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GOAL: To plan a DIY, budget-minded, and eco-friendly wedding in under 7 months.
How are we doing? Read on...
We are desperately trying to stay under budget. Well, at this point, since we already blew it with the BBQ caterer and an extra unanticipated tent, we're trying to at least keep our budget reasonable. It's tricky. I admit that I have misplaced receipts and lost track of some of the little purchases - craft supplies here, paper there... - it can really add up. We have managed to save a lot by borrowing (serving trays, etc.), making (invites, placecards, decor) and repurposing (old mason jars). When we come out on the other side of this thing, I hope we manage to net out. We are holding a wedding/garage sale after the event, to sell off all of our DIY supplies, accessories, old housewares that may be replaced by shiny new things (gifts), etc. I do hope that helps the cause! Regardless, however, of being over budget, we have still managed to keep it reasonable. I checked a few online sources, and the average wedding in Canada in 2009 is expected to cost between $19K and $25K. We are certainly well below average, and that makes this thrift-store-bargain-hunting girl very, very happy.
Two things that don't often go hand in hand are bargain and eco-friendly. Truth is, buying local, handmade or organic products can be quite pricey (trust me, this is my job!). Rightly so, however: it costs more to make something by hand rather than machine, to pay people fair wages, and farm without the use of pesticides. Through our stores, we attempt to educate our customers on this point everyday. We have been criticized in the past for our prices. But, until you realize that locally handmade/organically farmed/fair trade certified products can never compete (in a dollar sense) with goods mass-produced in China, you'll always have this opinion. I have learned, over time, the benefit of spending more on things, for better quality, peace of mind, and a sensitivity for the earth and other people. We really wanted to practice what I preach 9-5 each day. We strived to consume less, reuse, and choose environmentally responsible sources for our purchases. All while staying within budget. I think we have mostly succeeded. Here's how our DIY, somewhat-budget wedding is also green: - Our beer is local
- Our wine is carbon neutral/organic
- Much of our food is fresh, local and organic
- The invitations were printed at home on post-consumer recycled paper
- Much of our decor is recycled or repurposed (antique glass bottles, old cans)
- The favours are useful, and were made by hand from local strawberries and rhubarb; the jars are reusable/recyclable
- My dress is new, but my alterations involve vintage lace and notions, natural undyed linen and organic cotton thread
- Our boutonnieres and corsages are handmade, and reusable (made from ribbon and fabric)
- We purchased beeswax and soy candles (as opposed to polluting paraffin)
- Of the serving items we could not borrow from family, they are mostly second hand or made from sustainable materials (bamboo)
- Along with registering at two retailers, we are also including an environmental charity option (The David Suzuki Foundation), to allow guests to make a green contribution to our day
- We are looking into purchasing carbon offsetting credits
- Our wedding gift to ourselves? We are adopting a rescue dog (a pal for Mr.D) after the dust has settled!
I suppose we could have been much greener still, but we were low on time and budget and still wanted some of the beautiful extras (flowers and miles of twinkly lights, etc.). I am pleased though, that we managed to be somewhat mindful during an event that is typically quite wasteful. I have minor guilt over a few purchases, like paper cups (for back-up), non-eco napkins (they were cheap and JUST the right colour), and my overpriced shoes that will likely be tossed aside by the time the dancing begins. But, with only 8 days to go, I suppose I should save my anxiety for bigger fish!
As for the DIY aspect, if you've read our previous entries, it's about as do-it-yourself (with a little help from our friends) as a wedding can get, we think!
Our scorecard:
Staying on Budget B
Being Green B+
DIY A+
Aha, betcha thought it was me, right? Not so. Not. So.
Little known fact: my scruffy, unshaven, indie-rocker-meets-cowboy hubby-to-be is actually quite particular when it comes to clothes. Sure, his jeans may be unraveling at the hems, and he may still wear that t-shirt that was stained by our possessed washing machine, but the boy cleans up quite well. And he does it all himself. My mother buys everything for my father, down to his socks (no shame Dad; it's pretty common, I hear). This would not fly in our household. I've lucked in a few times, buying him tees that he actually wears, but that's as far as I go. Buying shoes is quite another story (a frustrating one, I might add).
Yesterday, after a wedding checklist marathon, we thought we'd get some fresh air and scope out Bloor street for some last minute accessories for Alex's wedding wardrobe. He had, until this point, planned to wear his pinstripe H&M suit with the chartreuse gingham shirt we bought last week at Club Monaco. The gingham, we supposed, warranted a bowtie accompaniment. We picked up a cute pinstripe version at American Apparel, along with some white suspenders.
Alex also bought a grey suede belt from H&M (I was not too fond of the canvas belt he had planned on wearing). We were only missing argyle socks (which we also felt to be appropriate for the outfit).
After arriving home, I busied myself with finalizing the menu, while Alex fussed in the bedroom. He emerged in outfit #1, the aforementioned suit and shirt with our newly purchased accessories and his pinstripe sneakers. He shifted and squirmed, pulling and tugging at corners and hems. #1 was not happening. Alex proceeded to have a full-blown wardrobe meltdown (a la Dayna) while I tried not to meddle. Better that way - trust me, I am generally on the other end of this scenario.
Outfit # two involved a shoe and tie change (we decided that the dog could wear the bow tie instead). He had affixed a white sock to his collar. "Babe, just imagine that this is a white tie, and that my shoes are not falling apart". He feared looking too much like a member of The Vines. I argued that he was in fact a musician. If the shoe fits, right? No dice.
Nearly 20 minutes later, outfit #3 is presented to me with some ta-da (finally) and Alex seems pleased with himself, yet apprehensive. You see, the suit was ditched in favour of jeans and his scuffed motorcycle boots. The bowtie and suspenders were back, but they finally made sense. Adorable! He was nervous about not wearing a suit to his own wedding, but we vowed to buy him new denim, polish up the boots and find more masculine suspenders (the current "unisex" pair from AA were a tad flimsy).
He said he was inspired by this photo that we had saved as an idea for our photographer:
I dug up this photo, too:
"Look, babe, it's totally been done", I said. My dress, although not as flouffy and formal as most wedding gowns, is still quite pretty and dressy. This couple seems to have pulled it off nicely, and I quite like the juxtaposition. I am also pushing for him to buy Cons, as above, too!
My dress is still a work in progress, but I will actually reveal the "before" picture now, as I am making significant changes to it. You won't even recognize it! I'm actually considering shortening it after all.
[ BEFORE ]
I clipped a Martha Stewart article about making fabric flowers, and I might just have enough craftiness in me to pull it off. Ability is not so much of a concern as time. 19 days!!!!! 
Shhhh...don't tell Alex. I am supposed to be working on my dress (which, by the way, is going to be amazing, I just know it!). I just needed to write a couple of wedding-related emails before I started. Before long, I was checking Facebook, browsing through Youtube and now committing to a blog. I am seriously lacking discipline. I did however make some progress today: after breakfast, Alex took off for rehearsal and I hit up Honest Eds and Midoco for some wedding related supplies. I cleaned the house (somewhat) and emailed my Wedding Squad about an upcoming crafting marathon. I will finally admit it: I need their help. If my B-party was any indication, these sisters-from-another-mister can really get things done!
Things are coming together, especially with the 30-day countdown timeline that Alex and I put together. It's on paper (and on the fridge) so we're committed. On that note, my to-do for today - "Work on Wedding Dress" - will never happen unless I pry myself away from the computer.
Ta-ta!
Can I just say, that I love these women?
My bachelorette rocked...from what I can piece together (hey, totally appropriate in this scenario, right?). From High Tea and Manicures to Fancy-Schmancy Drinks and Raunchy Party Games to Drag Bingo and Cougar Bars, it was oh-so ridiculous and so-so-so much fun. All with a cowgirl theme. Yee-haw! The rest is in the vault (sorry), but I will be posting a sampling of PG-rated photos on Facebook shortly. For now, however, I have a dress to sew! eep.
Thanks, Team Wedding XOXO
I work for a paper company. We have suites upon suites of gorgeous letterpress wedding invitation packages available in our custom shop. Our Pistachio invitation album is full of designs to suit any style, contemporary or modern. The best part: they're customized and printed in Canada with soy-based inks on eco-friendly recycled cotton paper. I would have loved to have given the business to the company - it is, after all, my bread and butter. My job depends on the profitability of our two little shops.
However, never being one to turn down a creative project (even if it's not in my best interest), I decided that we would design, print, trim and assemble them ourselves. It was not a question of whether we could achieve this no-small-feat, it was whether we'd survive the whole ordeal. And, we did!
We bought recycled, process-chlorine-free paper and envelopes from Pistachio and some new ink cartridges for our little printer. After a full Sunday of sitting in front of Photoshop working on our design, we spent the next three evenings cutting, sewing and assembling. Thursday, we addressed envelopes, licked seals and stamped them in time to mail them Friday. I hear that they are beginning to arrive, and we even have our first RSVP already! Thanks Charlie!
Had we decided to have someone else do the work, the whole shebang could have cost upwards of $600 plus postage. We did it all for $160 (plus postage). I love that they are so personal, too. So "us". It was totally worth the papercuts, blisters, and bloodshot eyes.
Welcome to our print shop:
[finishing the design]
[printing...]
[hubby-to-be is such a good sport]
[I may just love this little gadget!]
[sewing paper!]
[fini!]
