We are having a DIY wedding where we want to make all the decorations, do the catering ourselves, and make the day as ‘us’ as possible. Do you have any advice?

Something I found useful for my DIY wedding was to tie all the ideas together with something cohesive, whether that’s with a set colour palette, a type of wedding font you use throughout, or a loose theme you can stick to whenever you get confused or unsure about a choice. Write a list of everything you would love, regardless of money or time, and then work through it sorting into your must-haves, maybes, and bonuses! That way, you can prioritise your ideas as you start to work on them.

My mum really wants to help us with organising our wedding and I am worried she will end up doing more of what she wants than what we want. I don’t want to offend her, and I do want the help, but how can I lay down some boundaries and make sure she doesn’t take over?

There are a couple of ways you could approach this. Firstly, you could let your mum in on your current plans by showing her your visual inspiration, whether that be a Pinterest board or mood board. Whether she thinks things are ‘weird’ or not, you can express with visual aids that you want that specific look and feel. Then, set the boundary by reminding her that what may seem strange to her is something unique and special to you and your partner.

Secondly, something I found useful for many aspects of my wedding was giving my loved ones who wanted to help a designated task—a task you deem suitable for them to feel special, and like they’re part of the day, but one you don’t mind handing over responsibility for. It may be worth noting down your non-negotiables when it comes to your styles and ideas, then stick to doing those yourself. Give her a few things she can do that don’t allow much room for creative control, but still make her feel like she’s contributing. It’s lovely that she’s offered to help, and I’m sure you can come to some mutual agreements on things. She may also have some good ideas once you get started.

We have so many crafting and DIY ideas for our wedding! When should we start, how much is too much to take on, and do you have any advice for what to focus on and what to let go of?

I know this feeling SO well when it comes to creative projects, but especially for your wedding day, because of course, you want everything to make it special! When you start to feel overwhelmed and have choice paralysis, my main advice is to take things back to the drawing board and your initial ideas. Note down a list of everything, then go through and see what your non-negotiables are and what are your ‘would be nice to have’ extras. This process will help you narrow down your ideas and refine your plans. I also found it useful to print off some of my favourite pictures from Pinterest and lay them out on physical mood boards. Get yourself a large piece of card, and place down your ideas in the form of a visual plan to map out what the day will look like.

In terms of starting, it depends on how far away your wedding day is, but I don’t think it’s ever too early to start making, as it may help you refine other ideas. I spent months making pom-poms, chandeliers, doily tablecloths, and signage! Also, I don’t think there’s a limit to how much you can take on, more about what you want to take on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help—a social gathering of friends to all chip in making bouquets or favours would be so fun!

About the Author

Paige Joanna is your go-to gal for colourful crafts, sewing, upcycling, and second-hand shopping content. Spreading joy through online tutorials, creative projects, and colourful me-made fashion inspiration, Paige has created a community filled with positivity and creativity, helping to inspire others who want to make their everyday a little more unique. Find her at paigejoanna.co.uk and @paigejoannaa on Instagram.

This article originally appeared in Issue 59 of Rock n Roll Bride magazine. You can purchase the latest copy here, or why not subscribe to never miss an issue?