My "Veil!"

One of my faves, Ashley from Bride on a Budget, posted a whileeee ago about an Etsy vendor doing a giveaway. That vendor was Southern Girl Florals. (Her other Etsy site is Southern Girl Weddings.) I didn't win her give-away but HAD to get something! I sent her my inspiration, she sent back what she had come up with- and this is what that was! (In fact she gave me two options- how amazing is that- but this was the clear winner! It is exactly what I had invisioned!)

It came yesterday and luckily Mr Pug left it for me to open. I worked both jobs so I wasn't home until 10pm, but I opened it this morning to try it out! It came with a wonderful sweet, heartfelt thank you note from Lindsay- why are all Etsy sellers I've worked with just the nicest people? Anyway, I tried it on before I went to work. I want to have my hair with just the top pulled back (as little as possible, but I sucked at trying to make it look good) with this beauty as almost a casual, elegant mini-veil in the back. Since I'll get a few inches growing it out, I will have my hair in loose, voluminous curls.

Here are my lame photography attempts. Ignore the glasses, since unless I become allergic to contacts and tear my corneas in BOTH eyes, I will not be wearing them. And yea... my hair will be done by a professional.

Above is too blurry, below you can barely see it! Yikes! This is harder than I thought...

A little better! I love the touch of green in the ranunculus. The netting and feathers... so yummy.

This one gives a better view I think!

I decided to let our beautiful babygirl/diva pug Sophie try it on.

It would make a wonderful birdcage veil on her, don't you think?

Such a beautiful girl, Sophie!

A lot of brides DIY these type of things. Planning for the wedding has made me realize a lot about myself and my DIY personality/tolerance. I was talking to one of my NY&Co coworkers last night and we agreed we are both sort of perfectionists with OCD, but only about some things, which we also both agreed is weird and probably not "allowed." I'm messy when you look at my desk- but I like my bills to line up like how a bank gives them to you (face up, facing the same direction.) Little things matter to me. So when DIY-ing, I would be a "try, try again" type person. Things as important and as FOREIGN to me as flower fascinators would be an at least 2 or 3 try DIY. So I saved myself time and money by recruiting Lindsay. And boy am I ever happy that I did! Remember that sometimes, it's best to leave stuff to the experts, especially if they are going to do it fast, well, and cost-effectively!

What things have you DIY'd versus shopped around for? Do you have a favorite Etsy vendor? And what will you be wearing in your hair?