I am DIY’er when it comes to everything! I’m also the one that spends far more money trying to DIY a project or recipe, than just purchasing it already made. I love the creativity and learning process. Crafting and cooking are my stress relievers. But DIY’ing a Christmas ornament I saw at a craft show is much less work than DYI’ing a wedding.
The process behind DIY’ing your wedding can be SO. MUCH. FUN. It’s a chance to get creative in how you bring your vision to life. It makes for fun craft nights with your bridal party or family. Not to mention the insane satisfaction of knowing that YOU made this wedding look beautiful (and on a budget!).
For my fellow DIY’ers, here are a few tips for your wedding projects:
- Calculate your budget and stick to it. DIY project supplies add up quickly if you’re not keeping track. Before you know it, you may have spent more than what you could have rented or purchased the item for.
- Always be shopping sales. I’m almost embarrassed to admit how often I check the Michael’s website for current sales on supplies.
- Get familiar with stores that offer rewards programs or regularly available coupons
- FB Marketplace, garage sales, thrift stores, outlet stores, and recently married friends are great sources for low-cost supplies
- Do your research before purchasing from Temu & Ali Express. While I’ve had great luck with some items, others have been 100% unusable. Read reviews (and measurements) carefully and make sure the return policy is something you’re comfortable with.
- Have an eye for design or know someone that does? Websites such as Canva can be a great (free) tool for printed material design. Bonus! If you have a .edu email address, you can upgrade to Canva Pro for free!
- Don’t wait until the 11th hour. If you have the space to store items, start now. Time will FLY as you get closer to your wedding date. Tackling one project every few weeks makes it feel very manageable. I’m a list and calendar fanatic. Setting up a calendar of when you want to have each project completed by will help you stay on track.
- Store anything you’ve made in water resistant boxes or packaging. Even heavy humidity can cause damage.
- “Under promise” yourself and if you have time, “over deliver”. Grand plans that aren’t complete because time or budget are tight can lead to disappointment. I find that having a second “if budget and time allow” list has helped many of my clients.
- Most importantly- ASK FOR HELP. Trying to do everything on your own is the quickest way to max out those stress levels or get burned out. DIY projects for the wedding are a great way to make mom feel involved, get the girls together for a bonding (and wine) night, and to speed up the process.
Stay tuned for more DIY advice and examples!
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator