Skip to main content

To DIY or not to DIY

Greetings from the Where Brides Go Team!

That is definitely the question in a time when Brides are forced to take a good hard look at the budget they are working with. Many brides are turning to the DIY trend to cut costs as the solution to the budget restraints. Now, let me tell you, I am a big fan of DIY - I am just like you, I have a closet full of half finished ideas,/projects and things "to do someday" when I have time. I'm as guilty as the next of staying up late scrolling through endless photos on Pinterest pinning ideas on my various boards like a mad woman....

However, here is the problem with DIY - COST and TIME. When I think of DIY projects, I truly believe in my heart that I am doing this to save money - but when the project is all said and done, many times it would have been cheaper to have just hopped online to find the project that I just created. Not to mention the stress of creating those lovely satin rosettes that will adorn my veil on the most important day of my life...do you hear the irony in my typing??? This is the most important day of my life and I am trying to hot-glue rosettes for my veil?? The second problem is TIME - is there really EVER enough time? The project that was supposed to take an hour has now consumed you every evening for the past 5 days...

I know, you are reading this, saying "ok, all this may be true", but I still have this Ant Hill budget with my Mt Everest ideas - how can I possibly find a way to meet in the middle? I am so glad you asked...because below I have a few ideas that might help...

  1. Review your Guest list - Is it possible that you don't really need to invite that friend of a friend of a friend of your mother's aunt?? You get the point, I am not asking you to leave you grandmother out of your special day, but it is YOUR special day and your guests need to be important to you and the groom.
  2. Appetizers - Is it necessary to have 10 different appetizers? Maybe you could cut to 3 or4?
  3. Full Bar - How about Beer and Wine and a few specialty drinks instead?
  4. Linen Rentals - Rather than renting linens try embellishing the ones provided by the venue.
  5. DIY - My advice to you would be this - If you are not a DIY person by nature, take caution in how much DIY you take on for your day. I have found that I am a SEMI-DIY person. I like to do things that are kinda DIY. For instance, check out these Semi- DIY projects:
  • DIY Tins - I don't have to create the container -but I can fill it with my favorite treats!
  • Personalized Fan/Program Kits I love this idea because it allows me choose my design, personalize my message - but I am not sitting at a table doing calligraphy the night before my wedding on each individual program/fan (again SEMI-DIY)
  • Personalized Place Cards I think this design is a great look - I can choose the color, the text and of course personalize to my special date.
In other words, if you choose some DIY elements for your wedding, find projects that truly fit your SKILL level, your TIME commitment and your BUDGET - This will help you to be rested and relaxed on your BIG day.
Check out more DIY items, wedding gifts and wedding decor.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more tips on planning your perfect wedding.


Comments

My feeling is if you are creative and can do it, DIY :)

Popular posts from this blog

Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist

There's no need to be  overwhelmed with the thought of planning your big day. Sit down, take a deep breath, grab a cup of tea or a glass of wine and look over our popular 12-month planning guide. Planning a wedding is simply a matter of getting organized. 11-12 Months Before the Wedding Officially announce your engagement online and in your local paper. Bride's Planning Tote Decide on a time and date for the wedding. Decide style of ceremony (size, setting, formality, etc.). Contact a wedding officiate. Arrange for your families to meet if they haven't met before. Develop a budget and decide who will pay for what. Begin compiling your guest list. Visit and reserve your reception venue. 9-10 Months Before the Wedding Order your wedding gown and determine who will make any necessary alterations. Choose your wedding party. Decide on a color scheme (consider the recepti

The Ultimate Wedding Party Responsibilities Checklist

Planning a wedding and participating in a wedding can be a daunting task. Traditionally, wedding party members all have very distinct roles to help with the process and make life easier on the bride and groom. This wedding party responsibilities checklist can serve as a guideline to help you get a grip on who does what. Customize this list to meet the unique needs for your wedding party. Bride and Groom : Together Decide on your budget. Consult with your parents, if they are paying for or contributing to the wedding. Decide on and set the style, wedding theme , date, time, and the place of ceremony and reception. Make the reservations and deposits. Meet with your wedding officiate and participate in any premarital counseling required. Order your Save-the-

10 Ways to Get the Groom Involved

Planning the wedding is no longer the sole responsibility of the bride and her mother. If your fiance is happily going about his life while you are out talking to the florist, caterer, wedding cake baker, and  DJ,  it's time to get him involved in the planning. After all, planning your wedding will probably be the first major project of your life together. It's important for both of you to feel connected to this process. 10 Ways to Get the Groom Involved Request His Help. This may sound like a "no-brainer," but often the groom doesn't get involved because he has been under the mistaken impression that his help wasn't desired. Sit down with your fiance and ask him what he would like to have at the wedding/reception. Tell him what you would like and develop a plan together. Give Him The Knowledge. The fact that almost every bridal magazine is directed at brides