DIY or DI Don't?
With the development of Pinterest weddings are becoming more and more customized. And the cheapest way to get custom? DIY of course. Pinterest has an overabundance DIY projects for you to choose from across a wide array of topics: wedding, skin care, clothing, etc.
DIY is not always cheaper or the best way to go. A good rule of thumb is don't try to tackle projects you're not comfortable with and in terms of wedding comfortable making in volume. Also the last thing you want is to be trying to finish up your DIY's the day of the wedding!!
Keep reading to figure out if DIY is right for you:
1) Do you have the time or mental capacity for it? When planning a wedding you don't just have your money budget, you also have your time budget, and your sanity budget. If calligraphy on 200 envelopes sounds like it will make you jump out the window, it probably is worth it to pay for someone else to do it. On the flip side if you have the time and find calligraphy relaxing by all means bring it on.
Also know whatever DIY you're making for your wedding will have to be made in bulk. You can't just make one favor, you have to make them all!
If you don't have the time to DIY and you rush things are not going to turn out the way you want them to, and will cause you more stress than maybe picking up an overtime shift to pay for the items out right. Remember, while we don't have infinite amounts of money- if you do please hit me up- we also don't have infinite amount of time, or sanity. Sometimes your sanity is just worth the cash.
2) Do you know how to do it? If not will it take long to learn?
One of the biggest factors in me choosing to DIY is that I frequently craft as a hobby and attended a performing and fine arts school for fine art and photography. For me, since I have the time, it doesn't make sense to pay someone else 5x as much money to do something I can easily do myself. I also plan to get a die cut machine with my credit card cash back rewards money and make my invitations myself. I've never used one before but after watching a ton of youtube videos on how to make invitations using one of them, I am confident I can handle it.
I've posted some of the DIYs I've already done or am in the process of making for the wedding. I will post some DIY tutorials upon request! Youtube is a great resource for learning how to do things as the video will walk you through each step as it's happening.
3) Do you have the tools/ materials to do it? If not will it cost more to get started than to just purchase the finished item?
One of the things that Pinterest doesn't tell you about their dreamy DIY wedding shoots is most of them are made by professionals. As mentioned above, I plan to to purchase a die cut machine to make my invitations. That alone is an $80 investment. For me it makes sense because I know I will use it for other projects and based on the style of invitations I want it's still cheaper for me to buy it. But if the costs of your supplies are more than just buying the product itself it may be better just to buy something pre-made.
4) Can you actually truly DIY this project? This point is very similar to #2 but very important: if you purchase everything to make a DIY, it fails horribly and you scrap it and just buy something, then you've just spent a whole lot of extra money, instead of saving it.
Pinterest Fail is an entire website dedicated to Pinterest DIY that should have been DI Don'ts. While it's great for a laugh you definitely don't want this to happen to you!
5) If you are going to DIY food do you have the ability to cook in large quantities and to store those large quantities? Plenty of people do opt to self cater their weddings as it can save a ton of money especially if you have a Costco or Sam's Club membership. Should you choose to go this route make sure you have the means to safely store and transport the food. The last thing you want is for everyone to get sick at your wedding because the food was stuck in the car too long!! Also if a caterer drops your wedding cake, they are covered by insurance, and probably have access to other cakes to substitute it. Should you drop your own home baked wedding cake, well hopefully you included your dog in the wedding party as they will be the only partaker. Watch this father of the bride drop the cake during his toast! (Spoiler alert it was a prank and the real cake was in the back).
Still wanna DIY?
This post isn't in any way to discourage you from DIY, as I mentioned I'm doing quite a bit for the wedding myself, but it is meant to bring the realities of DIY to light. You certainly do not want your wedding to look half assed! If you still think you can handle DIY here are some tips and tricks:
Youtube is your best friend: there is more or less a video on how to do anything on youtube. Instrutables and Pinterest can also be good resources.
Speaking of best friends: turn crafting into date nights by getting your finance involved! Connor was very reluctant at first, then felt bad he wasn't helping out, and now actually finds it relaxing. It's a very tangible way to see progress on your wedding plans. You can also enlist your bridal party, your friends, family, neighbors, whoever is willing to help out. You know the saying, it takes a village to raise a ... wedding.
Shop sales for supplies: To save even more on your DIYS, save money on your supplies! As mentioned in a previous post, the craft stores Michaels, Joann, and AC Moore frequently have coupons for 40%-60% off! Shop sales and/ or use coupons for the best deals. You can also find craft supplies online at Amazon, eBay, or any specialty craft shops.
If you don't have specific tools that are needed for your project, see if it is possible to borrow before you go out and buy!
What are your wedding DIY tips, tricks, regrets, finished projects? Please comment below and help out your fellow wedding planners!
DIY is not always cheaper or the best way to go. A good rule of thumb is don't try to tackle projects you're not comfortable with and in terms of wedding comfortable making in volume. Also the last thing you want is to be trying to finish up your DIY's the day of the wedding!!
Keep reading to figure out if DIY is right for you:1) Do you have the time or mental capacity for it? When planning a wedding you don't just have your money budget, you also have your time budget, and your sanity budget. If calligraphy on 200 envelopes sounds like it will make you jump out the window, it probably is worth it to pay for someone else to do it. On the flip side if you have the time and find calligraphy relaxing by all means bring it on.
Also know whatever DIY you're making for your wedding will have to be made in bulk. You can't just make one favor, you have to make them all!
If you don't have the time to DIY and you rush things are not going to turn out the way you want them to, and will cause you more stress than maybe picking up an overtime shift to pay for the items out right. Remember, while we don't have infinite amounts of money- if you do please hit me up- we also don't have infinite amount of time, or sanity. Sometimes your sanity is just worth the cash.
2) Do you know how to do it? If not will it take long to learn?
 |
| DIY engagement party favors |
 |
| DIY Place cardholders |
 |
| DIY Lace hanging balls (super easy!) |
 |
| DIY brunch menus |
I've posted some of the DIYs I've already done or am in the process of making for the wedding. I will post some DIY tutorials upon request! Youtube is a great resource for learning how to do things as the video will walk you through each step as it's happening.
3) Do you have the tools/ materials to do it? If not will it cost more to get started than to just purchase the finished item?
One of the things that Pinterest doesn't tell you about their dreamy DIY wedding shoots is most of them are made by professionals. As mentioned above, I plan to to purchase a die cut machine to make my invitations. That alone is an $80 investment. For me it makes sense because I know I will use it for other projects and based on the style of invitations I want it's still cheaper for me to buy it. But if the costs of your supplies are more than just buying the product itself it may be better just to buy something pre-made.
4) Can you actually truly DIY this project? This point is very similar to #2 but very important: if you purchase everything to make a DIY, it fails horribly and you scrap it and just buy something, then you've just spent a whole lot of extra money, instead of saving it.
Pinterest Fail is an entire website dedicated to Pinterest DIY that should have been DI Don'ts. While it's great for a laugh you definitely don't want this to happen to you!
5) If you are going to DIY food do you have the ability to cook in large quantities and to store those large quantities? Plenty of people do opt to self cater their weddings as it can save a ton of money especially if you have a Costco or Sam's Club membership. Should you choose to go this route make sure you have the means to safely store and transport the food. The last thing you want is for everyone to get sick at your wedding because the food was stuck in the car too long!! Also if a caterer drops your wedding cake, they are covered by insurance, and probably have access to other cakes to substitute it. Should you drop your own home baked wedding cake, well hopefully you included your dog in the wedding party as they will be the only partaker. Watch this father of the bride drop the cake during his toast! (Spoiler alert it was a prank and the real cake was in the back).
Still wanna DIY?
This post isn't in any way to discourage you from DIY, as I mentioned I'm doing quite a bit for the wedding myself, but it is meant to bring the realities of DIY to light. You certainly do not want your wedding to look half assed! If you still think you can handle DIY here are some tips and tricks:
Youtube is your best friend: there is more or less a video on how to do anything on youtube. Instrutables and Pinterest can also be good resources.
Speaking of best friends: turn crafting into date nights by getting your finance involved! Connor was very reluctant at first, then felt bad he wasn't helping out, and now actually finds it relaxing. It's a very tangible way to see progress on your wedding plans. You can also enlist your bridal party, your friends, family, neighbors, whoever is willing to help out. You know the saying, it takes a village to raise a ... wedding.
Shop sales for supplies: To save even more on your DIYS, save money on your supplies! As mentioned in a previous post, the craft stores Michaels, Joann, and AC Moore frequently have coupons for 40%-60% off! Shop sales and/ or use coupons for the best deals. You can also find craft supplies online at Amazon, eBay, or any specialty craft shops.
If you don't have specific tools that are needed for your project, see if it is possible to borrow before you go out and buy!
What are your wedding DIY tips, tricks, regrets, finished projects? Please comment below and help out your fellow wedding planners!
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