DIY weddings have taken over Pinterest and wedding blogs, inspiring brides to create their own unique stationery, décor features, snacks, and even dresses.
But, is a DIY wedding all that it’s cracked up to be? Like everything in life, there are advantages and disadvantages to undertaking to do it yourself.
Deciding on whether this is the route you want to go depends on considering these and figuring out the pay-off for you, as a couple.
Pros of a DIY Wedding
Budget-friendly – you might save money designing and making items yourself. You certainly have more control over what materials or ingredients to use, and you are more able to negotiate prices for these.
Unique items – doing it yourself means that nobody else can lay claim to the goodies that you had at your wedding. You can personalise them perfectly for the two of you and for your special guests. Remember to include your goodies in photographs to remember all of the hard work that went into them.
Scope – you can outsource certain DIY projects to talented friends. Know someone that makes killer chocolate brownies? Ask them to make these as guest favours. A graphic designer friend dying to make a contribution to your day? Take them up on it and ask them to do your invitations.
Personal – being such a hands-on part of your own day means that you can use each element to convey something about you, as a couple. Sometimes, hiring or buying ready-made items can feel generic.
Cons of a DIY Wedding
Cost – sometimes, hiring items from the professionals works out to be more cost-effective than making them from scratch. There is also the hidden cost of having to replace things that didn’t turn out as well as expected.
Skill involved – humans were created to create. Pinterest inspires us and we often feel motivated to try our hand at something new. But, if you aren’t particularly artistic or handy, there’s a big chance that your DIY goodies will show this.
Stress – committing to make your own invitations, guest favours, entrees, etc….can become extremely stressful, especially when there is a list of to-do’s longer than your arm.
Time-consuming – planning a wedding is no mean feat, and brides-to-be will often feel that they just need more hours in the day. DIY-ing takes time and patience, which are often limited commodities for those planning their wedding. It is also not fair to expect those in your wedding party to take on this load. They have lives and commitments of their own.
For couples that really want a DIY look and feel to their day, balance is probably the best way to go about it.
Adding personal touches to bought or hired goods may accomplish want you need it to in the way of personalised, unique touches without putting too much pressure on you to create bunting, favours, bridesmaid dresses, homemade jewellery, and photobooth props all on your own.
For example, consider DIY sashes or crocheted brooches to add to your hired bridesmaid dresses, or create a cute personalised stamp, print it on a sticker and add these to plain jars for rustic vases.
Even more important than having the perfect centrepieces or the most uniquely ‘you’ thank you cards is that you are able to relax and enjoy this very special time with those who love you the most.
Happy Wedding Planning!
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