With wedding costs rising as each year goes by, a DIY wedding seems more and more appealing. Thus, making sense that couples everywhere have taken an interest in the do-it-yourself approach to planning. The concept is simple: Instead of hiring professionals to take on challenges like decorating and creating floral arrangements, you will handle the details yourself. The goal of this option is to save money and take more control over the finished look of the event. Naturally, this is not always the easiest way to plan. To see success, look over these foundational elements of the process.
Start With Inspiration
Beginning the DIY process from scratch can be overwhelming. When you’re looking at a blank slate, you may feel nothing but stress and anxiety. Even creative people struggle to come up with good ideas when pressed. Thankfully, the solution is as easy as finding inspiration. Whether you create a mood board or casually browse blogs and Pinterest accounts, looking at images that invoke ideas can be a lifesaver. Inspiration can come from all kinds of places, so don’t limit yourself to only wedding-themed outlets.
Review the Practical Details For Your DIY
Looking at pretty pictures is only the start of the DIY process. To see results, you must also review the practical side of things. An idea might look beautiful in a picture and be incredibly difficult to execute. Looking at information like the materials required, time involved, and effort needed to complete each project can make a world of difference in devising a strategy. The biggest mistake people make when exploring DIY options is assuming a task will be easy and discovering too late that it is far more involved.
Source Materials
Understanding the practical side of the process also includes developing a better understanding of the materials involved. If you’ve decided to make your own invitations, for example, then you should start looking at how much it will cost you to source the cardstock and envelopes you’ll need. You should also factor in additional materials like stamps, ink, and whatever else might be needed. Failing to consider the costs of all supplies can throw off your budget, so be as realistic as you can when coming up with numbers.
Get Help
The truth about DIY tasks is that you and your partner will usually not be able to complete most projects on your own. In fact, you’ll benefit from as much manpower as possible. Before you set any of your projects in stone, reach out to close friends and family members to see if anyone is willing to lend a hand. By having access to help, you’ll be able to come up with a timeline of exactly how long it will take to complete everything you’re setting your sights on. Should you be unable to find people willing to assist, adjust your plan accordingly.
Mix and Match DIY
An entirely DIY event is not an easy feat to pull off. The best way to see success is by mixing and matching the do-it-yourself approach with more traditional methods. For some people, this means letting a professional handle floral arrangements while taking on the task of selecting unique vases as centerpieces. At the end of the day, DIY approaches are meant to make your life easier. For whatever is too difficult to handle by yourself, hire an expert to handle the job.
The DIY wedding can be a fantastic way to take more control over the look and feel of your event while saving some change along the road. Naturally, opting to do certain tasks yourself is not as simple as most people would prefer. Thankfully, as long as you put thought into your plan, you’ll have an easier time using this approach to the fullest.
You want to avoid a DIY disaster, couples often make mistakes when planning their weddings. While some will be small, like forgetting a pair of cufflinks on the dresser, others can be a bit more impactful. Forgetting to take major points into account when planning can lead to outcomes that pose a major threat to the enjoyment of your event. Thankfully, you can do yourself a big favor by considering a few things early. Review these tips and learn what to do when a problem appears.
DIY Disaster
Thanks to the internet and sites like Pinterest and YouTube, most people feel like they can tackle any project they imagine on their own. This has led to countless couples opting to take the DIY route with wedding decor in order to save money and give the event a more personal touch. Anyone who has experience in this area, however, knows how complicated such tasks can be. Just because it looks simple in a tutorial doesn’t mean it is going to be easy for you to execute in real life.
If you put off DIY tasks until the last minute and find you’re unable to complete the job because it is way more complicated than you thought, you’re in a worst-case scenario. Avoid this by doing a trial run of the project far in advance. Time yourself and see how long it takes to get a single item finished. Have a backup plan in the event something goes awry, and you should be in a much better position.
Outdoor Disaster
Outdoor weddings are a spectacular way to make the beauty of nature a central part of your big day. Sadly, the sunshine and scenic landscapes often come along with a variety of threats and annoyances. Rain when the forecast called for clear skies, for example, can set the entire day’s events into a tizzy. When planning an event that takes place outside, you absolutely want to consider inclement weather. Even if this means renting a tent you never have to use, the precautionary measures will be well worth the effort should you require them.
Bugs can also prove to be an aggravation. Thankfully, these pests are much easier to handle than a sudden thunderstorm. Giving your guests bug spray when they arrive or lighting candles meant to ward off particular insects can be great options. Think about whatever outdoor threats are most likely to impact your wedding and be sure to include potential solutions for each to give yourself peace of mind.
Guest Requests
Another interesting setback you might encounter has to do with your guests. These days, people tend to have a lot more restrictions when it comes to meals. From major allergies to strict diets, you’d be surprised at how many couples receive special meal requests from friends and family. As to not be surprised by this, be sure to include a mention of requests on your save-the-date cards or invitations. This will allow anyone with restrictions to give you ample warning so that it can be addressed with caterers in advance.
DIY Forgetful Minds
Finally, you’re probably most stressed about forgetting something important on the day of your wedding. Whether it is something major like tips for the vendors or something small like an accessory you wanted to include in your outfit, you can reduce your stress levels by making a simple checklist. More often than not, a list that you can refer to when putting yourself together on the morning of your event can work wonders toward ensuring you bring each and every item you require.
These are just a few of the problems you are likely to encounter when planning for your big day. In order to feel confident in your decisions and reduce the odds of a surprise disaster, put together a strategy that covers all the mistakes you’re most likely to experience.
Taking on a task like DIY invitations requires a bit of forethought. Look over these suggestions and find the best possible way to do your invites yourself!
Weddings can cost an arm and a leg. For this reason, plenty of couples search for helpful ways to cut corners and save money throughout the process. Over the last decade or so, the idea of the “DIY wedding” has become somewhat popular. While you might not be able to do everything yourself, there are certain key elements that you can easily take on. Your wedding invitations, for example, might be an ideal DIY project, as creating them yourself can both help save some money and give you total control over what your invitations will look like.
Taking on a task like DIY invitations requires a bit of forethought. Look over these suggestions and find the best possible way to do your invites yourself!
Know All the Details
Invitations are important for a number of reasons. For the happy couple, they help to keep tabs on how many people have been invited to the event and how many people plan on attending. For the guests, however, they are responsible for providing a great deal of vital information related to the event. This includes the date, location, directions, and anything else the couple would like to share. Before you can make your invitations, you need to be sure you have all of these details set in stone and ready to share.
Figuring out the specifics takes a little time, but you should have them solidified somewhat early in the planning process. Beyond the information presented, you also want to have a few aesthetic ideas locked and loaded. Most couples opt to have their invitations reflect the “design theme” of their wedding. For example, if you plan on having the color blue featured in the decor at your venue, try to work this particular shade of blue into the invites to help create a more cohesive visual theme.
Space and Design of the Invitations
While being able to design your own invitations can be a huge help when it comes to your finances, there is also a good amount of work involved. After you’ve decided on a theme and have all your information ready to go, you need to think about how you would like to word the invitation. This can be tricky, especially because you only have so much space to work with. In order to avoid overcrowding the card with text, print out a sample on your home computer and see how the text reads.
You are also going to need to take RSVPs into consideration. Many couples include self-addressed envelopes for guests to mail back with their RSVP information. If this isn’t in your budget, don’t feel like you absolutely must include this envelope. To save money and time, you may want to offer guests the chance to RSVP by phone, through email, or online. The RSVP information exists so you have an easier time knowing how many guests to anticipate at your event, so find a method that makes the most sense for you and your partner.
Get an Early Start
Finally, you want to get as early a start as possible on creating your invitations. The moment you have information like the date and venue ready to go, you can begin making a template of what you’d like the invites to look like. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can get the completed product in the mail and hear back from guests about how many heads to expect. Starting early also gives you plenty of room for trial and error, which can be a huge help when you have little or no experience with design.
Creating your own invitations for your wedding can be a great way to limit your spending and save a small chunk of change. Explore your options, and see what you can accomplish with your own creative mind.
With wedding costs rising as each year goes by, a DIY wedding seems more and more appealing. Thus, making sense that couples everywhere have taken an interest in the do-it-yourself approach to planning. The concept is simple: Instead of hiring professionals to take on challenges like decorating and creating floral arrangements, you will handle the details yourself. The goal of this option is to save money and take more control over the finished look of the event. Naturally, this is not always the easiest way to plan. To see success, look over these foundational elements of the process.
Start With Inspiration
Beginning the DIY process from scratch can be overwhelming. When you’re looking at a blank slate, you may feel nothing but stress and anxiety. Even creative people struggle to come up with good ideas when pressed. Thankfully, the solution is as easy as finding inspiration. Whether you create a mood board or casually browse blogs and Pinterest accounts, looking at images that invoke ideas can be a lifesaver. Inspiration can come from all kinds of places, so don’t limit yourself to only wedding-themed outlets.
Review the Practical Details For Your DIY
Looking at pretty pictures is only the start of the DIY process. To see results, you must also review the practical side of things. An idea might look beautiful in a picture and be incredibly difficult to execute. Looking at information like the materials required, time involved, and effort needed to complete each project can make a world of difference in devising a strategy. The biggest mistake people make when exploring DIY options is assuming a task will be easy and discovering too late that it is far more involved.
Source Materials
Understanding the practical side of the process also includes developing a better understanding of the materials involved. If you’ve decided to make your own invitations, for example, then you should start looking at how much it will cost you to source the cardstock and envelopes you’ll need. You should also factor in additional materials like stamps, ink, and whatever else might be needed. Failing to consider the costs of all supplies can throw off your budget, so be as realistic as you can when coming up with numbers.
Get Help
The truth about DIY tasks is that you and your partner will usually not be able to complete most projects on your own. In fact, you’ll benefit from as much manpower as possible. Before you set any of your projects in stone, reach out to close friends and family members to see if anyone is willing to lend a hand. By having access to help, you’ll be able to come up with a timeline of exactly how long it will take to complete everything you’re setting your sights on. Should you be unable to find people willing to assist, adjust your plan accordingly.
Mix and Match DIY
An entirely DIY event is not an easy feat to pull off. The best way to see success is by mixing and matching the do-it-yourself approach with more traditional methods. For some people, this means letting a professional handle floral arrangements while taking on the task of selecting unique vases as centerpieces. At the end of the day, DIY approaches are meant to make your life easier. For whatever is too difficult to handle by yourself, hire an expert to handle the job.
The DIY wedding can be a fantastic way to take more control over the look and feel of your event while saving some change along the road. Naturally, opting to do certain tasks yourself is not as simple as most people would prefer. Thankfully, as long as you put thought into your plan, you’ll have an easier time using this approach to the fullest.
You want to avoid a DIY disaster, couples often make mistakes when planning their weddings. While some will be small, like forgetting a pair of cufflinks on the dresser, others can be a bit more impactful. Forgetting to take major points into account when planning can lead to outcomes that pose a major threat to the enjoyment of your event. Thankfully, you can do yourself a big favor by considering a few things early. Review these tips and learn what to do when a problem appears.
DIY Disaster
Thanks to the internet and sites like Pinterest and YouTube, most people feel like they can tackle any project they imagine on their own. This has led to countless couples opting to take the DIY route with wedding decor in order to save money and give the event a more personal touch. Anyone who has experience in this area, however, knows how complicated such tasks can be. Just because it looks simple in a tutorial doesn’t mean it is going to be easy for you to execute in real life.
If you put off DIY tasks until the last minute and find you’re unable to complete the job because it is way more complicated than you thought, you’re in a worst-case scenario. Avoid this by doing a trial run of the project far in advance. Time yourself and see how long it takes to get a single item finished. Have a backup plan in the event something goes awry, and you should be in a much better position.
Outdoor Disaster
Outdoor weddings are a spectacular way to make the beauty of nature a central part of your big day. Sadly, the sunshine and scenic landscapes often come along with a variety of threats and annoyances. Rain when the forecast called for clear skies, for example, can set the entire day’s events into a tizzy. When planning an event that takes place outside, you absolutely want to consider inclement weather. Even if this means renting a tent you never have to use, the precautionary measures will be well worth the effort should you require them.
Bugs can also prove to be an aggravation. Thankfully, these pests are much easier to handle than a sudden thunderstorm. Giving your guests bug spray when they arrive or lighting candles meant to ward off particular insects can be great options. Think about whatever outdoor threats are most likely to impact your wedding and be sure to include potential solutions for each to give yourself peace of mind.
Guest Requests
Another interesting setback you might encounter has to do with your guests. These days, people tend to have a lot more restrictions when it comes to meals. From major allergies to strict diets, you’d be surprised at how many couples receive special meal requests from friends and family. As to not be surprised by this, be sure to include a mention of requests on your save-the-date cards or invitations. This will allow anyone with restrictions to give you ample warning so that it can be addressed with caterers in advance.
DIY Forgetful Minds
Finally, you’re probably most stressed about forgetting something important on the day of your wedding. Whether it is something major like tips for the vendors or something small like an accessory you wanted to include in your outfit, you can reduce your stress levels by making a simple checklist. More often than not, a list that you can refer to when putting yourself together on the morning of your event can work wonders toward ensuring you bring each and every item you require.
These are just a few of the problems you are likely to encounter when planning for your big day. In order to feel confident in your decisions and reduce the odds of a surprise disaster, put together a strategy that covers all the mistakes you’re most likely to experience.
Taking on a task like DIY invitations requires a bit of forethought. Look over these suggestions and find the best possible way to do your invites yourself!
Weddings can cost an arm and a leg. For this reason, plenty of couples search for helpful ways to cut corners and save money throughout the process. Over the last decade or so, the idea of the “DIY wedding” has become somewhat popular. While you might not be able to do everything yourself, there are certain key elements that you can easily take on. Your wedding invitations, for example, might be an ideal DIY project, as creating them yourself can both help save some money and give you total control over what your invitations will look like.
Taking on a task like DIY invitations requires a bit of forethought. Look over these suggestions and find the best possible way to do your invites yourself!
Know All the Details
Invitations are important for a number of reasons. For the happy couple, they help to keep tabs on how many people have been invited to the event and how many people plan on attending. For the guests, however, they are responsible for providing a great deal of vital information related to the event. This includes the date, location, directions, and anything else the couple would like to share. Before you can make your invitations, you need to be sure you have all of these details set in stone and ready to share.
Figuring out the specifics takes a little time, but you should have them solidified somewhat early in the planning process. Beyond the information presented, you also want to have a few aesthetic ideas locked and loaded. Most couples opt to have their invitations reflect the “design theme” of their wedding. For example, if you plan on having the color blue featured in the decor at your venue, try to work this particular shade of blue into the invites to help create a more cohesive visual theme.
Space and Design of the Invitations
While being able to design your own invitations can be a huge help when it comes to your finances, there is also a good amount of work involved. After you’ve decided on a theme and have all your information ready to go, you need to think about how you would like to word the invitation. This can be tricky, especially because you only have so much space to work with. In order to avoid overcrowding the card with text, print out a sample on your home computer and see how the text reads.
You are also going to need to take RSVPs into consideration. Many couples include self-addressed envelopes for guests to mail back with their RSVP information. If this isn’t in your budget, don’t feel like you absolutely must include this envelope. To save money and time, you may want to offer guests the chance to RSVP by phone, through email, or online. The RSVP information exists so you have an easier time knowing how many guests to anticipate at your event, so find a method that makes the most sense for you and your partner.
Get an Early Start
Finally, you want to get as early a start as possible on creating your invitations. The moment you have information like the date and venue ready to go, you can begin making a template of what you’d like the invites to look like. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can get the completed product in the mail and hear back from guests about how many heads to expect. Starting early also gives you plenty of room for trial and error, which can be a huge help when you have little or no experience with design.
Creating your own invitations for your wedding can be a great way to limit your spending and save a small chunk of change. Explore your options, and see what you can accomplish with your own creative mind.
