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Story by
eleen
Published on May 14, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by |
Jimmy and I got married at our alma mater in Berkeley, California, in late January 2008. I cherish that day and the months leading up to it — not only because I got to marry my superstar sweetheart husband, but for a few other reasons as well. The first? Our wedding was an amazing and unforgettable collaboration of family and friends, which made it that much more special. Second, I really got to thinking that maybe the world of handmade could be the life — and a living — for me!
My last freelance gig as a web project manager ended in October 2007, and I spent the next three months plotting for what I came to see as the uber craft project challenge of a lifetime. Given free reign by Jimmy, I set out to DIY it all: from invites to thank you cards, bouquets to centerpieces, favors to photo booth...to wedding gown and veil! 
Credit: Top Left: Jesse Leake Photography, Bottom Right: Nina Lao
Little did my then-fiance realize what this would mean for him: hours of paper punching, sticker adhering, flower assembling and other crafty tasks ahead. Soon I recruited even more unwitting victims — friends and family — to help along the way as well. No one was safe from crafty endeavors, for as I learned, it takes a village to craft a handmade wedding.
Credit: Bottom Right: Nina Lao
About 25 projects and minus ten pounds later (wedding planning is a great method for rapid weight loss), we had our very own DIY wedding! Bridesmaid Clara contributed the tastiest his-and-hers batches of homemade green tea (his) and double-chocolate (hers) cupcakes, topped with our initials. 
Credit: Jesse Leake Photography
Big sister/matron-of-honor Christine and brother-in-law Don grew our delightful wheatgrass centerpieces, displayed in hand-stained wooden boxes and bringing bright happy splashes of green throughout our UC Berkeley Faculty Club venue. 
Credit: Nina Lao
And the groom's family labored over intricately designed centerpieces made of orchids and bamboo. These were one of the main elements of our wedding day, chosen for their symbolism of longevity, strength and grace.
Credit: Jesse Leake Photography
Bridesmaid Jenn masterminded our slideshow, which she transformed from the traditional photo-by-photo setup and turned into a real deal stop-motion animation film!
Something that still comes up in conversation with friends is our homemade lip balm wedding favors. This was one of my favorite projects, as Jimmy and I each concocted our own recipes (mine was Hot Chocolate Mint and his was Cool Cucumber Melon) and gave each guest a packaged tube of creamy lip balm marked "Please ask about our free lifetime refills." (Make your own with this how-to!)
We couldn't do it without a photo booth, so we rigged our own setup with PVC pipes, some free software, a borrowed DSLR camera and a remote control. We loved how creative our guests got with this, and we came home with boatloads of memorable shots. 
Credit: Left: Jesse Leake Photography, Right: Don McKee
Then there was the gown, which was by far the biggest and most stressful project. I sketched out a look based off an assortment of gowns from ripped-out magazine pages and online bridal sites, then found an out-of-print sewing pattern that somewhat resembled my design. I was having the hardest time fitting it on myself, so Mom came up from Los Angeles and made me a wacky replica of myself via a duct tape dressform. (Here's a how-to from the folks at Taunton publishers.) I spent an entire three months on my gown, veil and wrap, and ultimately considered it a relief and a success when nothing fell apart as I walked down the aisle or as Jimmy flung the veil from my face.
Credit: Nina Lao
Once we danced the Hustle for our first dance (which you can see a part of in this mini-commercial made by our dance instructors), we costume-changed into our traditional garb to round out the night: Jimmy in his traditional Filipino barong tagalog and me in my Taiwanese chi pao. Luckily Mom talked me out of making my own chi pao, and I found the perfect one online instead. 
What are the lessons I learned from having a DIY wedding? One thing I'd say is that even if you CAN make it yourself, that doesn't mean you should! In retrospect, there were plenty of projects I probably should have outsourced or de-prioritized. I can't say I regretted any of them, but I probably could have saved myself a few moments of panic had I turned elsewhere — like all of the talented sellers on Etsy! — for them.
And two of the best pieces of advice I got? Not everything's going to turn out the way it's supposed to on your wedding day. When that happens, don't even think about it! This is just one day in a lifetime of days ahead...and no one else is going to notice anyway. Also, accept help from other people! Don't try to do everything on your own.
In the end, it was our perfect wedding. Handmade or not, we were together and surrounded by loving family and friends in a beautiful venue, and were even blessed with a bright sunny day in the heart of an otherwise rainy winter month. We couldn't have been happier. And that's our story!
Credit: Jesse Leake Photography
Further Resources:
Wedding Bee
Rebecca Thuss
Style Me Pretty
Martha Stewart Weddings
Absolutely Beautiful Things
Oh Joy!
Etsy Labs Dress Form Tutorial
Looking for more wedding content? Try these links:
Handmade Weddings | Weddings Category | Weddings Showcase | Curated Items for your Wedding
120 comments Login to add your own!
Mattamorphis
qwynwyn
Thanks for sharing your DIY wedding story! What a project! It's cool that you involved your family and friends too.
jeweledblossoms
What a cool story! It's so awesome that it all worked out for you guys. Congrats! :)
emmaray
Faeriedtreasures
Such a beautiful wedding, and such a beautiful couple!
I really enjoyed reading your story, and your "village" did a wonderful job, and I love your wedding cake topper, too. :)
aimeesarmoire
NinaReneeDesigns
iheartnorwegianwood
I'm in the middle of planning a handmade wedding myself and LOVE these articles. I have until next June, so hopefully I can spread the craftiness out over the next year!
betsy3
worksofwhimsy
What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it. You're very lucky to have such a helpful (and crafty) family.
Vanessa
ShiStudio
Gorgeous wedding - I love the picture of the veil flying over your head - what a joyous image!
jenniferlynnstudio
What a Very Special Wedding!..Thanks for sharing..Loved all your detail of events..and all the pics..Makes it that much more special!
HighStrungBead
leandrageorge
Very pretty. Your dress looks beautiful. I did a handmade wedding too, including making my dress and bridesmaids. One thing I have to say is you really put your heart and soul into it when you've had a hand in the making of everything.
yumiyumi
Wow. Love the wheatgrass and orchid combination and lip balm favors.
maiziedesigns
Such a great article. I love the color of the bridesmaid dresses.
ElegantSnobbery
MGMart
Such a sweet story! Lovely photos and items! Thank you for sharing with us.
Best Wishes,
Marianna
EJPcreations
oyster
nanouke
Ooooohhhh, how sweet!! I love the grass center pieces and you look beautiful!
madebysam
lovelygifts
cottonbirddesigns
mavenhaven
The wheatgrass and the lip balm are amazing ideas. Consider them yoinked! Lovely work. And congratulations!!
dandelionland
I love the wheatgrass centerpieces! Great idea! Beautiful...
anandi
The color of your bridesmaids' dresses is stunning, and your dress is amazing!! What a cool article. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy lifetime together! Also, I *LOVE* the cake topper. We just chose to forgo the cake topper entirely because we couldn't find any that remotely looked like us :)
brooklit
Love all the items you picked here, and what a beautiful wedding! I especially love the make your own photo-booth!
shopgoodgrace
LOVELY! Beautiful job ... from the gorgeous dress to the lip balm favors! :)
loopdiloops
What a gorgeous wedding! I really love the cake and the lip balm, so original! Congratulations to you both!
locallibrary
dragonhouseofyuen
how touching and beautiful Jimmy and Eleen - I have tears in my eyes from your dance video :)
~ I'm a little emotional at times :) ~
this is such a super story - thanks etsy for letting two very special people share it with everyone!
eleen
Thanks everyone, and thanks so much to Etsy for letting me share my story!
pennyspug
MyJunkyTrunk
Wow! What a gorgeous couple, and some really lovely pics! Thanks for sharing!
mpaperarts
Happiness all around! Gorgeous. Make me want to get married again...same guy.
muyinmolly
This is just amazing!I wish my fiance would let me do the same thing too!he's not that into handmade, but I really hope he can make our wedding rings.
BTW,I don't think you can make your own chi pao!
StitchCraftShop
BeautifulSoaps
I love the photo of you being unveiled, and your maid of honor looks so happy too!
WindowsOfAgate
I love this article! I took at look at your dance video - it was so sweet! It makes me wish that my husband and I had taken dance lessons as well. You guys looked great and so happy! Congratulations to you both.
VintageJamie
jewelrybyallison
LabyrinthLeather
norakaren
TianaCHE
Absolutely gourgeos wedding! So sweet and lovely! Congradulations!
bunnylove4
All the more special-- the two of you looked absolutely so happy!! Congratulations!!!!
bellasparty
silvercrush
truLuxe
Wow... those centerpieces are beyond spectacular! All of it is lovely... Best wishes to you both.
xx
patchylover
Beautiful! Great job and I'm so happy how wonderfully it all worked out for you! What an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your remarkable day with us! :)
xtinavox
Had my wedding reception in the exact same place and---though this was years ago, long before I knew about etsy or was singing the praises of handmade ("homemade" my Jim likes to say)----my dress and hat were, yes, all made by hand. thanks for sharing your lovely day!
littlepinkpebble
paperinstyle
FashionTouch
lorijaclynsjewels
SO amazing :D I love weddings, and your's looked perfect <3
JeweledAmbrosia
How wonderful that everyone came together to help! It looked beautiful :)
AndrosCreations
sweetbabylove
I'm so glad I read your article, as I had always planned to do just as you mentioned.. everything handmade, myself, and or with friends and family. Thanks so much for the advice to relinquish control as I'm not sure I would have taken that advice from anyone other than someone who had done it herself! However, I do LOVE your bridesmaids rings, and would love it if you would be willing to share that idea? if so, will you message me with it? Thanks so much!
Stacey
amadalebel
What a fabulous final shot, just stunning! Congratulations,
Amada
raghousenternational
BluCille
ireneagh
ilovehearts
vilte
gloriouscrochet
missbatch
mythunderstood
zeropumpkin
DeborahVoizin
AliBaliJewellery
carolinabean
hobocampcrafts
miraculousmosquito
thetroubleandstrife
This is so lovely! I was so excited to read your story since I too am using Etsy and my own crafty ways to make my upcoming wedding a DIY event.
Cheers to you for doing so much of the amazing work yourself. BEAUTIFUL!
toughandtwisted
As a husband who helped a bit in my own DIY kinda wedding almost 6 years ago to date, my wife did most the work, but I know what it takes bravo!! It looks great how hard you must of worked!
pinpinn
Lovely wedding! I'm doing alot myself, but am glad to let the professionals do their thing at the same time ^_~ Good advice~!
mykonos
BargainHeadbands
wow! this is soooo cool! One of my favorite handmade wedding stories ever! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!
Piggy
exousia
Congratulations! What a heart warming story and a wholesome down to earth process!
CutieDynamite
SundraSandrusi
nfall2rt
beautiful story! What a large undertaking in just three months too!
SusanKJewelry
IceCreamCandy
asundrynotion
eleen
Thanks so much for all the new comments! Gotta love the Etsy community -- always so supportive and full of kindness!
anandi - Our cake toppers were custom-made by a seller to look like us, right down to his barong and goatee and my chi pao. :] She no longers sells on Etsy, but I know there are other custom cake-topper makers out there!
sweetbabylove - I'll message you this weekend with details!
TheNebulousKingdom
MegnificentCo
I love this! My 5 year anniversary is in October, and I wish I had handcrafted more aspects of my wedding. It just makes it so much more meaningful. I also loved the idea of the cupcakes and the lip balm as favors. Fantastic!
bedouin
Loved the top story ~ a little inspration goes a long ~ fellow bezerklian
LoveAppleBoutique
jurgitahandmade
Such a beautiful ideas!!! Perfect! Wants to marry again! :)
florigander
BGBJewelry
voleurdebijoux
GraciLou
berrymorin
I loved how the family was recruited into the projects. Everyone will have a great story to tell.
meraldesigns
jmeyer814
Your pictures are beautiful! I can't believe how much work you put into it. It definitely paid off in the end. Simply fabulous!
sirenedelmare
Finally some beautiful bridesmaid dresses! Fantastic wedding! Can't believe you did all that..... You're a ROCK STAR!!!!!
Lunatiger
Beadz2Pleaz
capecodfoto
I am glad to see that you let a real pro handle the photography as that is what will bring back the day for you from now on. As a professional photographer, I have heard too many sad stories of scrimping on the photography and ending up with poor photos or none!
cellascreations
giveapenny
simplysophia
Everything is gorgeous! YOu did a fantastic job! Also, congrats on getting married!
angelene
what a beautiful article - and a gorgeous wedding - congratulations and thanks for sharing!
sandali
What an amazingly beautiful DIY wedding !! It honestly just adds that personal touch -- not only is it for the fun of it but mainly for the idea that it's yours, created by you & your loved ones and most importantly that it's exactly what you wanted on your special day -- LOVE it !!!
TessaKim
rosycloudfairyland
It takes a village to craft a handmade wedding. Unforgetable experience. And you have an good individual view of such DIY wedding.
animalartista
I did my own wedding too, it is so much fun and one of a kind when you do that!
So many great ideas out there!
patysclay
hurray for the handmade world and for every artist that work long hours to get a fine product.. nothing better than handmade items
Patty
JessKayDesigns
Everything looks beautiful and you'll always have all those memories leading up to the wedding as well! I did the same DIY wedding and loved all the time I got to spend with friends and family as they volunteered to help create everything with me :)
daniellexo
How gorgeous are you and your new husband? Thanks so much for sharing your special day – all those details are perfect.
BeadsInTheBelfry
Just wonderful!!! Everything was gorgeous and congratulations!
noelclover
Wow, that photo booth idea would come in handy in so many instances, can you provide more detail about that? I would really appreciate it! Or maybe just some links to the software and any other materials you may have used? Thanks!
connie4u
PreschoolDoll
How funny. My fiance and are using the color green in our wedding and adding a lot of vintage pieces and handmade projects! We too are doing all the invites, placecards, programs, favors, etc! It's been fun but stressful. Our table has been surrounded by family and friends, deep in concentration and deep into the night too. I hope it's all done by August 8th! Thanks for the story and beautiful pictures. I'm glad to see there's other women who have taken on this challenge, and one with similar taste to my own! What wonderful memories in the "making".
HazelMay
Now that team work! I am amazed that everyone is smiling through the crafting process. How amazing, and memorable. Those are memories you truly will remember and cherish the rest of your life.
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