headress as I have done some jewelry designing in the past (just to find the time to do it now)... we are sending out postcards from Hawaii to invite all our friends and family to a big party on Valentines day to celebrate, Hawaii theme of course... we live in Switzerland and most of our family is in Belgium or UK so everything is being organised by email... plus I still need to find a hairdresser in Waikiki for the day... oh, and rent a ferrari for the day (Fab's dream)...
So you can do it all yourself and make it personal, even from a distance. Good luck.
Sara
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ANSCHUIER
10/16/06 9:03 P
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Let's see, I'm not totally a DIY bride, but when I have some time to mess around, I've been doing little piddly projects.
Our DIY projects:
our card box that looks like a cake
a video with pictures of the two of us
centerpieces
place cards
I think that's all for now..
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ROCKSOUL38
10/16/06 4:11 P
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Hello Everybody!
I was just curious how many of you wonderful brides out there were doing things yourself. I was wondering what sorts of ideas you have and what you plan on doing. I want to do most everything myself, but for some ideas I'm afraid it will look cheap or cheesy. Any thoughts would be great!
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