Check Out Vancouver’s First DIY Wedding Show

And be inspired by these three creative and affordable DIY wedding crafts.

And be inspired by these three creative and affordable DIY wedding crafts.

ThistleBEA Your Wedding’s founder Breanne Dodge is a self-proclaimed “wedding show junkie.” But, after years of attending events in Vancouver, the wedding planner realized there weren’t any that catered to her clientele: couples looking to design their weddings themselves. “There was no representation of the DIY couple,” she says, thus, inspiring her to organize Vancouver’s first (that she’s ever found) DIY Wedding Show, happening February 24 in New Westminster.“We wanted to take a little bit of a craft fair and mash it with a wedding show,” says Dodge. Vendors like Opus and Beadworks will be on-hand with affordable and creative tips for people who want to make things themselves (a.k.a. a Pinterest-lover’s dream come true). The show will also feature a demo-stage with quick 20-minute tutorials and workshops to inspire guests with new ideas. One of the demonstrators, FAT Paint Company, will show audience members how they can make their own menu boards with chalkboard paint. Meanwhile, True Nosh, will show you how to make healthy truffles that you can give as wedding favours.And if the vendors and workshops don’t answer all of your wedding-related questions, you can grab a cup of tea and chat with the experts from ThistleBEA Your Wedding. But before you take a seat with them, be sure to stop by the wishing wall and write down what you want most for your wedding (and why!) for a chance to win a prize—entry is by donation with proceeds going to A Wish To Wed.

3 Wedding Items to DIY:

Can’t wait until the weekend? We asked Dodge to share three of her fave DIY projects. A birdcage and floral centrepiece designed by Sylvie You Bourne (Photo: Luminessence Photography1. Centrepieces“Centrepieces are always successful,” says Dodge. And often, they’re made without flowers. It’s easy to get creative with centrepieces since there’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to make them, she insists.


A pom pom backdrop designed by ThistleBEA your wedding. (Photo: Capture Your Now Photography2. Backdrops“From flower walls to sheer backdrops, it’s not hard to DIY,” says Dodge. Stores like Ikea and Costco are great for finding affordable materials that you can use to create the perfect setting.


A puzzle guestbook. (Photo: Jelger and Tanja Photographers3. Guestbooks“The traditional book has kind of gone out the window,” says Dodge. “Who wants to look at a book of signatures?” From Jenga pieces to polaroids, she’s seen a lot of fun alternatives: “There are so many different options and they’re inexpensive to do for the most part.” One of the best she’s seen was a puzzle-style guestbook (guests write on the pieces): “All of the pieces were essentially the same and painted with the theme colours of the wedding,” she recalls.


DIY Wedding Show

Saturday, February 24Braid Street Studios100 Braid Street, New WestminsterTickets: $5