TO DIY
3 Wedding DIY Projects to Tackle and 3 To Skip
DIY projects can be fun to do, add a personal touch to your day and save you money. But, while a DIY project may seem like the less expensive option, ones that require a lot of materials and time may end up costing you more in the end. To help you narrow down your DIY to-do list, we give you some of our favorite DIY projects—and the one's you should do without.
Jamie Grenough
Your Menus
Whether set on each placesetting or scrawled on a chalkboard, menus are a fun way to get creative during wedding planning. Find an idea you love that matches your décor and go for it! Adding a pop of color or a personal photo to your menus is a super easy way to leave a lasting impression and amp up your decor. We especially love this DIY watercolor menu, with easy step-by-step instructions.
Your Bridesmaid Gifts
These should be personal, and the best way to make something personal is to do it yourself. Opting to create your own bridesmaid gifts is also great because there are so many ways to spin it. Not super creative? Throw a party instead! Really love writing? DIY your own cards for your favorite girls. Whatever you choose, your bridesmaids will be happy to know that you put so much effort into making them happy. For more DIY bridesmaid gift ideas, check out this list.
Your Menus
Whether set on each placesetting or scrawled on a chalkboard, menus are a fun way to get creative during wedding planning. Find an idea you love that matches your décor and go for it! Adding a pop of color or a personal photo to your menus is a super easy way to leave a lasting impression and amp up your decor. We especially love this DIY watercolor menu, with easy step-by-step instructions.
Your Bridesmaid Gifts
These should be personal, and the best way to make something personal is to do it yourself. Opting to create your own bridesmaid gifts is also great because there are so many ways to spin it. Not super creative? Throw a party instead! Really love writing? DIY your own cards for your favorite girls. Whatever you choose, your bridesmaids will be happy to know that you put so much effort into making them happy. For more DIY bridesmaid gift ideas, check out this list.
Leslee Mitchell
Your Favors
Depending on your guest count, this one could get tedious (we suggest leaving the baking to the professionals unless you plan to be up the night before your wedding covered in flour!). But, even with a large wedding, the options here are plenty. Try something simple like setting out a candy table with take-home baggies for your guests or bottle up some infused oils or check out two of our favorite DIY favors: "love in bloom" succulents (only five steps!) and these soy wax candles.
Your Main Décor (including flowers)
Adding personal touches to smaller items like menus and ceremony programs is great, but leave the big stuff, like your bouquet, your chuppah, and your centerpieces to your florist. Putting together bouquets for you and your bridesmaids may seem easy, but it's actually quite tedious. Plus, seeing your design come to life on the day-of (without you having to help) is a great way to kick off the big day.
Your Food (or your cake)
As we mentioned before, baking the night before your wedding is not an ideal situation; the same can be said for cooking. Food is something that is mostly done last minute—and last minute things will keep you stressed and unable to fully enjoy the day. Whether you hire a caterer or leave the food to a trusted family member, just make sure it's not on your shoulders.
Your Favors
Depending on your guest count, this one could get tedious (we suggest leaving the baking to the professionals unless you plan to be up the night before your wedding covered in flour!). But, even with a large wedding, the options here are plenty. Try something simple like setting out a candy table with take-home baggies for your guests or bottle up some infused oils or check out two of our favorite DIY favors: "love in bloom" succulents (only five steps!) and these soy wax candles.
NOT TO DIY
Your Main Décor (including flowers)
Adding personal touches to smaller items like menus and ceremony programs is great, but leave the big stuff, like your bouquet, your chuppah, and your centerpieces to your florist. Putting together bouquets for you and your bridesmaids may seem easy, but it's actually quite tedious. Plus, seeing your design come to life on the day-of (without you having to help) is a great way to kick off the big day.
Your Food (or your cake)
As we mentioned before, baking the night before your wedding is not an ideal situation; the same can be said for cooking. Food is something that is mostly done last minute—and last minute things will keep you stressed and unable to fully enjoy the day. Whether you hire a caterer or leave the food to a trusted family member, just make sure it's not on your shoulders.
Skyla Walton
Your Photos
You may have a friend who takes great photos on his vacations, but it's still wise to hire a true professional. Your wedding photos are something that stay with you forever, so you want them to be great. Just trust us: if you're going to use your wedding budget on anything, use it on photography. You won't regret it once you're looking at an album full of the most beautiful photos you've ever seen.
Style Me Pretty Contributor - Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn't writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.
Your Photos
You may have a friend who takes great photos on his vacations, but it's still wise to hire a true professional. Your wedding photos are something that stay with you forever, so you want them to be great. Just trust us: if you're going to use your wedding budget on anything, use it on photography. You won't regret it once you're looking at an album full of the most beautiful photos you've ever seen.
Style Me Pretty Contributor - Jessica Tzikas is a freelance writer, editor, and content manager from South Florida, who recently moved back to the sunshine state after living in Philadelphia for the past few years. When she isn't writing, you can find her reading by the beach, practicing yoga, and exploring nearby towns with her new husband.