It’s all about the feels! One of my favorite things about weddings is getting to experience all of the personal touches couples incorporate into their special day.  The most unique decor is almost always created through DIY (do-it-yourself).

DIY Seating Chart from Angus Barn Pavillion Wedding

DIY Place Settings from Haw River Ballroom Wedding

These personally crafted, unique decorations add such a fun and intimate feel to weddings as they really can express the persona of the bride & groom.  Additionally, DIY projects can also be done at a fraction of the cost…great for minding a budget!

DIY Bridal Bouquet from Blossom & Louis’s TN Wedding

Hand Embroidered Cake Table Runner from a Stockroom Wedding

DIY projects can range from simple picture frames sprinkled throughout the cocktail hour, to making your own wedding dress!  I’ve seen hand written notes & signs and other stained wooden projects, DIY bouquets and centerpieces and even DIY wedding cakes!

DIY Wine Cork Seating Chart from Brier Creek Country Club Wedding

DIY Wedding Programs from Top of the Hill Wedding

The options are really limitless and depend completely on how much time and resources couples want to invest in creating unique and personal touches throughout their wedding. Capturing these beautiful creations through my lens is one of my favorite aspects of weddings.

Postcard Guestbook Alternative from Haw River Ballroom Wedding

DIY Wedding Dress from The Royal Wedding in Raleigh

Initially, DIY projects can seem intimidating, but the trick is determining what & how much you want to DIY, and make an action plan from there. Lots of factors come into play when talking DIY for weddings – budget, time, resources etc. – but once you have identified these key factors you can really start to determine just how much DIY you want to incorporate and which projects you want to focus on.  

DIY Calligraphy Table Marker from a Rand-Bryan House Wedding

DIY Geode Slice Seating Assignments from a Stockroom Wedding

Don’t know what you want to DIY???  Try thinking about what makes you who you are as individuals or as a couple.  Do you love to go hiking?  Maybe create some decorative wooden signs that have awesome woodgrain???  Do you love to knit? Maybe knit some cute stuffed love birds for a cake topper??? Do you and your fiance love to travel?  Maybe design your own passport-themed wedding program???  Do you both love to cook?  Maybe mix your own blend of spices as a favor???  You get the idea 🙂

NC Ornament Favor from Angus Barn Pavillion Wedding

 Having a realistic approach is essential in Wedding DIY.  Creating these unique characteristics within your wedding is so much fun, but can be stressful if you don’t have a good attack plan for your projects– once you’ve developed your plan, the overwhelming and intimidating aspects of DIY tend to not be so challenging, and you can truly enjoy the process that is absolutely one of a kind!

 Like I said, it’s all about the feels, and adding these personal and truly unique characteristics to your special day can be so simple and fun !

DIY Candle Favor from Brier Creek Country Club Wedding

Chalkboard Seating Chart from a Rand-Bryan House Wedding

DIY Wedding Cake from Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Wedding

For more ideas on DIY projects check out this article from the Knot.com & this article from 100 Layer Cake.