My experience of
having a DIY
wedding. Three
years later and
was it worth it?
With our third wedding anniversary here, I find myself looking back through photos and video. Three years on, with an almost eight-month-old daughter, life has changed a lot since that day. I still enjoy remembering the details and the feeling of accomplishing so much myself.
If you know me, you know I’m a DIY person. If it can be done, I want to try it. Our wedding reflected that. From gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen to floral arrangements, menus, and many of the small touches, I handled most of it myself.
Would I recommend doing everything yourself? Not really. Some projects are fantastic for DIY—especially those you can complete well in advance. But anything time-sensitive, especially on the days leading up to the wedding, is better delegated. Trying to be the bride while finalizing last-minute details added unnecessary stress.
Everything turned out beautiful—especially the flowers—but I did have a small breakdown at rehearsal because several arrangements still needed finishing. That’s when the bridesmaids and a good friend stepped in. With some teamwork (and a little wine in the hotel suite), we pulled it together.
On the wedding morning I was up early—like most brides, sleep was elusive—and spent the morning setting up in the three rooms we used for the day’s events. It was a flurry of activity, but seeing everything come together was incredibly rewarding.
I couldn’t have chosen a more elegant venue than The Fort Worth Club. It was my top choice from the start—I admired it before even taking a tour. Once we confirmed the date, everything else felt right and the club provided a beautiful backdrop for the day.
For bridesmaids’ dresses I chose a different pastel for each person. I love soft colors and thought it would be charming for each bridesmaid to have her own shade. My main palette was white and gold accented with pastels, and the subtle gold details complemented the dresses perfectly.
This wedding also prompted me to buy my first Cricut. Once I saw its capabilities, I couldn’t wait to use it. I cut over a hundred menu borders, and they turned out better than I imagined.
I also used the Cricut and an embroidery machine to create gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The embroidery machine was purchased specifically for wedding projects and required more learning, but it allowed me to personalize items exactly as I wanted.
As a food blogger, the menu was a major priority for me. I wanted memorable food, beginning with an antipasto display and passed hors d’oeuvres. Ultimately we served a four-course dinner, plus dessert and a late-night snack—there was no shortage of food. An open bar was also available and definitely enjoyed by guests.
If I could go back, would I do everything myself again? No. Asking for help is important, and delegating some responsibilities would have reduced stress. That said, I’m proud of what we created. The day was beautiful, I married the man I love, and our guests had a wonderful time. It was worth the effort.
Photography by: Blue Scope Photography & Lyfe Photography
Venue and Food: The Fort Worth Club, Fort Worth, TX
DJ and Lighting: Next Level Entertainment
Videography: 4500 Films