While creating your own ‘uniquely you’ wedding vision can be fun and exciting, the DIY process also has a well-earned reputation for being quite stressful. Often, it leaves couples disillusioned too.
At JMFS, the team has seen it all – the good and the disastrous! Even the most organised and enthusiastic individuals can run into problems, many of which are unforeseen. With this in mind, we thought it would be helpful to share some DIY red flags and tips to avoid them. There are some definite dos and don’ts!
Financial mistakes
Many newlyweds opt for a DIY wedding because they believe it will save them money, but this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, a DIY wedding can actually end up being more expensive! Overspending due to an unrealistic or poorly mapped out budget is common, as are hidden costs. The latter tend to add up quickly, especially when couples jump in without having done a whole lot of planning. Most also lack industry experience (which is to be expected!) and therefore aren’t necessarily aware of all the preparation and materials involved in large-scale events. Even intimate elopements require a fair amount of work!
Tips to avoid
Pinterest, Instagram and other social media platforms are great springboards for creativity, but these beautiful inspo pics very rarely include price breakdowns. Before booking or buying anything, we strongly advise sitting down with your partner and having a bit of a brainstorm – which elements would you like to prioritise and what is the general consensus on typical costs? Having a shared understanding of the amount of time able you’ll each be able to personally invest in DIY is important too.
From supplies and tools to delivery, setup and other labour costs, there are a number of factors that determine how much vendors charge for their services. While they may not appear to be the most economical choice upfront, couples are able to relax and enjoy the lead up to their wedding knowing that these fees are once-off and all-inclusive. Essentially, they consider a vendor’s expertise, detailed timelining and seamless execution on the day so nothing is forgotten or left to chance. Choosing to handle the details yourself can cut costs in some areas but also means you run the risk of spending even more in other areas.
Logistical mistakes
Wedding planning can bring out the artist in all of us. Handmaking pretty stationery and monogrammed favours for all 120 of your guests may sound like thoughtful ways to add a personal touch to your wedding, but these DIY efforts aren’t always as simple as originally thought. Overcommitting to too many projects and overestimating your creative abilities can lead to burnout and frustration, zapping the good vibes out of a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is meant to be fun.
Tips to avoid
Be realistic! If you have your heart set on incorporating personal components, first do an honest assessment of your strengths and then decide on smaller DIY tasks that match these and feel manageable. Make sure they’re enjoyable for you as well.
It’s best to leave the big stuff, like multi-tiered wedding cakes and elaborate tablescapes, to the pros. DIY projects can be successful and really memorable from a guest’s point of view but generally only when they’re add-ons – nothing absolutely necessary or otherwise capable of compromising the day.
Allow for unexpected delays. Rigid timelines that leave no room for error or pause are guaranteed to cause panic! Often, they also result in rushed work, meaning disappointment and regret for newlyweds.
Communicate with your vendors, family and friends. DIY elements add complexity to wedding coordination so it’s vital that all parties involved are on the same page. Misunderstandings need to be cleared up early so everything runs smoothly on the day.
Other mistakes
A great rule for life and DIY weddings – don’t make assumptions. At JMFS, we’ve seen a fair few couples over the years come to collect styling items completely unprepared! If you are dry-hiring ceremony plinths, glass vases or other large and cumbersome pieces, make sure your vehicle is spacious enough to transport these to and from your wedding venue. Similarly, it’s important that hire items are protected during transport. Think of packing your car/van as a high-stakes game of Tetris with precious cargo – all the moving pieces need to fit snuggly and be adequately wrapped (especially if they’re breakable!). If you’re picking up fresh flowers, it’s a good idea to have buckets of water ready for the commute as well.
Final takeaway
At the end of the day, the decision to DIY parts of your wedding is an individual one. There’s no right or wrong! We just encourage our couples to keep their resources, time and willingness to take on additional responsibilities in mind so that the planning experience is more rewarding than anxiety-inducing.
