DIY Overwhelmed

WHY did i think it was a good idea to do any DIY projects? I love to THINK i'm crafty but for the most part i'm not, and now i'm going nuts because nothing is going right or it's not coming out like I thought it would.

I decided to try to save money by making my own table numbers, menus, programs and signs (photobooth, signature drink, etc.)

Now i'm just

Im right there with you.
DIY + crazy toddler = procrastination.

2014er Crashing. I'm a big DIYer myself, but if time gets tight or stress takes it's toll I'm going to try to look for other affordable options, like buying used decor/table numbers from past brides, or buying a downloadable menu from etsy and just printing them myself. There are some things just not worth saving money (My Sanity!!) lol
But good luck with all your projects ladies, I love looking through the 2013 brides' albums for ideas so keep them coming! :)

I got overwhelmed also and when I finally got the hang of doing my projects in word, it was annoying how simple it should have been.


I did ask my hall for a word file for the menu. They only had the dinner choices and I added the combination appetizer and desserts. Was not too bad since 75% of the work was already done.

The program was definitely time consuming. I used a shimmer cardstock from Michaels and just added ribbon around the fold and tied on top.

Not sure if you are doing placecards, but I used the photobooth frames. At this point I already struggled so much that this was the easiest DIY.

If you are interested in me sending you any word files, FM me your email address and I will send you the files later tonight.

*My best advise is to invest in a paper cutter. I got one at Michael's for about $10 and it was worth every penny. I used it a lot and all the cuts were straight and nothing looked homemade.
**When using word for projects, 1st step is to change the paper size and feed through the back of the printer. I do not recommend printing 2-3 menus on a sheet of paper and then cutting.

Good Luck

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Posted by sandr325

I got overwhelmed also and when I finally got the hang of doing my projects in word, it was annoying how simple it should have been.


I did ask my hall for a word file for the menu. They only had the dinner choices and I added the combination appetizer and desserts. Was not too bad since 75% of the work was already done.

The program was definitely time consuming. I used a shimmer cardstock from Michaels and just added ribbon around the fold and tied on top.

Not sure if you are doing placecards, but I used the photobooth frames. At this point I already struggled so much that this was the easiest DIY.

If you are interested in me sending you any word files, FM me your email address and I will send you the files later tonight.

*My best advise is to invest in a paper cutter. I got one at Michael's for about $10 and it was worth every penny. I used it a lot and all the cuts were straight and nothing looked homemade.
**When using word for projects, 1st step is to change the paper size and feed through the back of the printer. I do not recommend printing 2-3 menus on a sheet of paper and then cutting.

Good Luck

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This is helpful, thanks so much. I would GREATLY appreciate it if you could send me your program and menu templates. So you printed on the sized piece of paper for the menu? What size was it? I bought a tall thin card stock from michaels yesterday but it looks kind of small. Thank you!!!!

I feel ya! i still don't know 100% what i'm doing for table numbers. I just bought a whole bunch of vintage keyholes (secret garden theme and i have skeleton key escort cards) that i think i will attach to some cardstock with numbers on it. I think I'm going to buy some frames, but they cost a lot. I'm not doing programs, bc I don't think its necessary. Instead of printing menus, I'm painting these big vintage mirrors with chalkboard paint and putting it on an easel with the menu on it. I'm also doing it for the signature drink menu.

Also, I need to make photobooth frame inserts (anyone have a template for 2x6?) and a photobooth sign (that should be easy right?). I'm starting to lose my shiz. It's too much to do and all I wanna do is lay on the beach and hangout with my friends.

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Posted by EAY213
This is helpful, thanks so much. I would GREATLY appreciate it if you could send me your program and menu templates. So you printed on the sized piece of paper for the menu? What size was it? I bought a tall thin card stock from michaels yesterday but it looks kind of small. Thank you!!!!

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I printed them at Vistaprint since I purchased a groupon. The size was 4x8. It was supposed to have a black border but it was very uneven. I used my favorite item (paper cutter) and trimmed off all the black borders. Vista print gave me a refund of postage. They did offer to re-print but I figured it would happen again and just wanted to be finished with the menus.
I did upgrade to linen finish which I don't recommend. Because of the wavy paper and small font, some letters were not completed (an O looked like a C). You were able to read it properly and I figured with the dim lighting no one would notice.

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Posted by sandr325

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Posted by EAY213
This is helpful, thanks so much. I would GREATLY appreciate it if you could send me your program and menu templates. So you printed on the sized piece of paper for the menu? What size was it? I bought a tall thin card stock from michaels yesterday but it looks kind of small. Thank you!!!!

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I printed them at Vistaprint since I purchased a groupon. The size was 4x8. It was supposed to have a black border but it was very uneven. I used my favorite item (paper cutter) and trimmed off all the black borders. Vista print gave me a refund of postage. They did offer to re-print but I figured it would happen again and just wanted to be finished with the menus.
I did upgrade to linen finish which I don't recommend. Because of the wavy paper and small font, some letters were not completed (an O looked like a C). You were able to read it properly and I figured with the dim lighting no one would notice.

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what size did you use? i am using the 'engagement announcement' size for my programs. i am hoping it works out! looks similar to yours! (from online)

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Posted by lauren1802

what size did you use? i am using the 'engagement announcement' size for my programs. i am hoping it works out! looks similar to yours! (from online)

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For my programs I used 8x10 shimmer card stock. The ribbon was the spool that is $.50 or 3/$1.
Total cost was about $10-$15 + the cost of the basket.

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Posted by EAY213

I think my biggest issue is that i'm worried they'll come out looking like s*%$. I spent so much money on the flowers and the venue and all the main details that it would really suck if my DIY stuff ruined it all LOL.

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LOL...this was my exact thought!

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Posted by sandr325

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Posted by lauren1802

what size did you use? i am using the 'engagement announcement' size for my programs. i am hoping it works out! looks similar to yours! (from online)

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For my programs I used 8x10 shimmer card stock. The ribbon was the spool that is $.50 or 3/$1.
Total cost was about $10-$15 + the cost of the basket.

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What did you use to glue the backing to the menus?