Let’s have a chat about DIY (do-it-yourself) weddings. I would say they are not as popular as they used to be but still happen today. There are pros and cons for a DIY or a semi-DIY approach to your wedding, which we are going to discuss, and what DIY really means.
Is it the right thing for you?
Consider whether a DIY is really the right thing for you. How big is your guest list? Where are you getting married? Do you have family/friends willing and able to help? Do you have access to the materials you need? These are just a few questions to think about when going down the DIY route. If you are having a small wedding on private property with minimal decorations then the DIY approach could be an easy option for you.
DIY could mean literally doing everything yourself- making your own dress, sourcing and putting together decorations, making your own cake, putting together flowers and bouquets yourself, sourcing all supplies yourself… or you could just pick and choose a few things that are manageable for you to do, and outsource others to professional wedding vendors. Maybe you have some talented friends and family that put up their hand to help. Consider what kind of services would be better handled by a wedding vendor. You might want to save money on a wedding cake by having your Aunty make it but hire a professional photographer instead of a high school friend doing an average job.
Is it actually going to save you money?
You may think that doing things yourself saves a lot of money compared to professional vendors, but this is not necessarily true in every case. Doing it DIY will often take a much bigger chunk of your time than enlisting a vendor to do it for you. Your time is money too and if your wedding tasks are taking you away from your work, family time, quality time with your partner, looking after your health and wellbeing and actually enjoying your engagement, is it really worth it? If you’re spending hours and hours putting together decorations when you could just hire them and save a load of time and money, why not outsource?
Will you regret making money-based decisions later? Of course, most of us don’t have a bottomless pit of money in our wallets, and looking for ways to save when it comes to your wedding is important. As mentioned in my budget blog post, think about prioritising areas to spend more in and less in. Think about down the track if you will regret anything. Will you wish you’d invested in a professional makeup artist or a professional videographer? Will you wish you’d just paid someone to coordinate your day rather than feeling rushed and stressed during the day?
Is it going to cause unnecessary stress?
This is one of the biggest things couples tell me that overwhelms them when planning a DIY wedding, that they are so STRESSED. Do you really want this cloud hanging over you for your whole engagement. Do you actually have the time to do it all yourself? If you’re juggling working full-time, eating well, exercising, investing in your relationships and friendships, maybe buying a home, or planning for your future… is hole-punching leaves every night to make confetti going to bring you joy or be extra stress? If you have time to fit in these extra tasks (that always take longer than you think) then great, go for it!
At this point, you might be thinking, “wow you’re just a greedy wedding vendor who wants to take all my money and have everything picture perfect on my day!” No. Of course, I may be a little biased, especially when it comes to photography, and can see how much investing in professional wedding vendors makes a difference not only to the look and feel of your day but your sanity while planning. I have seen talented vendors work in action and give clients the most amazing experience. So yes, I do recommend using professional vendors in certain areas. But, not always. Depending on your wedding, DIY may work for you!
Am I willing to delegate?
Oftentimes, DIY or not, planning a wedding is more than a one or two man job. Are you willing to ask for help, to let go of the reigns and delegate some tasks around? Maybe you have some Aunties willing to sew tablecloths, some cousins willing to help forage greenery or a good friend with some cake-making skills who is willing to help. I’m not encouraging you to use and abuse all your connections to get everything for free. Asking for help or being offered time, skills and services by someone should be cherished and in my opinion, paid for in some way or another. Be grateful if you have friends and family willing to do this and don’t take them for granted.
Try to have everything sorted before the actual wedding day. If you can delegate the running of the day to someone else, whether a wedding vendor or a friend, then you can actually enjoy it. If you’re doing your own makeup, setting up your reception, making your bouquet and answering the phone to every Tom, Dick and Sally on your wedding morning, is that going to make for a relaxing and enjoyable lead up to your walk down the aisle? I want you to be present in the moment, focusing on marrying the love of your life, not worrying whether the food is going to be ready on time.
Thanks to Shutterturf for featuring me on this list, check it out.
Let’s have a chat about DIY (do-it-yourself) weddings. I would say they are not as popular as they used to be but still happen today. There are pros and cons for a DIY or a semi-DIY approach to your wedding, which we are going to discuss, and what DIY really means.
Is it the right thing for you?
Consider whether a DIY is really the right thing for you. How big is your guest list? Where are you getting married? Do you have family/friends willing and able to help? Do you have access to the materials you need? These are just a few questions to think about when going down the DIY route. If you are having a small wedding on private property with minimal decorations then the DIY approach could be an easy option for you.
DIY could mean literally doing everything yourself- making your own dress, sourcing and putting together decorations, making your own cake, putting together flowers and bouquets yourself, sourcing all supplies yourself… or you could just pick and choose a few things that are manageable for you to do, and outsource others to professional wedding vendors. Maybe you have some talented friends and family that put up their hand to help. Consider what kind of services would be better handled by a wedding vendor. You might want to save money on a wedding cake by having your Aunty make it but hire a professional photographer instead of a high school friend doing an average job.
Is it actually going to save you money?
You may think that doing things yourself saves a lot of money compared to professional vendors, but this is not necessarily true in every case. Doing it DIY will often take a much bigger chunk of your time than enlisting a vendor to do it for you. Your time is money too and if your wedding tasks are taking you away from your work, family time, quality time with your partner, looking after your health and wellbeing and actually enjoying your engagement, is it really worth it? If you’re spending hours and hours putting together decorations when you could just hire them and save a load of time and money, why not outsource?
Will you regret making money-based decisions later? Of course, most of us don’t have a bottomless pit of money in our wallets, and looking for ways to save when it comes to your wedding is important. As mentioned in my budget blog post, think about prioritising areas to spend more in and less in. Think about down the track if you will regret anything. Will you wish you’d invested in a professional makeup artist or a professional videographer? Will you wish you’d just paid someone to coordinate your day rather than feeling rushed and stressed during the day?
Is it going to cause unnecessary stress?
This is one of the biggest things couples tell me that overwhelms them when planning a DIY wedding, that they are so STRESSED. Do you really want this cloud hanging over you for your whole engagement. Do you actually have the time to do it all yourself? If you’re juggling working full-time, eating well, exercising, investing in your relationships and friendships, maybe buying a home, or planning for your future… is hole-punching leaves every night to make confetti going to bring you joy or be extra stress? If you have time to fit in these extra tasks (that always take longer than you think) then great, go for it!
At this point, you might be thinking, “wow you’re just a greedy wedding vendor who wants to take all my money and have everything picture perfect on my day!” No. Of course, I may be a little biased, especially when it comes to photography, and can see how much investing in professional wedding vendors makes a difference not only to the look and feel of your day but your sanity while planning. I have seen talented vendors work in action and give clients the most amazing experience. So yes, I do recommend using professional vendors in certain areas. But, not always. Depending on your wedding, DIY may work for you!
Am I willing to delegate?
Oftentimes, DIY or not, planning a wedding is more than a one or two man job. Are you willing to ask for help, to let go of the reigns and delegate some tasks around? Maybe you have some Aunties willing to sew tablecloths, some cousins willing to help forage greenery or a good friend with some cake-making skills who is willing to help. I’m not encouraging you to use and abuse all your connections to get everything for free. Asking for help or being offered time, skills and services by someone should be cherished and in my opinion, paid for in some way or another. Be grateful if you have friends and family willing to do this and don’t take them for granted.
Try to have everything sorted before the actual wedding day. If you can delegate the running of the day to someone else, whether a wedding vendor or a friend, then you can actually enjoy it. If you’re doing your own makeup, setting up your reception, making your bouquet and answering the phone to every Tom, Dick and Sally on your wedding morning, is that going to make for a relaxing and enjoyable lead up to your walk down the aisle? I want you to be present in the moment, focusing on marrying the love of your life, not worrying whether the food is going to be ready on time.
Thanks to Shutterturf for featuring me on this list, check it out.
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