Colleen + Corey Wedding

What makes a wedding “DIY”?

So, as many of you know, our wedding was featured on Wedding Chicks last week, which was really super exciting.  Kind of like a dream come true.  But I want to be honest with you guys, so I must tell you that I didn’t realize that they would be publishing my budget information, or that they would be making the entire post about how much a DIY wedding would cost.  I of course gave them all of my pricing information, so they had complete rights to publish it.  But when I saw the title of the post and that image at the end showing my price information verbatim, I was terrified.  Not because I felt bad about what we had spent, but because I knew how sensitive the topic of cost can be.  As I expected, there was a bit of a backlash from people that thought we spent too much on this or that, and more surprisingly, didn’t think our wedding was “DIY.”

 Image by Abigail Seymour Photography

So that got us thinking.  What really makes a DIY wedding?  Is it only a DIY wedding if you make your own cake, print your own invitations, serve your own food, and grow your own flowers?  Our label of “DIY” though unimportant, was something that I had never even questioned before.  When people ask us what our blog is about, we often say we do a lot of  “DIYs”, but that certainly doesn’t mean that we make our own paper or paints.  What we do is use the supplies at our disposal to emulate other, possibly more expensive, things that we have seen.  We use craft paper, glue, and twine to make inspirational images and ideas into reality, where our product is hopefully worth more than the sum of its parts.

Images by Abigail Seymour Photography

One of our inspirations while planning the wedding was the blogger from Hey Gorgeous, named Rhi.  She spent many months before her wedding refinishing a dresser found on the side of the road for her dessert table, gathering little special touches including black lace for her bouquets, and purchasing and crafting all of her wedding decor.  She spent the entire day of her wedding carefully setting up her decor, so much so that she was late for her hair appointment.   Her wedding was so beautiful that she has since become a very successful wedding planner, who now works diligently to make other brides dreams come true.  Just because she didn’t bake her wedding cake or grow her own flowers, does that make her wedding any less of her own creation?  I’d say probably not.  I have a feeling she wouldn’t either.

Images from Rhi’s gorgeous wedding by Amanda Wilcher via StyleMePretty

I know how fortunate I was to be able to afford the many things that made my wedding more expensive: my dream dress that tripled the original dress budget, letterpress invitations, a fantastic and sought after photographer, a to-die-for delicious cake, and a last minute videography decision that I will never regret.  However, I don’t think any of these things, or my budget, makes my wedding any less DIY.  What do you guys think?

Sorry for the novel, I just wanted to get this off of my chest.  Thank you so much for the many of you that wrote such nice comments on facebook or the Wedding Chicks post itself.  We feel very lucky to have you guys as our posse.

 

 

 

 

  1. Blair Scheepers

    Seeing that my momma raised me with the belief that if I didn’t have something nice to say, I shouldn’t say anything at all. Therefore, I will not go into what I think of the commentors (sp?) over on WCs.

    Your wedding was beautiful and special. I for one, am jealous I didn’t have that special bonding time with my sisters or husband DIYing the wedding of my dream. I did a few things on my own, but not a lot. Still the day was magical because I married my true love, as was yours. Not because of how much we spent on our dresses or paid for the invites.

    What I can’t believe is that you didn’t mention how much you paid the preacher…. Totally kidding.

    I love TwoDelighted. You girls bring beauty into everyday life and I wait everyday for my inbox to light up with a new post. Keep up the good work. I hope one day you girls can quit your day jobs and just make beautiful things.

  2. Megan

    Thanks so much Blair! We have appreciated all your support since we started more than you can ever know. We love you!

  3. Rhiannon

    This is the sweetest write up I have ever read about my husband and I’s big day. I got a little teary eyed because no one outside of our families has ever mentioned how much work really did go into everything. Thank you thank you 🙂 And your wedding was spectatcular. That cake is so yummy looking! xoxo

  4. Lindsey Regan Thorne @ be pretty

    I absolutely love reliving your wedding. A wedding that showcases a bride, a groom, their family and friends that all made it possible. The day was truly about the two of you and all of the little things that made you who you are. This is why it’s so special – the DIY’s. I remember when I first met with you and Megs and all of the crazy exciting DIY’s that y’all were explaining… {and I thought my wedding was a DIY’er}. Your wedding was a one-of-a-kind… it was about the two of you and just like I said all of the things that make the two of you. I bet it felt like “home” walking into your reception and ceremony to see all of the hard work, labor and love that you put into everything and held so close to your heart. Something to cherish. About the budget – mine too was published and I was mortified and angry. It’s something personal. All I can say is be proud of the memories that you created with your little hands. Be proud of how you stayed true to your heart and what makes the two of you – “y’all” and WHO CARES what anyone else thinks… 🙂 I love you girls and I’m so thankful that your DIY wedding helped to create Two-Deighted! Much love, sweeties! 🙂 xo

  5. Colleen

    Wow guys thank you so much! Blair, you have been so supportive and you always say just the nicest things! We love you so much! Rhi, your wedding was an absolute stunner and you worked your little toucas off! I can’t believe no one ever mentioned that to you! Thank you for visiting and your kind words, you are such an inspiration to us. Lindsey, oh Lindsey. We don’t know what we would do without you. You are possibly our absolute favorite person in the whole of the world and your comments always make me smile. Thank you thank you for your support. Your wedding was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, I’m not sure if I ever told you that. Love you all.

  6. Nicole Phaler

    Your wedding was absolutely breathtaking!! I would have never imagined what it actually cost – nor would I have cared. Every single detail and thought was beyond amazing – congrats on being featured for being fabulous!!

    Love,

    Nicole

  7. Stephanie G

    I second what Blair said. I will say again -if you had hired someone to to all the personal details that you had at your wedding, ( I must say it is the most beautiful wedding I have been to), you would have paid double. All the personal touches made it a DYI. A hired person could not have did it so well.

  8. marilyn

    A truly heartfelt explanation. And classy.

  9. Colleen

    Nicole thank you so much!! You are too sweet! Mommy and Mom G, thank you for your kind words and also of course for all your help with the wedding itself!

  10. Taylor

    Well said Blair. My sentiments exactly. I saw firsthand how beautiful this wedding was and know how much time you spent on it making it personal and about the love you and Corey have for each other. I brag about this wedding all the time and love reliving it on your blog. It was quite the special occasion and breathtakingly beautiful.