Things to DIY For Your Wedding & Things Best Left to the Professionals

Planning your dream wedding is exciting, yet can very quickly become very stressful, especially if you plan on doing any part of the wedding yourself. Many of the of the brides on Rustic Wedding Chic are planning rustic budget weddings so they start to think about rustic DIY wedding projects that might add some beauty without breaking the bank. But before you run out to the local craft store and buy supplies to make anything you’ve ever seen on Pinterest, take some time to prioritize what is most important to you and your spouse-to-be. Do you care most about food? Music? The dress? Once you’ve pinpointed your priorities, plan a budget and either DIY or hire professionals accordingly. Sometimes the idea of taking on a DIY wedding bouquet sounds great however you might not want to be worried about doing the flowers the day of your wedding so you might want to think about on something you can do weeks or even months in advance, like DIY rustic wedding favors. Here’s what Rambling House suggests on where to splurge on expert help, and where DIY is best. If you are looking for a good DIY short list to start with, try our 10 Rustic Wedding DIY Projects To Try.

 

 What To DIY 

Invitations: Save-the-dates and invitations are the first ways that those folks outside your close friends and family will hear of your engagement and plans to marry. Why go with an overpriced set of embossed invitations printed in a hard-to-read font, when you can make your own invitations instead? DIY invitations are more personal, casual, and generally far less expensive than paying someone else to do it. Whether you use a photo software program, convince a designer friend to whip something up for you, or create something simple yourself using PhotoShop, DIY wedding invitations are the way to go. Not only are they cheaper, but DIY invites allow the unique personality of the couple to really shine. Want to get the DIY look but need a little help? Paper & Lace Collections offers a unique alternative to DIY invitations. You can order a “DIY Assembly” package at a discounted price. Everything comes printed, cut, and ready to assemble. All you need is double-sided tape. The super simple step-by-step instructions are included. If you are on a budget but apprehensive about making your own invitations, assembling them yourself is a great option to cut back on your budget.

Source: Paper & Lace

Dance lessons: People don’t dance anymore. They may stand in a circle at a club or sway back and forth at a concert, but who wants that caught on camera for their first dance? So couples everywhere shell out big bucks to get dance lessons before their big day. But why? Instead of going to an awkward dance studio and paying tons of money, invite your bridal party over, have some drinks, and look up waltz tutorials on YouTube. You’ll be far more comfortable surrounded by friends, and the best part: it’s free!

 See More From This Real Wedding /  Jennifer Bakos Photography

 

 See More From This Real Wedding / Brushfire Photography 

See Our 10 Rustic Wedding Projects To Try

Flowers and centerpieces: Some florists charge amazing fees to create beautiful rustic wedding floral arrangements and rustic centerpieces for weddings. But with a little creativity, you can create your own for a fraction of the cost, and with much more of a personal, handmade flair. At Rambling House, we love the look (and price tag!) of wildflowers, set in a simple vase or jar and accented with twine. If you’re looking for more traditional flowers, consider heading to the grocery store and buying a few big bouquets, and then split them up into several different vases. Smaller, simple arrangements are easy to put together yourself, cost less, and add a laid-back feel to the event.

 See More From This Real Wedding / Catherine Rhodes Photography

 

 See More From This Real Wedding /  Jennifer Bakos Photography

 

Drinks: Keep it simple. There are some delicious sparkling wines available for a fraction of the cost of Champagne. Get some favorite beers and wine, but don’t break the bank: your guests are not going to be checking labels and complaining that you didn’t get top-shelf brands. Design a signature cocktail for the wedding, and create your own “base” to have on hand—DIY sours, cosmopolitan mix, or infused vodka for example. Not only will you have fun designing the drink, but guests will remember it, and you won’t have to buy liquors and mixers for tons of different drinks.

 See More From This Real Wedding / Brushfire Photography 

 

Leave To The Professionals: 

Planning/ coordinating: Sure, you’re organized, you know exactly what you want, you like being in control, and you have a million friends and relatives who have promised to help. But whether you choose to have a planner for the entire duration of the wedding, or simple a day-of coordinator, professional help can mean the difference between an event that feels handmade and inviting, and an event that feels cheap and disorganized. A professional vows to dedicate themselves to making sure you and your fiancé are happy, that the event will look as good in real life as it does in your head, and that no one gets lost or goes hungry. Having a DIY wedding is fun and fantastic, but a day-of planner will allow you to be stress-free the day of your event and truly experience your wedding day.

 See More From This Real Wedding / Catherine Rhodes Photography

 

Photography: These days everyone knows someone with a quality camera and a good eye. But before you agree to let your mom’s friend or your neighbor take the photos of your big day, remember that there are advantages to hiring a photographer. A professional won’t know anyone at the event, so they won’t be socializing and potentially miss important moments. A photographer will also understand where the lighting is best, what time of day is the best for different kinds of shots, and will think to get different shots that a family friend might not consider. Your wedding photos will be something you treasure for years to come, so consider spending some money to ensure that they are perfect.

 See More From This Real Wedding /  Jennifer Bakos Photography

 

Food: People love to rave about a good meal, and love to complain about a bad one. So while asking your mom to cook your favorite dishes or considering making part or all of the meal yourself might seem like a way to make things personal and save some money, the food is really best left to a caterer. A caterer will know what sorts of foods are appropriate for which sorts of events, what time to serve different courses, how to combine you and your partner’s different tastes, how to accommodate guests with dietary needs or restrictions, and how to cook on a large scale for an event with many guests. Take some time to sample different caterers’ foods, peruse their menus and package offerings, and seek out reviews online and from friends. See our ideas on how to plan a seasonal wedding menu.

See More From This Real Wedding / Kate Holstein Photography

 

 Music: It’s certainly inexpensive and easy to make a playlist, bring out the iHome, and simply provide the music for your event in that fashion. But a band or DJ has a presence, and is there for the opportunity to add another layer of warmth, personality, and hospitality to your wedding. They can take requests, set the pace of the event, and change the types of music they’re playing based on the mood of the crowd—your ipod can’t.

 See More From This Real Wedding / Catherine Rhodes Photography