Not so DIY... anymore.

Okay, I know I've been engaged for 20 months forever. And you're probably thinking... "20 months... you should have had plenty of time to do DIY-projects". But before you judge: hear me out.

When I got engaged I had visions of ceremony programs, escort cards, fan favors, tissue pom-poms, wooden signs, framed engagement pictures, gerbera daisies, feather boutonnieres, menus, i spy games, cootie catcher ice breaker games -- I mean the list could go on and on. And most of it, were things I could have done myself (or with family).

But over the last 20 months, I've seen lots of things - some stuck out at me and I still want them at our wedding and others just kind of faded away.

For instance, the feather boutonnieres were impractical because mini calla lilies are included in our flower budget. The fan favors were unnecessary since we booked a photobooth and the pictures act as guest favors. Tissue pom-poms were at my bridal shower and that's how I want to remember them. See? Things just kind of went away -- and I'm absolutely fine with that.

And then, a few weeks ago, I was figuring out our must have photo list and I knew that Jacin over at Lovely Little Details has a list of ideas for this very thing. So I went over there and read her other tips for brides. And you know what she says?: It's okay to say "No" to DIY.

;) and that just puts a smile on my face.

Because, yes! I wanted ceremony programs. And yes, I think they are cute and helpful and something for guests to read. But are they going to appreciate the time and energy put into them? Honestly, probably not [do I blame them? no]. And that will really upset me. So, I'm not doing them.

And yes, I wanted matching menus. But guess what? Our venue does them... for "nothing" (I'm sure we're paying for them somewhere). And they look really nice and they'll tuck them into the napkin just how I wanted. So, thanks very much. Now I don't have to do them.

And, I wanted out of town bags. But it's not really practical because lots of people didn't book through our room block. So, I don't actually know who's staying and I don't want to miss anyone. So I'm not doing them and I'm okay with that, too. I think they're so cute and love them and if I was having a destination wedding or a wedding someplace where everyone was visiting and didn't know the area -- I would still be all over them. But, it's not case.

And, the list kind of goes on like that. Please, don't be disappointed.

You see... I'm still doing a lot. I'm still doing escort cards, and wooden signs, and black frames, and the photobooth will be adorable and our guest book is gorgeous and there will be a lot of personal touches. But it won't be plethora of things I had originally thought about 20 months ago.

Are we still DIY friends?

But anyways, not only does today mark ONE MONTH until our wedding BUT it marks the deadline for our RSVPs -- and we're still missing about 30 responses [most of which have a guest... so read: 60 people]. ;)

What are the chances of having all 30 in the mailbox this afternoon?!