The Dos and Don’ts of Wedding DIY
DIY is a great way to save on wedding costs. Plus, you get to put a personal spin on your big day.
However, while some elements are ideal for DIY projects, there are certain aspects of a wedding that are better left to the professionals.
Let’s look at what you should and shouldn’t take care of as a bride.
Wedding DIY Dos
Place Cards and Seating Charts
If you are creative or have a knack for calligraphy, consider creating your own place cards and seating charts. It’s low stress and you can gradually make them in the weeks leading up to your wedding.
Table Layouts and Décor
Spend a lot of time finding inspiring décor and table settings on sites such as Pinterest? This is also something you can take care of yourself for your wedding. Not only can you plan the layout of your tables, but it’s not difficult to source odds and ends to complete the look of each table.
Guest Favors
If you are planning to give each guest a small gift, put them together yourself. This can include anything from treats and drinks, to plants and small trinkets. Plus, receiving a personalized gift makes it more special.
Wedding Invites
Depending on how many guests you plan to invite, wedding invites are an ideal DIY project. If you don’t want to create them by hand, there is always the option of creating an online invite or wedding website.
Photo Credit: Rad Red Creative
Wedding DIY Don’ts
Flowers
It can be tempting to DIY your wedding flowers once you get a few quotes, but it is not recommended. Not only does it require extra time, but you need to know how to keep them fresh up until your wedding day. If the quotes you are receiving seem to be too high, consider changing up some of your flower options.
Cake
Unless you’re a professional baker or bake every other weekend, it’s best to leave your wedding cake to a professional. You can save money by going the DIY baking route, but your cake might not end up looking as photo-worthy as you’re hoping. If you are not dead set on a cake, you could always make a few cupcakes yourself or have a small treat table for guests.
Wedding Dress
Your wedding dress is a big part of your day, but it can also be one of the more costly items in your budget. Attempting to make your own wedding dress can be incredibly stressful, mainly because it requires a lot of time. If you do want to go the DIY route, get a friend or family member who has made wedding dresses before to assist you. If your budget is tight, browse a few thrift stores – you never quite know what you will find.
Hair and Makeup
You want to look your best on your wedding day and getting your hair and makeup just right shouldn’t be something you should worry about. Plus, there is nothing worse than having to deal with your own hair when it is being unruly. Rather use your wedding day as an excuse to get pampered and look picture perfect.
Photography
You might have a friend who takes great photos, but this doesn’t mean they should take your wedding photos, especially if they don’t photograph weddings on a regular basis. Your photos will take you back to your wedding time and time again, which is why hiring a professional is worthwhile. Plus, they have all the right equipment and processes in place to keep your photos safe.
If you know a lot of talented people, there’s no reason why you can’t make most of your wedding a DIY project. Just make sure that you are not taking on too much and will be left feeling overwhelmed and fed up in the days leading up to your special day.